The Plane Facts

The Plane Facts-Oct./Nov. 2011

2011-10-29T08:38:00.000-07:00

The Plane Facts

sharejesus@gmail.com Oct./Nov.2011 www.yourmissionary.org

Dear Ones,

This letter has to begin with a huge PRAISE THE LORD!! All of the paper work has been submitted, tests taken, inspections done and starting today (Oct. 19^th) Rick and Joel will be able to fly. As I re-read some of our letters that we've sent over the past two years, we've continually asked for prayer for the airplane situation. Thank you for standing with us financially, with encouraging words and most importantly, by praying. God is good and faithful, all the time!!

The first week in Oct. about 250 children heard the Good News as Debbie, Anna and I shared God's love at our Shell Kids Club, Casa de Fe Orphanage, our Sunday school and also during a two day Bible school at the Puyo church. Debbie is our daughter in law, the wife of our son Rick who pastors in Florida. Her love for kids, home schooling experience with their three girls, Bible background and talent for telling stories with very few props or extras, made our time together so much fun and a blessing to many. One of the best parts of the whole week was that, as a pastor's daughter born in Cuba, Debbie is totally bilingual so I didn't even have to translate!

Anna, who came with Debbie, is a member of their church in Port St. Lucie and very interested in doing orphanage work. Her time at Casa de Fe really cemented her love and desire to dedicate more time in the future to that type of work. Thank you, Port St. Lucie Community Church, for sending these two precious ladies to bless us and to bless all those children this month!!

Recently, I checked out some websites that have information on the meaning and origin of Halloween. Here is a short list (there are many, many more) of the ones I took the time to watch and read. 1) "Jeremiah Films-Halloween: Trick or Treat?-Part 1" 2) "Halloween-Not So Innocent After All!" 3) "The Dark Truth about Halloween" and "The Dark Truth about Halloween-Part 2". These three are YouTube presentations. "Halloween: What You Should Know about It" is an excellent short read in a PDF format. As usual, Satan tries to "trick" us into thinking that certain things, which the world condones, are ok. That is definitely not the case with Halloween. I invite you to go to at least one of the above mentioned spots and prayerfully ask the Lord how you can make a difference on October 31^st.

Christians in Action will no longer be receiving gifts to be sent to us. If you'd like to donate to our ministry, please make your check out to PFC and send to PFC-PO Box 3298-Paradise, CA 95967-3298. All monies will be sent to us 100%. Thank you so much!!

Love and blessings,

Rick and Sharon

PFC-PO Box 3298

Paradise, CA 95967-3298

Street Evangelism-Rick and Andy Preaching

2011-05-30T12:24:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WohkFKiSmJM

Park Ministry

2009-12-23T10:48:00.000-08:00

Grace at Rubi's Preschool Birthday Party

2009-11-02T14:31:00.001-08:00

The Plane Facts-Oct./Nov. 2009

2009-11-02T14:00:00.000-08:00

The Plane Facts

sharejesus@gmail.com Oct. /Nov.2009 http://PatriotPost.US

Good Morning,

God is so Good! The Lord has sent to Shell a young, missionary couple Gustavo and Inez Calixto and their little daughter Hanna all the way from Mexico to do Gospel Recordings! (globalrecordings.net) What a blessing they are, and will be here, among the jungle Indigenous. They distribute a handy MP3 player that has lots of memory and can download the Gospel in most any language on earth! I’ve been using one almost non-stop. You crank the (4 X 6 in.) machine for one minute and it will play with great quality and volume for about 5 minutes…then you just turn the handle again. Every Christian leader needs to have one. They cost $50.00, but they have huge potential!

The other day we were ministering with a national worker and a Shuar pastor. When we landed in one village, the two men needed to talk to the leaders, so I sat down on the tire of the airplane in the shade of the wing and began cranking the MP3 player. All the children gathered as close as they possibly could to hear the Message with the shortest kids in front and bigger ones in back. Their ears drank in the Gospel stories coming out of the “talking box”, but their little jet black eyes were riveted on me. I smiled while surveying and resurveying the group as they pressed in closer and closer. Finally, one little boy built up enough courage to feel the hair on my right arm and then began to pull. OUCH!! That emboldened another one on my left side to start touching my beard. Then laughter erupted. I thought to myself, “With all this body hair, they must think I’m something between a human and a balding albino monkey!” Don’t laugh…….Just imagine what they’d think if they saw YOU!

