Dear Appreciated Saints,

The last few weeks have been awesome, thank you so much for your prayers and encouragement!  Even though we do not take a Thanksgiving “vacation” to celebrate our thanks, we are extremely thankful for you, dear, faithful family of God who help, support and pray us through each month and year.  Did you know that we will complete 16 years of ministry in Ecuador this December?  How we have grown in the Lord and in awe of His amazing work in and through us.  Thank you for staying the course with us.

Our new missionary, Zakry Fleshman is a real blessing!  His visa was approved within a month of his arrival (hallelujah) and he has fit in very well.

We are continuing to pray and praise the Lord for the nearing completion of the chain-link fence around the school buildings.  Erland is supervising the installation and with Zak and Dave they have worked many hours   Remember the buildings are on the pointy crest of a hill which means that the 650-foot fence goes downhill on both sides over lumpy, muddy terrain.  Their learning curve went straight up. 

 We had a wonderful teacher advancement training weekend last month.  Three speakers were from here and we were delighted to have BJ Stavness and Dick Hochreiter from California join us.  Kjersti was an excellent translator for them and prayer warrior as well. The testimonies of how each of the attendees were touched by the Lord were thought-provoking.  Thank you for your prayers concerning this event. We will try to have another seminar in May.BJ and Dick visited with the school kids, giving words of wisdom and praying over each one.  The men were invited by Maria to pray over her endeavors in Quito.  While we were there, she signed a monumental contract to provide high school education to the athletes training in the elite national sports program.  No sooner was that done and prayed over when an indigenous pastor came from central Ecuador who desperately wants a SEA LA LUZ school in his area.  What a blessing to pray for him too.

The children in the school are a true blessing and thrill us with their insightful prayers, spiritual growth and love.  We were pleased to be able to bless them with sweaters and sweatshirts given to them by friends in a Florida church.  Thank you!

The Lord is changing our thinking about the methods we use to educate the children and we are wondering what new and exciting adventures in reaching children and forming their lives He will lead us on in the coming years.  Being a pioneer is very rewarding as long as we keep the goal in sight.  For us it is a daily, “Here I am, Lord, please use me.  Order my steps to accomplish much for the Kingdom.”   We trust it is for you as well.

In mid-October, I, Sharman, was asked to participate in the installation of the first-ever Student Body governing group of Maria’s secular high school in Quito.  Maria has been encouraging us personally and in educational field since the beginning and I have become her spiritual advisor.  The kids on the board asked if I would be present at their installation and say something.  Maria was not sure what they were expecting so she told me to say something encouraging. Having total freedom with Maria to say and do what God puts on my heart, I felt led to share with the teens about destiny and then to pray, adding that, in my/our capacity as spiritual advisors, we are available to pray with anyone that is interested.

Zak has been teaching a short math lesson and a long English lesson every week at Maria’s school.  Since this is a new endeavor for him, either Kjersti or I go in with him to help out.  The week after the installation, I was along with Zak and told the kids that came for the lesson we were available to pray with them.  Immediately after the lesson, a young man stayed, then a young woman, and then two more were sitting at the table and wanted prayer.  I was in my element. Another and another sat down by the two at the table and I just kept going from student to student praying quietly over each one.  Then the fifth young man stopped me before I started to pray for him.  He said,  “Hermana (Sister), I am not a believer in God.”  I smiled. “That’s not a problem,” I replied.  “God believes in you and has a destiny for you.  May I pray for you?”  He considered this for an instant and said, yes, please.

  I prayed over a couple more as I made my way around the large table and then looked up realizing that the table was full and they were the members of the Student Body Council.  They were watching me expectantly.  Realizing that they had gathered for their FIRST meeting, I turned to the President and asked if he wanted me to continue praying for the five left, including himself.  The young man who was next in line and had had his head bowed, looked at me startled, “Yes, pray for me!”  The President was very respectful and asked if I would please continue because they needed the direction of God.   I was in awe that God would have me be in such a place and with the privilege to pray a right foundation in this group and in Maria’s school.  We believe this is the start of a major break-through with the youth of Quito.

