This is a long journal describing the phenomenal events of our mission trip to Ecuador from August 14 through 30.
Our first exposure to Quito was quite nerve-wracking but it all ended well. After our flight had been delayed a total of 4 hours at 2 different airports, we finally landed at 10 PM. We walked out into the airport lobby anxiously looking for our ride to the seminary and ready to begin this great adventure. We were met by a sea of joyous faces all ready to greet their friend or family member who arrived with us… but none of those faces were looking for us! After several minutes, we realized that something was wrong and there was no one there to pick us up. Now remember that we only knew a few phrases in Spanish, had never been to this country before and were really very helpless. Fortunately, Tamitha had brought the seminary’s address along for the immigration purposes. With this, we were able to arrange a cab ride with the help of an English speaking woman. The taxi driver was very nice, only he had no clue where the address was that we gave him. After stopping 4 different times along the way, we finally drove past the seminary gates and recognized it from the photos. Tamitha shouted “Aqui! Aqui!” (Here! Here!) and the taxi screeched to a halt. Then, in a practiced effort at the best Spanish we could muster, we spoke to the seminary guard and found ourselves escorted to our room within moments. With this first challenge successfully mastered, we slept great that night. (more…)
15 Million Inhabitants … Only 6% Evangelical Church Members
Located in northwest South America, Ecuador is bordered by the Amazon forest in the east, the Andean mountain range in the center, and the fertile plains on the Pacific coast.
Ecuador has an ethnically diverse population, the largest group being descendants of Spanish colonists who mixed with indigenous Amerindians. Quechua Indians account for more than 40% of the population. Spanish is the official language with another 22 spoken languages. The past 25 years of civilian governance has been marred by political and economic instability.
70% of the population lives below the poverty level. 41% are considered to be in extreme poverty. More than 3 million children live in families lacking basic necessities such as housing, nutrition, healthcare and education.
60% of the children in Ecuador under the age of five are malnourished.
A third of the population has not completed the first part of their education, and three quarters have not completed the second.(Source: SIISE) The principal reason for children not being registered in school is because of the cost of tuition.(Source: INEC 1999) The cost of registration is 10 to 30 USD per year.
In Ecuador, which has 3.7 million children, nearly 900,000 children are believed to be working – about half of those are in Quito, where they shine shoes and sell newspapers for pocket change. Many live on the streets – some with their mothers, other have left home or been abandoned. The majority of these children are simply working to help supplement their family’s meager income to help provide their basic needs.
Things happen quickly in the Lynch family sometimes. It seems just yesterday that we left Atlanta to follow our next path and now we are already moving down another. But when God is in charge of something, He can move mountains and moves at a speed that is only His. So many things have happened that can only point to His divine guidance in our lives.
It all began with a stirring… Bobby and I both felt that stirring deep in our hearts to be more radical for God… to do something more sacrificial. We began to look in our current context for what that meant, but that wasn’t what God had in mind. We began to look at the world missions scene – something we knew we would be doing all along, we just thought it was later down the road. We had a couple opportunities to go to Kenya or Jamaica to live and work, but nothing seemed to be the right fit.
One phone call changed all that. Bobby was discussing our situation with a professor friend and he threw out the possibility of going to work at the seminary in Quito, Ecuador (SEMISUD). I was listening to Bobby’s end of the conversation only and within 5 minutes of discussing how the opportunity might fit our family, I was asking “Where do we sign?”. It was truly God… that feeling that without a doubt, THIS IS IT!!! THIS IS WHERE WE ARE SUPPOSED TO GO!
We did take time to pray and fast just to make sure we weren’t doing something on our own without God’s leading. But our passion for the people of Ecuador grew like a wildfire out of control almost minute by minute. Within days, we began to make preparations to move without ever having visited the country. We said a tearful goodbye to our beautiful friends at Pineview Church and left with their blessing even though they wished we could stay.
The timing of everything was almost comical is at was such a typical Lynch marathon. We had a yard sale to sell as many of our possessions as we could before moving… the next day we began kids crusade (which is amazingly taxing)… 5 days later, at the end of kids crusade, we loaded the UHaul van and headed for Anniston. We moved into a rental home, got the kids into the Weaver school and then left them in the charge of the grandparents for Bobby & I to visit Ecuador for 3 weeks. I look back and laugh at the hilariousness of it all because there is no way all of that should have been physically possible to accomplish in such a short time. But, as I said, God’s timing is its own time zone!
The remainder of this year will be spent visiting churches to secure funding for our missionary budget and making other preparations to move. We plan to move to Ecuador in January and ask for your prayers to help all of this be accomplished in this short time.