SHARON SAYS: “Shell Christian Preschool is sure a blessing to me and hopefully to the 11 little ones I minister to three mornings each week. This month I’d like to tell you about one little girl, in particular, who is quite an inspiration to me. Grace is a 6 yr. old from a Shuar town that can only be reached by air. She had spinal meningitis when she was about 3. When she arrived at “Casa de Fe” about 8 mos. ago, she was totally paralyzed on her left side. She could only mobilize herself by scooting with the other leg. Grace has other deformities such as fingers missing and burns. Her parents left her at the orphanage www.lacasadefe.org because they felt totally helpless to meet her many needs. Ever since Grace arrived there she has had the blessing of physical therapy 5 times a week and she is now able to walk and sometimes even run without anyone or anything helping her.

The special part that I want to share about Grace is her incredibly positive attitude. She falls many times during the morning at preschool. Each time, she gets up without any help and the little girl, has a smile on her precious face from ear to ear. Wow, it puts me to shame!! ‘Lord, please help me to get up every time smiling and trusting You.’ God bless you and may He help you in whatever trial you may be going through, to get up smiling and praising Him, just like little Grace.”

Love like Jesus,

Rick and Sharon

LCC-PO Box 3298

Paradise, CA 95967-3298

Preschool 2009-2010

2009-10-10T09:34:00.001-07:00

The Plane Facts-July/Aug.2009

2009-08-05T19:56:00.001-07:00

The Plane Facts
sharejesus@gmail.com July/August 2009 www.yourmissionary.org

Dear Ones,

The Lord allowed me to make a short trip to Florida at the end of June. While I was gone, Rick hosted Gary Eide and team from Milwaukee, Wisconsin here in our home. Pastor Gary comes to Ecuador several times a year to preach and this time he came with a small group from his church. Gary (who is our age) is an old fashion preacher who has a heart of love as big as the sky for the people. He always has a message from God and is ready to share it on a moment’s notice. They preached in the “outback”, in the local church, in the park and bus terminal. Rick was especially impressed with the gentle spirits and Godly attitudes of the four young people who came. The whole team was a joy to have. We’re hoping God will send more people who are willing to share His Word anywhere, any time!

Family reunions and caring for grandchildren filled my days while I was on my trip. For the 4th of July, Rick’s brother, Paul had a barbeque at his house in Vero Beach, Florida. Many of our family members were there and the special opportunity for all of us was to get to know Sayid, Aya, and baby Layanna, a family from Iraq, who Paul had invited. That precious family was able to witness the love of God in action as we talked, shared a meal and cared for their beautiful baby daughter. To top the afternoon off, Paul’s daughter Anna and her husband invited us all to go next door to their house and enjoy a time in the Jacuzzi. Of course, a fireworks display was the climax to that beautiful day with family.

The original reason for making the trip to Florida was to take care of Rick and Debbie’s three girls while the two of them went on a little “get away”. That part of my trip was SO special. Liane, 11, Lilly 7 and Lindsey, almost 5, were so sweet, so caring, so loving and so helpful that the “babysitting” turned into a time of relaxation and fun for me.

I wish I could have gotten to see all of our kids while I was in the US but at least I was able to have some really, good phone chats with each of them. Christina, Mike and their four are still in Santa Barbara, CA. Chris is praising the Lord for a husband who knows how to work and provide for their family even in these difficult times. Joshua is finding that his workload is almost more than he can handle as he practices law in Jacksonville, FL. Joel continues to fly advertisement banners in northern California.

Here on the home front, Jon, Cati and Family, who are now back living in Cuenca, Ecuador are planning a trip to visit us here in the jungle at the end of July. Freddie and Sandra are busy with work and caring for their family. Their newest addition, Fred, is a very sweet, good natured, little guy. We all love having a baby to hold and cuddle.

Thank you for your love, encouragement, prayers and gifts. We appreciate each and every one of you, MUCHO!!

