Disclaimer: Yes, we have been in Peru for like a whole week, buuuuutttttt, I never got to fully finish and post this blog before leaving and want to give you all a better glimpse of our time in Ecuador by introducing you to the people who made it that way.
Our ministry in Ecuador was sooo super amazing. We praised a lot (not always in English), prayed a lot, laughed a lot, ate a lot, and definitely grew a lot. The most amazing part of the ministry the month though, I think, was the people we’ve met and been able to partner with. I just want to (attempt to) introduce you to some of the amazing God filled men and women whom I am soooo thankful I have been able to meet and will never ever forget. (Forgive me for faulty memory if I get somebody’s name wrong and the definite misspelling of names that is sure to happen). Additionally, for you listening pleasure, I have included something of a soundtrack at the bottom for you to play while you read this blog to greatly enhance your experience. 😛
Pastor Juan and Pastora Ester and their children Bastian and Demaris:
These two are just amazing. I’m not even really sure how to put it into words. They are just full of the light and love of Christ and lead their equally amazing congregation, or more aptly brothers and sisters in Christ, with so much dedication and passion. They just exhibit this unshakeable trust in the Lord and are truly servants at heart. They immediately took us in as a part of their family and just poured into us. Juan and Ester are originally from Chile and were called as missionaries to Ecuador, where they co-pastor the amazing church we’ve been working with all month. Pastor Juan is just a man who is full of joy and light. He’s always smiling and joking with us and it seems that he never met a stranger. He definitely just loves people. Pastora Ester is full of passion. She is one of the most amazing intercessors I have ever seen. Just watching the way she and the church place such an awesome emphasis on prayer and are so intune with the spirit in that way truly inspired me and challenged me. Pastora also just has an overflowing heart that breaks for the pains and trials of others. She just loves with everything she has. I definitely learned sooooo much from this family and could probably write a whole page about them.
Pamela & Juan Carlos:
Although they’re not technically married (not yet), Pamela and Juan Carlos, or Juanca, already just naturally go together, at least in our minds. They are two stinking amazing people who just love the Lord so much and have just constantly shown that love to us. They were the first people we met as they came to pick us up and eventually helped us “learn” the crazy bus routes. We have been able to spend a lot of time with them not only in ministry but just hanging out, like going to the market in Otavalo or having a night out at La Ronda. Pastora told us they were raising them up to be future missionaries like themselves, and I fully believe that God is going to use them in humongous ways. They are just so warm and welcoming and ridiculously on fire for God. It’s going to be sad not seeing their faces nearly every day. (However, WE WILL be back for the wedding, soooooo)
Iguana & Pati:
Iguana (his real name is Lenin, but we didn’t know what it was for a long time) is a well known Christian rapper here in Ecuador with just an amazing ministry. Not only is he an amazing influence in the church, but he has his own outreach ministry as he uses rap and his old lifestyle connections to reach out to those who are in a dark place like he used to be before he encountered and was transformed by the gospel. Pati is his awesome wife who just has such a sweet spirit and a peace about her, which I love. They also have 2 precious children whom we also love to pieces named Elias and Isabella, who is probably the most well behaved baby ever.
Diego & Vivien:
We met Diego and Vivien for the first time when we went with the pastors to have a house church service at their home. We had no idea that night was going to be one of the most beautiful we experienced here in Ecuador. At their house we just experienced what a true community of believers looks like as we just entered in and prayed with them and just lifted them up as they were hurting and going through a valley time. While we tried to bring encouragement and speak life into them, they ended up, I think, being more of an encouragement to us. Diego just speaks with so much heart and is definitely in tune and in love with God. They are just such a beautiful couple who, even though they were going through a rough period truly just poured into us.
Miguel, Veronika, Able, & Annalea:
Another couple we visited for a house church and fell in love with was Miguel Veronika (and their two children Able and Annalea). We also got to spend just some carefree time with them at La Ronda. They are definitely seeking God and are in a time of what I believe is tremendous growth and transformation into the people God created them to be. I know God has great plans for them and their family and can’t wait to see where he is going to take them.
Anita, Carol, Angie, and Juan Carlos:
This is another amazing family. We were also able to have a house church visit with them and were overcome with the beauty of God they exude. When you’re with them, you can just feel the love of God that they exude. They just bring so much joy wherever they are. Anita is the mother of Carol and Juan Carlos, whom you’ve already met, and boy do we see where they get their passion. Carol and her daughter Angie are also so special to us. They are also just so loving and warm. At our goodbye party, when Carol led “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” we all just melted and may have been crying sobbing.
Maria, Eli, Ronald, Pablo & Valerie (Soooo, I’m pretty sure this name is wrong and I GREATLY apologize), Samir, Danica, Joey, & Pamela:
Although we didn’t meet Maria (Pamela, Valerie, and Eli’s mother) until the very end of our time here, I feel like we knew her the entire time. She is another amazing woman of God and leader of an amazing family that we fell in love with. She is such a warm and welcoming person, as is her whole family. They are full of light and life. I know that God is going to continue to do some amazing works with their lives.
This list is by no means exhaustive. I wish I could talk about every amazing person we met and ministered with in Ecuador, buuuttttt, this blog would be waaaaay too long. I am so thankful that we were able to be a part of the work God was doing in this awesome church and am so very thankful call these amazing people brothers and sisters in Christ.
