“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away!” Matthew 24:35
“All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever.” 1 Peter 1:24-25

Praise our Lord for an exhausted yet glorious year as we have seen God's divine hand at work not only in our own personal lives, but the lives we have seen changed through God's Word since our coming to Cuenca, Ecuador.

This month of December was very specila to us ae we spent Christmas with our new family in Christ and our new friends God has placed in our lives. It wa sexciting to see people more open about spiritual things because of the Christmas season, so we looked for opportunities to reach out in unusual ways. This last month, Ligia, Anna and Linda formed a choir with about a dozen friends and practiced Christmas carols for a couple of weeks. Then on December 23rd, we went to the local charity hospital and the alcoholic rehabilitation center and sang to the patients. Al shared the Christmas message and we prayed with patients and handed out bags of cookies and candy. We also caroled in several homes.

On the 26th, the Rodriguez', Ligia, and linda along with six other leaders, took off for the beach for a time of spiritual renewal. We spent four days breaking the waves, swinging in hammocks, and eating. We were all greatly encouraged by our times of sharing, praying for each other and singing hymns under the stars, with the roar of the ocean in the background. One man, who administers the place where we stayed, heard the gospel for the first time and prayed with Al to receive the gift of eternal life in Jesus Christ. Now we’re praying that God will raise up a church in that small fishing town of Canoa.

Please pray for these people:

Josefina called on our 24-hour crisis hotline one Sunday evening when we were in choir practice at our house. She was on the verge of committing suicide. Lonely, unemployed, unloved and single, she could see no reason to live. Ligia talked and prayed with her on the phone. After she hung up, we all prayed for Josefina. Then Iván suggested we go to her house and bring her over to sing with us. So he and Ligia left and came back in a few minutes with a very sad looking woman. Her complexion was black from depression and she was quite a sight. Ligia asked me to pray with her, so I went and sat beside her, held her hand and prayed out loud, asking God to show her His love and acceptance, and to deliver her from her bondage of distress. I prayed that God would give us the joy of seeing her countenance change to one of joy and peace. Her life story is depressing, but as of December 17, 2006, Josefina began a new chapter in her life, as she gave in to the loving arms of Jesus and trusted him as her Lord and Savior. We were all filled with joy and we are still praising God for adding Josefina to our family. Please pray that God will give Josefina a decent job, a pleasant place to live, and a growing relationship to the Lord.

Segundo Vidal is a family man with a wife and six children. The pressures of life got to him and he suffered a stroke a few weeks ago and ended up in the government hospital with paralysis. On December 23rdh as he lay in bed feeling sorry for himself, Segundo heard a commotion in the hallway and then a chorus of hearty (if not heavenly!) voices began to sing one Christmas carol after another. When they finished, Segundo begged them to come in his room and pray with him. Al Rodriguez led Segundo to the Lord Jesus Christ, and Segundo began to have hope fill his heart. He called later and asked us to travel to his rural town to teach his family about life with God. We have been praying for Déleg for several years and we trust this is God’s opening for a new church in that community.

A note form Linda:Give thanks with me for the blessing that Al and Anna Rodriguez have been to us in 2006. Not only is our ministry enhanced with their gifts and enthusiasm, but our lives as well. God knew what we needed and has bless our friendship greatly. Al even taught me to make corn tortillas and now Ligia and I are so addicted to this Mexican staple I have to get up every morning a few minutes early to prepare us fresh tortillas for breakfast!

Thank you for your gifts to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. Your prayers and offerings keep us going!

MAY THIS YEAR OF 2007 BRING GREAT JOY TO YOUR HEARTS, OUR DEAR FRIENDS AND FAMILY!!

With love in Christ,

Al & Anna Rodriguez and Linda Freeman

IMB Missionaries to the Quichua People of Southern Ecuador

Casilla 328

Cuenca, Ecuador

South America
(509) 293-6032 Washington Phone number rings in our home in Cuenca.