Love and blessings,
Rick and Sharon

The Plane Facts-Jan./Feb.2009

2009-01-30T14:10:00.000-08:00

The Plane Facts

sharejesus@gmail.com January/February 2009 www.yourmissionary.org

Dear Christian Friend,
God is so good to us! After having a wonderful time in Ecuadorwith our sons and their families, we were able to find cheap tickets, rightafter Christmas, to the States to get to see the rest of our gang. It wassuch a blessing to be able to see our children, grandchildren, my brothersand Sharon's sister again. We wish we could have brought them all back toEcuador with us! Yes, God is good and His blessings are many. We continue to communicate with Johnny Venegas about his coming toEcuador. He's got his Ecuadorian pilot's license now and plans to start hisdeputation this Spring. We want to help and encourage him all we possiblycan. Would you consider helping too? We almost NEVER like to mention moneyin our prayer letters, but this time I feel we should. Sharon and I know,from personal experience, how much even a small monthly offering canencourage a missionary, especially when it comes from someone who reallycares about us and the work we are doing. Would you pray about receivingJohnny's monthly prayer letter and committing to praying for him and amonthly donation toward his support? It is still quite inexpensive to livein Ecuador, but he will have flying costs and other ministry expenses aswell. So, as a single man, we feel he will need to raise a support level ofabout $1,000 per month. Please pray with us that this level will be reachedquickly, so he can soon join the missionary team in Shell. Our mechanic and I have recently taken cylinders off the airplaneengine in hopes of discovering the cause and correcting an oil consumptionand plug fouling problem that has been developing. We’re thankful that the
situation has been solved and just in time for Pastor Gary Eide's visit.

Good things always happen when Br. Gary comes to Ecuador and
I'm reminded of the Bible truth that, "One shall chase a thousand and two
shall chase TEN thousand." It's so true that when we work togetherwith other Christians, the results are multiplied. Sharon and I ask you toforgive us for not writing personally this month, but we want to thank youfor working together with us as fellow helpers in His Kingdom. May Godreceive the glory in 2009!

Love like Jesus,
Rick and Sharon
LCC-PO Box 3298
Paradise, CA 95967-3298

A Parachute at Preschool

2008-10-29T14:53:00.000-07:00

The Plane Facts-Oct./Nov.2008

2008-10-29T14:29:00.000-07:00

The Plane Facts
sharejesus@gmail.com Oct./Nov. 2008 www.yourmissionary.org

Dear Christian Friend,

24 year old Johnny Venegas is from Los Angeles. He is Mexican-American and speaks Spanish very well. A graduate of SMAT, (School of Missionary Aviation Tech.) and prestigious Embry Riddle University, he is an airplane mechanic and has his Commercial Pilot’s License. His life long dream had been to fly airplanes, and then as a Christian, he wanted more than anything to become a missionary pilot. Lately God has impressed Johnny that none of that really matters and that the most important thing is to just love God and serve Him by bringing people to Jesus. Johnny wrote and asked us if he could come and help out for a month. Of course we said, “Sure!”

We could fill pages of ways our brother helped and blessed us this past month. He was unbelievable. It didn’t matter if we were pouring concrete, fixing airplanes, trying to look stuff up on the internet, or washing and drying dishes…that boy was right there. Johnny is well on his way to fulfilling Nate Saint’s quote: “A missionary must be a jack of all trades and a master of most.” Mr. and Mrs. Venegas certainly raised their son right! When he finally got on the bus for Quito to go back to the States I had that same sad empty feeling as when one of our own kids leave. Lord willing, Johnny will be back. Please pray that God will guide him. You can check out his webpage at: http://www.johnnyvenegas.com/

Thank you for praying for Ecuador! 70% voted to accept the new constitution which many fear will open the door to legalized abortion and homosexual unions. Ominous dark clouds gather on the horizon as daily government (starting with the very rich) takes over people’s property. We are not surprised that the things we have preached about for many years are now coming to pass at an ever quickening rate. Economic woes we read about here, in the US and around the world only amplify the cry of the church, “Come Lord Jesus, come!”

We’ve had the privilege of translating for Pastor Gary Eide again this month. He’s been to Ecuador ten times now. We went everywhere, markets, parks, street corners, out in the jungle and even in church buildings preaching the Word of God. I understand better why the Lord sent His disciples out two by two…one encourages the another and we get way more done than if the two of us worked separately! I guess that’s true for you and us too. Thank you for standing with Sharon and me.

