Merry Christmas from the Davoll Family!

Merry Christmas from the Davolls!  We just wanted to share with you a few blessings of life and ministry here in Cumbaya.  As a family, 2013 allowed us to serve on 3 different continents; North America, South America and Europe.  We are praising the Lord for His faithfulness!  Thank you for being a blessing to us by standing with us on Bended knee!  Please share with us how you are serving the Lord!

Cooking Ecuadorian Style

We love living in our new culture here in Cumbaya!! God has truly blessed us with a love for the people, the country, the culture, and the food. We have always been fairly adventurous when it comes to food. One of the foods that we love is ceviche! It is a specialty in this part of the world, and we have started making it in our home.

A man in our church works in Manta, a town on the Pacific Ocean about six hours from here. He brought us several pounds of this very unusual fish from a trip. The family told us it was " muy rico" ( very good); so, we could not wait to try it. We tried sautéing it. Then, we tried frying it. We just were not getting it right. What we did not know is this fish is to be used for ceviche.

The "cooking process" in ceviche is different than others you may have tried, but it is perfectly safe. You marinate the fish in acidic lemon juice and it "cooks" the fish. You can see it happen, and it can actually overcook too.

The magic of ceviche is the combination of flavors and textures with the toppings that you add to your fish. You layer on generous amounts of your favorites of chopped tomatoes, Spanish purple onions, scallions, cilantro, plantain chips, popcorn, and corn nuts.  Ecuadorians have taught us the varieties are endless with additional choices of condiments on top such as hot sauce, mayonnaise, ketchup, even mustard.  Each person makes their own little masterpiece. Ceviche also comes in a shrimp version or in a "cho-cho" vegetarian bean version if the fish marinated in lemon juice is really just too much for you. Whichever one you try, they are fantastic! Oh, my mouth is watering just thinking about it!! You really need to come and taste it for yourself.

Basket Ball Camp Scores Big Time!

We hosted our second basketball camp in the small pueblo of Guapulo. This town has been a burden on our hearts for four years now. During our first year here in Ecuador, we would travel this very ancient road called "Via de los Conquistadors' up to Quito each Sunday where we were serving in La Iglesia Bautista El Calvario in Quito with Pastor David Vasconez.  Each week, we would pass this little town and God began to work on our hearts. We began to pray for the people and pueblo of Guapulo which is about halfway between Cumbaya and Quito. We prayed that a door would open for us to share the Gospel. We have found NO other Gospel witness.

 God can use anything to open doors, even a basketball game! After that game, we began to come Round to get to know the people of the town. God allowed us to host a basketball camp August 2011 with Pastor Eric May and Ira Baptist Church and another in 2013 with Pastor Steve Carpenter and his young adults from Faith Baptist Church in this little town. One veteran missionary told that it takes seven touches of various kinds before people are ready to open up to you and to the Gospel in this culture.

After the first basketball camp we held a weekly Bible study until January that ended when the family was forced to move because their house literally was falling into the river.

Praise the Lord we now have another Bible study that is going with a new family. Every Thursday evening, thus family is studying the Story of Hope, a chronological evangelistic Bible study. Please pray with us for them and their extended family that they will be open to the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives. God’s Word is powerful.  It changes lives!  They could be the first ones in their town to know the truth. Pray for them as this would mean heavy opposition.

Enouch Bizcochos for Everyone

It's funny how sometimes things can grow on you. Soon after we moved to Cumbaya in 2009, our neighbors introduced us to a famous treat from the small town of Cayambe.  They brought us a bag of bizcochos which are small rectangular pastries that are buttery but not sweet. When we first tried them, we did not know quite what to expect. But how we have grown to love the tradition and the experience.

Bizcochos are served with a piece of cheese called "queso de hoja" or literally of "sheet of cheese. It is a really creamy mild cheese" like a mozzarella rolled up like a little sleeping bag.  Our family either has coffee or rich creamy hot chocolate with these treats. In the little town, there is a factory that makes reportedly 12,000 a day. There are shops all over the town selling them by the bagful. Our latest favorite way to enjoy these little tasties is to dip them in dulce de leche which is a soft caramel. Delicious!!

Lunch for $2 - Not a bad deal!

Lunch or is the biggest meal of the day here in Ecuador.  Most working people go to a local restaurant on their lunch break and simple order " almuerzo " or the lunch of the day. It will include a fruit juice, a soup, and a typical plate of rice, beans, and a meat. There might be a fruit or pudding type dessert. Our kids love the culture of Ecuador. If you come for a visit, they will be glad to take you for the best almuerzos in town.