Vagabundo Blog

Vagabundo and Sampley Family in Ecuador, 2011

2011-04-19T17:28:00.001-07:00

Mission promo - Vagabundo and Sampley family in Ecuador, 2011

An Important Mission Notice:

2011-04-05T10:03:00.001-07:00

To Family, Friends, and Fans of Dad the Hero,

Tonight are the last scheduled presentations in Ecuador, but in no way the least important.
Dad the Hero is scheduled at a public military school this evening from 5 pm to 8 pm (EST) to present two family conferences.
Our coordinator in Ecuador informs us that there could be as many as 500 parents participating.
Last week, Vagabundo presented his drama to 2,000 students at this school.

When our coordinator first scheduled this school, there was a department of the school that wanted to keep the presentation from being shown.
But after the members of this department viewed the Vagabundo movie, they decided that the message of the Vagabundo needed to be
presented to the student body.

After the Vagabundo drama was presented last week, the same department agreed to schedule these family conferences tonight for the students' parents.
It is an amazing opportunity!

Please join with us in prayer for these presentations tonight. We are praying that many parents will attend and that their hearts will be open to the message
of Biblical hope for their families. Please pray, also, for Dad the Hero (Jamey) as he speaks through a translator for these three hours.

Real Words For Real People

2011-04-02T21:22:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I wonder what real good we are doing in another country where we cannot speak the language, have to rely on others for food, housing and transportation, without many everyday luxuries we take for granted. When I'm sweating like a pig, my hair looks like a rat's nest, I fall in bed every night too tired to brush my teeth. Sometimes I just wonder...

Of course I know that what we are doing is good. I mean, we're bringing the gospel to thousands, and sharing love and hope with them. I know that God has opened this door of opportunity in Ecuador. I know that it's a work worth doing. But still, who is really listening? Who is really accepting the message? Who is really receiving? Who really let's God in and has a changed heart?

Today I saw exactly why we are here and who is listening. As my dad and sister were presenting the Vagabundo drama, a real vagabundo, or tramp in English, walked up, sat down and turned his attention to the clowns. He listened as Vagabundo character sadly exclaimed he had no family, friends or money. He nodded when Vagabundo thought no one loved him. He fidgeted in his chair when the Messenger clown told Vagabundo that God loved him and was willing and able to forgive him and change his life. He bowed his head when Vagabundo prayed, and stood with his hand raised at the invitation to receive Christ. Tears streamed down his face as he prayed and cried and covered his head. Afterward, my dad and our translator talked to him.

He was a drug addict, living on the streets, alone and scarred by a sinful life. His wife had left him, saying she'd only return IF he changed. He had been beat up the night before, and was walking the streets, looking for answers, for another way, a new life. He saw the church where we were and thought maybe this would be a good place to start.

We just happened to be doing the presentation right then? No! I don't think so. God had arranged the exact timing! That's what's so amazing about being here on the mission field. You get to see God at work from a little different view than usual.

Halfway In: Ecuador Mission Update

2011-03-29T15:46:00.001-07:00

This is a quickie update just to let you know what all's been happenin'. We are on the pacific coast of Ecuador in a city called Esmeraldas. It is pretty hot - not unlike Kentucky summers! It's not unusual to take three showers a day just to cool yourself down and wash the sweat off.

The ministry has been fruitful and there's plenty of it. Family presentations in the churches and police headquarters, and Vagabundo presentations in parks and schools. We are doing three presentations a day. Both messages have been well received and we have seen many people come to Christ.

In spite of the heat, the food has been incredible! We were fed a (very hot) soup yesterday that they describe as "the soup that can wake the dead"! Wow! That's all I'm able to say. And we are thankful that ice cream is the national dessert :) We are over halfway through our trip, and have been missing our family back home. We usually do these missions together and it's been a little strange being only 'part' of the mission team.