Love like Jesus,
Rick and Sharon
LCC-PO Box 3298
Paradise, CA 95967-3298

Shell Christian Preschool

2008-10-04T18:14:00.000-07:00

The Plane Facts-Sept./Oct. 2008

2008-10-04T18:12:00.000-07:00

The Plane Facts
sharejesus@gmail.com Sept./Oct. 2008 www.yourmissionary.org

Hi!
You’ll remember that a few months ago I wrote to you saying that I thought of you (our prayer letter readers) when asked by the Indians to find Christians to teach English in the jungle. Well the update on that is that a number of people have responded and some have come and actually done it!! Mike and Donna were the first, then Don Dutcher and now Walter Ott have all come to Ecuador. Don and Walter joined forces and are “team teaching” in a Waorani village at this writing. In addition to presenting a good platform to present the Gospel to unbelievers, teaching English gives excellent opportunity to befriend and empower tribal leaders for the Lord’s kingdom…not to mention all the fun these people are having. I love it!!

I had the most exciting minute of my life just one day before Sharon returned from her 5 weeks in the US. The airplane was fully loaded and I had one passenger on board, Vicente. We took off out of Arajuno about 5 in the afternoon headed to nearby Villano. Although we were heavy the plane began its climb over the rugged jungle hills to the south. Once we got to cruise altitude I began my standard “headset conversation” by asking “Vicente, are you a Christian?” He responded, “Hermano Ricardo, you don’t remember me, but you shared the Lord with me 3 years ago.” Just as I was about to follow up that first question with, “That’s nice, but where would you go, should we die this afternoon…” the number one cylinder quit firing. A huge knot began tying in my stomach as I watched the cowling and prop violently shudder as three unbalanced cylinders struggled against each other trying to do the work of four to keep us in the air. The plane was going down, it was all jungle and it wouldn’t be long. I threw up my hand and began to cry out, “Please Lord Jesus save me!” Loudly…intently…earnestly… “Please Lord God…” louder…more intently…most earnestly… with all my being! Then Vicente came alive. His hand shot up. He started crying out too, repeating whatever I was saying. I remember feeling good about that.

Atacapi is a new little strip tucked in a valley about half way between Arajuno and Villano. We narrowly made it, and by the very skin of our teeth. I couldn’t believe that minute really happened and now it was over. On the ground, Vicente’s first words were. “We have been born again I’m done with sin.” I was a little puzzled, by his application of “born again” but, I knew God was up to something in his life, because God is always up to something! I’m sure glad He answers prayer aren’t you?!

Love like Jesus,
Rick and Sharon LaBouef

2008-06-26T14:33:00.000-07:00

Here we are enjoying our graduation party. Thank you parents for a great year. I sure enjoyed my time with your kids!

The Plane Facts-June/July 2008

2008-06-26T14:31:00.000-07:00

The Plane Facts
sharejesus@gmail.com June/July 2008 www.yourmissionary.org

Dear Ones,

Preschool Graduation was an event that I hope the kids enjoyed as much as I did. I keep telling everyone that this year was my student teaching year. As I taught, I was learning many new things as well. In the fall I’m planning to have another preschool group. This time Ecuadorian ESL 4 and 5 yr. olds will be included along with the MKs. One of the missionary moms has volunteered to help full-time. Kevin and Melisa have two children. Annie, their four year old, was one of my students in Shell Christian Preschool. Melisa always has lots of creative ideas, is a good teacher and a precious sister in the Lord. Please pray for us as we plan our next school year.

As Rick mentioned a couple of months ago, we are always blessed with lots of new people who come by either for a visit or asking for a flight. This month, Dayuma was one of our special visitors. Rick has met her on several occasions in the jungle but this was my first time. A flight that was planned with another group to take her back to Tonapade fell through, so Rick was asked if he would be able to take her in. She came early and as she waited, she visited with family and others who were here to see her off. She needed to make a last minute “stop”, so I offered to hold her sweater and walking stick. At that moment she said something to me but I really didn’t hear her clearly. She was trying to make me aware of an important thing, “There’s an animalito (small animal).” When I took the sweater to free her hands, sure enough a monkey in a jungle style, knitted bag, jumped out from under the cloth and scared me silly. I let out a yell which startled everyone and gave us all a good laugh to start our day.

The next issue with the “animalito” happened after Dayuma was already in the plane. My full attention had been on getting her in (which was no easy task) and at some point the squirrel monkey jumped behind the seat, disappeared and was no where to be found. I thought the dear lady was going to cry as we began the search for the miniature mascot. Rick kept saying, “He’ll be fine, let’s get going.” Well, Dayuma was certain that the little cutie would be squashed and arrive home ready for burial if we didn’t find him. Finally, I saw movement but it was out of my reach. So, Rick got out of the pilot’s seat, reached in, around and under the cargo to rescue our little buddy. Dayuma left with a big smile as she carried her baby on her lap.