Thank you again, dear saints.  We are grateful for your prayers and friendships.  We pray God’s richest blessings on each of you.

Together for the Kingdom, Dave, Sharman, Erland and Kjersti Injerd

Praises

*Prayer ministry is growing.

*Precious children growing in the Lord.

*Kjersti continues to do amazing editing on the DVDs

*Erland has pushed through the fence project growing in his ability to orchestrate construction projects.

*Dave continues to bless those he counsels.

*Health and safety.

Requests

*We need someone to help edit the DVDs.

*Guabug school legalization.

*Erland’s near-future change of job plans.

*Guidance for the new path the mission schools are to take.

*Health and safety.

Dear Faithful Supporters,

Here we are – a new Hebrew year (5774), a new school year and a new missionary for Sea La Luz!  We trust you are excited about the new things God is doing for you as well.

Kjersti teaching her 5th and 6th grade class

The symbol for the new Hebrew year has an open door with a spring of water on the other side as its symbol.  We are reminded of Psalm 23, which fills us with confidence that as we trust in our Shepherd for everything, He leads us in abundant green pastures and to the streams of living water where we are infused with strength and His peace.   Leave the past behind and the things that weigh us down – repent of sins, forgive and be forgiven – and go through the door into the next phase of our destiny.

Our new school year in Tambo has started with the children God sent for us to teach and model praise and warrior worship.  We are blessed with a more than adequate staff of willing hearts that love the Lord.  The Guabug school is still struggling to be become legal.  We view the project as a major testimony in that which the enemy is trying to twist for his purposes God will use to further the Kingdom – regardless of whether it is approved or not.

Zak teaching the Junior High class

Teacher Bible Study

This weekend we will be presenting our third Teacher Training and Spiritual Growth Seminar.  Two brothers from the States will be leading a ministry time for those that attend and we have opened the seminar up to the public school teachers in our area.  We have NO idea who will attend, but we are excited to be on the cutting edge of God’s move in the educational system of Ecuador.

Thank you for being so faithful in your prayers and support.  We ask that the Lord bless and keep each of you as the Good Shepherd; so that you see His provision, are energized with His strength, realize a testimony that restores your faith, be overwhelmed by His peace, comforted by His presence, walk in His favor, see His mercy and praise and thank Him for His goodness.

Together for the Kingdom,

The Injerd Family            Dave, Sharman, Erland and Kjersti

Praises

*New school year with precious children and teachers.

*Zakry Fleshman as our new missionary.

*Dave’s ability to fix ANYTHING – especially computers going through mid-life crisis.

*Testimonies that strengthen our faith.

*Being able to bless those that curse us.

*Health and safety.

Requests

*Weekend seminar to glorify God in everything.

*Only those that He wants to attend to come.

*Guabug school destiny to be realized.

*Zakry’s visa documents to be approved so he can stay the year.

*Health and safety.

Dear Supporting Prayers,

            The tenth year of God’s little school finished in victory with three sixth graders and three ninth graders advancing to the next phase of their education.  The sixth graders have the option to continue with us but the ninth graders must go to a new school.   We have attached a couple of photos of the final program.  A few of our children are facing dramatic, unhappy changes in their families and the final program meant that their one place of security and peace was closing for a time.  Please pray with us that the children God wants to return/attend in September come so they can continue to grow in His love.  We are blest to be in a position to encourage, love and strengthen these children in the faith.

            During the months of June and July, the Lord granted me (Sharman) opportunities to meet high-level authorities in the Ministry of Education and present His plan for character-forming schools.  I have been amazed and blest by the hungry response of these leaders who truly have a heart for the children of Ecuador and their openness to be prayed over.  I am excited to see where God will take these contacts.