As always, I continue to pray all along the trip, at each church, each presentation of the gospel, each mile of road, each meal and conversation, that God's will would he done here and in my life as it is done in heaven. I am reminded once again how important it is to stay in communication with the Father, even in the midst of a busy schedule. In our own strength, nothing can be accomplished. Yes, there have been some obstacles. There always are when Satan knows we are presenting truth and hope. Yesterday at the park we were scheduled to do the Vagabundo drama. The pastor and church we were working with had already rented a stage, set up a sound system and we were ready to roll. A woman walked up and exclaimed that she had reserved the same park for the same day at the same time for a women's model show! Of course it would be something like that! We left to get ready for the drama, praying that God would rearrange schedules in our favor. Sure enough, when we returned, both shows were set up to perform. How could we compete with a model show? The people would not be interested in our message with such a distraction so close. But God was faithful. The model show agreed to let us present our drama first, with no interruptions. We spoke loud and clear and hundreds sitting near, standing around the edges and even hanging out of car windows in traffic heard about God's love and forgiveness! We serve an amazing God who answers prayers.

There is so much more we are unable to write, but are capturing via our cameras for when we get back home. We cannot wait to share it all with you!

Until then....

"V" is for ...

2011-03-23T11:06:00.000-07:00

Vision.
Over 10 years ago, a door opened in Costa Rica for evangelistic ministry in the public schools. I believe that God arranges meetings and roads, conversations and circumstances. Through the contacts made in Costa Rica, my family and I have been privileged to work in almost every country in Central America, as well as, the South American countries of Ecuador and Argentina. Over 75,000 public school students have heard the gospel message of God's love and salvation and a changed life through Jesus Christ. The means is a drama written by my parents, inspired by the Holy Spirit, 30 years ago. It's a simple story of a tramp who lives on the street, eats out of trash cans, and thinks no one loves him.

Vagabundo.
This tramp's life is changed when he receives a love letter from God. In school after school, college after college, orphanage, prison, church, plaza, etc., children, teens and adults hear a message of love and hope. The story of Vagabundo (the tramp) offers a hope rarely known in a culture full of poverty, prostitution, paganism, and social and economic pressure.

Violence.
Wherever we go, we educate ourselves on the specific needs of that place and people. Since our arrival, we have heard the voices of many telling us about family life in Ecuador. "It is a culture of violence." Boys are taught at an early age to fight; girls are taught to accept their 'prison'. Women and children are targets for angry husbands, fathers and even teachers. Alcoholism makes a bad situation worse. We attended a women's conference, dedicated to reaching family-violence victims. The statistics and visuals presented were heartbreaking. One woman, who had been beaten by her husband, came forward crying. We prayed for her, for her husband, her children. But I asked myself, " Will her life be any different?" She is the product of a culture that is taught to take matters into their own hands instead of believing or even knowing there is a higher source for peace and restoration. This woman, and many like her, bear the outward and inward bruises and scars of a life caught in Satan's trap. The only way there can be redemption, forgiveness, and healing is through the knowledge and saving grace of Jesus Christ.

Volcanos.
As part of my dad's family message, he explains the outcome of an individual who is under some kind of life/family pressure, and who does not allow Christ to bring relief: explosion. In a country surrounded by active volcanos, this point hits home to most. Four or five years ago an entire community disappeared under the lava and ash of a volcano that had erupted. The damage was done. The work to restore and rebuild is taking years. It can never be the same as it was, BUT, it definitely has the potential of being better!

Victory.
That is what Christ came for: to restore, rebuild, replace and redeem that which sin has destroyed. This is the hope we speak about. Our lives do not have to stay the same. Our problems do not have to take control of us. Our hope is in something and Someone greater than us, greater than sin, greater than Satan. This life we live on earth is flesh and blood, which will decay and turn back into dust. But the real us, the real person, is the soul created by God which is destined for an eternity. And yes, there are two different options for that eternity. The good news is that "God so loved the world that He gave his only Son, that whosoever believes in Him would not perish but have everlasting life!" A hope like this who can resist? For those who are caught in a web of cultural violence, there is hope, not only for the future, but for the present. And this is why I am here, with my family; to share this hope and this everlasting love.

My calling is to firstly glorify and love my Creator and savior; secondly to tell others about Him. My prayer at every school presentation and family conference is that the eyes and ears and hearts of those watching and listening would be open to the same calling. Heaven is going to be such a wonderful place! Don't you want everyone else to be there too? I do. There are so many distractions around us that keep us from focusing on this; so many voices speaking so loud. Music and movies have a huge voice.

