Short inspirational thoughts, interviews, and stories from along our mission path. We hope to inspire, encourage, and provoke thought with short shareable episodes.
Timothy, Angelita, Tim, Esperanza Downing
“The way you discover your gifts is really by serving not by searching.” Loren Cunningham Dear friends, We are all …
Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from …
“The mission of the church is missions.” Oswald J. Smith When Jesus was about to ascend to heaven, he gave …
“Will you shed your tears for the souls of the nations?” Wendi Stranz In today’s world, it seems that there …
“The missionary heart: Care more than some think is wise. Risk more than some think is safe. Dream more than …
Long my imprisoned spirit layFast bound in sin and nature’s night;Thine eye diffused a quick’ning ray,I woke, the dungeon flamed …
“Saved from sin today, every band is riven,I am a child of God!” B.E. Warren We are called to be …
“A man not spiritually fitted ought not to go, but neither is he fit to stay.” Robert Speer As Christians, …
“Do we claim to believe in God? He's a missionary God. You tell me you're committed to Christ. He's a …
“I like men whose vision carries them far beyond their own horizons.” Kenneth Strachan “I can do all things through …
“Two distinguishing marks of the early church were: 1) Poverty 2) Power.” T.J. Bach The early church certainly had two …
“The Church must send or the church will end.” Mendell Taylor Our Lord has called us to be His body, …
“This generation of Christians is responsible for this generation of souls on the earth!” Keith Green We have been entrusted …
It is either revival or bust. Steve Deace From time to time missionaries need to speak to their sending countries. …
Every historical revivel that we have studied was strarted with an awakening among young people. Don't just think local or …
Forgive yourself for not knowing what you didn't know before you learned it. Maya Angelou With much love, The Downing …
The wellspring of the Gospel is powerful and freely flows into every culture. As you will find out on this …
(This ministry story happened very early on in our ministry here in Ecuador. Thank you for traveling along with us …
Today's cultural insight is a particularly delicious cultural experience. Every January 6, it is customary to meet with family and …
We invite you on a journey into the countryside of Cayambe. We will have to leave the smooth road and …
Friends, our hope for you today is that you not only understand the reality of the nativity but that it …
In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan, Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone; Snow had fallen, …
Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was being provoked within him as he was observing …
In those days Mary got up and went hurriedly into the hill country, to a town of Judah, and entered …
Now the birth of Jesus Christ happened this way. While his mother Mary was engaged to Joseph, but before they …
The angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a …
As for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, seemingly insignificant among the clans of Judah – from you a king will emerge who …
For this reason the sovereign master himself will give you a confirming sign. Look, this virgin is about to conceive …
“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root …
Naomi said, “Look, your sister-in-law is returning to her people and to her god. Follow your sister-in-law back home!” But …
And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 Friends, …
Then Rahab let the spies down by a rope through the window. (Her house was built as part of the …
After Moses the LORD's servant died, the LORD said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses' assistant: “Moses my servant is …
Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go out from your country, your relatives, and your father's household to the land …
The LORD God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, cursed are you above all the wild beasts …
Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving Colossians 4:2 Here is the link to …
“Did you eat from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?” The man said, “The woman whom …
We give thanks to God always for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers; constantly bearing in …
Why does Ecuador need missionaries? This legend of La Raina Del El Quinche will give you some insight into the …
Chifles (Fried green banana/plantain chips) Chifles are also known as mariquitas, chicharitas, platanutres, platanitos or plataninas, are thin fried green …
This recipe for shrimp stuffed avocado is made with ripe avocado filled with shrimp, red onion, radish, bell pepper, celery and cilantro mayonnaise. It is a delightful appetizer but we find it is filling enough to be counted as a meal! If you dislike… Continue Reading "Shrimp Stuffed Avocado"
It will come about after this That I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind; And your sons and your daughters will prophesy, Your old men will have dreams, Your young men will see visions. Joel 2:28 Friends, we realize that the idea… Continue Reading "Co-ministry"
During the night Paul had a vision: there stood a man of Macedonia pleading with him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” Acts 16:9
“The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest.” Luke 10:2 Blessings, The Downing Family
Batidos are fruit based milkshakes and are perfect to beat the heat of summer. Of course if you happen to live on the equator like we do batidos are perfect to beat the everyday heat! Seven out of seven Downings highly recommend this wonderful… Continue Reading "Batido de Frutos Rojos"
It will happen in one day—a day known to the Lord—not in the day or the night, but in the evening there will be light. Moreover, on that day living waters will flow out from Jerusalem, half of them to the eastern sea and half of them… Continue Reading "The Evening Light"
Friends, this post was first published in April of 2019. In today's cultural insight podcast we explore the Ecuadorian tradition of cooking on volcanic rock. With much love, The Downings
Friends, this post was first published in October of 2020. We are sent with a purpose and mission far greater than we ever plan or imagine. Jesus sends us on a mission that echoes his own. But missionary work is not reserved for a… Continue Reading "Disciple! Going to the ends of the earth"