3)         We believe this method of study will serve as a selection and screening process of future students for the apprenticeship program of the QSOBS in Quito. 

4)         Eventually we will be able to offer new advanced courses over the Internet for graduates of the QSOBS as a continuing education program. 

5)         Additional teachers may be added to the Internet faculty of the QSOBS as courses are developed by qualified men from various parts of the world and then formatted to the chosen pattern of the QSOBS program.  Therefore, the program could involve many great Bible teachers in the brotherhood. 

6)         The logistics of an effective Internet program are not complicated. 

a.         Very little physical space is needed to carry on a large and effective ministry.

b.         A cost of about $2000 per month can provide an economic support package for 2  men to work full-time developing courses and managing the volume of students.   One fine graduate, Byron Echeverria, is already on-staff as coordinator of the new program.

c.         It is true that the cost of 2 Internet instructors will limit our ability to invite approximately 4 students to participate in the apprenticeship program here in Quito.  However, the work of those 2 Internet instructors will make it possible for hundreds and eventually thousands more to study with the established program of  the QSOBS.

d.         Selected upper-class students of the QSOBS can work and train as Internet teachers in the program.

e.         A cost of about $150 per month can provide us with a sufficient Internet server and host.

f.          Links to and from other brotherhood study opportunities in Spanish or in English will be easily programmed into our webpage.  Plans are already underway to cooperate in this manner with SIBI and with World Bible School.

We are convinced that this program will take one more giant step toward making the Quito School of Biblical Studies one of the brightest lights in all of Latin America, changing and influencing lives of Latinos in all nations of the world.  Its purpose is not to replace the local program of apprenticeship in Quito; it is simply an expansion of this already effective and influential ministry!

New School Year Begins at QSOBS

August marked the beginning of a new school term here in Quito.  Our eighth year of international studies finds 33 men studying in the QSOBS.  Two of those men have wives that are able and desirous to study on a full-time basis with the goal of graduating along side their husbands.  So our new group of full-time students consists of 16, coming from six Latin American countries.  We were excited to receive our first students from Argentina this year.  

One goal shared at the summer sponsors meeting in Arlington is that we want to continue increasing our number of students until we have about 15 in each class, giving us a total of 45 students.  Of course, adding more students each year will require additional funding.  However, our goal is to use our physical plant and staff to its maximum potential so that more men might be trained as ministers of the gospel.  In doing so, the cost per student will actually be decreased.  We ask for your prayers and support of this worthy goal.  Also, we will probably only be inviting male students in the future, but are making a more concentrated effort to include all wives in certain classes and activities.  Those who are able to complete the women's program will receive a special certificate of recognition. 

As shared in July at our summer sponsors meeting, our present income will not support the increase in number of students over last year plus the addition of the Internet Program.  However, we feel your commitment to this ministry is one that has always encouraged us to go forward and dream faithfully.  Please consider how you might increase your present financial commitment to the QSOBS in 2005 so that these needs are met.  Our faith is in God, and in His people.  We trust that He will open doors sufficient to His desire for this ministry!  

We look forward to an encouraging year of study and training during the 2004-2005!  God is blessing the ministry of the QSOBS as 62 men and women have now graduated during the last 9 years.  They find themselves serving in 10 countries located on 4 different continents.  The reports of their endeavors in ministry are always an encouragement to continue training others for the enormous need of sharing the gospel of Christ in Latin America!

OPERATION ECUADOR SPONSORS MEETING 

It was a time of celebrating as more than 80, from more than 15 congregations, gathered for the two-day sponsors meeting held in Arlington this year at the Woodland West congregation.  They did a super job of hosting us and we really owe them a great "thank you" for all they did to make that event a great success.  It was definitely our best attended meeting in the history of 12 years of meetings!  It just gets better all the time!  Praise God! 

Next July we will be meeting in the beautiful "Volunteer State" of Tennessee.  The Campbell Street congregation in Jackson has volunteered to host the 2005 Operation Ecuador Meeting.  As one of the principal and pioneering congregations of this work, we look forward to being with them for another time of celebration and encouragement!  Our next newsletter will have the exact dates and more detail.

UPCOMING OPPORTUNITIES IN JANUARY 2005

 Another super week of ministry among the Ecuadorian people is planned for the second week (7-15) of January.  This year we will return to the Chimborazo province located almost in the center of the country, high in the Andes.  We will visit 4 different villages of our Indian brethren for four full days of work.  The altitude is high and the temperatures can be cool to cold.  It should prove to be another very rewarding time of sharing with those hard-working brethren, who are the true roots of the Ecuadorian people.  While we will not have to be concerned with any tropical diseases, this trip is not for those who struggle with blood pressure or heart problems.  It will be an exposure to some of the great beauty of Ecuador and of course, the remarkable beauty of God's image upon the face of each one treated! 

During the week of the medical campaign, our students along with teachers from the QSOBS will be working in four separate evangelistic campaigns throughout the country.  They will spend about 10 days reaching out to communities with the gospel and encouraging the churches in those areas. 

Immediately following the week of the medical campaign we will be hosting those who form part of the Advisory Council for the QSOBS.  Some from the medical effort may want to hang over for these few days of information-sharing concerning the School of Bible.  It is an every-other year event and is a good time to get to know more about the nuts and bolts of the School and also to get to know the other congregations who share in this ministry.  Activities of the Advisory Council Meeting will begin on Sunday, the 16th and continue through Tuesday, the 18th.  Those who only desire to come for the Advisory Council Meeting can fly down on Saturday, the 15th and back to the States on Wednesday, the 19th. 

However, "on a lighter side" we would like to plan a short tour of some of Ecuador, visiting the rain forest to the east of the Andes for those interested in seeing that part of the country.  We would leave on Wednesday morning, the 19th and be back into Quito on the 22nd.  Flights back to the States could be arranged for Sunday, the 23rd.  The details of the trip to the rain forest can be tailored to the desires and physical condition of those who are interested.  We could also help you arrange a trip to the Galapagos Islands if you desired.  You can email me at marcum7@ecnet.ec to discuss the possibilities and your particular interest. 

We hope you will take advantage of these activities so that you might know more about the needs that exist in this country.  All travel arrangements to and from Ecuador will be handled by Jerry Lawlis, our stateside representative.  Please contact him (qsobs@operationecuador.com) to express your interest in attending the medical campaign week or the Advisory Council Meeting.  The medical campaign is limited to 50 North Americans with priority given to docs, nurses, and translators and time is short.  Our greatest desire is that you become more and more convinced as to the validity and need of this ministry among the millions of lost in South America!

                                                                                                       ---Kent Marcum, Director, QSOBS