Guayas Plan 2013

Guayaquil—Tom met last week with Juan Carlos, Nino and Gustavo.  It was great meeting and we made much progress in planning.  Our focus has been to develop a new vision for the Guayas area that will include new target areas for ministry and a combined national/missionary team.  The Lord gave us a great time of prayer, evaluation and brainstorming, and crowned it all with enthusiasm and unity.

Since it is the first new ministry thrust for the current Guayas team, we are taking a basic approach to planning which includes the “what, where, when, who and how.” We worked on the “what and where.”  There was unanimous consensus that we will take a two-pronged approach that will include aggressively establishing cell groups based out of the Altar Cristiano Church (Gustavo) and we will plant a new congregation in a “virgin” area of Guayaquil such as a new housing development.  Juan Carlos and Diana will likely be our point leaders but that is to be determined. There was a lot of synergy in the meeting.

Costa Rica trip postponed—I was to be in Costa Rica this week with our missionary team, but was denied entry into CR for no certificate of vaccination for yellow fever.  This is not required for those who travel from the USA, but it is required for travel from Ecuador to CR.  I will reschedule my trip for a bit later.

Peru—I will be in Peru next week for a missionary conference where I will speak 5 times, then I will speak at the Trujillo churches on Sunday.  I will return to Ecuador October 8.

Prison ministry—God is doing awesome things in the women’s prison.  The Voices of Hope team which Lydia leads has a good trust relationship that has been built over the last two years.  Many inmates are now opening up more, being more honest about their needs, and actively following the teachings the team is providing.  Give God praise for this growth.

Lighthouse—Good things continue to take place in the congregation in Racar.  Average attendance for the last four Sundays has been 98.  New people are being saved each month and rarely is there a Sunday without 8-15 seekers at the “altar.” Sunday September 30, we will hold a baptism event at a family ranch outside of Cuenca.  Thirteen candidates have prepared themselves to receive this sacrament.  It is a wonderful evidence of their obedience to God’s command to “repent and be baptized.” Pray this will be a great experience for these new Christians.

Prayer needs:

        1) The nephew of a Lighthouse church family has been arrested and is being held on possible charges of accomplice to homicide.  Pray for justice and fairness in the judicial process, and for "J’s" newfound faith.  By God’s providence "J" is being held at the men’s prison and was place as a cellmate with the prison pastor!

2) Leaders. Tom is going to be working on building a team of dedicated leaders at the Lighthouse.  Many new ministry opportunities are before us, but it is necessary that national leaders be developed to lead them.

Father Saved, Son Plans For Ministry

Guayaquil—Tom travels to Guayaquil today through Wednesday to work on corporation documents, get supplies for the Celebrate Recovery program and hold an important strategic planning meeting with the pastors.

Lighthouse—We are praising God that Miguel Medina, father of the late Maycol Medina came forward to give his life to Christ yesterday.  It appears his son, Edison, may be starting his theological training this month to prepare to be a pastor/missionary.  Eighty-nine people attended the service yesterday and eight seekers received help at the altar. The youth gathered after service for a lengthy prayer time.

The advisory board of the Lighthouse met last evening to plan activities and review the five functions of the church.  From there we began to plan exactly what ministries we will develop to carry out those functions.  Although we did not finish our work for lack of time, we did determine that “Marriage and Family” will be one of the primary ministries. Included under that will be our marriage group as well as the Celebrate Recovery program we hope to start by October 1.  We will continue this strategic work in two weeks.

Costa Rica—Tom will be traveling to Costa Rica Sept 24-28 to meet with our missionaries who are in language school there. We will be evaluating their progress in language learning, reviewing and tweaking job descriptions and making plans for their arrival on field.

Growing

Moving forward—We have navigated some rough waters lately and God has helped us resolve some deep issues that have affected our work here for some time.  With those things behind us the future looks brighter and some stresses and pressures have eased.

Guayaquil—During a recent visit from Jarvis Ferguson, our area director, our Guayaquil pastors and principal leaders gathered for a stewardship seminar led by Jarvis.  Response was good and one of our leaders, Edison, testified later that the seminar has changed his life. 

The Bible institute students in Guayaquil will be holding an outdoor evangelistic service September 1.  This is part of their practicum training and will move them one step closer to next year’s graduation.

