Our Mission Path
Serving God in Ecuador
Disciple! Imperative
Friends, this post was first published in August of 2020.
We may only disciple another for Christ on Christ’s terms and by His strategy. The “disciple” stipulation is not an addition to Jesus’ Commission it is the very command itself. The Great Commission does not call us to make converts but to be disciples who make disciples. Of course, evangelism is the starting point of discipleship but the Commission of Christ requires discipleship. This strategy produces world-changing disciples in every generation.
“All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Goye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
Matthew 28:18-20
Friends, here is the audio version of Disciple! Imperative.
And here is the video version of Disciple! Imperative.
Love,
The Downing Family
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Quinoa Soup With Beef
Quinoa soup with beef
Serves: 8-10 people. Seven out of seven Downing family members enjoy this delicious soup.
Ingredients
- 2 tbs butter
- 10 cups of water
- 4 minced garlic cloves
- 1 diced white onion
- 2 peeled and diced tomatoes
- 1 tsp of ground achiote
- ½ tsp ground pepper
- 1 tsp of ground cumin
- 1lb of beef, cut in bite sized chunks
- 2 cups of peas
- 2 cups cooked quinoa with onion, garlic and broth
- 4 Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 4 sprigs finely chopped parsley
- 2 sprigs finely chopped cilantro
- Pinch of salt
- Avocado
Instructions
First. Melt the butter over medium heat in soup pot. Make a flavor base by adding diced onions, minced garlic, diced tomatoes, achiote, cumin and pepper, cook until onions are soft.
Then. Add beef, mix until well coated with flavor base, cook for 5 minutes.
Then. Pour in water and increase the heat, bring to a boil.
Then. Lower heat to medium and cook until the meat is tender.
Then. Mix in potatoes, peas and cooked quinoa, raise heat and bring to a boil.
Then. Simmer for 25-30 minutes or until the potatoes are tender.
Then. Add the parsley, cilantro and salt.
Enjoy. Serve with avocado.
Love, The Downing Family
Click here for more great Ecuadorian recipes!
From The Pews outward
I spent twenty years of my life trying to recruit people out of local churches and into missions structures so that they could be involved in fulfilling God’s global mission. Now I have another idea. Let’s take God’s global mission and put it right in the middle of the local church!
George Miley
When we turn our gaze onto the plain writ of the Bible we can’t help but notice that missionary work is an extension of the work of the local church. The same Great Commission governs both works, the same Holy Spirit empowers both ministries, the same saints are engaged in both places, the same Lord organizes both and the same divine love drives us to embrace Christ’s mission.
It is anti biblical thinking to recruit people out of the local church and into para-church missionary organizations. Following the dictates of the Scripture, local churches should be sending missionaries into the world. The Great commission flows from the pews outward.
May we be the people who follow the plain text of the Scripture. May we turn the world upside down.
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The Holy Remnant
Are you of the holy remnant,
Gathered to the King of Peace?
Have you found a full atonement,
And abundance of His grace?
Yes, my soul has come to Zion,
On the high and holy way,
And I’ve seen the darkness flying,
Driven by the light of day.
Have you heard a voice from heaven,
Calling in a solemn tone,
“Come, my people, from confusion,
This is not your native home”?
Yes, I heard, and to my vision,
Zion’s glory brightly shone;
Then I rose and fled the ruin,
Taking not a Babel stone.
Have you learned that all this remnant
Must be dressed in uniform?
Are you clothed in that white raiment,
That will shine before the throne?
Yes, I found the precious fountain,
Opened when the Savior died,
Here I washed my stains of crimson,
And my soul is sanctified.
Do you know the saints inherit—
Since we’re gathered into one—
All the greatness of the kingdom,
Under all the Shining Sun?
Yes, all glory be to Jesus!
By His might I overcame,
In the fullness of His blessing
On His throne of love I reign.
Do you know, oh, ransomed brother,
That we stand upon the verge,
Where old Time fills up his ages,
And the lost will mourn his dirge?
Oh, what myriad souls are sleeping,
Soon to wake in judgment fires!
Help, O God! Thy remnant gleaning,
Until time, indeed, expires.
D.S. Warner
Urgency
It should be clear that all these theologians believe in the same gospel; that the first priority of the church is to take the gospel to all men everywhere; that man’s eternal destiny is involved; and that the task of the church is an urgent one.
David Hesselgrave
Urgency for the central truth and mission of the Church is the mark of a Christian who has adopted the same passions as our Lord.
It seems that some are converted to Christ with this passion. The passion grows over time in others. Eventually all followers of Christ love what he loves and are passionate about that which He is passionate. It is simply the natural progression of the Christian.
