We are growing!

Lighthouse—Last Sunday bought us a record crowd of 89 people for our Sunday service. New people are coming almost every Sunday. All seats were full and some were standing. God’s presence was very near and we reveled in the wonderful communion of His saints worshipping Him together. Tom preached on “The Illusion of Neutrality” and the people were challenged to make their “yes” decision for Christ. At the close, four seekers came forward. One was a first-time guest. Another young lady gave her heart to Jesus. This brings our salvation total since May to 52!

Baptism classes got underway last Sunday and we are expecting 8 to 12 candidates. I love walking through this experience with new believers. Can’t wait.

RMC Lighthouse—This new center is really looking good these days. Roofing is going on and we are only weeks away from being able to use most of this new facility. I will try to have a picture for you next week.

Correctional Center—Paco Chiles (isn’t that a great name!) who recently got back to the Lord, is leading a new ministry in the Cuenca Juvenile Correctional Center. Last week, our youth decided to join him in this new work. Four guys and gals accompanied Paco. This ministry seems to be getting a good response. One of the guards asked to have his picture taken with 6-foot plus, blonde-haired gringo Jordan McGrady (who has the nickname “El Leon”—the Lion, due to his blonde mane!)

Ladies’ prison anniversary—Tomorrow, Lydia and her team will go to the prison for their first year celebration. There will be food, pictures, tons of used clothing to distribute and lots of fun. Pray that throughout the whole celebration the inmates will sense how much they are loved by the prison team and by their waiting Savior, Jesus.

New Ladies’ Bible study—Launching just last Thursday, the new ladies’ morning Bible study (targets moms with kids in school and work-at-home women) got off to a good start with eight women in attendance. One of our new converts who was led to the Lord in her home, but does not attend ICW services because of a violent husband, went to the Bible study and brought her sister-in-law, who does not know the Lord yet.

Jenny Quezada (Prieto)—Tom’s new administrative assistant, Jenny, is doing an amazing job in her first two weeks. A myriad of backlogged work that had been shelved due to time constraints is finally getting done. It’s a huge blessing to have Jenny’s skills and amazing energy working for the Mission.

New Ministries Emerge in Cuenca...

Avilés Family (Josy on the far left)

ICW “El Faro” (Lighthouse)—We had a great service on Sunday with good attendance in the Bible Class studying The Purpose Driven Life, and 72 in attendance in worship. Singing was vibrant and the message on “Leaving your past behind” was met with unusually rapt attention. At the close, one teen came forward to accept Christ. When I asked the young lady what she needed from the Lord, she said, “I have been raised in a Christian family and have always been in church, but I have never taken the step of accepting Christ into my life personally.” Carla Campoverde led in a prayer for salvation and Josy’s parents, Danilo and Elizabeth Aviles were invited by Tom to join their daughter.

New Bible study launches this week--There is a new ladies’ Bible study starting this Thursday, led by Lydia. This is focused on women who have kids in school in the morning and/or who work only at home.

JIBACAM—The missionary board for Latin America is called JIBACAM. They will be holding their conference in Medellin, Colombia on October 3-7. Representatives from Ecuador will be Pastor Juan Carlos Cruz and wife, Diana along with Tom Hines. This will be a great opportunity for Juan Carlos and Diana to meet other Wesleyan leaders from around Latin America.

RMC—Now the “Lighthouse”, the Racar Ministry Center building is coming along slowly but steadily. This week the contractors are to begin sheeting the roof. This will be a great step toward the building becoming functional. Water filtration has kept the second floor from being used up until now. Pray for safety as well as good progress for our work crews.

Correctional Center—A new ministry started two weeks ago in Cuenca’s juvenile correctional center by a new ICW convert has produced seven new salvations. I joked with Paco (the leader) and asked him if the seven he reported were the same one’s that had accepted last week! He assured me there were five the week before and seven different guys this last week, bringing the total to 12. This brings our total of new salvations to 51 since I challenged the church to evangelize back in May of this year. PTL!

Blessings,

Tom