Published September 27, 2016
La Fuente Church, Quito, Ecuador
Juan
Ministry Highlights
It was an exciting and busy month. We had the visit of Children’s Hunger Fund, and it seems that after three years of prayer, hard work and learning to trust in new ways, the Lord has opened the doors, and we found a faithful non-profit that has experience clearing containers! It seems that, God willing, we might be able to start a Mercy Network of churches in 2017.
There seems to be a new excitement in our church and a desire to grow. There are new people attending; our new community groups are doing well; our biblical counseling training cohort met for the first time, and students were really engaged and motivated. Moreover, we just started a series in the book of 1 Peter that I am excited to preach.
A major highlight of this month has been to have some great conversations with my wife about future plans, ministry and to look back at the last six years of marriage and ministry in Ecuador. The Lord has been gracious to show us both areas that we have grown and areas that we need to excel in love even more (1 Thessalonians 4:10).
As mentioned in September, we have gotten by without a car for six years on the field. By God’s grace we were able to find a car. It has already opened opportunities for conversations and other ministry opportunities.
Key Prayer Requests
Please pray for wisdom to know the difference between what is good and what is best. There are many opportunities for ministry in Ecuador, and it’s tempting to commit to things that might not be the wisest at this point. Pray for a huge love for the church that would not get derailed by those opportunities. Moreover, that those opportunities would come from the outflow of faithful shepherding.
Pray for wisdom as we start thinking of how to practically organize our Mercy Network and our partnership with CHF.
Pray for much fruit in our study of 1 Peter in light of the situation in Ecuador and the region. Pray that La Fuente would have clear her identity as elect, dispersed, exiles that long for heaven.
I will be installed officially as the head pastor of La Fuente in October. Please pray for our family and church during this transition.
Prominent Lessons
Similarly to last month… I keep learning on waiting and trusting on God’s timing. We have been praying for years on God opening doors in the area of Biblical counseling and mercy ministries (CHF). God opened those doors in the most natural and effortless way. It is a great reminder that we serve a powerful God!
I am grateful for dear friends that keep reminding me and guarding me against the “celebrity” mentality that is so prevalent outside and inside the church. By God’s grace, I was able to publish another article at the TGC Spanish site, and I love that I have people around me that keep my heart in check.
I am still learning to trust God. As I mentioned above, the car has been a blessing. At the same time it has included a new budget item, and we ended up having to spend more money on it than what we expected. We received our call to full time ministry while on the field, so we have always struggled in raising support. The car is teaching us trust in Him more, and that is a good but hard thing.
Key Goals for the Next Month
Do everything possible to have a successful passing of the baton at La Fuente. This includes hosting people coming from the U.S., having a special dinner for key leaders at LF, etc.
Make sure that in the crazy weeks of transition, I do a good job of communicating and loving my family well.
Get a basic idea of what would it look like to have a guys group for discipleship and encouragement.
Write at least one article for TGC again.
Marissa
Ministry Highlights
Having people over.
Being actively part of community group with the little one.
Key Prayer Requests
Pray to rejoice in the day to day activities in this new season of life.
Please pray as my husband transitions to the lead pastor role at the church and the transition in our family.
Pray for an encouraging time with visitors coming for my husband’s installation service.
Prominent Lessons
That my home does not need to be in a perfect state to have people over and that the simplest meal with company can be an opportunity to be hospitable and for the Lord to use that to minister to others and to us.
Key Goals for the Next Month
Find consistency as a new mom in a study and focused prayer time.
Having people over at least once a week.
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