Videos.
In every way I can, I want to share truth to others. I am blessed to be a participant in creating songs and films that reach out to the listener/viewer. The movie of the Vagabundo has aired over national and international TV to numbers only God knows. It is our hope and prayer that our family film, Dad The Hero, does the same, as we work to put it into the Spanish language. As with all projects, much time and energy is required. Please pray for the people working on translating this movie, and pray that the television opportunity would open here in Ecuador as it has in other places. TV is a huge medium for reaching a lot of people with truth. TVs are always on and blaring, but the majority of the content is destructive. They say it is very difficult to get Christian programs aired here, but with God nothing is impossible! Amen.

To see photos and videos and quick updates of the ministry in Ecuador, visit www.facebook.com/vagabundothemovie

Update SIX From Ecuador!

2010-05-24T12:21:00.000-07:00

Parting words from Ecuador
By: Netta for the Sampleys

WOW! My eyes are full from all of the sights...
My heart is full from all that My Lord has shown me.

We've been with the poor...
We've been with the well off...
We've been with the indigenous indians...

We've visited schools...
We've visited churches...
We've visited town parks...
We've visited the handicapped...
We've visited the national police...
We've visited volcanoes...

We've embraced...
We've kissed...
We've clapped...
We've prayed...
We've preached...
We've talked...
We've laughed...
We've cried...

We've eaten chicken, rice,
tamales, empanadas, guinea pig and ensalada.
We've tasted juices and ice cream of all flavors - mora (blackberry),
passion fruit, rum and raisin...

We've ridden in cars, planes, buses, vans, taxis, boats, horses and in back of trucks.

We've experienced the culture...
We've seen the need...
We've felt the heartaches...
We've answered the call...

Today we've packed up and are heading home in the morning.

We finished out the week with a Vagabundo presentation to the Down's Syndrome Foundation, a Family Builder's presentation to the National Police, and we spoke
at a Catholic Retreat for young people. Jamey spoke at a church yesterday morning, and with all of my heart, I know The Lord was there. His spirit was present
working in the hearts of families.

Thank you all for following Candle's updates. Hopefully you have seen pics. and
video clips that she's been posting on various sites. We appreciate especially your prayers!

Let me end this update with a Bible verse that caught my attention as I was preparing for this mission:

"You are my witnesses, declares the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen,
so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am He." Isa. 43:10

It has been an awesome experience while I've been here realizing that The Lord chose me as one of His servants to come to Ecuador, and in so doing, I know Him
better; I believe Him more; and I understand that HE IS GOD!

Can't wait to share stories and videos when we return to as many of you as we can!

Vagabundo and Messenger drama clip

2010-05-20T11:49:00.000-07:00

Ecuador Mission Promo 2010

2010-05-20T11:27:00.001-07:00

Vagabundo drama clip

2010-05-20T11:25:00.000-07:00

Update FIVE From Ecuador

2010-05-17T18:50:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we drove 2 hours through the Andes mountain roads of Ecuador to a town called Machachi. It was surrounded by three snow capped mountains, one being the famous Cotopaxi, the highest active volcano in the world. In the center of the town, the "central park", a group of catholics were holding a bazaar to raise money for a home for the elderly. They had invited the Vagabundo to come. When we arrived, we were told we were early, so the locals took us to see a historic train depot and an organic farm where they grow many of the foods eaten in that town. We were accompanied by some missionaries from Michigan, who work at a Christian radio station in Quito, and some missionaries from England, who go to rural areas of Ecuador digging wells for communities that do not have water.

Around noon, we returned to the plaza, only to find that mass was going on and so the streets were empty. So we waited some more. But as soon as mass was over and the people filed out of the church, they were attracted by the dog show going on at the opposite side of the bazaar! So we waited some more. After the dog show, a group of indigenous Indians performed a typical dance in their bright, colorful costumes. We were still waiting. Then there was a special song, and another typical dance. Finally! We were on. The dances and songs had drawn a rather large crowd and an estimated 500-700 people heard the message of God's love. After the drama we handed out the Vagabundo tracts and coloring books. There had been an obnoxious group of drunk motorcyclist who had wandered their way to the stage during the dances and songs and had stayed to listen to the Vagabundo, as well. One of their gang stood right next to the stage and never took his eyes off Jamey and Candle as they presented the drama and gospel message. He stood very attentively and afterwards was very grateful for the tract. And when it came time to leave, the whole group gave us a warm farewell! Our prayer is that God's spirit was able to touch their hearts during the drama and that their lives would be changed.