RMC—Construction on the RMC will start up again this week.  We are planning to focus on finishing one room at a time on the first two floors.  We hope to have the second-floor children’s room completed in three weeks.

Lighthouse—We are seeing good growth in our people, many of whom have come to know Christ in the last year.  Since May of 2011, 110 people have made a profession of faith.  September 30 we will be having our next baptism.  Seventeen of our youth attended a youth camp recently and came back fired up. Last Sunday the tent looked pretty full with 101 people in attendance.  Eight seekers prayed at the close of service. If the local advisory board is in favor and the people support the plan, we will likely start raising funds soon for a new multi-purpose building with a capacity of 250 people. 

Visas approved—Tom and Lydia have received a one-year renewal of their visas. 

Learning that wonderful Español!

Guayaquil—Bible institute students, Juan Carlos, Diana, Nino have started their third and final year of theological studies.  Pilar has suspended her studies for one year due to the birth of their fourth child.  Pilar will continue in her third year next May and will graduate with her sister Hilda in January of 2014.

Missionaries in training—Isaac and Amy Thompson as well as Jim and Lori Rice have started their second trimester of Spanish language studies in Costa Rica.  Pray for them, as the second tri is the toughest.  It is an avalanche of new verb tenses combined with the irregularities and nuances of the language.  At this deeper level, there is often nothing one can compare these things to in our own English language.  It is truly the deep dive into becoming bilingual. 

Lighthouse Church—We showered our mothers with love and honor on Mother’s Day.  Each received a rose bouquet.  Mishell just gave birth to a son three weeks ago and that beautiful baby was in church for the first time last Sunday. Holidays have in the past cut our attendance by 40% or more, but ninety people were there.

Hines HM/GC time—Tom and Lydia will be traveling to the USA May 20.  They will attend General Conference.  In late June and early July they will be traveling on Home Ministries.  Planned visits on HM will be:

·         July 1, Colby WC, KS; am service

·         July 1, Sharon Springs WC, KS; pm service

·         July 8, Denver First WC, CO; am service

·         July 15, Concorida WC, KS; am

·         July 15, Phillipsburg WC, KS; pm service

We hope to see some of you during our Kansas/Colorado visits.

Ecuador Updates will be less regular during the next two months due to our travels and being out of country. We will return to Ecuador July 25.

Blessings

Wonderful Warfare!

Heritage Team—A ministry team from Heritage Wesleyan in Rock Island, IL. ministered to our people April 28 to May 6.  A primary focus for this group was the women’s prison, where they visited five days straight with several women making commitments to Christ and multiple opportunities to befriend and show Christ’s love to them. A computer and printer was donated to help the inmates who are studying online. More beds were donated. Dr. Ochoa, the director commented that he is seeing improved behavior overall since the Voices of Hope ministry began in August of 2010.  Praise God!

This team also visited in homes, spoke to our youth, counseled couples and  Ben Moncivaiz preached both Sundays at the Lighthouse. 

Guayaquil—We had a Saturday morning breakfast and fellowship time with our pastors and the Heritage team on April 28.  It was a wonderful time where Pastor Ben Moncivaiz shared devotional thoughts and brought uplifting words of encouragement.  This was followed by a quiet but powerful prayer time.

Thanks to a donation by the Kansas Wesleyan Men combined with funds raised by the local Fortin Church, this Guayaquil congregation has a new roof on their building.  Together we can do great things!

Cuenca—There is so much to report about Lighthouse Church I can only make a feeble attempt to cover it in this brief venue. 

Ben Moncivaiz was our guest speaker for two Sundays and really challenged out people to serve.  It was last May that Pastor Ben challenge our congregation to win others for Christ.  It was a joy to report 96 new believers in this past year.  Adding to that those who came to Christ during the week of the team visit we counted 107 total new believers! Attendance the last two Sundays was 106 and 99.

Last Sunday, some 45 adults came forward to commit to full obedience and service.  Each was anointed with oil as a symbol of the sealing of their commitment.  Wow, what will God do through these dedicated believers?  We will soon see a great harvest, I know.

