"And the only way to do great work is to love what you do"-Steve Jobs
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."-Paul
So many challenges face us each year. There is not a month that passes that is not filled with ups and downs. Whether it is finding a way to provide the basic needs of the dozens of girls in the Ecuador Hope House or looking better ways to share the Gospel to the hundreds of Shuar villages that are waiting to hear the Gospel. But in spite of the seeming daily challenges or the fact that our rhythm does not provide us with many opportunities to rest, there is one thing that is true, WE LOVE OUR LIFE!!!!
This past year we have expanded the Hope House, by the end of the new construction we will have doubled our floor space, and that is good news, since we are full with 30 girls. We have planted new works in five villages that were unreached, but now have vibrant fellowships of believers. To top it off we are in up to our elbows with the construction of the Project Reach training center just outside of Sucúa. In less than one month it will be filled with missionaries from all over Latin America who will receive advanced training to reach the unreached people groups around the continent.
We (Joil and Leah) are doing well, we are coming up on 15 years of marriage and it is only getting better! Drew is now 11 and he is showing signs of out growing us all, he is a very talented singer on our worship team in Sucúa. Will is 9 and he is the most dedicated Sunday school teacher you have ever seen, every Sunday morning he works from 8-10:30am with about 30 kids. Emelia is now 6, she is reading and she can hold her on with her brothers, she loves to draw and is a born runner. Aidan is 3 and in underwear!!! We have determined that when he grows up he will either be the Hulk, Capt. America, a garbage truck driver, professional wrestler, cowboy or a missionary.
Finally, we wanted to let you know how much we love and appreciate your friendship and partnership. You have been with us through the challenges and incredible growth we have seen in our ministry and family. We pray that God would bless you in 2015 and that you would continue to live for what God has "prepared beforehand".
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Joil and Leah Marbut
Drew, Will, Emelia and Aidan