Look What God Is Doing!

Teachers’ Workshop in Guayaquil—Lydia traveled to Guayaquil Saturday for the last in a series of initial teacher’s workshops. She attended a special children’s day activity at FERTISA (Dios Es Primero) on Sunday morning then traveled to Cuenca Sunday afternoon. The workshop went well.

New ministerial students doing well—Pastor Juan reports that all five students are doing well in their theological studies. They carry a heavy load of seven classes per week (three nights) along with their weekend ministries in the churches and their secular jobs and family responsibilities. They need lots of extra strength to keep up the pace. Pray for these who are giving their lives into God’s service.

New families at Dios Es Primero—Pastor Juan reports that two new families have begun attending the church this month. He said, “We are not going to fit in this building much longer. We might have to turn this into a school and get a bigger place to worship.” Keep dreaming God’s dreams, Pastor Juan!

Westview Community Church Team—A youth team from WCC will arrive in Ecuador June 9 to hold youth activities and youth leadership training in Guayaquil June 9-12. They will travel to Cuenca to work some on the construction for their remaining time until their departure on June 22. While in Cuenca they will focus on youth ministries with outreach/fellowship activities planned almost every night. They will lead the ICW service Sunday June 13.

ICW discipleship group to launch June 3—A week ago Sunday Tom preached on “true disciples” and called for a public commitment. Eight came forward and two later joined. This week two more were added. We will meet for our first session this Thursday. Pray for a hunger for God’s Word, and that deep “want to” spirit that drives growth in new converts. Pray for Tom as he leads.

Women’s prison ministry committee—Since making a first visit to the Cuenca women’s prison under the prompting of Janet Wolfe, (a visiting member of the Heritage Wesleyan team that visited earlier this month) an open door for regular ministry there has been opened by the director. The committee met last night and Sheree led them in a discussion. There is interest in such an outreach on the part of several ladies of ICW, but there is also a sense there must be a clear mandate from God for such a work to evolve. At the heart of that mandate, there must be a passionate, God-directed leader who must come forward. So far, we do not have that leader. Pray for God’s direction.

Surprise prayer—Byron took us all by surprise yesterday. He and his wife, Nancy, along with their two children started attending ICW sporadically several months ago. Byron has struggled in his work situation and, if he showed up, he always seemed down and out. No smile, no joy. Last Sunday, Byron came forward to say he wanted to be a true disciple of Christ. Yesterday he was one of the first ones at the “church” (tent). He looked different—smiles and a cheerful attitude. I said, “Hey Byron, would you help receive the offering this morning?” He said, “No, not me!” He then pointed a finger at his wife. She pointed back to him. They were both goofing off and playing shy. Javier is in charge of the ushers and when he asked Byron to help, Byron accepted. Unknown to me was the fact that our student pastor, Alex, had asked Byron ahead of time if he would have the prayer for the offering. Byron did not want to do it. (He is a shy person by nature). At offering time, as Javier and Byron stood ready with the offering bags, Alex asked Javier to pray. Immediately and unprompted, Javier said, “Let Byron pray.” I guess Byron had decided by that time that, shy or not, he WAS going to do it. He stepped to the mic and led a prayer that sounded as if he had been around church for years. It was a good, heart-felt prayer. I had been preparing to show a video as soon as the offering started, but had not really noticed what had been transpiring in regard to the offering. Suddenly, I heard an unfamiliar voice praying—it was Byron! I was shocked-and overjoyed. After service, Byron was helping us tear down the chairs and sound equipment. He came up to me and said, “That was the first time I ever did THAT!” (Referring to his leading a public prayer). I thanked him for his service and the satisfaction in his accomplishment clearly shined through.

Testimony of near drowning—Here is one of four testimonies shared at ICW yesterday: Nancy de Lopez, (wife of Byron, above) shared a testimony of her life being saved a few weeks ago. While in the Amazon area of Ecuador on a family outing, she slipped on mossy rock and fell into the river. Nancy does not swim. She pleaded for help and Byron tried to save her. He failed to pull her out. An onlooker jumped in and also tried to rescue her. He nearly drowned trying. Nancy testified, “At that point I turned to God and cried out for Him to save me. I then passed out. Suddenly, I felt someone pulling me by my hair. It was Byron. He pulled me out, but I know it was really God who saved me!” Thanks God (and Byron!)

REVIVAL FIRES ARE BURNING AT ICW—BETTER NOT COME AROUND IF YOU LIKE YOUR SPIRITUAL STATUS QUO. GOD IS SHAKING AND WAKING ALL OF US! I SAY—BRING IT ON!

Three Ladies Accept Christ!

During Tuesday's book study under Sheree's leadership, three women who do not attend the church, but do attend the book study, accepted Christ as Savior! Pray for these new converts.

Gobs of good news!

Bible institute classes—It is reported that all five Bible institute students are doing well, getting into the groove of spending three hours, three nights a week in class. They seem thrilled to be advancing in their ministerial preparation. We are certainly thrilled to be making this investment in the future of the work in Ecuador.

Sheree Wuertz ill—Although not anything extremely serious, Sheree Wuertz has been battling respiratory allergies and a mean sinus infection that developed into bronchitis. She has seen gradual improvement in the last few days. Pray for her quick recovery.