            All around us we have seen and are asked to pray for difficult situations.  May I share how I present these requests to the Father?   Philippians 4: 7, 8.   “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God, and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds through Christ Jesus.”   As I sit quietly before the Father during my times of prayer, I present one by one the petitions that are on my heart.  I place them at His feet: sometimes with tears, sometimes in frustration, sometimes in bewilderment.  But the key to letting our desires be made known to Him is the “with thanksgiving” part.  With each prayer, we must be in the attitude of thankfulness.  I verbally thank Him for listening, for caring, for answering the request in His way and His timing.  When we consciously thank Him, we are acknowledging the fact that we believe He will take care of the problem.  If we believe God has control of whatever concerns us, we have given Jesus command of the situation and we do not have the burden to figure out the solution.  Therefore, His peace will flow through us guarding our hearts and minds from the darts and doubts of the enemy.  If I do not see the answer for a request today, I will humbly, persistently, confidently bring it to His feet tomorrow knowing that His timing is perfect and my privilege is to pray.

            Kjersti felt that the Lord wanted her to share her most recent painting, called EvenFlight; to help us remember to count it all joy, rise above, and see the beauty God puts around us.  May God bless you with it.

            Thank you for your prayers for what God is doing here.  We cannot continue without your intercession.  We ask God’s blessings on those who encourage, pray for and support us.  May we all have a deeper understanding and faith in Psalms 145:18, 19  “The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth.  He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him.”

            Together for the Kingdom,

           The Injerd Family

Praises

* Another year of school finished to His honor and glory.

* God’s schools are opening doors with the authorities to share the Good News.

* Current teachers are planning to continue with us.

* Health and safety.

Requests

* ALL of the children God wants to attend His schools.

* Kjersti and Sharman finish filming lessons for first through third grade.

* Wisdom where to start the next schools and the financial support necessary.

* Personnel to come as directors, teachers and a Director of Operations for the Mission.

* Protection, health and safety.

Dear Faithful Supporters,

            A Blessed June to you!  While most of you are watching the flowers blossom and picking cherries, we are well into winter with unusual winds and lots of rain.  Yahoo!

Ministry time

Kjersti Translating

            The month of May went fast with God showing Himself merciful and kind.  We were honored to have two ministers from the States come for a short conference and share with our affiliates principles of spiritual growth.  They were a tremendous blessing to us personally and to our people.

            Walking with the Lord and in spiritual freedom to minister as the Lord tells us, produces interesting fruit.  One of my gifts is to pray for whomever the Lord puts in my path.  A couple of months ago, the police came for an unexpected visit and I was able to pray with the sergeant and his men.  A few weeks later, a couple of those men came again with the mayor (a woman) from Papallacta to plan a workshop for our older students.  As I was showing them out of the school building after the planning time, the ranking officer stopped me with a surprised look.  “Aren’t you going to pray for us before we leave?”   I blinked.  Wow.  How often do believers get asked by policemen of third world countries for prayer??   Smiling with the pleasure of the Lord in my heart, I took them outside to pray.  The mayor turned quickly to run down the hill and escape but the officer called her back and insisted (commanded) she participate.  What a hoot.   When they came again for the workshop, she was all smiles and hugs.  At the end of their sharing time, the police and the mayor commented to the children that they had never been with a group of school kids who were so respectful, obedient and well-behaved.

A folklore music group was a special treat during the ministry time

            Earlier this year, the Senior Class from Alliance Academy in Quito, a top-tier Christian school,  came to visit our school to experience missions in their own country with the poor and in the raw. Later, to our astonishment, the class of 45 students chose names of our kids and sent each one a pair of new boots filled with goodies and a letter of encouragement.  Our children were thrilled, but more than that, it made the junior highers in our school very reflective about blessing others instead of simply receiving.   In response, each of our children wrote a thank you note to their benefactors.  Today, we received this note from that elite group of potential movers and shakers.  We stand amazed.

