The Reformed Pastor – Richard Baxter – The Banner of Truth Trust

A new book we are adding to our reading program for Equipping Servants is ‘The Reformed Pastor’ by Richard Baxter.

We had a bit of trouble because the local supplier wasn't able to supply the book for us due to a shortage of stock. I thought I would try and contact the Publisher directly and ask them if they had any that they could send us. As we sent emails back and forth, the General Manager, John, was very helpful and collected the 30 books necessary to send down to us. I don’t know what he did to get them, but they didn’t have any when I first asked them, and yet he managed to send us 30. Thank you John and the staff at The Banner of Truth Trust for your help.

The groups that will need the books will get their copies in the next couple of weeks. They came much faster than I thought, less than a month to send from the UK. I even think we have a few weeks spare before having to hand them out.

The Equipping Servants program provides a theological book set for participating pastors and church leaders over the course of the three years. These book sets are able to be provided through the generosity of donors around the world, people like you!

If you would like to help out with purchasing these books, please use the corresponding link below to make a donation.

You can give to this project through SIM in these different countries:
Australia
United Kingdom
United States of America

If you are giving in the UK or USA you will need the following details.
Project Number: 91901
Project Name: Growing Pastors
Project Country: Ecuador

Joining the local football team

When we signed Mattias up for the local football team, we thought it would be a bit of fun for him to play in the afternoons. And rather handy seeing as the field is just at the end of our block. It rains pretty often but no drama as they just move up to the undercover basketball court. Since training started he has been three afternoons a week. They spend Mondays doing exercise training with more games on Wednesday and Friday. They are getting more technical as time goes on.

All the other boys come to training in uniform and this week new uniforms came including one for Mattias, he was pretty excited. Putting on the jacket he said, "Dad, I just love this jacket!" His first game is this afternoon at 4pm. We’ll see how he goes.

How did you feel when you got your first sports outfit?

Finishing up some training exercises

Fresh eyes

Spending just over 8 months back in Sydney means I've come back to Loja looking at my surroundings with fresh eyes, seeing things that are 'different' (from Sydney at least), things that by the end of our last term didn't seem strange at all.

The inclusion of a plea for punctuality at the local symphony. Next to the start time of 20H00 it says 'hora puntual'...at 8.05pm I was still too early.

I thought this couple looked like a perfect match. Needless to say I didn't spot any couples like this in Sydney.

Latest remedy I've seen for coughs and colds, it came with extensive instructions for preparation. 

One needs to direct one's attention to the ground with diligence. Four weeks on my foot is still recovering from my altercation with this drain. Oops.

A picture of the Virgen of Cisne in a prominent place is really common, whether a department store, a taxi,  a lounge room or a public office.

Fantastical looking dogs, with incredibly mixed up blood lines.

Rainbows out for the spotting at least a couple of times a week.

Fire hydrants in unexpected places. Good for the quick jump up and off as we go along with the kids.

Aloe vera being sold in the supermarket, a staple part of the diet?!

Can't really take pictures of new things I've 'seen' culturally through conversations with friends or things I've been able to appreciate in our third arrival to this place. Pray that God will continue to give us fresh eyes to see the people around us clearly and love and invest in them as He directs!