The Great Adventure

Raw Pumpkin Pie Brownies

Posted on December 5, 2013 by jeffandterri

This year it was our privilege to host the Thanksgiving Day meal for our SIM team here in Loja, Ecuador. It was a beautiful sunshiny day and we had wonderful food and fellowship. Many people ask me what we, as a family, eat now that we are mostly raw vegans. It was a great opportunity to share this dessert with our friends and colleagues: Raw Pumpkin Pie Brownies. When people hear that we eat raw food their imaginations kick in with some pretty wild images, but raw food and particularly raw desserts are very easy and use the most simple, natural ingredients. Best of all, they are healthier and lighter than traditional recipes. If you would like the recipe for Raw Pumpkin Pie Brownies, click on the link is below:

Raw Pumpkin Pie Brownies

Giving thanks for each of you,

Terri Rains

Posted in Food, Special Days | Tagged brownies, pumpkin pie, raw, Thanksgiving | Leave a comment

Drama Group in Canguraca

Posted on December 1, 2013 by jeffandterri

November 23rd-24th we were in Canguraca, a small village about 3.5 hours from Loja. There is no evangelical church in the community, but the people of the community very graciously allowed us to use the Catholic Church on Saturday night and Sunday morning for the drama group to do their presentations. Nathanael and Kaitlyn have been apart of the drama group for several months. They use the “Walk Thru the Bible” material translated to Spanish and act out the events of the Bible. This is a very powerful tool to help people get a global view of the scriptures. We are so grateful for the Greenwood family that directs this ministry. We were delighted to accompany them on this trip to Canguraca. The community seemed very responsive and grateful for their coming.

Posted in Family, Ministry | Tagged Canguraca, community, drama group, Walk Thru the Bible | Leave a comment

8th Annual Ladies’ Conference in Loja

Posted on November 17, 2013 by jeffandterri

8th Annual Ladies Conference in Loja

November 8-9
What a wonderful two day experience it was to attend the only ladies conference in our Province. There were over 500 ladies in attendance both Friday and Saturday night. Saturday morning was a special session of teaching and worship for just pastor’s wives with a Luncheon following. The wonderful thing about this conference was the spirit of unity and great fellowship. The conference theme was “Mother of Nations” taken from Deuteronomy 7 and focused on how God wants to use us as women to bless the present generation and the generations to come. I count it a privilege to be a member of the “Confraternidad de Pastoras” (Fellowship of Pastors’ wives) that hosts and plans events like this one for the province of Loja. If we continue to see unity among believers like we saw in this conference, surely we will bless the nations, and our children after us will be blessed.

Posted in Ministry | Tagged fellowship, ladies' conference, Loja | Leave a comment

Pura Vida… On the Air

Posted on November 13, 2013 by jeffandterri

I couldn’t believe my ears. I was invited to share on the local christian radio station, “Ondas de Esperanza” (Waves of Hope) about nutrition. I had been holding classes on nutritional healing in my home for a few months when this opportunity came my way. The live radio program went well and I was invited to continue sharing each Thursday on the “Aprendiendo a Vivir” (Learning to Live) show. The very next show the phone calls started pouring in. The level of interest and the number of callers really surprised me. Each week people call with questions about how to eat a whole foods plants based diet, or how to make vegetable juices and smoothies. This has turned into a full time ministry together with my blog: Pura Vida Lojana. I thank God for opening this door to speak with people about their physical and spiritual health.

Posted in Ministry | Tagged health, nutrition, Pura Vida, radio | Leave a comment

The longer I serve Him, the sweeter He grows

Posted on October 22, 2013 by jeffandterri

Photo: Hovdas Teaching We were so glad our ministry partners Doug & Maureen Hovda were here in Loja and could attend the couples’ meeting at our church on September 21st. When the couples heard the Hovdas had been happily married and serving the Lord together for over 56 years, everyone paid close attention as they shared five key ingredients for a successful marriage. Afterward, our pastor shared how God had used the Hovdas to speak to him about the importance of: (1) taking time to listen as God speaks to us in our time alone with Him, and (2) committing to pray together daily as a couple. We thank to Lord for using the Hovdas that evening to impact the lives and marriages of many people at our church.

We enjoyed introducing the Hovdas and translating for them as they shared their testimony and special music with several groups both in the city of Loja and in rural areas. The theme of their creatively interwoven testimony was “You Are Never Too Old to Serve the Lord.” It was obvious from the comments we heard that God used this message to inspire many people to serve Him with excellence. One song they often sang was The longer I serve Him, the sweeter He grows. What a blessing to spend time with people like the Hovdas, whose lives reflect this wonderful truth.