Also after the drama, the people that had invited us fed us lunch. Vagabundo (Jamey) had chicken, lamb and cuy (guinea pig!) The rest of us just opted for chicken. We kinda had to eat and run because we still had a 2 hour drive back to Quito and a family conference that evening. The church was very excited about our coming and told us that we did not have a time limit (an amazing thing!), so Jamey was able to expound on a lot of the visuals he showed and the girls and Levi played and sang several songs. It was a wonderful night.

Today, we had to wait until the electricity came on before we could do some house cleaning and laundry and then we folded more coloring books. We have folded 5000 coloring books total! The children really like them.

As we have said before, we cannot thank you enough for all the prayers for safety on our behalf. Today, Jamey and the boys came upon a serious accident while walking back to our house. A lady had just gotten off the bus and had stepped out in front of a car and was hit and killed immediately. We are constantly traveling and walking through places that are not quite the safest. So please keep the prayers coming!

As we've mentioned before, pictures and videos and up-to-date stats can be found on www.facebook.com/Vagabundothemovie, www.vagabundoblog.blogspot.com, and www.youtube.com/vagabundothemovie.

We have 1 week left here and a LOT of ministry still left to do. Pray that we will be able to speak and meet the people that God would want us to and that hearts would be softened toward the message we are sharing.

Thank you all and God bless!
Jamey, Netta, Candle, Amity, Cori, Anna, Levi, Jesse, Reed

Update FOUR From Ecuador

2010-05-15T19:36:00.000-07:00

Hello Friends and Family!

It seems like it's been a while since we've sent an update. So, let's see....

It has been very, very busy! We are over halfway through our trip and have presented the Vagabundo message of God's love and forgiveness to appx. 10,000 people! We have been going to public schools during the day and in the evenings we have been doing family ministry in the churches or in the public schools for the parents. We have had so many people come up to us, thanking us for the message of hope.

Today we presented the Vagabundo drama in a plaza and at a pastor/youth conference.

We are trying to upload photos and videos every day, with quick stats about what we're doing and where we are going. You can find these updates on YouTube ( www.youtube.com/VagabundoTheMovie ), Facebook ( www.facebook.com/vagabundothemovie ), and Blogspot ( www.vagabundoblog.blogspot.com ).

We also have a friend from Kentucky staying with us for a week! So, keep Steven Sturgeon in your prayers, as well.

It's amazing how small the world really is. For instance, one of our translators lived in Louisville, Kentucky for 10 years and went to the Southern Baptist Seminary and knows J. T. Kirkpatrick! (For those of you who know J. T., call him up and tell him Alberto from Esmeraldas, EC says Hi!)

There have been many new contacts made with pastors and church leaders here. There is a possibility that we will come back in the near future to hold family seminars and conferences and help the churches establish family ministries.

We are constantly thankful for all your prayers for safety and protection as we are doing a lot of road travel.

We look forward to writing more.....

In Christ,
The Sampley Gang
Jamey, Netta, Candle, Amity, Cori, Anna, Levi, Jesse, and Reed

Photos of Vagabundo and the Sampleys in Ecuador

2010-05-13T21:08:00.001-07:00

Photos Of Vagabundo and the Sampleys in Ecuador

Vagabundo In school - Mini Interview

2010-05-12T12:32:00.002-07:00

Kids fiiling in to watch Vagabundo

2010-05-12T12:32:00.001-07:00

Vagabundo Drama Excerpt

2010-05-12T12:30:00.000-07:00

The Sampley Family

2010-05-11T15:59:00.000-07:00

Hear That?

2010-05-11T13:01:00.000-07:00

Online Video of Jamey speaking, shooting the bow and arrow

2010-05-09T18:13:00.001-07:00

Lanzamiento de flecha - Broadcast your self LIVE

Today's church services here

2010-05-09T10:00:00.001-07:00

http://capilladelvalle.com/

LIVE! Service

2010-05-09T09:50:00.000-07:00

http://www.blogtv.com/people/icapilladelvalle

Storytime With Levi!

