More posts coming soon

Posted on January 24, 2011 by Joel & Kim

Well, chaos has continued since arriving to Ecuador.  Since we have arrived, we have spent our entire time trying to get settled while helping another new Short-Term Missionary, Mandy Hjelm, get oriented, as well as helping the other Short-Term Missionary couple, Chris and Jenny Hoskins, have their second baby.  Elsa Kristin Hoskins was born on Thursday even.  She is quite the cutie!!!

All this to say, sorry that we have not been providing more regular updates.  It has been a crazy month or so with Joel’s dad health difficulties and now our chaotic transition back to Ecuador.  We will be providing pictures from our time in the States as well as an update on our work as we get started here this week.  Thank you for your patience!

Please continue to pray for Joel’s father.  His low blood pressure issue has gotten better and they are hoping that he will be released from the hospital.  We will keep you updated but please continue to pray!

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Back in Ecuador

Posted on January 19, 2011 by Joel & Kim

After a 24 hour weather related delay in Atlanta, we finally made it back to Quito late last night!!!  It feels really, really good to be back!  Thank you for your prayers for the travel!

We are returning with heavy hearts.  Joel’s dad has returned to the hospital.  It seems the open heart surgery was a success and it is ok.  However, since a few days after the surgery, he’s been suffering from very low blood pressure where he can’t hardly stand without passing out.  It has actually worsened since being in the hospital to where he is on bed rest and can’t even sit up in a chair and is tired all of the time.

We know that God works through all things for His good.  And we have seen the evidence of His hand in this entire process for dad.  We just ask that all of you keep him in your prayers.  We will keep you updated here on the blog.

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God’s Blessings

Posted on January 10, 2011 by Joel & Kim

Thank you everyone for your prayers for my father, Earl Delp.  A successful Triple Bypass surgery was performed this morning and since his heart is in such good condition (the heart disease was only in his arteries), he is expected to make a full, strong recovery.  The ventilator has already been removed and he is breathing on his own and his heart is in a normal rhythm.
I was so glad to visit with my father last evening and this morning and he shared with me how he was at peace with the operation.  I know this peace has come from the Heavenly Father through your prayers that you have offered up.  Thank you so much!
We are planning our return to Ecuador exactly one week from today, Monday, January 17th.  We are going to be helping around the house this week and as they transition home from the hospital.  Life will be a little different for them now but for all of us, our faith is even stronger because of it.  God is good all the time, all the time God is good!!!

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Delay in Return to Ecuador

Posted on January 9, 2011 by Joel & Kim

We just wanted to let everyone know that our return to Ecuador is being delayed.  My (Joel) dad is having open heart double bypass surgery tomorrow morning at 7:00 a.m. EST.  We are going to stay for a bit to be with him and my mom.

I would greatly, greatly appreciate your prayers during this time.

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Travel Schedule

Posted on December 20, 2010 by Joel & Kim

Here is our travel itinerary for while we are in the States:

 December 22—30: Goshen, IN

 December 30 — January 7: Hartford City, IN

  • January 2: Speaking at Trinity United Methodist Church (Hartford City, IN)

 January 7 — 9: Chicago, IL

 January 8: Dinner at Northwest Covenant Church at 5:00 pm (Mt. Prospect, IL)

 January 9: Speaking at Northwest Covenant Church

 January 9: Fly back to Quito

 We will begin our full-time ministry in Ecuador in January 2011

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Christmas Newsletter Available for Download

Posted on December 17, 2010 by Joel & Kim

 Christmas Newsletter

Our Christmas newsletter is available for download (Just click the link above!).  You can see what has been happening with us in our first six months in Ecuador.   Also, please note the address for Covenant World Mission has changed.  If you are sending checks, please send them to:

Covenant World Mission

Joel & Kim Delp STM Support

8303  W. Higgins Rd.

Chicago, IL 60631-2941

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Festivals of Quito

Posted on December 10, 2010 by Joel & Kim

This past weekend we had the opportunity to experience the Festivals of Quito.  Basically,  December 6th is the city of Quito’s Founding Day, so there are many celebrations that go along with the week that leads up to this day.  We were able to spend some time with the Burbano’s and the Hoskin’s in celebrating these days by attending a parade and a fair.  At the fair we were able to try a lot of typical Ecuadorian food which we had never tried before like Guinea Pig, which is a special Ecuadorian plate.  See the pictures for evidence:

Instead of having giant ballon characters - they have these large home-made figures which are carried by people, which are actually very cool!

