Ex-prisoners at church on Sunday!

Cuenca—We enjoyed a great time of worship yesterday at the Lighthouse. We wrapped up stewardship month and celebrated with all those who had birthdays in August. A highlight was that two ex-prisoners that Lydia has worked with "inside" for the last three years were there with their families! One of those families was there for the very first time. The other has been coming regularly for about seven weeks.  Pray for continued transformation in these dear ladies.

Wuertz—George and Sheree will be returning to Cuenca this week.  Please keep them in your prayers as they travel from the USA with three boys.

Missionary retreat—Pastor Jim Vermilya and Jarvis Ferguson will join with our Ecuador missionaries for a retreat to be held September 25-27, on the outskirts of Cuenca.  Pray for traveling safety as well as a time of relaxing and refreshing.

Visas granted, graduation coming

 

GUAYAQUIL—Exciting news this week as Pastor Juan Carlos and Diana reported 7 adults in attendance at the “La 21” in-home Bible study. The actual first meeting of this new ministry had been delayed for a few weeks due to circumstances regarding an available home for the meeting.

Sunday before last, Pastors Nino and Pilar Medina visited one of the female prisoners who was transferred to Guayaquil unexpectedly a few weeks ago. The prisoner hugged them and wept for joy upon receiving this visit.  This last Sunday, Pilar’s sister, Hilda went to the prison and took some donated items that the prisoner was in need of.  It looks like a Guayaquil prison ministry may be in the making.

CUENCA—We thank all of you for your prayers regarding our visas.  Yesterday the government accepted our applications and we should have our passport stamps soon.  PTL!

LIGHTHOUSE CHURCH—The month of August is vacation month in Cuenca and our attendance usually drops miserably.  However, this year, the effect has been much less and attendance has been good each Sunday. 

This is stewardship month and offerings are reflecting increased generosity on the part of our givers.

Several new believers will be baptized on September 22.

September we will be reorganizing our Sunday School.  Thank God, we have new teachers who will be stepping up to the plate and taking on new classes.  Eight students will be “graduating” to the youth group.  Sunday, September 15, will be a big deal—caps and gowns, diplomas, a big cake, food.  We should have lots of pictures of the big event and will share.

CORPORATION—Tom will be concentrating on obtaining the necessary documents for the corporation papers in these next few weeks.  It’s been a long journey of seven years, and we believe we are on the brink of getting everything the government requires to obtain our non-profit corporation status.  Pray for this, please.

New missionary

Guayaquil—Connections were made with a Christian lady in La 21 community who was very excited about us beginning a ministry in her neighborhood.  She has invited Pastor Juan Carlos and Diana to have a Bible study in her home.  The Cruz have also located a vacant house in La 21 and are inquiring about renting it.  Pray the Cruz will soon be living in that community.

Cuenca—The youth of the Lighthouse are working hard to raise funds for their camp in October. Those who were new to the group and were saved in last year’s camp are still faithful and are bringing in others! PTL! Stewardship month is going well. Sunday’s offerings and tithes were up  500%!

Visas—The government has placed some new demands for additional documents for religious visas (Hines, Thompsons, Beck and Serrato).  Pray we will be able to obtain the required documentation quickly. (Tom and Lydia’s visas expire August 21.)

Welcome—Liz Serrato, a GoNet employee will be joining the Guayaquil missionary team early next year.  She hopes to have her funds raised by January 2014.  Pray for Liz and our team, that she will soon be here to help move the Guayaquil ministries forward.

Thanks for your heart and prayers for Ecuador.

Tom Hines

Learning to be joyful givers!

 

Guayaquil—Jim and Lori Rice are working hard to get ready for the arrival of Sheri Beck, who will join us in Ecuador on September 9.  They are also helping Liz Serrato, a GoNetter who will be joining our ETeam for a two-year stint as an intern. Liz has about half of her funds raised and is targeting her arrival for January of 2014.

Resignation—Tom Hines has informed GP that he will be resigning his position as mission director of Ecuador as of June 1, 2014.  We expect news from Dr. Jackson very soon on who will be appointed to that position.  This will give the new appointee about 10 months to prepare to assume leadership of the field. Tom and Lydia are due to spend a year in partnership development (deputational service) July 2014 to May 2015.  After that, they expect to return to Guayaquil, Ecuador for another term of service.

Cuenca—This month is stewardship month at El Faro.  We have a goal to increase our regular giving in tithes and offerings and present the idea of a building fund to finance a new multipurpose building for worship and other large events.  We will also prepare two food baskets for needy families of our congregation. This is a time to re-educate many of our new believers.  Most come from the area’s traditional religion.  That group charges set fees for almost all services such as baptism, confirmation, weddings and funerals.  They can also be very demanding about tithing.  This has turned many people off to giving to the church.  It is our responsibility and privilege to introduce these new believers to the privilege of joyful giving of tithe and offerings.  Pray for Tom as he preaches and teaches this series on stewardship, and for God’s provision for the church and those who worship there.