2010-05-09T09:32:00.001-07:00

[insert name here], what ya doin'?

2010-05-09T04:14:00.000-07:00

Update THREE From Ecuador

2010-05-08T19:17:00.000-07:00

The following paragraphs are a couple of on-the-ground updates posted by Candle while the Sampley family were at the coastal town of Esmeraldas, EC:

Wowzer! Only 11am and that was one of the hottest, most humid Vagabundo presentations ever. Nearly melted. But the next one's not til 5 this evening, so I cold showered up and will just have to re-makeup later.

The school was an all girls school of 5000, but we only presented the drama to about 400. We go back for another group later, as I said before.

Well, I found out I've been misspelling the name of the town :( So to clarify, we are in Esmeraldas, right on the pacific coast of Ecuador. It's very different than Quito. The people are descendants of African immigrants - most likely slaves back through the years. There's lots of fish, shrimp, baby squid and some other sea creature for sale anywhere and everywhere on the street.

Despite the heat, which really is no different than a Kentucky summer day in August, it's going well. The people are wonderful and we have found that the whole trip here has been bathed in sincere and constant prayer.

Many if the girls in the school this morning expressed their desire to know and follow Christ! This is wonderful!

Okay, mas tarde =)

Melted again at the second presentation. Just because the sun goes down here doesn't necessarily mean it gets any cooler! We presented Vagabundo to 160+ university students. Of course they didn't quite respond like the kids, but they were attentive and afterward, 3 of them came up and said they wanted their lives to be changed through Christ. So, praise the Lord! Thanks for the prayers. I pretty much felt bad through the whole drama and had to take some Tylenol. I've been told it's a one day sickness, so I'm hoping for a better tomorrow!

We are right next to the ocean. I know cause I can smell the fish and see the lights at the port. Also, we're only 4 hours away from the Colombian border and they say that a lot of illegal "shipments" go through here.

In any event, God is good and even though it may be hard or uncomfortable, I'm certain that He has me here, with my family, at this time for a reason. I was telling my sisters just tonight that if we truly, wholeheartedly believe that God put us here on this earth, for a specific purpose, and that heaven is our true home, then no matter where we find ourselves in life, we can trust that He is control and there's no point in living only for ourselves. Out human nature can't comprehend this, but it is truth anyways, and we must stop and remind ourselves of this, or else we become consumed with us. Jesus was not consumed with himself. No. He was consumed with a love that translated into sacrifice on our behalf. Let us follow THAT example! Love others as we love our Lord.

Last night I woke to guns shooting outside our hotel. I heard about six or seven shots before a minute or two pause and then police sirens. They have told us the whole time we've been here that we are in dangerous neighborhoods and to always stay together and hold tightly to our bags and equipment, but God has kept us safe! Thanks so much for all of your prayers!!!
**********************************************************************************

Well, we are now back in Quito! We saw 3 wrecks while on the mountain road back to the capital city, but our little bus made it with no misfortunes. Today is Reed's birthday, too, so once we got back we walked down to the shopping center to find some ice cream to celebrate. Happy 10th Birthday, Reed!

Tomorrow is Sunday. Our first family builders presentation is at 6am. And then there's 2 more after that. It's gonna be a very tiring morning, but it's all good. The church and people we worked with in Esmeraldas were amazing in true Christian love. Last night they sent us off with gifts, prayers, songs and a special dinner. The pastor there told us, with tears in his eyes, that he was so grateful and blessed to have our family there, and that he believed that the greatest testimony we were sharing was that we were together as a family, working and ministering and sacrificing in order to present Christ's love to the lost and encourage the struggling and hurting families. We have never been so warmly received as we were from the church of Esmeraldas. God's continual blessings on their families and ministry still going on there.

ONE MORE IMPORTANT THING: we are constantly posting photos and videos and blurbs about the work and ministry happening here while in EC on Facebook, Blogspot and Tumblr. You can subscribe, become a Fan or just browse thru via the following links:

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Vagabundo/365742665038?ref=ts
Blogspot - http://www.vagabundoblog.blogspot.com
Tumblr - http://www.thevagabundo.tumblr.com

We love all of you and can't wait to come home to share in person all that God is doing here!