We are thankful beyond words to everyone who has helped us so far and can’t wait to share this adventure in Christ with you all.
Have you ever wondered what God was up to behind the scenes? We have! And we have some exciting news to share with you regarding our future!
Most of you probably know by now that our family has moved to Brewton, Alabama. We’ve traded life in the inner city for life on a dirt road in the country. Through this transition we often asked God, “What are you doing?” The door closing for our ministry in Atlanta was undeniable and the door opening in south Alabama was undeniable as well. “Why Lord would you take a family with a passion for the inner-city poor and lead Bobby to become an associate pastor and Tamitha to be the children’s pastor of the Pineview Church?”
As He always does, God has been faithful to show us His grand plan that we could never have envisioned on our own.
During the past few months doors have been flying open for us to nurture our growing call toward world missions. The amount of invitations to lead crusades, seminars and teach the local ministers in various developing countries has been overwhelming. We have prayerfully considered all these opportunities and have decided to take the leap of faith and commit to three of these opportunities and trust that God will provide financing for three mission trips this fall to Ecuador, Jamaica and Kenya.
Ecuador – August, 2007
We have been invited to visit the Church of God Seminary in South America and participate in urban mission training program. Training and working with local urban leaders will also be a focus. During this visit we will be teaching seminary level Urban Missions sessions, visiting with various church leaders and discussing current urban strategies, and training future missionaries in their preparation to go to the unreached people groups around the world. We are very excited to share what we’ve learned in ministry with these individuals who have burdens to return home and reach the lost of their cities across the world.
Jamaica – October 9 – 15, 2007
This is our 3rd annual trip to the mountain village of Claremont to work with a local church’s outreach ministry. (see our report from last year on the back) This year, we will again lead a massive outreach to the children of the area. Our theme this year utilizes sports – specifically soccer. In addition to the Kid’s Krusade services, we are arranging a sports fun day where we bring in professional players to teach the children soccer skills. If you can donate any soccer equipment or other items that would be a blessing to these children, please let us know. We also need donations of school supplies for this trip.
We would love for you to join us on this trip! If you are interested in joining us on this trip to Jamaica, please contact us immediately for more information. The deadline for signing up is July 15. The cost is approximately $900 per person which covers all expenses.
Kenya – November, 2007
As only God can do, He orchestrated our meeting a lovely missionary couple who has served in Kenya for decades. They have invited our family to come and lead classes at their Bible school which trains local Christians who have a desire to start a new church. I am sure you are well aware of the many trials that Africans face due to the overwhelming poverty and disease. These men and women are offering the hope of Christ to the people of Kenya and we are honored to be invited to share our passion with these individuals.
During this trip, Bobby will teach seminary level Bible courses. Tamitha will lead various children’s outreach programs to both evangelize the nearby children as well as train the students of the Bible school. Jonathan & Jordan will use their clown ministry to share the gospel in a beautiful and unique way that transcends all cultural barriers.
How you can help
Mission work is a partnership. We are able to go and do the work of the Father only with the financial and prayer support of you all.
In order to travel to all three locations and ship ahead the supplies needed for the various outreach projects, we need to raise $12,000. That seems overwhelming to us, but we know that God is able to provide for His work to be accomplished.
- We ask that you prayerfully consider sending your financial contribution to our mission fund.
- Please consider joining us for the trip to Jamaica. It is an amazing opportunity that will change your life.
- Contact us if you are able to donate any soccer equipment or school supplies that can be shipped to Jamaica.
- Most importantly, please remember us in your prayers that God will continue to guide and protect us in our endeavors for Him.
Blessings,
Bobby, Tamitha, Jonathan & Jordan
Our family led a team of people with a passion for children’s ministry for a week packed with outreach to a remote, impoverished village in the mountains of Jamaica.
We visited 6 different public schools and were able to preach the gospel openly to over 3,000 students. The children attend schools that are in poor condition and severely lacking in resources. One school consisted of a large open room with classrooms separated only by chalkboards. In spite of circumstances, these children were joyful and eager to learn. They respectfully listened and responded to our program. We were able to bless many of the neediest students with backpacks and school supplies.
We assisted the local church in benevolent outreach to several of the neediest individuals. We were able to visit many of their homes which are simple makeshift shelters. New clothing and personal supplies were distributed to many families in dire need. We helped to paint the exterior of the church. Jonathan & Jordan enjoyed being clowns and entertaining the children.
In the evenings, over 100 children filled the church to enjoy a kids krusade service. Many children and adults responded to the compelling message of the Gospel. These children walked through rain and power outages with a desperation to attend the services. A training seminar for children’s ministers was held with participants from many denominations in nearby towns.
PRAY for our ministry