Soon, I’ll be leaving for Pensacola Christian College to finish up my two requirements for the degree I’ve been working on for the past two years. Thank you for your prayers and please continue since I don’t have that diploma in my hands yet.

Love and blessings to all,
Rick and Sharon

The Plane Facts-May/June 2008

2008-05-25T07:39:00.000-07:00

The Plane Facts May/June 2008
sharejesus@gmail.com

Dear Friends,

Hi! This month we’d like to tell you about a man with whom we labor and share fellowship ... our pastor, Carlos Marchan. Born of a Latino father and a black mother, Carlos was raised in Esmeraldas, a coastal city, of predominantly descendants of washed ashore slaves. He first heard the Gospel at the age of 16 when missionaries from a Puerto Rico based mission-church came to his city boldly proclaiming God’s Message. They experienced a strong move of the Holy Spirit and soon began sending out their own church planting national workers. Pastor Carlos was one of them. He gladly endured persecution and beatings from his family for having accepted Christ. His father even took a gun to church to threaten the preacher.

Although he was still a young Christian, Pastor Carlos responded to God’s call to bravely go and start a church in the Ecuadorian jungle. Being from the coastal area and of a mixed racial background, things didn’t always go well for the young church planter. At one point he landed in the hospital from malnutrition which was really mostly due to low and even no financial support. However, he kept going. He didn’t give up. He prayed, knocked on doors, fasted and held nightly services… sometimes all alone. God eventually gave him his first convert and then two and then a few more. After three long years the Lord provided Carlos with (after Jesus) the best gift of his lifetime…his dear wife, Alicia.

Twenty five years have come and gone since our pastor left his home in Esmeraldas to serve God. Now, with a beautiful family and a large thriving church, one thing has proven to be absolutely true…God is faithful...and His promises are sure. One of those promises is for “HOUSES”. Carlos and Alicia are believing the Lord for that too. A year ago, on a lot donated to them by their first convert and with money God provided, they began building their very own home.

In Ecuador, houses usually aren’t built in a month or two, or even in a year or two. They go up little by little, sometimes over a long period of time, as finances permit. Last week I went to see how Pastor’s house is progressing. It’s coming along slowly. Yes, slowly, but surely! Sharon took pictures that you can check out on our website and, if anyone would like to come down and help work on the project, you would be most WELCOME! We are thankful for all the people God has connected us with over the years. Carlos and Alicia have been a great blessing to us, as have you. Thank you, and may the Lord continue to bless and use you in mighty ways.

Keep loving like Jesus,
Rick and Sharon
LCC-PO BOX 3298
Paradise, CA 95967

2008-05-25T07:34:00.000-07:00

All In a Day's Work

2008-04-08T19:57:00.000-07:00

Rick, Mincaye and Minihua in Nemonpade getting ready to go to Bameno to show movies in Waodani.

They had a good crowd to watch the movie. Praise the Lord!!

Thad and Rick off to another showing. What a blessing to have had this co-pilot with Rick this past week. Come back soon, Thad and Wendy!!

The Plane Facts-March/April 2008

2008-03-27T09:51:00.001-07:00

The Plane Facts
www.yourmissionary.org sharejesus@gmail.com
March/April 2008

Dear Christian Friend,
The most productive flight I’ve ever done, could have been the one we did this month. Of course, I guess that “most productive moment” in our lives could happen at any time without us even knowing it. Right?! Brother Paco Gudino a local gas station owner and Gideon, approached me a while back while I was filling up the pick-up. He asked about us doing a flight to distribute New Testaments to all of the (over 200) jungle Indian villages. Boy, did I get excited!! “Wow, I didn’t even know the Gideons existed out here, the idea really has great potential,” I thought…and sure enough…it came to pass.
Paco and another brother Hugo Morante, showed up early one morning with their boots, backpacks, a two man tent and 1000 Spanish New Testaments all ready to give away. We took off with full fuel determined to keep going until we ran out of Bibles or gasoline… which ever came first! Of course, we weren’t really going to run out of gasoline, but you know what I mean. J In village after village we got permission, then lined up all the school kids and gave the Message of Salvation and then a copy of that precious little blue book! Academic materials are scarce in the jungle, so let’s pray that the teachers will begin to use the New Testament as their Spanish Language, History, Reading…Whatever-text…just like our forefathers did.
Our plan was to hit every single village on both sides of the Pastaza River, but before we got very far we met with a torrential downpour just after landing in Kuakash. There we were, three Christian brothers trying to serve the Lord together, but we really hardly knew each other. So Father changed that by sending the rain. Sitting there in the plane, we began to share our life stories with one another, of how God got hold of each of us and came into our lives. Both Paco and Hugo had great testimonies of how the Lord turned them upside down and then upside right! When the clouds lifted, we visited 14 more villages before night fall and setting up camp in Santiak. Hey, it’s tough work this “jungle evangelism”, but like I tell lots of people with a grin…Somebody’s got to do it.
We hope all is going well for you in your part of the world’s missionfield. Be sure of one thing, it’s God who put you there, and He will accomplish His will through you as you serve Him. Thanks for letting us share together. Sharon has some great pictures on our website of her missionary kid preschoolers. One of them is our grandson Matthew. Check it out and see if you can pick which one he is.