 

Here's a close-up of one of these men

 

A clown on really high stilts

 

Moms and Sons enjoying the parade

 

This is a sugar cane juicer for making, yep you guessed it, sugar cane juice

 

"Cuy" or Guinea Pig, an Ecuadorian delicacy

 

Joel digging into the Cuy... "yep, tastes like chicken!"

 

An indigenous band playing Ecuadorian folk music

 

The Ecuadorian National Navy Band playing really good music

 

Simeon dancing to the music with Martita, his babysitter, and her husband, Robin

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A new Delp Christmas Tradition

Posted on November 28, 2010 by Joel & Kim

 

We have a tradition in our house to spend a day out which includes getting a Christmas tree, getting good coffee, a good breakfast, and then decorating for Christmas.  Last year, and other years past we would spend A LOT of time picking “the perfect tree” that would help bring Christmas to our house or apartment.  Last year we probably spent 1 or 2 hours picking our tree in the snow.  This year was different.  We heard there were real trees here in Ecuador for purchase, but we figured they would be really expensive.  Today we were on our way to do some Christmas shopping at the artesan market and saw a place that was selling trees.  We decided to ask how much they were from the window.  Within 3 minutes, we had a tree tied to the top of our car with a wooden “tree stand” to put it in.  All for about $14! (Labor included!)  It was quite a change from the hour or 2 last year!  There was no turning the tree to see all angles and imaging it in our house, there was no smelling it or feeling it to see what it was like.  When she told us the price and we said OK, that’s all it took!  It was an interesting experience.  We decided we bought our tree through the “drive thru” today!  Since we are all about traditions, today started a new one in the Delp household in Ecuador!  Here are a few pics from the day.  Simeon likes the tree, probably the lights and sparkles of the bulbs, maybe the smell too!

Blessings on YOU and your family in this day as your create or continue YOUR traditions…

Delp Family Christmas tree 2010

Simeon and the tree right after decorating

Simeon's view of the Christmas tree

Simeon smelling the tree

Simeon likes the tree

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Attending “Bedside Baptist” this week

Posted on November 27, 2010 by Joel & Kim

Probably the first time this has ever been posted by missionaries, but it’s the truth.  This Sunday is National Census Day and everyone must remain in their homes until 5 p.m.  (you can actually get arrested for being outside with your “I’ve completed my census” slip) for having your census taken.  All business are closed and, of course, churches can’t have services.  It’s actually a great way to get a good count, but not sure if would work in the States.

So, on this Sabbath, we will be having family devotions and “resting in the Lord!”

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Happy Thanksgiving from Quito

Posted on November 25, 2010 by Joel & Kim

We wanted to take a second to wish everyone out there Happy Thanksgiving from Quito, Ecuador.  This year we are thankful to all those who partner with us ministry.  Without you, our ministry would not be possible.  Thank you so, so much for your love, prayers  and support!!!!

We just got done having a big Thanksgiving Day party with our new friends here in Ecuador.  We had around 15 people over from the office of IPEE (The Evangelical Covenant Church of Ecuador); in fact, we were the only gringos!!!  It was neat to be able to share of this Holiday tradition with our new friends and they seemed to like the food.

Here are some pictures that gives you a glimpse of our evening:

Everyone diggin in!

 

Kim created a great ambiance!

 

Simeon getting ready to chow down on his first Thanksgiving Day meal!

 

Pretty flowers

 

Still eating...

 

Olguita with Simeon and his buddy, Caleb

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