Demon warfare—In the last few weeks we have been confronting many manifestations of demonic oppression in families of the church.  Some have found wonderful freedom from the fears and terror their experiences have brought upon them.  Just last evening Lydia and I visited a young family of the church.  As Paco asked questions about their recent experiences of the recent apparent demon manifestations in their home, such as footsteps on the stairs, moving chairs, voices, shadows and spirits brushing against them, Lydia pointedly asked Paco what he had in the house that would give the demons a sense of right to be there.  He admitted that he had dvd’s with horror movies that he believed did not please God.  Lydia said, “In case there is any doubt about anything, just throw it out.” She continued, “When you get those things sorted out and thrown out, then call us and we will come to have a cleansing prayer for your house.”  Paco agreed then we left.

About 30 minutes after leaving Paco’s house, our phone rang.  I answered and Paco said, “OK, Ximena and I just threw out the DVD’s, when are you coming?”  Tonight we will talk with a few couples from the house church group that meets on Tuesdays.  We will be at Paco’s house this week to do the cleansing prayer.  Amazing!

65 People At Fortin!!!

Guayaquil—Juan Carlos reported that a couple of weeks ago there were 65 people in attendance at Fortin.  It is good to see how Hilda and Edison and Viviana are taking a major role in leadership there.  Work is also progressing on the new roof.

Danilo and Elizabet                                                  Jorge and Jeovanna

Cuenca—At Lighthouse Church yesterday, 15 couples were represented in the marriage enrichment group.  A highlight of this meeting is that Both Danilo and Elizabet Aviles, and Jorge and Jeovanna Iñiguez are leading the teaching for the weeks Sheree Wuertz is absent.  Both couples have done a great job. Jorge and Jeovanna’s story is particularly interesting as they were married for seven years, then divorced.  Three years ago they were saved and their marriage was restored. Also, I spent an hour last evening listening to a glowing testimony from a wife who has recently been reunited with her husband. He completed alcohol rehab in December.  Both are serving as ushers in the church. It was a powerful witness to what God is doing in the hearts of many, many people who are part of our Lighthouse congregation.

Salvation—There is nothing more exciting or more important than people coming to Christ.  Lydia had the privilege of leading a young woman to a salvation experience last week.  After setting a goal last May to see 220 people brought to Christ through the Lighthouse ministry, I am glad to report that this number has reached 91! PTL!

Mentoring—Tom is continuing to meet with Jorge Prieto each week for the purpose of mentoring and leadership development.  Our time right now is being highlighted by reading and discussing Jerry Bridges’ book, The Pursuit Of Holiness.”  Nothing is more exhilarating than seeing young Christians sincerely pursue God and discover His truths. 

Prayer needs—In spite of all the new victories and advances I report, all is not well with everyone.  Many couples are experiencing marriage or family conflicts.  Many are unemployed and are in dire economic straits.  Please pray that these families will keep on trusting and following the Lord, and that they will let God work out these issues in His time and in His way. 

Great Marriage Group

Lots of teams—The first three months of 2012 have brought us the Kansas Wesleyan Men team, a visit from Sheri Beck, who is a missionary intern appointee, and a construction team from Heritage Wesleyan Church in Illinois.  Both construction teams have done an outstanding job and we are getting closer to beginning finishing work on the first two floors of the RMC.

Lighthouse—God continues to do amazing things in the lives of our Lighthouse church family.  Each month people are being saved and seeking God in a very personal and sincere way.  This leads to lots of spiritual battles going on as new converts learn how to leave the world’s sinful passions behind and separate themselves to serve God.  Ninety-nine people attended yesterday’s service.  Four seekers came forward.  Help us pray that God will call and prepare an Ecuadorian pastor for the Lighthouse.

Prison ministry—The work is going very well and we are beginning to see some more visible results in the lives of the women.  God has brought some new participants onto the scene, and we are praying that He will touch the hearts of those He choses to call who will eventually become the primary leaders of this great work.

Guayaquil—The Guayaquil work continues to move forward.  The Kansas Wesleyan Men team donated funds for replacing the roof structure and metal sheeting on the Fortin building and that project is to be completed in the next few days.  Thanks Kansas!

Marriage group—One of the areas of greatest need among our people is that of building a healthy marriage.  The marriage mini-retreat held in January was a great kick-off for the weekly marriage group that meets each Sunday morning at the RMC. Sheree normally leads this group, but since she is in the USA for FLAME classes and a few days of vacation, yesterday’s session was led by Danilo and Elizabeth Aviles, who did a fantastic job.  A young doctor who has always been vehemently opposed to any evangelical church activity came with his wife for the marriage group at 9am, then stayed for worship.  God is powerfully using this ourtreach.