Love like Jesus,
Rick and Sharon
LCC-PO Box 3298-Paradise, CA 95967-3298

HE IS RISEN, YES, HE IS RISEN INDEED, ALELUIA!!

Preschool Photos

2008-03-27T09:44:00.000-07:00

Dear Ones,

We wrote in our prayer letter that there are photos of the preschool here but we haven't been able to get them posted yet. Please refer to www.acapturedlife.com and there you can sign into "clients and galleries". Jennifer has our photos there. There is a folder that says SCPS (Shell Christian Preschool). Sign in there with my name: Sharon, as the password and you'll see the photos of my precious little ones. Thanks for your patience. I'll try to get them directly on this site soon.

Love to all,
Sharon

Preschool Photos

2008-03-15T12:40:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

It's been another fun, exciting week with my preschoolers. The sad note is that Brooklyn is leaving us though. She and her family, Sean and Rebecca Cannon and baby sister Madison are transferring to Oaxaca, Mexico to work with MAF there. We sure will miss little Brook. She has been one of the VERY bright spots in my life since we started school in Sept. Thank you Sean and Becca for sharing your little precious one with me these months.

Thank the Lord that He always has good things for us though, even when we suffer a loss like I am this week. Jennifer Thebault is here with her doctor husband and two sweet little girls for a month. Jenny has volunteered to take photos of the missionaries and she took a bunch of them this week at preschool. If you'd like to check it out, just go to www.ACapturedLIfe.com and click on SCP. The teacher's name is: Sharon and you'll get to see all of my little ones there. I wonder if you'll be able to guess which one is Matthew LaBouef. :-)

Love to all,
Sharon

2008-03-15T12:35:00.000-07:00

The Plane Facts
www.yourmissionary.org Feb/March 08 cinamissions@christiansinaction.com

Hi Beloved!

A SOUL WINNING REPORT FROM SHARON: Recently while Rick was preaching and Heidi and I were giving out tracts in the park, we met a man named Caesar. After a greeting and some small talk, we asked him if he’d ever prayed to give his life to the Lord. “Yes,” he smiled, “two years ago, right over there.” He nodded toward a bench close to where we were standing. “And it was that day the police picked me up and took me to a drug/alcohol rehab center. I spent three months there and I haven’t touched a drop since. Jesus is my Lord.” Later when I told Rick about meeting Cesar, he said he remembered how the man was weeping like a broken hearted child after receiving Christ and right at the moment when the meeting was finishing, up came the police, out came the handcuffs and Cesar was taken away, unbeknown to us, to a place that would help reinforce that which the Lord had started in his life. Please pray that he will become grounded in a church where he can continue to grow.
We’re glad some of you have already written to alanhiatt@christiansinaction.org for your free copy of the Christians in Action 50th Anniversary book. We have one sitting on our living room table and its amazing how many people pick it up to check out missions around the world. If you don’t have one yet… please write to Alan for yours!
God is so very good. We have talked to our friend Robert Bloemendaal, and he has agreed to come back to Ecuador! Robert and his wife Mary live in Phelan, CA. They are Calvary Chapel missionaries to Mexico and have dubbed the “Jesus Film” into a number of Indian languages. Since Robert is very busy and it costs quite a bit for him to make the trip, we think it would be best for us to train an Ecuadorian to carry on what he does after Robert leaves this time. It’s won’t be easy, but let’s pray that it will happen. Another thing to pray about is which movies to choose. “God’s Story” is a good one, but they charge $2,500.00 for the master copy and permission to dub it. That doesn’t seem right… Please pray that we’ll find a more missions-minded Christian film producer who will let us do it for free! Whatever God wants, is what we want…so, if we have to pay…we’ll pay. We really want this to become an ongoing ministry. It has incredible potential for the Kingdom.
You may remember the “Basic Youth Conflicts” seminars held around the country, well, now Bill Gothard sends out a short daily devotional by e-mail. You can receive it free. Just write to: dailysuccess@iblp.org. I highly recommend it, and like me…I know you’ll be very glad you did.

