Published March 17, 2017
La Fuente Church, Quito, Ecuador
Juan
Ministry Highlights
The Lord has allowed me to attend Shepherds Conference a few times since returning to Ecuador. A few years back, I was praying that the Lord would provide so that I could take a group of men from La Fuente. The Lord answered that prayer this year and we had 3 people from Ecuador at the conference. (We actually had others wanting to go but they didn’t get visas). I loved watching the conference from the eyes of my dear brothers. We were encouraged, challenged, and exhorted and I am excited for the fruits of the conference as we are back home in Quito.
The previous month, I shared about some growth that we are experiencing during our Sunday Celebration. A highlight of the month is that the growth is not only on Sunday but it’s showing in our community groups. As an example our community group has people from 6 different countries. It has been such a blessing to see how the ministry of the Word from the pulpit is molding our fellowship and conversations as we try to live the one-anothers. A special moment occurred a few weeks ago as we were studying Peter 2 and respecting our leaders. Brothers coming from Cuba, Venezuela, and other places encouraged us on how to live even in some severe situations.
Our cohort of people taking the Biblical Counseling training is staying strong and we have even received requests from other people in the area that want to join. The same is true of our videos online and we have gotten emails from other countries requesting further help. God has given us grace in this area and we are excited to see how we could be used to strengthen the church in the area of biblical counseling.
This month we had our yearly member’s meeting in which we got the opportunity to look back at what God did in 2016. What a joy to see what the Lord has done since the planting of La Fuente. He is faithful and he is building the church!
Key Prayer Requests
Please continue to pray for wisdom as I have the privilege and responsibility to shepherd La Fuente. Pray for the various opportunities that God has opened up both at the church and as an indigenous missionary.
Please continue to pray for us as we seek to raise funds to facilitate various ministry opportunities (missionary ministry). Pray specifically as we partner with the Institute for Biblical Counseling and Discipleship to translate the observation videos and we seek to raise the funds for that.
We found out today that our car has a broken back axle. The price of that part in Ecuador is really expensive (2 or 3 times the price in the U.S.). Pray for the Lord’s wisdom and provision as we figure out how to fix the car.
Please pray for La Fuente as some key leaders are being called to different ministries and it will be a year of transition. Pray for brothers Pablo and Ruben as they will be installed as lay elders this month.
Prominent Lessons
This year we are celebrating 5 years of planting the church and had our annual member’s meeting. It was a bit of an emotional meeting as Noah, one of the missionary elder that helped with the plant announced to the congregation that the Lord is leading his family back to the U.S. It was really bittersweet time. a moment of rejoicing as the Lord has clearly blessed us as a church and also a time to be sad for people leaving. I think an important lesson this week came as I reflected on the different seasons of life and that there is indeed a time for everything. God is moving in our church, yet at the same time it´s hard to think that with growth there will be pain and transition.
Key Goals for the Next Month
Pray by name for every member of the church.
Be careful to guard the home and have a “normal” pace in life in the midst of ministry commitments, traveling, etc. this next month.
Be really intentional to have a clear plan on how to keep up with relationships and some ministry goals while away (our men’s equipping time, some discipleship ideas, etc).
Finish the last video for Grow.
Marissa
Ministry Highlights
I survived my husband being away! While he was away, I was able to spend time with several people from church. Some of these times were relaxed and encouraging and other meetings were heavy and reminded me to pray more and seek wisdom.
While my husband was away, I was really encouraged to hear from so many people in the church that were praying for me, asking if I needed help with anything and making sure that we were okay.
Key Prayer Requests
As we look towards my husband’s graduation (YAY!), we are already planning our trip to the U.S. The schedule is already packed. Please pray for us during this really busy season.
As my husband graduates, we are looking at what ministry life will look like without seminary. Seminary has been part of our routine since day 1 of La Fuente and almost our marriage. We are excited to find our new “normal”.
Pray that I can be faithful in the discipleship relationships that I have while we are away.
Prominent Lessons
As I mentioned previously, my husband was planning on attending a conference and was going to be gone for several days. This was my first time staying in Ecuador alone as a mom. God use this to show me the joy that it was to rely on the Lord and to trust that He is the ultimate provider and protector and also to seek to bless others when this was a scary time.
Key Goals for the Next Month
Continue to meet with the lay-elder’s wife.
Read “Letters to Pastors’ Wives.”
Think over how to best use our time in the States.
Have things on the home front ready for our trip.
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