Published February 14, 2017
La Fuente Church, Quito, Ecuador
Juan
Ministry Highlights
January was a really busy month with a lot of things going on. First, the container with CHF arrived to Ecuador and our partners were able to clear it. This marks over 4 years of prayers! We received the product and as a church we are excited and humbled for the opportunity to coordinate a Mercy Network with like-minded churches and training them to do gospel-centered mercy work.
We also hosted a week-long module of pastoral and leadership training as well as our monthly biblical counseling training for leaders at the church. It’s so encouraging to see people that are so excited about the material and they are growing rapidly. It was also exciting to meet other leaders from different backgrounds that attended the training and shared how their eyes were opened to the importance of Sound Doctrine and basing their teaching and ministry on the Bible.
This month we had our highest attendance at La Fuente. It has been so encouraging and we praise the Lord that our series in the book of 1 Peter is giving much fruit. People seem to be really engaging with the last section on submission (government, masters, family). Moreover, we are encouraged to see some dear brothers and sisters stepping up to serve in various areas of ministry.
Key Prayer Requests
Please continue to pray for wisdom in my new role as lead pastor of La Fuente. Pray for the various opportunities that God has opened up and that we would be faithful and focused on His glory in all of them (CHF, Biblical Counseling, Pastoral/leadership training).
Please continue to pray for us as we seek to raise funds to facilitate the many ministry opportunities (missionary ministry) that are opening up. Pray for wisdom as we navigate partnerships and how to have the biggest gospel impact.
Please pray for La Fuente as this year will face many transitions that are important to seek maturity.
Prominent Lessons
I returned to my home country of Ecuador in 2009. God had provided me the privilege of attending a well-known Christian University in the U.S. and receive training that was already beyond what my beloved brothers in Ecuador received. As a result, there were many opportunities to connect and serve with various ministries. At that point, God has changed much of my philosophy of ministry and I knew that those opportunities were good but needed to be grounded in the local-church. This month, I was humbled and grateful to see how the wait was worth it and how those ministries can display more the character of God as they are connected with God’s ordained institution and not just individuals or even para-church organizations.
The church is experiencing some growth and also there are some transitions happening as some dear, key leaders are returning to the U.S. or transitioning. It is a scary moment and is teaching me to trust God. At the same time, it has been an opportunity to be reminded that God promised to build His church and I am in awe of seeing how God is already providing other leaders.
Key Goals for the Next Month
Pray by name for every member of the church.
Pray and seek wisdom to choose the next book sermon series.
Be really intentional with new leaders and especially with some key Ecuadorian men that have been in the process to be lay elders as well as showing leadership potential.
Finish the translation of the Grow materials.
Marissa
Ministry Highlights
There is a girl that I counseled for over a year (2 years ago). My husband and I met with her this month and the things that she was sharing were so evident of God’s work in her heart. She is a different person and we praise God for that.
My husband preached on 1 Peter 3:1-7 on the roles of husband and wife. It was really encouraging to see several women (young and old) respond to the Word (this happened the same week in which the woman’s march was happening in the States) so it was really interesting.
Key Prayer Requests
As we look towards my husband’s graduation (YAY!), we are already planning our trip to the U.S. As we look at the schedule, it is already packed. Please pray for us during this really busy season.
Pray for wisdom as the church will be installing Ecuadorian lay elders in March and I am mentoring the wife of one of these men.
My husband needs to attend a conference in the U.S. for 9 days at the end of the month. I would love to go, but we can’t afford it. It will be the first time that I stay home in Ecuador with our baby without him. Please pray that I will trust in the Lord. This is challenging for me as I keep thinking of the earthquakes that we have had.
Prominent Lessons
It’s kind of funny that we have not had any earthquakes for a couple months (rare!) and right after we bought his tickets, we had one. God is really working in my heart on trusting Him with my husband going to the conference. I believe in the sovereignty of God and that He uses all things for His glory and I saw that the earth shaking exposed distrust in my heart.
Key Goals for the Next Month
Continue to meet with the lay-elder’s wife.
Continue with my reading plan.
Think over how to best use our time in the States.
Survive my husband being gone.
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