Love like Jesus,
Rick and Sharon LaBouef
LCC-PO Box 3298-Paradise, CA 95967-3298

Rick's Testimony

2007-10-19T12:19:00.000-07:00

FROM RELIGION TO RELATIONSHIP

The personal testimony of Rick LaBouef
Missionary-Christians in Action
Shell, Ecuador

I shifted my position on the prison bunk. Surrounded by the barren walls and unyielding bars of the county jail, my mind drifted back, tracing the events which brought me to this place.
Born in a religious home, I had childhood dreams of someday building a church or becoming a “minister of the Word”.
But one major problem existed. It appeared early in my childhood, a blatantly rebellious streak which always defied authority. As a teenager, the rebellion increased. Because my rebellious attitude had difficulty co-existing with dreams of serving God, gradually I moved away from religion towards things which promised to fulfill my need for recognition in life.
Basketball became my first idol. Those days of being a 6’1” basketball star were so long ago. I had dreams of becoming a professional player until our family moved to California, where I was the short one among the 6’10” players. My basketball idol fallen, I set out to find another way to fulfillment.
Often my father proclaimed, “The way to success is to get an education. With an education, you’ve got the world by the tail.” So I returned to New York State to finish High School there and enroll in College.
When a lovely dark-haired girl came into my life, my idols became confused. Having the “world by the tail” meant nothing unless Sharon shared my accomplishment. Certainly a good education plus Sharon would bring total fulfillment for my life.
We were married. The rebellion which characterized my teenage years seemed to be in remission. Our church wedding, so religious in all the right ways, brought a sense of God-approval. But a few hours into our honeymoon, the war began. My sweet Sharon had a wicked right hand, which she used skillfully when my rebellious nature triggered her anger. Another idol began to crumble, and a renewed search for self-satisfaction began.
How far away and long ago those angry days seemed. Sliding down on my prison bunk, I tried to find a more comfortable position for reliving my “past”.
Memories of our frequent visits with Uncle Tom and Aunt Jan brought a smile. The visits had one drawback—my Aunt Jan was a religious “kook”. She talked about Jesus like she knew Him personally and expected us to know Him, too. Sharon and I made it clear that we were satisfied with our own religion.
Then a visit to California led to the discovery of a new idol, one which promised an effective escape from all my problems. Soon my entire life centered on drugs.
My new lifestyle drove a final wedge in our marriage. Back in New York, I lived the “Hippy” life and Sharon moved to another apartment where she lived alone, pregnant for our first son and very desperate.
After Ricky’s birth, Sharon gave Aunt Jan a call. They talked about Sharon’s separation from God because of her sins and her need to know His peace. Soon my wife prayed to receive Jesus as her Savior. Sharon’s new relationship to Jesus Christ would give her strength in the difficult times that followed.
Sharon and other Christians began praying. From their point of view, wonderful things began to happen, beginning with my arrest for the use and sale of drugs.
Looking at my present prison surroundings, I felt again the awful fear of going to the state penitentiary. With my first arrest, that fear had motivated me to change my life style. I cleaned up my act, going back to Sharon and our new baby and getting a job. I even prayed, “God, if You can get me out of this, I won’t ever do drugs again.”
God did His part, but with the threat of prison removed, I reneged on my part of the bargain.
We moved to California, Sharon’s new faith keeping her steady in the face of my renewed rebellion. Once again drugs were the center of my world. But even at that time, I found myself wondering about Jesus. When various beliefs were discussed, my question would be, “But what do you think about this, Jesus?”
While working in a steel shop, I discovered my boss knew Jesus in a personal way. One day he talked with some of us at lunch break. For the first time, I heard a “man’s man” speaking about Jesus Christ!
Just remembering made that moment fresh, even in my stale cell. I had assumed “knowing Jesus” was just for old people ready to die, escapists from reality and religious people.
I accepted an invitation to a movie at my boss’s church. There the preacher talked about personal salvation.
“Have you realized you are a sinner and need a Savior? Have you accepted Jesus Christ’s death as payment for your sins? Do you know you are a Christian?” He thundered.
“Of course, I’m a Christian,” I thought. “I believe in God.”