Dear Sister Sharman, 

    We are happy to inform you that the Senior Class of Alliance Academy International has chosen to give a donation of $450 to Mission Schools Sea La Luz.  The Class of 2013 was very touched by our experience with you this winter and we value and applaud the way your ministry is making a difference for families and children in Ecuador, sharing the love of God and the joy and value of a strong education. 

….Again, on behalf of the Senior Class, thank you for all you do in Ecuador for the glory of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 

Blessings, 

Cami Pastor, President of the Class of 2013

I share these events to encourage you, our brothers and sisters in Christ.  Do not get discouraged in well-doing because God will bless you in ways you do not see or understand yet.  Be faithful in the small things as well as in the major.  Everything must be done with Kingdom in mind – that is how His Kingdom comes to earth.

We ask your prayers with us for the Guabug school as it is under enemy-fire right now.  God has the victory and we stand firm in this but we need your prayers as well.

Last week, a group of us visited our jungle brothers for a time of praise, worship and teaching.  The Lord’s presence was sweet and the leaders were very receptive.  After the service we talked again about starting a school.   Listening to and talking with those in charge, we feel this group may not be ready right now to administer and flow with what God wants to do.  We need wisdom and Christian TEACHERS to open any new schools.  If God is tugging at your heart, please pray about this opportunity to touch lives for the Kingdom and write us.

Together for the Kingdom,

Sharman for Dave, Erland and Kjersti Injerd

What a joy to fellowship with our brothers in Christ!

Praises

*God is bigger than…

*Small steps of obedience carry great effects.

*Wonderful time with Pastor Linus and Acijam.

*Health and Safety.

Requests

*Guabug school to see God’s hand and victory.

*God’s schools/children to touch the hearts of many authorities.

*Protection for His people.

*Guidance for where to start new schools.

*Godly directors and teachers to come on staff.

*Health and safety.

 Dear Persevering Saints:

            How great is our God, rejoice with us in how awesome is our God!  What a month this has been.  We thank you for persevering in prayer with us for His Kingdom to expand here in Ecuador.   Many, many blessings to each of you.

            The photos attached tell a great deal about part of our testimony, but let me share what the Lord gave me this morning.  In the book of Nehemiah, recounts the story of the seemingly impossible task of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem.  Nehemiah went to organize and manage the work with the blessing and authority of the King.  The Jews who had returned to the city after captivity were up to the job BUT the surrounding outsiders were envious, racists and hateful.  They did not want God’s people to be anything but the poorest of the poor and defenseless.  Nehemiah had the task of martialing a small group of ex-captives into a working and fighting team in a matter of weeks.

            The enemy of our souls came at God’s valiant group with his favorite form of attack:  fear and ridicule.  Fear paralyzes faith and ridicule robs us of confidence.  We must choose to meditate and declare the great power of the Lord our God and give thanks that we can do all things through Christ our Savior.  Nehemiah encouraged his people with these words: “Do not be afraid of them (the enemy).  Remember the Lord, great and awesome, and fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives and your houses.”   Notice the first group he listed was our brethren:  the Body of Christ now and those who will come into the family.  It is important that we learn to think KINGDOM in the same way Jesus lived, died and rose again for all mankind.

            Instead of letting fear stop us, we must listen much more closely to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, we must press harder into faith and obey much more rapidly and completely.  Instead of letting the mocking voice discourage us, we will praise with greater intensity and share our testimony with determination.  We practice the Romans 12:21 principle:  “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

            Rejoice with us for the Guabug school!  Through perseverance against discouragement and very real ridicule, the director and his staff pressed through with the required 400 page document (!!) and the school is now legal.  Praise God!  This is a major victory with a government that is openly hostile to private/Christian schools, but God has His people in places of authority to thwart the plans of the enemy.   The extra blessing is that we can use the same format of this document for all of our schools in Ecuador.