Great progress on RMC—Thanks to the hard work and generous donations of a team of six volunteers from Heritage Wesleyan Church of Rock Island, IL, the large bathroom area of the first floor is nearly all walled in. The septic tanks are in the ground and will be connected this week.

They're still coming!—Although they have completed seven chapters of the book study (Captivating, by John and Stacy Eldredge) that Sheree Wuertz is leading, more women joined for the first time last week, bringing Tuesday afternoon’s total to 11! God is bringing hurting women into this circle to bring healing. Pray for us to be able to keep up with all the opportunities that are opening up.

Ana Lucia still smoke-free—Ana Lucia gave Tom a big hug on Sunday and said “Thank you so much for the church's prayers for me. I almost yielded to the temptation to go back to smoking this week, but I didn’t.” She confessed that she was “dying for just one puff.” Continue to uphold her in this battle against 40 years of tobacco addiction.

New ICW disciples—Attendance was good yesterday with a total of 54. There were 37 older youth and adults and 17 children. (the number of adult/youth attending has almost tripled since January!) Tom preached from Matthew 4 yesterday, making a call for “true disciples.” At the close of the message he called for those who were willing to study the Bible, spend two hours each week in a discipleship class, obey God’s Word, leave any sin behind and become obedient followers of Christ to come forward. Hoping for at least two or three, it was awesome to see eight people make a public commitment to be disciples. After the service, two others joined. FIVE WERE ADULT MEN! They signed up for discipleship classes after the service. Now, we face the big challenge of working out times and schedules to get them all started. (I love that kind of problem!)

Teachers Prepare For Lesson Series

Nube and Laura came to our home this evening to prepare for a new lesson series on the Apostle Paul. They both recently voluteered to teach our children of ICW. What a blessing it is to see how much they are growing through their teaching. Their commitment is admirable. Several weeks ago Laura came forward after the Sunday morning message. I asked her if there was anything I could pray about for her. Without missing a beat, she said, "We are too passive and we are not doing anything to serve God in the church. I just want God to show me what it is He wants me to do." I just love those open-hearted prayers. I wish you could see Laura and Nube pouring their hearts into the teaching each Sunday. I think they have found their niche. Dear God, thank you for these ladies who love you and love the kids they teach every Sunday. Bless them, I pray!

VOLUNTEERS INSTALL SEPTIC SYSTEM AT RMC

Six volunteer workers from Heritage Wesleyan Church in Rock Island, Illinois have installed a septic tank system for the Racar Ministry Center. Their hard work means that soon we will have our new bathroom facilities in operation. (Hear all the ladies cheering?!)

The RMC will serve as our national center of operations for the Global Partners ministries for all of Ecuador. It will provide a worship/meeting area, bathroom/showers, storage room, kitchen, laundry, four offices, a large apartment, and five guest rooms. The first of the outer walls was put up today and hopefully, we will be worshiping on the first floor by the end of June.

Pray for safety as our volunteers finish their week on the project then participate in Sunday worship with testimonies and preaching.

FIVE NEW BIBLE INSTITUTE STUDENTS!

Rejoice with us that two lay couples started a three-year ministerial degree program at the MIZPA Bible institute in Guayaquil this week. Nino and Pilar are currently lay co-pastors at the FORTIN Church. The other couple is Juan Carlos and Diana Cruz. They are from our "Dios Es Primero" Church in FERTISA, and have worked with Nino and Pilar for several years as children's workers. We are absolutely thrilled that these two choice couples are following God's call to prepare for full ministerial service. The other student is Evelyn Cruz, a single gal from the "D.E.P." congregation. God is answering our prayers for workers to be sent into the harvest fields. Keep praying!

Prayer and weeping--victory and laughter!

This pretty much describes last night's pastors' workshop in Guayaquil. Early on a pastor confessed he was feeling alone and discouraged. Everyone gathered around him, laying on hands and praying for God to lift him up and encourage him. Tears flowed down Pastor Nino's cheeks as he led us in prayer. God met us and moved on us to strengthen this struggling pastor. After the prayer, the prayed-for pastor said, "I felt like I was alone before, but now I know I am not."

One pastor confided to the group that he had been in disobedience and had not been tithing faithfully for some time. He told how he had made the decision to believe God for his needs and set aside his tithe. He stood up, held up his leg so everyone could see his shoe. He then told how a few days ago he was helping another brother when suddenly his worn-out shoe "blew out" with the sole flapping. The Christian brother with him walked him into a shoe store where he bought the pastor a new pair of sneakers. This same pastor told how he had not had enough money to buy his children the required school uniforms to start the new school year. The people of the church became aware and provide the uniforms. On an even more exciting note, he told how he had spoken to a neighbor last week, and Sunday she showed up at church and was saved. Another lady also prayed to accept Christ. Three other people gave their lives to the Lord across town at the FERTISA church, bringing the total number of those saved last Sunday to five!

As we studied and planned for May's stewardship emphasis, we found time to have fun, enjoying the many outbursts of laughter. It was just what it should be. The family of God--working together, loving Him and loving each other.