The Sampley Gang!

Vagabundo Day One

2010-05-08T18:22:00.001-07:00

Somethin's Smokin'

2010-05-08T18:21:00.003-07:00

It's All About Spacial Orientation

2010-05-08T18:21:00.001-07:00

Sound Check...uh

2010-05-08T18:19:00.000-07:00

Vagabundo Drama Excerpt

2010-05-08T18:18:00.000-07:00

Link To Video - Entra La Mensajera

2010-05-08T18:02:00.001-07:00

http://thevagabundo.tumblr.com/post/582617018/entra-la-mensajera

Link To Video - Why Do Women Always Act Like Women

2010-05-08T18:01:00.002-07:00

http://thevagabundo.tumblr.com/post/582618177/why-do-women-always-act-like-women

Link To Video - Students Filing In

2010-05-08T18:01:00.001-07:00

http://thevagabundo.tumblr.com/post/582619226/students-filing-in

A Tag-On To The Last Post

2010-05-08T18:00:00.001-07:00

Melted again at the second presentation. Just because the sun goes down here doesn’t necessarily mean it gets any cooler! We presented Vagabundo to 160+ university students. Of course they didn’t quite respond like the kids, but they were attentive and afterwards 3 of them came up and said they wanted their lives to be changed through Christ. So, praise the Lord! Thanks for the prayers. I pretty much felt bad through the whole drama and had to take some Tylenol. I’ve been told it’s a one day sickness, so I’m hoping for a better tomorrow!

We are right next to the ocean. I know cause I can smell the fish and see the lights at the port. Also, we’re only 4 hours away from the Columbian border and they say that a lot of illegal “shipments” go through here.

In any event, God is good and even though it may be hard or uncomfortable, I’m certain that He has me here, with my family, at this time for a reason. I was telling my sisters just tonight that if we truly, wholeheartedly believe that God put us here on this earth, for a specific purpose, and that heaven is our true home, then no matter where we find ourselves in life, we can trust that He is control and there’s no point in living only for ourselves. Out human nature can’t comprehend this, but it is truth anyways, and we must stop and remind ourselves of this, or else we become consumed with us. Jesus was not consumed with himself. No. He was consumed with a love that translated into sacrifice on our behalf. Let us follow THAT example! Love others as we love our Lord.

Santa Vaca! Este Fue Epica!

2010-05-08T17:59:00.003-07:00

Wowzer! Only 11am and that was one of the hottest, most humid Vagabundo presentations ever. Nearly melted. But the next one’s not til 5 this evening, so I cold showered up and will just have to re-makeup later.

The school was an all girls school of 5000, but we only presented the drama to about 400. We go back for another group later, as I said before.

Well, I found out I’ve been misspelling the name of the town :( So to clarify, we are in Esmeraldas, right on the pacific coast of Ecuador. It’s very different than Quito. The people are decendants of African imigrant - most likely slaves back through the years. There’s lots of fish, shrimp, baby squid and sone other sea creature for sale anywhere and everwhere on the street.

Despite the heat, which really is no different than a Kentucky summer day in August, it’s going well. The people are wonderful and we have found that the whole trip here has been bathed in sincere and constant prayer.

Many if the girls in the school this morning expressed their desire to know and follow Christ! This is wonderful!

Okay, mas tarde =)

Esmeraldas

2010-05-08T17:59:00.001-07:00

Wow, what a warm reception we received when we finally made it to Esmareldas. The took us to Avery nice restaurant where we were met with smiles, hugs and kisses from the people of the church here. They welcomed us with words, song and gifts! They gave us necklaces and candy. The man who will be our translator for the next few days just returned from living 10 years in - none other than - Louisville Kentucky!!! What are the odds?! Vagabundo presentations start early tomorrow morning, so I’m gonna finish uploading some pics and hit the sack after our 10 hour drive!!! Night to all:)

Update TWO From Ecuador

2010-05-08T17:58:00.001-07:00

The past 2 days of ministry here in Quito has been truly amazing! Saturday, Jamey and Amity performed the live drama of Vagabundo 3 times to over 1000 people at a community outreach. The drama was well received and afterwards we sold out of the Vagabundo dvd’s we had brought, and so are having to make more copies down here.