            We are blessed as well by this Guabug group in their enthusiasm to continue pressing through obstacles to keep the school solvent.  The policy of the Mission SEA LA LUZ is to support a new school for a maximum of four years, each year giving a little less to help them learn to support themselves.  Guabug is our first spin-off and therefore an experiment in which we are all learning.  Now that the major hurdle of accreditation has been achieved, the staff of three, plus Irene our own missionary to them, are focusing in on how to remain viable after outside support dries up.   They are learning to think outside the norm for most of the populace and not to expect hand-outs but to rely on God and work for what they need.   Remember, our schools are for the poorest populace we can find, therefore, funding from the parents is not an option.

            Another small but potent victory came last week in the form of a simple request by one of our 15 year-old students.  Angel came to me asking prayer for his ailing grandfather and said that he had shared the salvation message with the dying man, but Angel’s concern is the assurance that his grandfather is saved.  With joy, I gave this fledgling  “missionary” a copy of a prayer of repentance so he could read and explain it to his grandfather and lead him to receiving the salvation that Jesus offers.  The relief and smile this young man gave me was worth our many prayers for growth in the students.

Visiting the jungle with our team

            What about the photos?!?  Ah, here is another victory in process.  We have received the official invitation to be the spiritual authority and school for a newly formed alliance of Amazon jungle tribes.  The two primary indigenous groups are the jungle Kichuwas and the northern Waorani (formerly known as the Aucas in the southern group).   These have resisted the entrance and influence of outsiders until recently.  The Kichuwas that you see in the photos have come out of the jungle in the last couple of years because they could not sustain their families any longer by hunting and fishing.  Their leaders are incredibly foresighted Christian men who are walking in godly wisdom for their people.  The primary mover-shaker is Rafael, who sees and understands the inevitable advancement of technology and greed of the government for the resources on tribal lands.  He does not want to have his people swallowed up and lost but to have them ride the wave to their benefit and keep the important aspects of their culture and identity.  Because they are a recognized by the government as an official indigenous group, they have the right (like the USA first peoples) to form many of their own laws and select what services they want and who they want.  They have chosen Maria’s high school and she told them they needed SEA LA LUZ as their primary school.   Last week, we visited their 3000 acre island to see through Jesus’ eyes what He would have us do.

            Although the actual drop-off point to reach this area is only 3 hours from Tambo, to get to the island is an adventure in itself.  Some of us went by canoe and others by raft.  The island is a recent acquisition by the alliance from the government with only a few newly constructed homes in the interior.  The families came from all over to see and hear the team (five of us) as we shared with the 30+ children and parents the vision the Lord is forming in our hearts.  Several times, Rafael asked for someone to come and be a pastor to them as they have no spiritual authority and the opposition against this new endeavor is fierce.  The enemy knows the potential of this kind of leadership.

            For Dave, the trip was tremendously fulfilling.  They took him to the beautiful waterfall where they would like a small hydroplant built which he is thrilled to do.  The Lord also stirred in his heart to be a father to this precious group and start a Bible study with them twice a month beginning soon.

I quizzed Rafael about the Waorani group and how they fit into this picture.  He explained that they have hidden themselves deep in the jungle and are unready to come out at the moment but will eventually be drawn into their Kingdom destiny.  The ramifications of this endeavor are mind-boggling to me. Tambo was a huge step as it was untouched by any other religious group, so we were the “first” spiritual authorities in the mountains.  As Tambo was moderately westernized the parents were able to make most of the jump from their culture to Kingdom thinking.  This jungle adventure goes to a whole new level:  first spiritual authorities AND the first outsiders (Ecuadorian or otherwise) to be invited in to begin the bridging of the Kingdom and outside technology/thought with a semi-primitive society.

            Dearest supporters,  here is an amazing call to some of you.  We need teachers who are on-fire for the Lord and willing to live in rustic conditions to touch an entire people group for God.  We need workers to help with the hydro-project.  The harvest is ready; pray to the Lord of the Harvest with us for laborers to come.  We walk by faith and confidence in Him who has given us the victory. How we need your prayers, your expertise and your encouragement.  I believe this is the opening of a much greater door than we realize.