May we all feel the urgency for Christ’s truth and mission! May we urgently seek and save those who are lost!
With much love, 
The Downings
We invite you to click here and find out more about our mission.
A Child Of God
In the year of 1907 B. E. Warren pend these beautiful words that remind us not only who we are but whose we are!
Praise the Lord! my heart with His love is beaming,
I am a child of God;
Heaven’s golden light over me is streaming,
I am a child of God.Refrain:
I am a child of God,
I am a child of God;
I have washed my robes in the cleansing fountain,
I am a child of God.
Let the saints rejoice with my raptured spirit,
I am a child of God;
I will testify that the world may hear it,
I am a child of God. [Refrain]
Let a holy life tell the gospel story,
I am a child of God;
How He fills the soul with His grace and glory,
I am a child of God. [Refrain]
Saved from sin today, every band is riven,
I am a child of God;
Through the tests of life I have peace from heaven,
I am a child of God. [Refrain]
B. E. Warren
Love, 
The Downing Family
Cultural Insight: Bull Taunt
In many cultures bull fighting is popular. Here is our cultural insight about this event in Ecuador.
With Love, The Downings
Disciple! Where
Friends, this post was first published in August of 2020.
“All nations” is the field of concern the Great Commission gives to Christians. Remember, the One who gave us this Commission had no budget, building, hymnal, or theology textbook. Simply, by His authority He sent out His original disciples, fully expecting them to conquer the world. He expects no less from us!
If we do not hold a world-sized vision for our church and ourselves our vision is too small.
“All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Goye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
Matthew 28:18-20
Here is the audio version of Disciple! Where
Dear reader, enlarge your vision! This is exactly what Christ’s original disciples did. They proclaimed the glorious Gospel of Christ in Jerusalem, where they lived, in Judea, where they were comfortable, in Samaria, where they were hesitant, and to the Ends of the earth, from which most did not return.
How does the enemy of our soul rebel against the ever-expanding vision of the followers of Christ? He tempts us to focus on our own struggles on our own survival. Satan is constantly trying to turn our attention to smaller things. He seeks to shrink our vision into something institutional, traditional, political or personal.
Here is the video version of Disciple! Where
If you would like a copy of the book Disciple! you can find it here!
Blessings,
The Downing Family
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Níspero Chicken
Friends, this post was first published in May of 2020.
Níspero Chicken
Servings: 2
Preparation: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Ingredients:
6 large ripe Nísperos, peeled with seeds removed
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup orange juice
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon lemon pepper
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/4 cup vinegar
1 tablespoon grape-seed oil
2 skinless, boneless chicken breast
Instructions:
- Place Nísperos into a saucepan and stir in water, orange juice, and brown sugar until sugar has dissolved.
- Bring the mixture to a boil
- Stir in ground ginger, cinnamon, lemon pepper, and smoked paprika
- Reduce heat to simmer for 20 minutes
- Stir occasionally to break up the Nísperos.
- When the sauce is thick, stir in vinegar and simmer 3 minutes.
- Remove from heat.
- Heat grape-seed oil in a skillet over medium heat and pan-fry chicken breasts until golden brown and cooked through (about 5 to 8 minutes per side)
- Remove chicken breasts and cut into bite-size pieces
- Return chicken to skillet,
- Stir in 1/4 the Níspero sauce
Serve with remaining Níspero sauce on the side.
Click here to find out more about our food campaign!
Click here to purchase our book La Quinta Níspero!
Click here for more great Ecuadorian recipes!
With love, The Downing Family
Earnestly Involved
Friends, this post was first published in January of 2020.
A congregation that is not deeply and earnestly involved in the worldwide proclamation of the gospel does not understand the nature of salvation.
Ted Engstrom
Every congregation Is called to be a world changer. Every Christian is called through the beautiful words of the scripture to be involved in the great mission of Christ. We have all been commissioned into his mission. One of the greatest tragedies for a congregation or for individual Christians is the belief that they have no way to impact the world for Jesus Christ. Such a belief simply is not true. Every Christian has a voice every Christian has a testimony every Christian has a commission to use that voice and that testimony to bring others to Jesus Christ. Every local congregation has the ability to join in on the great commission in some way.
When we understand the gift of salvation that God has bestowed upon us, how can we remain silent when we encounter those who desperately need it? After all, how can one beggar who has found free bread not tell a fellow beggar where to get that free bread? Jesus Christ is the bread of life and all must partake to receive eternal life. So, let us proclaim salvation at every opportunity!
May we spend the time necessary to truly reflect on the nature of our salvation. May we be eager to share the saving words of Jesus Christ with everyone we meet!
With love, 
The Downings