Ernie and Monoka Brown
Missionaries to Ecuador, S.A.

March 2007

 Dear Pastor and Church Family,

     We greet you all in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  We have had an exciting first two months of 2007 and would like to share with you what has happened. Let me preface this by giving you a little personal history. In the last quarter of 2006 Ernie had gone to his cardiologist in Ecuador asking for a check up.  The doctor arranged this in the hospital in Quito.  Ernie had a by-pass in Jan. of 1993 before going to Ecuador and so has been trying to maintain his health with good follow-ups. After the testing, the cardiologist told him that his right artery is 100% blocked but his body has formed a collateral circulatory system from his by-passed artery supplying a sufficient blood-flow to his heart at the moment.  Because he is not experiencing any major difficulties and presenting no other symptoms the Dr. in Ecuador chose not to do anything.  So we decided to get a 2^nd opinion from his cardiologist in the USA. After giving Ernie a Nuclear Stress Test he concurs with the doctor in Ecuador.  So we leave this in the Lord’s hands.  We took advantage of the time of his medical check-up and spent Christmas with the family.

     On our return trip to Ecuador the 4^th of Jan. we had to make an emergency medical stop for Monoka in Houston, Texas.  We had to get off the plane headed to Ecuador and take her to the ER.  They found out her potassium was extremely low, EKG was abnormal, liver enzyme count was off the charts and she had gall stones.  So in the 8 nights and 9 days she was there they did a Nuclear Stress Test, Echocardiogram, Hida Scan, an ERCP and finally Gall Bladder Surgery.  She had an infection and so the Dr. in the ER said it was a very good thing she had not continued on with the flight. This was a surprise to us and we don’t understand God’s timing but truly believe in Romans 8:28 and 29 and know that Isaiah 55:8 and 9 are very true. Although this was not in our plans, it was a blessing to watch how God worked in every aspect and supplied our needs. Praise Him! Praise Him! Two days after her release from the hospital in Houston, we flew back to Ohio and saw Ernie’s cardiologist.  He arranged for a 64-slice CAT scan and then a heart catherization for Monoka.  During this procedure the Dr. found NO blockage and so gave her a clean bill of health to return to Ecuador. So she is now fully recuperated from her tests and surgeries and we are planning our immediate return.

     During the time of our medical delay a big blessing and encouragement to us was that the Bible Institute with our Quichua brothers and sisters from Cangahua scheduled for Jan. 7-12 went on very successfully without us being there.  This is our goal in training these men and women and we were thrilled.  Also Victory Baptist Church in Quito elected their new officers and is making plans for an evangelistic year. We do ask you to continue to pray for Ernie’s health, Monoka’s health, the camp ministry, Bible Institute, and Victory Baptist Church. Thank you all for your faithfulness.

Yours for Souls,

Ernie and Monoka Brown