After one of the Vagabundo presentations, a mother and father came up with their 7 year old son who had terminal brain cancer. They asked if we could pray for him. It was a very touching and sad moment. With tears, we laid hands on him and prayed for healing and God’s will to be to done. It was hard for any of us to imagine what feelings the parents must have and what they must go through each day. Please pray for this little boy that a miracle would be done in his life.

Also, a man came up who spoke very good English and volunteered his translating services. We “hired” him on the spot and he was Jamey’s interpreter for the following Sunday. We dubbed him “James Coburn” because he looked and sounded a lot like the actor!

Sunday, we were up bright and early. We had 4 services ahead of us. Of course, we encountered our first problem right at the start - no taxis available. So, Jamey, Netta and the boys went on ahead in a church member’s car while the girls waited with our coordinator for the next available taxi. This meant that we could not sing or play before the the preaching, as was arranged. But, no matter, we had 3 more shots at it!

Finally, we all reunited at the church. Jamey was already speaking. The pastor had told him that there was only a 10 minute turn-around time for each service, and appx. 800-1000 people came to each service. That meant that he only had 45 minutes to present his family builders message. This is an almost impossibility for Jamey, but he managed to stay to schedule!

In the meantime, the pastor of the children’s chapel had found the girls and had asked them to play and sing for his service, which was at the same time as the regular service. It took a bit of calculating, but we figured out that we could begin at the regular service, where Jamey would introduce his family, then immediately grab our instruments and walk across the campus to the children’s chapel, sing 2 songs, walk back across the campus just in time to sing at the regular service at the end of Jamey’s message! So, all in all, we were doing some sort of ministry for 7 services before 1 o’clock PM!!!

Many people came up to us afterwards and said that the family message had been very convicting and encouraging, and that their families’ lives would be changed. It was incredible seeing the response of the people and of the pastors. One pastor took us out to lunch afterwards and talked about the need to start family ministry in his church (of 3,800). He said that US missionaries had come with all their ideas for separate ministries for men, women, youth, children, singles, couples, etc., and had done more harm to the christian family relationships than good. He said that his church is now in the process of training men who see the need to build strong family relationships and to be a church of integrated families.

There is no need to say that once we got back to our house, we literally crashed! It had been an amazing and incredible weekend, and we saw God’s hand everywhere and were greatly blessed by the friendship and the love of the people we met.

Today, we were able to visit the “Center of the Earth” - the Equator. We actually stood in the middle of the middle of the world! It was exciting, and yes, we got many pictures! (All pics and vids can be found on Facebook)

Tomorrow we wake up bright and early to drive 6 hours to the coast where we will continue to present the gospel message of God’s love to students in public schools and encourage families. We appreciate prayers for safe travels and we look forward to writing more about what God is doing here in Ecuador!

With love from the Sampley Gang!

Update ONE From Ecuador

2010-05-08T17:56:00.000-07:00

Greetings to all our family and friends!

Well, we’ve arrived - safely and soundly, praise the Lord! There were a couple “bumps” along the way: several of our bags were overweight at the check-in counter, but shuffling items did the trick. We brought about 100 Vagabundo dvds and thousands of Vagabundo tracts, which had no trouble getting through customs. The approach and landing in New York was very rough and a couple of us got to feeling pretty sick. But, we made all our flights, we finally got to feeling better, we were able to cat-nap on the plane (and amazing feat!, and we are now staring at almost 4 weeks of great work in the public schools, churches and surrounding areas. I do know there is going to be some traveling, so your continued prayers for safety would be greatly appreciated. Today we are having a meeting with the people we are working with to go over plans, a schedule and our itinerary.

We love each one of you back home and we look forward to keeping you posted on the work that God will do here, as well as the stories that come out of this trip.

Once again, thank you for your prayers!

The Sampley Family

Welcome!

2010-05-08T17:39:00.001-07:00

Welcome to Vagabundo’s blog! Technology like this makes it easy for fans and friends to follow the continuing story of Vagabundo (and his creators) as he travels and presents the gospel message of God’s changing and forgiving love through live drama and DVD!