Quito School of Biblical Studies

November 11, 2006

Dear Brethren at Bellevue,

October was a wonderful month here in the QSOBS as we finished up the first term of studies. As mentioned, Butch Sandoval from Cochabamba, Bolivia came and taught a series of lessons on the Holy Spirit during our International Mens' Conference. We hosted the conference at Camp Bellevue and had about 140 men attend the 2 day event. Several graduates made their way back to be encouraged by the conference.

I have some sad news concerning our efforts to get approval for a single Cuban brother to attend the QSOBS. We began working on visas for him and 2 families back in the spring. The families were immediately denied passports by the Cuban authorities. But the single brother received his Cuban passport and finally, after more months, received his permission from the Cuban government to study abroad. All we lacked was the Ecuadorian visa and that was promised to be a given. But as time drug on, we knew there were more problems. Finally, one authority told him that his visa had been approved, but he must wait until the next week for them to stamp it in his passport. When he went to pick it up last week, personnel had changed and the Ecuadorian in charge denied his visa, saying that Ecuador did not need Cubans studying there and that he, as an atheist, saw no need in someone going to Ecuador to study the Bible. We don't expect any good to come from it, but we are going to formally protest the decision of this atheist gentleman.

Our second term is underway and runs until just before Christmas. We are wetting our feet in the Internet sharing program between us, Houston, and a couple of other Bible schools. We are receiving Exegetical Preaching and Church Growth and share the course of Daniel and Ezekiel with them, being taught by our own Oswaldo Albarracin.

I suppose some of the biggest news is the 24th of September birth of Zion Reyes, our first grandson. Jenny and Erik are a blessing to have here for part of this year and the arrival of Zion has brought more than Sharla and I can express. Some say he looks a little bit like his granddad. Their plans are to move to Bolivia as early in 2007 as possible.

You should have received an Operation Ecuador Newsletter recently. It has a lot of information about all the ministries of Operation Ecuador and many photos of student couples that are all studying full-time here in the QSOBS. Please let me know if that did not arrive on your doorstep.

We've had a few slight changes on the dates in the list below of events to plan and pray for. Please note those and communicate with us if you are interested in participating.

December 18-19 Marriage Seminar (Joshua Marcum, also from Cochabamba, Bolivia.)
January 4-12 Andes Medical Mission (In serious danger of being cancelled if we do not find sufficient doctors and a pharmacist this week.)
February 9-14 Advisory Council Meeting (Of course, we hope to have representatives come from all of our supporting congregations, and even interested individuals are welcome!)
March 16-24 Cayapas River Medical Mission
June 1-9 Cayapas River Medical Mission

Urgent!

As was mentioned in an article in our last newsletter, we were recently informed that we will be losing a truly significant amount of funding from one of our pioneer congregational supporters as of this coming January. I'd like to ask your help to find a way or ways to make up that loss.

  1. Please pray that God will work in the lives of His people so that this ministry can go forward and continue impacting the lives of many, many souls!
  2. Any increase you can make for 2007 will be one step closer to filling that void.
  3. Whatever you can do, or any ideas or leads you might have can be communicated with me (marcum7@ecnet.ec) or with Jerry Lawlis (qsobs@cox.net).

I really appreciate all you do for us and the sacrifice required to do so! May God bless you and this work for His glory and honor!

Kent Marcum
Director QSOBS