            Together for the Kingdom,

Dave, Sharman, Erland and Kjersti Injerd

Mision SEA LA LUZ

Praises

-Guabug is accredited (dancing and much celebration may be added).

-Our Tambo people are lights in the world.

-Tremendous opportunity with the jungle tribes.

-Erland and Kjersti who work with and support the mission.

-Tambo house rain-water supply system full and fully functional.

-Health and safety.

Requests

-Protection for the hearts of our teenagers in Tambo.

-Godly wisdom in advancing His Kingdom.

-Laborers to the harvest.

-Contacts for Dave and his new hydroplant project.

-Resources to meet growing demands.

-Health and safety.

Dear Praying Saints:
To our friends and supporters on the East Coast that are struggling with digging out from or repairing storm damage, we want you to know we are praying for you and so are the children and teachers at the school.   When one member of the Body suffers, we are all concerned.
As I recount a follow-up on the October update, I believe the Lord has a message for each of us.  Last month I shared how the school children walked through the sudden death of a former classmate, 8 year-old Cristopher.  I sent the update to you before the funeral had taken place and now is the time to tell the rest of the story.
Cristopher had been mistreated by his mother’s boyfriend, become gravely ill and was in the terminal ward of the hospital when the news came to us.  Dave and I (Sharman) went on a Wednesday to visit and pray for the semi-conscious child.  As we left, I did not know what God would do but I heard the words,  “Except a seed fall into the ground and die, there cannot be fruit.”  I did not want to believe that Cristopher would die, nor did I want to speak such a declaration, so I pushed the words aside and prayed for healing.  Friday, Cristopher died.  I called the grandmother and aunt to ask if there was something we could do and they asked if I could come to the wake and/or funeral on Sunday.
It is customary to have a wake in the home for a couple of days before the official funeral and we have been to a few to console and pray for the relatives.  The rest of our family could not attend so I went alone just before the funeral mass with the intent to transport family members from the home to the church.  Arriving early so I could pray as the Lord led, they insisted I join the mourners in the room with the casket.   I stood apart and prayed quietly asking what the Lord would have me do.  He said,
“Pray.”
“Do you want me to pray to raise the dead, Father?”  I thought maybe since the seed had died, it could now come back to life and bear much fruit.
“No,” came the reply.  “He doesn’t want to come back.”
“So, what do you want me to do?”  I asked again.
“Pray.”
I opened my eyes and saw that about 20 people had come into the room and they were all standing along the walls, staring at me and waiting.  “May I pray?”  I asked.
“Of course,”  was the immediate response.
I felt the presence of the Lord strongly and prayed aloud for the people present.  I paused, searching for direction.  “Salvation,” came to my heart.  Normally I do not do group salvation prayers as I want each person to be truly desirous of receiving Jesus, but I knew this was from God and needed to be done.  Still flowing in the attitude of prayer I offered these precious souls the opportunity to repeat with me a prayer thanksgiving, forgiveness and submission to the King of Kings and Author of Life.  Many, if not all, opened their hearts to Jesus that afternoon and the little seed bore fruit.  It is our prayer that there will be continued multiplication of souls brought into the Kingdom because of this event.
Thanks for sharing with us in what God is doing in this corner of Ecuador.  We so need your prayers and encouragement.
Together for the Kingdom,
The Injerds

Praises
*Souls entered in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
*All three schools are doing well.
*Favor with education authorities.
*Full compliment of teachers for Tambo!
*Outstanding Ecuadorian accountant for the Mission!
*Health and safety.
Requests
*Growth for the new believers.
*2 more first graders to attend in the Tambo school.
*We need a knowledgeable geologist to come down for a couple of weeks.
*Protection for our village, Tambo, from local and government wolves.
*Heart and attitude of Christ in all of our interactions.
*Health and safety.