Posted in Ministry | Tagged ministry, The longer I serve Him, visitors | Leave a comment

Jungle Trip

Posted on September 1, 2013 by jeffandterri

Squirrel Monkey at zoo in Sucua, Ecuador

We hadn’t been to the jungle since our children were small, so we decided to make a trip to Misahuallí to see some monkeys and take a canoe trip on the Napo River before the new school year began. Traveling more than 20 hours by car, we saw some breathtaking sights as we traveled down out of the Andes Mountains and entered the jungles of Ecuador. Returning through Shell, Mera and Baños, we saw some awesome waterfalls and then enjoyed the return to the highlands, passing through the mist and clouds. Ecuador is one of the most biodiverse countries on the planet, with snowcapped mountains, rugged beaches, cloud forests and jungles. Making brief stops in eight towns along the way, it was a trip down memory lane for Jeff and me that went back more than 22 years.

During our canoe trip on the Napo River we visited three communities. In the first community we saw how the natives of that area lived and trapped their food. The next stop was a rescue center for jungle animals trying to return to the wild. At our final stop, we got to see the colorful handmade pottery the area is known for and watch a demonstration by one of the ladies of how it is made. The sights, sounds, smells and tastes we experienced on this trip made us fall in love with Ecuador all over again. What a way to start the school year!

Nathanael with Blow Gun

Jeff in front of giant “Ceibo” tree

Shungu, our faithful companion riding a canoe down the Napo river.

Posted in Family | Tagged family, jungle, vacation | Leave a comment

VBS at Maranatha Alliance Church

Posted on August 13, 2013 by jeffandterri

VBS Maranatha Alliance Church

We had a great VBS this year with over 85 kids in attendance. It was wonderful to see so many children we didn’t know come to Vacation Bible School. This year’s theme was “Jesus Loves Me.” Teens were also included in this VBS, which ran from Monday through Saturday. Our visitors from Lifebridge Christian Church shared their testimonies with the teen class. I know the teens loved hearing their testimonies, and I am sure that some of the children attending heard the Gospel possibly for the first time.

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Madrina for a Day

Posted on May 8, 2013 by jeffandterri

Kaitlyn as madrina of her Conservatory sports team

It was a sunny April afternoon at the Conservatory of Music here in Loja. All the students were in formation to march parade fashion around the campus. Some were in their sports uniforms, and others were dressed formally. The military band was there with all their regalia playing patriotic music. The atmosphere was like a carnival or parade. There was a table of judges and dignitaries viewing the students as they all marched in and formed lines according to their class section and age. They even had some athletes make a symbolic run around the soccer field and light a torch just like in the Olympics. Kaitlyn was elected to be the “Madrina” for her class. Being a “Madrina” is a bit like being a homecoming queen. It was a fun day and an opportunity to learn that the kick off for a small sports program can be a big thing in Loja!

Posted in Ecuadorian culture, Family | Tagged conservatory, madrina, sports | Leave a comment

Palm Sunday in Loja, Ecuador

Posted on March 25, 2013 by jeffandterri

Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, which is the most important celebration of the year for Christians around the world. The people of Loja, where we live, are very religious. On Palm Sunday, “the faithful” form processions as they carry their palm branches to mass. During the mass the priest will pronounce a blessing on the palm branches. These palm branches will be saved and burned the following year, and the ashes will be placed on the forehead of each believer in the form of a cross. This takes place on Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of lent.

Living in Loja makes me think about the Apostle Paul’s experience in the city of Athens (Acts 17). Athens was a very religious city where people loved to talk about religion and philosophy. On the one hand, we are grateful that we can share our faith openly with the people of Loja, and that they are usually open to discussing issues of religion and faith. On the other hand, just like the Athenians, there is a prevailing attitude of religious pride that can lull people into a false sense of security. Pray with us that, during this Holy Week, many people here in Loja will allow Christ to make His triumphal entry into their hearts.

Posted in Ecuadorian culture | Tagged Ecuador, Loja, Palm Sunday, tradition | Leave a comment

Pure Life Exposition

Posted on February 4, 2013 by jeffandterri

So many people have asked us questions about our plant based (vegan, mostly raw) diet that I was encouraged to hold an exposition in our home. We were amazed that 40 people came out on a Sunday afternoon to learn how they can improve their health with good old fruits and veggies. It was a great opportunity to meet neighbors and deepen some friendships as well as share some Biblical truths. While there are no foods forbidden in the New Testament (with the exception of blood) it is interesting to note in Genesis 1:29-30 that the original diet of both man and beasts was plants. So do what your mother always told you… and EAT YOUR VEGETABLES!