When I was with you and was in need, I was not a burden to anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia fully supplied my needs. I kept myself from being a burden to you in any way, and will continue to do so.
2 Corinthians 11:9
Where God lays on our heart we must go. If we cannot go we must give! Today’s podcast continues the series about sending missionaries in the best way possible. If you haven’t heard part one click here, or part two click here.
With much love, 
The Downings
Spiced pineapple drink
Serves 8-10 people
Chicha de piña is a spiced pineapple drink made by simmering the pineapple skins and core with spices and hard brown sugar. Seven out of seven members of the Downing family recommend this simple drink.
Ingredients
Instructions
First. Combine all of the ingredients in large saucepan or pot
Then. Bring to a boil and simmer partially covered for at about an hour, stirring occasionally.
Enjoy. You can drink it immediately or let it rest refrigerated to allow the spices and pineapple flavor to concentrate.
With love, 
The Downings
If you enjoyed this recipe podcast we encourage you to click here and check out this one!
What do old Roman military funeral rituals and people in purple robes and pointed hats have to do with Easter? Listen to today’s Ministry Story and find out!
Click here if you want to learn more about Catholic Syncretism!
Happy Easter, 
The Downings
You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God. For they went out for the sake of the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. Therefore we ought to support such men, so that we may be fellow workers with the truth.
-3 John 6-8
What kind of support do missionaries need? How can we send missionaries well? Last week we spoke about moral support (we invite you to click here to listen or share last week’s podcast).
This week we discuss logistical support. What are some of the small things you can do to support your missionary in this way? We have big and small answers to that question.
Finally, brethren, pray for us that the word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it did also with you.
-1 Thes 3:1
With much love, The Downings
What do the Inca, the Conquistadores, the cult of Pachamama and Mariolatry have in common? Find out by listening to today’s Cultural Insight podcast.
Rumicucho is one of the “high places” the Conquistadors destroyed.
with much love, the Downings
The Bible clearly names the Church “the body of Christ.” A broken, divided body is a body that needs help but a united body is one that can offer help to those who are lost and dying in this sin-sick world! Click play on the podcast below to learn more.
Excerpt from THE CHURCH OF GOD, WHAT IT IS AND WHAT IT IS NOT by D.S. Warner.
The words church and churches occur in the New Testament 112 times, translated from the Greek word ekklesia, which would have been more correctly rendered “congregation.” Thus we would have read, “the congregation of God,” “the congregation of the firstborn,” Heb. 12:23 etc., denoting its divine Founder and Owner. And, “the congregation that was at Antioch,” Acts 13:1 “the congrega- tion of God which is at Corinth,” 1 Cor. 1:2; 2 Cor. 1:1 “the congregations of Asia,” 1 Cor. 16:19 “the congregations of Galatia,” v.1; Gal. 1:2 etc., denoting the different geographical locations of the congregations of God. But whether we use the word church, as in common use, or con- gregation, the more correct appellation, we should only attach such meaning to it as agrees with the Word of God. To use a Bible word out of its biblical meaning is perverting the Bible.
What then is the Bible definition of the church?
Answer: “And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body, the full- ness of him that filleth all in all.” Eph. 1:22-23 “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.” Col. 1:18 “Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church.” v.24The church is the body of Christ. And being the body of Christ, it necessarily includes all His members. Therefore to call an earthly building the church is ridiculous, and to call an organized division the church is subverting the truth. No sect contains all the body of Christ, therefore, no sect is the church of God. Then as honest men, who expect to be judged by the Word of God, let us never call anything the church but the body of Christ; that is, all the saved, either universally, or in any given locality.
With much love, The Downings
A while back we spoke about understanding Culture through language (you can listen to that podcast by clicking here). Today we invite you to begin understanding Ecuador through food. Today’s podcast begins a Saturday series called “Cooking With The Downings.” Each Saturday you will be invited to experience a different Ecuadorian recipe and join us as we explore the gastronomy of our beloved Ecuador.
Today’s episode of Cooking With The Downings is a bit work intensive but it is worth it to get a taste of Easter on the Equator. Fanesca is a popular soup served during Easter celebrations. To listen to our thoughts about it click play on the podcast below.
Fanesca (Ecuadorian Easter Soup) Recipe.
Serves: 25 people
This recipe serves a lot of people because Easter Soup is made for a very special occasion. It is made for the traditional family get together’s held on Easter Sunday.
Ingredients
Instructions
First. Soak the salt cod in water for 24 hours, changing the water every 6-8 hours, at the end cut the cod into medium-sized pieces.
Then. Barely cover the diced butternut squash and zucchini and cook until tender, drain the water and place them in a blender and make a puree.
Then. Boil the shredded cabbage for 3 minutes, drain and add the cabbage to the squash puree.
Then. In a large pot, Heat the butter over medium heat to make a flavor base for the soup, add the achiote, onions, garlic, cumin, pepper and oregano and cook until the onions are tender.
Then. Add the cooked rice to the flavor base and mash it with a potato masher to make a thick puree.
Then. Mix in the squash and cabbage puree.
Then. Add 4 cups of milk and the fava beans, green peas, corn, lima beans and cannellini beans, stir and simmer for 15 minutes, stir frequently and avoid the mixture from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
At The Same Time. Bring 6 cups of milk to boil, add the cod, and boil for 10 minutes.
Then. Add the milk and cod to the soup.
Then. Blend 2 cups of milk with the roasted peanuts, and pour into the soup, cook for 10 minutes, stirring frequently.
Then. 10 minutes before serving, add the lupini beans, the heavy cream and the cheeses, stir to help the cheeses dissolve. Add chopped cilantro and stir well.
Enjoy. Serve with sliced avocado and traditional Ecuadorian side dishes.
Are you thinking of attempting this recipe? We would love to read your comments about your experience.
With much love, 
The Dowings
Did you like this podcast? If so, click here for a less intense recipe for Pan de Yuca!
God is reaching the lost not through programs but through individuals whose lives are so committed to Him that He uses them as vessels to anoint a lost world.
-K.P. Yohannan, Revolution in World Missions
Good programs and great vision draw the attention of many Christians. And as followers of Christ we do help the poor as described in Matthew 25, not because we are commissioned to but because something changes in our very nature when we become followers of Christ. But our divinely originated empathy for the downtrodden is no replacement for our divinely anointed mission.
God changes the world not through programs but through presence. Jesus gave us the ultimate example. He became flesh and dwelt among us. He preformed many miracles and taught the multitudes all great programs. But his lasting impact was carried forth by the eleven people who he successfully discipled.
May we be like Christ. May we live lives so committed to God that He uses us as vessels to anoint a lost and dying world.
With much love, The Downings
April is a month of celebration! Adelena turns two this month, the Santa Clara and El Carmen churches celebrate their Aniversarios and Resurrection Sunday is here! Today’s podcast speaks of celebration.
With much love, the Downings
“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
-Romans 10:13-15 NIV
Realistically not every believer is able to cross cultural or geographical boundaries to bring good news. But every believer can be involved in the process of sending those who can go. In Romans 10 we find two complementary roles: those who go; and those who send. Both roles are necessary to advance God’s great commission. Today’s podcast explores the first of six types of support every missionary needs.
With much love, The Downings
“Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing”
-1 Thes. 5:11
