A Hill-Top Cross and Intercessory Prayer

Prayer. The thing that has been greatly on my mind over the past couple weeks. Not just any kind of prayer, but powerful, just at the right moment, in sync with the Holy Spirit and the Truths of God’s Word, on behalf of someone else kind of prayer. Intercessory Prayer. It is indeed a high call of service.

I am so thankful that so many of you are interceding on behalf of our family in this sometimes exciting and fun, and sometimes scary and frustrating journey of faith we’re traveling. I cannot emphasize enough how assuring it has been to receive emails, notes or FB posts saying prayers are being prayed for us. We have even witnessed God, through His people, speak right to our hearts and our very specific situations through the sharing of certain Scriptures which God wanted to reassure us of. It is indeed the body of Christ at work. And to us, it is a necessary, beautiful thing.

From several windows of our home here in Los Chillos, you can see a cross that sits on the very top of a high hill. It sits alone, nestled among a landscape of green. I love passing by these windows throughout the day and seeing this cross. It brings me comfort and assurance. It gives me perspective. It reminds me of why we have made this incredible transition. It resonates the reason we are here. Yes, we are here to teach, to write, to learn, to encourage and to serve in a number of ways; but the primary reason we are here is because of the Cross. Because of the love of Christ shown to us through the sacrifice of the Cross are we able to sacrifice what we love, to love those whom God has called us to serve. It’s only because of the Cross.

And. . . it’s because of the Cross that the veil was torn from top to bottom making a way for each of us to enter the Holy of Holies and boldly approach the Father. Because of the Cross we are able to enter Heaven’s throne room “with confidence” and “receive mercy and find grace to help in our times of need,” not only for ourselves but for others.

How I love my view of our hill-top, Los Chillos cross. It reminds me of what ultimately matters in my life, and it reminds me of the power of the many intercessors who are carrying us through their prayers.

Only Because of Him,

Sherry (for the Coyle clan)

An Honest Expression. . .Just Sayin’

“Toto, I don’t believe we’re in Kansas anymore. Just sayin’.” These words have entered my mind many times during our first full week of settling in our new environment. On several occasions, I’ve humorously, yet anxiously said them to Alex.

I admit that I am trying to experience many of the cultural and environmental differences in a spirit of tranquility, but more often than not, I am battling with inward anxiety instead of reflecting a settled calm. Don’t get me wrong. There is no doubt in my mind that we have been called by God to be here for “such a time as this.” God clearly revealed this to us in a myriad of ways and then confirmed the call over and over again. However, I, not having a natural adventurous disposition, have struggled with anxieties and imagined fears much sooner than I anticipated. Whether it’s driving (I mentioned this in our first update. . . .but. . . we went into the city of Quito two days in a row this week to get our visas registered and our identification cards processed, and it makes driving in Los Chillos seem like a drive in the park) or whether it’s the constant awareness of the need to “be safe” in an
environment where break-ins and theft is an ongoing reality. . .especially towards “Gringos,” my wandering mind has had to be reeled in many times with the sure truths from God’s Word.

Just yesterday morning and again this morning, God took me to Matthew 8:26. On the tempest tossed sea the disciples were full of fear, and humanly speaking, I suppose they had every right to be. But the Master was right there with them, even though from their panicked perspective His abiding presence was not taken into consideration. When He responded to their pleas for help, He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” These words hit me between the eyes and after I meditated some time on them, I had to pause and deeply repent. Instead of choosing to think and live according to the many promises of watch care and protection that God has already clearly given me and my family for this journey, I’ve allowed myself to focus on all the “what if’s” and not the Who Is. This is such a discredit to my relationship with my Father and my knowing of what I know of Him. It’s such a discredit to all that He has revealed to get us to this place. In Oswald Chamber’s, My Utmost for His Highest, he states, “. . .our Lord has a right to expect that those who name His name have an underlying confidence in Him.” It’s His right that I unwaveringly trust Him no matter what.

So. . . there you have it. An honest expression of my journey so far. Even so, what I am thankful for, in the midst of my internal momentary crises is a husband who is calm and collected during this transition—who encourages me with some Truth from God’s Word everyday and takes the time to pray with me. I am thankful for children who are adjusting and finding something interesting and enjoyable in each day. I am thankful for a very nice home that is closely located to Montebello Academy—the primary place of ministry we’ll be involved with. I am thankful for the new closeness we’re experiencing as a family as we focus on God’s will together. I am thankful for the many brothers and sisters in Christ we’ve already met who have generously made themselves a comforting assistance and support. And I am thankful for the fresh, right-out-of- the-oven bread that Darin goes and gets each morning, just minutes down the street. It is indeed a blessed partner for our Ecuadorian coffee. Just sayin’.

Only Because of Him,

Sherry (for the Coyle clan)

New Beginnings and an Old Comfort

As I sit here and write, it is the evening of our third full day living in Ecuador. Our front door is open with the noises of children’s voices and cars passing by and the cool evening air making its way in. It is the end of a good day. Much more laid-back and relaxing than the previous three days which started with a long and exhausting flight-day that began at 3:30 am and didn’t end until 1:00 am the following day. Our first two days as residents then consisted of unpacking, lots of house cleaning, grocery shopping, a visit to the kids’ new school and the outdoor market, introductions to Ron and Sharon’s kids, two trips to the mall, accomplishing the hook up of one cell phone, lunch with Ron and Sharon to discuss the details of our first year here, and last but not least. . . . .getting used to Darin behind the wheel in an already unnerving atmosphere of cars weaving in and out, buses barreling by, honks and more honks and pedestrians everywhere! Honestly, driving from point A to point B leads to an accelerated heart and jittery knees. It’s something that will definitely take time to adjust to. Driving is not the only cultural adjustment. There are many more as you can imagine.

For me, with parents who’ve lived in the same house for 37 years, change is not an easy feat. But what has kept me grounded these past few days of extreme change and more change has been the power of God’s sustaining Word and the peace that is present when you’re absolutely certain of God’s will. Yesterday morning I was lead to John 16—part of Jesus’ intimate final words to His disciples prior to His crucifixion. Verse 7 greatly impressed me. Jesus said, “It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.” I penned in the margin of my Bible the thought, “there are glorious realities we will never experience in the Heavenly realm without God sometimes stripping us of the things—
the comforts, stability and familiars—which we hold near and dear to our hearts.” This is where we are in these initial few days of this unfamiliar journey of faith. Sort of like the disciples—stripped of what we’ve known in order to embrace what we’ve never known. . .so that His undeniable power and person can be displayed through our lives in order that others may know Him more.

Please continue to hold us up in prayer in these initial days of change and adjustments. Never before has our family been more aware of or dependent on the prayers of the body of Christ. Your commitment to faithfully intercede for us is imperative as we journey down this new road.

Only Because of Him,
Sherry (for the rest of the Coyle clan)