Ecuador, Ahuano, discernment, callings, living conditions, and the need.

So we are finally in the great country of Ecuador! Our missionary “installers” (who are two full time missionaries, who flew down to Ecuador with us to help install us) left us about two weeks ago so we are finally settled in!

We had a four day retreat to discern what the LORD has in store for us during our time here in Ahuano, Ecuador. It was probably the most fruitful retreat I have ever been a part of. We each took turns giving talks. We summarized Pope John Paul II encyclical Redemptories Missio and discerned how the theme in each chapter could be applied to our mission here in Ahuano. We came up with a few themes from all of the discernment time.

·        We are here to unify the family

·        Promote vocations

·        Testify to the vocation that we are living

We are very excited about our mission here in AHUANO, ECUADOR!

Some ministries we are going to be involved in while we are here include the following: Youth Group, giving talks at the different villages, visiting the shut in’s elderly, Bible study, and children’s bible study.

I would like to talk a little bit about our living conditions so you all can get a feel for what we have here in Ahuano.

We have two rooms, one room we use for storage-clothes, shoes, showers, basically a place for all of the stuff that we have.

We have one other room in this room we-sleep, and study. We compiled three beds so it is a little crammed. For cooking we cook everything ourselves. We can pick from a list of food items-bananas, pantans (grilled typed of Banana), patacones (too ripe bananas that are grilled taken out then smashed and then grilled again), rice, tuna, and various fruits. Occasionally a meat as well!

We live simply, we are trying to be one with the people in-cculturating as Pope John Paul II states in mission of the redeemer in-culturating can take sometimes a lifetime.

There is great need here for the youth to be rescued from bad influences of drugs, sex, and alcohol. So we try to always be good examples to the youth. Pray for them always.

Pray also for our health as a team we are going through a spell of sickness, and all your prayers would be appreciated!

One last thing I want to say; I just want to thank all of those who support me financially 
I appreciate everything that you do to support me, in prayer, and though finances!

GOD Bless you all!

Matthew

From The U.S. To Quito in mere hours!

Yesterday morning we left for the Houston airport, and we flew out at 4:15. Our flight was roughly 4 1/2 hours. We all managed to cram into a five Seater taxi when there were six of us including the driver! It is always an adventure enjoying every moment! Everything went smooth, and we got to our hotel roughly at 11:00. We woke up refreshed and we began our morning in prayer! It has been so nice to put my all, and my whole trust in GOD!

The town of Quito was beautiful at night, but even more beautiful in the daylight! The smells are amazing, the people at our hotel are very hospitable, and we are just enjoying everything that is out in our paths daily!

We will be meeting with the Bishop of Tenna today in the afternoon to talk about our mission, and some of the tasks that he has in mind for us.

I am so excited to see what all my Savior has in store for me, Ryan, and Luis! I am so ready to get out and spread the gospel!

"Singing is praying twice!" Saint Augustine

Misahualli. Ecuador

Sometime in January Me, Ryan, and Luis will be leaving for Ecuador! We are going to working with the local priest, and sisters! We have heard GREAT things about past missions, and we have also heard that the sisters are really awesome, and they go and visit the nearby villages!

We will fly into Quito, then we will take a bus down to Misahualli, that will be about six hours.

Pray, that our mission goes well, and that all the hearts including ours will be prepared for this awesome GOD based Mission!

IN Christ,

Matthew

Mexico is home for many, and a comfort of simplicity.

Hey everyone for the past two weeks we have been in General Cepeda, MX. We have been visiting the home-bound, going to the Ranchos and praying/ giving teachings/ testimonies/ talking, with the people there. It is so great to see God working daily, in all of the small things that i do around the house in General Cepeda! I recently have been going to this place in town called the comedor and it is basically; a government run building where they serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner to the homeless, and those who cannot afford food. We share on a scripture there and talk about it and visit with the men there it is such a blessing to see their faces light you when you talk about Jesus!

Something that has recently blessed me is this! There is this man who comes to the comedor and he is employed by the government to clean up around the town cutting the weeds. At the end of his day he cuts down branches to use for linnia (firewood) which is carries on his back so it has been a blessing for me to be able to take that burden, or load and help him carry it, he is 81 years old!

A short term mission trip has come down to General Cepeda yesterday and God will be moving mightily in this group! So pray that all goes well!

Some other good news is i found out where i will be stationed for my formative year! I will be stationed with a fellow intaker Ryan, and a seasoned "missonary" Luis (native to Venezuela) We will be working with the sisters, and the local priests there!

We are all excited! Pray that everything i have written about goes according to God's will.

Peace in Jesus, Mateo

Road trip to Mexico, and Texas!

Hey all!
We are on our way to General Cepeda, Mexico! We left Saturday at 1:00. We were invited to set up a table outside of a church at Saint Marys (right by Texas A&M) we are also giving a presentation after the last mass at 7:15, it is exciting to let people know about the urgency of missions, and being able to share the gospel with them as well!
We have already had some great responses at our table, many young people have been very interested in missions praise GOD!
We are staying at one of our "intakees" parent's house they have been very hospitable to us, and have generously opened up their home to us.
We watched the LSU Alabama football game last night and to say the least, it was a sad day for a tiger fan... a heartbreaking game... But nonetheless! Texas is beautiful, the people are very friendly, and so far the food is great (Which is a plus for me!) We are enjoying ourselves, and i am taking every opportunity that the Lord is giving me to share the gospel with each and every one of his children! It is such a joy to be a missionary i pray that the Lord will raise up many more missionaries to serve Him in his world, and bring more souls to Christ!

1 Thessalonians 5:17 "Pray without ceasing!"

News from Big Woods

Today me and a fellow "intaker" Mr. Ed started to construct a path for one of the houses, and we have been working on that for some of this morning, and later this afternoon will pick up the other items we need to complete the path. Joseph Summers (FMC president) will be putting on a retreat at Notre Dame, a public high school in Crowley. All of the singles involved with intake will be at; and will be participating in the retreat! This weekend we are going to be heading to New Orleans for a mini mission trip,  David & Lisa Yarborough will be leading the trip and we will be visiting different places, and doing different ministries we are all anticipating it! So keep that in your prayers please!
God bless you all,
Matthew

My intake

Hello everyone! So this is my very first blog post, i have never had a blog before so this should be a lot of fun! I am currently in intake and i am very busy with everything that intake i presenting to me every day! We are praying as a community, working together, cleaning together, laughing together and all that's in-between!
Praise the Lord i am doing very well! Our intake is going to make a trip to New Orleans for a weekend, we are all excited and are looking forward to the great ministry! I am going to leave you all now, for there is much to be done! God bless you all!
-Matthew