Merry Christmas from Ecuador!
Update from David Batcheller - Dec. 2024
Greetings from Ecuador to all my family and friends. It’s the time of year when many of us reflect upon the good times we have had together and look forward to a new year of fresh possibilities. It has also been quite some time since I have posted an update!
This year has been one of challenges and transition for me. In January I taught a series of messages to the leadership group at the Arco church here in Machala. But since then things have shifted quite a bit. In March, my wife Janeth expressed a desire to restore our relationship after a lengthy separation. So for months, even though she didn’t actually move back in with me, we focused on this restoration. Of course, this greatly affected my friendships and ministry involvement.
Unfortunately, in the end, we were not able to resolve many differences and I had to accept the reality that we had made a serious error in getting married prematurely without really knowing one another.
After being shaken by these events, I gradually regained my bearings. In His abundant grace and mercy, the Lord began to speak to me quite clearly about a fresh wind of changes and opportunities that He had in store for me. He reminded me afresh of my original calling and why I came to Ecuador in the first place. Then, my loving Shepherd began to renew the vision and mission that He had put into my heart many years ago.
As often happens, I have also had several positive highlights this year. For example, I just finished and published my 4th book, entitled The Path of Discipleship, which hopefully will help many Christians to mature in their faith and personal walk with God. It’s now available on Amazon.com (see link below). I have also continued practicing my guitar and piano, and I taught another English class recently. Something new I have been doing this year is learning about and investing in cryptocurrencies.
Another highlight of 2024 occurred in late August. I volunteered to help again with one of the medical brigades which was held in El Guabo, not far from here. This turned out to be a huge blessing. The Arco church in Cuenca coordinated the event and the team was an excellent group of medical professionals from the U.S. Here are links to a couple of Facebook videos about the event if you are interested:
I was able to serve with an ophthalmologist, who was also a devoted Christian and very motivated to present the gospel to all of our patients. I translated for her and she insisted that I share the gospel with everyone, which I was glad to do.
On the first day, I did this one-on-one with each person. but then, since we had so many people, the doctor asked me to share the gospel with them in groups of 15 to 20 persons.
I was willing, but nervous at first. But the Lord helped me, and I was able to actually preach in Spanish to these groups the rest of the week. The doctor also generously provided Bibles for each family and we were able to distribute them. During the week, about 20 persons gave their hearts and lives to Jesus for the first time! And what a blessing they have a strong church in that community to help them grow in their faith.
As I move forward into 2025, I am excited to see how the Lord will unfold His new plans for my life. I have recently been in contact with another missionary agency and we are pursuing plans together for me to either lead or become a team member of a new church plant. Those of you who know me well will realize that this is truly my heart and passion. I will be sending out more information about this soon. Please remember to pray for me as these plans develop.
I am so grateful to God for his limitless forgiveness and grace! As I have written about in my new book, the most important thing in our lives, when all is said and done, is to keep pursuing an intimate personal relationship with God through Christ! Beyond all of our struggles, weaknesses, mistakes, and sins, His love is even greater, and His plans for our lives can always be realized if we don’t give up or lose hope!
I bless you in the name of Christ Jesus, and I wish you a very Merry Christmas and a New Year full of blessings as you see your hopes and dreams become more of a reality!
With all my love,
David B.
My new book: The Path of Discipleship
Published by Kindle Direct Publishing. Available on Amazon.com