“Are you sure? Do you know for sure?”
His questions challenged me, scared me, and stirred something in me I couldn’t explain. When he invited people forward who wanted to make “sure”, I went. Praying, I confessed my rebellion and sin, asking Jesus Christ to be my Lord and Savior. Jesus says, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6 NKJV). Although I didn’t understand all that had happened to me, I did know that now I had more than just a religion; I had a personal relationship with God through His Son, Jesus.
In our continuing hunger to know more about God, Sharon and I spent time with some “Jesus People” studying, praying, fellowshipping. They were a special group of brothers and sisters and we began to grow together in our faith.
Restlessly, I paced my cell. I remembered the words spoken by one of the leaders of our group when we first attended a “Jesus’ People’s” meeting. Pointing at me, he announced, “That man is going to be a preacher!”
My reaction? “What am I doing here? The man is crazy!”
I still felt much the same way. Anybody who thought a “druggy” and convict would ever be a preacher had to be crazy.
My mind traveled back to the final episode which brought me to this county jail cell, awaiting a trial that promised many years in Attica State Penitentiary.
The apartment had seemed empty as I called Sharon’s name. Suddenly, in bust a group of policemen, and once more I was under arrest, this time for a drug sale made a year ago back in New York State. Although I had received the Lord and my lifestyle had changed drastically, there remained an old debt to be paid. They released me on bail until a trial date could be set.
Waiting became a trying time. Good resulted as I made a decision regarding my walk with God. Choosing to live totally for the Lord, I gave up trying to dabble in two conflicting lifestyles. It was also an awful time as we lived through an uncertain year, believing that I faced a long imprisonment.
Now the time of the trial had arrived. Here in New York, in this small jail, I awaited my turn before the judge.
Footsteps approached my cell. A Pastor friend had come to visit. My time of “remembering” over, I greeted him with pleasure. As we talked, he asked, “Well, Rick, what has the Lord shown you is going to happen?”
His question surprised me. I hadn’t expected God to show me anything. After the pastor left, my prison cell became a place of fasting and prayer as I asked God to show me what lay ahead. One day, while praying, a strong impression, thought, word did come to me, “Probation and $1000 fine”.
Scheduled to face a judge who gave severe penalties for drug offenses, I expected my sentence to be several years in the State Pen. Probation seemed unreasonable, but I took it as God’s answer and began to thank Him for His deliverance.
As I walked into the courtroom, my lawyer took me aside and explained with a pleased expression, “Rick, we’ve worked out a deal. I think we can get you two or three consecutive one-year terms at the county jail so you won’t have to go to Attica.”
His words shook me, but I replied, “I’ve been praying and believe that I’ll get probation and a $1000.00 fine.”
The lawyer looked at me and laughed!
When my turn came, my lawyer explained the technical details of my case, and then the judge asked if I had anything to say.
In a few sentences, I confessed my guilt, told him about my relationship to Jesus and my changed life. My testimony ended with the words, “I told the Lord that whatever the judge says, I will accept as God’s will for my life. So if you send me to Attica, I’ll serve Him there. If you release me, I’ll serve Him in California with my wife and children. But I’ll hear God’s will for me through you.”
The judge sat like a stone, seeming to feel the burden of pronouncing God’s will for my life. Minutes passed and suddenly he banged his gavel and announced loudly, “Five years probation, and the defendant will reimburse the court $1000.00 for expenses” Sharon and I have walked many miles since that day. God did make me a “preacher of the Word”. With our six children, we have served as a missionary family in Guatemala, Mexico and Ecuador since 1976. In a world where there are many “religions”, we seek to proclaim what we discovered—the reality of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

The New Blog-The Plane Facts

2007-10-19T08:23:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,

Today is my first day to post on my new blog. I hope to be able to keep you "posted" frequently on all the happenings here in Shell. At the moment, I have Patti Sue here helping me get started. Rick has the plane fueled and ready to fly to Machent with his co-pilot Tony. Preschool is off today so it's my house cleaning and cooking day. Talk to you soon.

Love and blessings,
Sharon for Rick too