Serving Those in Need

Our church has been very active since the earthquake in getting food, water, clothing, and other needs to those who are suffering in Manta. We are cooperating with local and international missions organizations to put God's love in action around us. Please help with your prayers and with generous donations as God provides you with funds and directs your heart. Thank you!

2015 Presentation Video

Thanks to the Smiths for 30 Years of Ministry

Jim and Sharon Smith have been BBFI missionaries to Ecuador for more than 30 years. Now they are beginning a new phase of their ministry at the Baptist Bible Fellowship Mission Office in Springfield, MO. This month we who have had the privilege of being influenced by their lives had an opportunity to say, "Thank you," and to give them a good send-off. The photo shows Jim and Sharon along with their children Stacey and Zac. Joy took this picture after they had received the hugs and best wishes of a few hundred people at the end of a testimony service at the church they founded in Quito more than 25 years ago. Pastors and members of churches and ministries that have grown from that work were present as well.
I also had the opportunity to attend a retreat for pastors and church leaders a few days before the good-bye service. Jim was the conference teacher at the retreat. It was awesome to be able to share that time with three of the ministry leaders from our young church in Manta. I pray that they will be motivated to work faithfully for the Lord and to serve others just as Jim has done.

Camp in Cuenca

August 10 to 16th I had the privilege of teaching at a youth camp near Cuenca, Ecuador. Joy and Teddy were able to go with me. In spite of the cold weather in that area and the high altitude (we had to find coats and sweaters and needed oxygen tanks), we had a good time. We believe that God had a purpose in putting these young people in our path for a few days. Pastor Yuri Alfaro and his wife Sara were our excellent hosts. The theme of the camp was "Be Radical" and we challenged the students to live radically for Jesus Christ.

In Manta

The people of the church in Manta are picking up the slack in our absence: preaching, teaching, planning and directing services, workin in Travesía, etc. We are thankful that we have so many who are willing and able to serve in these ways.

The attendance this past Sunday was excellent: 86, near our recent average of 90.

Pray for the situation regarding the border with Colombia. Our people desire peace and good relations with our neighbors. Also pray for Manta and the Manabí province. The season of heavy rains continues. Even Manta, usually very dry, has experienced unusual amounts and severity of rainfall. Many homes have been destroyed and the general health of citizens is threatened because of flooding and disease. I know that they are grateful for your prayers on their behalf.

This week 10 young people from our church are attending camp at El Prado. Please pray for their safety in travel and for blessing in their lives.

Thank you.

Tungurahua

You probably saw on the news that an active volcano has been erupting in Ecuador. The volcano is Tungurahua. It has been in a series of eruptive cycles since 1999. Every so often it punctuates it's unhappiness with an exclamation point. The mild activity most of the time has allowed the local population of farmers and villagers to stay in the area in spite of warnings from the authorities and scientists; so when there is truly cause for alarm it is hard to get them out of their homes and away from their fields and livestock. We ask for your prayers for those people who live in the immediate area endangered by lava flows and mudslides, and for those in the broader region affected by ash and cinder. Thank you.

Further Updates

On September 23, we enjoyed a beautiful sunny Sunday. After the morning service a group from the church gathered on the beach to baptize a young married couple. They gave testimony to how their lives have changed since they began to follow Jesus. They were happy to have the opportunity to provide a living symbol of Jesus's death, burial, and resurrection.

On September 30, Ecuador held nationwide elections to fill the 130 seats of an assembly to write a new constitution. It appears that an overwhelming majority of the representatives will be from the political alliance formed by President Rafael Correa. Many Ecuadorians hope that the nation can change its reputation of corruption, bad government, and instability. We pray that all things will work to open doors for further ministry and freedom for the Gospel.

Public Service

This year of political campaigning in Ecuador continues at a frantic pace. Right now more than 1,000 candidates are wrestling for seats on the assembly to write a new constitution for the country. The constitutional commitee will meet in Montecristi, a small town just 10 minutes from Manta.

We recently saw a terrific example of public service as the USNS Comfort spent a week in the port of Manta. Comfort is a hospital ship. The officers and crew colaborated with local doctors and hospitals to see thousands of patients and to do hundreds of surgeries during their stay. It was our privilege to thank some of the men and women of our US Navy for their outstanding service.

This past week we were invited to the home of a family that had made a couple of visits to our church services. They expressed great appreciation for the preaching and teaching of the Bible, and for the classes for all members of their family. We learned that the husband and wife are professional mourners, providing music and prayer at funeral services and masses. Both husband and wife confessed that they wanted to open their hearts to Christ and hope to learn more of God's word. They prayed, trusting Jesus as their Lord and Savior. They ask us to pray that the Lord will provide another way for them to earn their living.

No Gas

Tempers are running high around Ecuador these days because of a shortage in the production of LP gas. That is the basic cooking fuel in Ecuadorian homes, where it may also be used in appliances like water heaters and clothes dryers. The shortage has gone on for a couple of months and seems to be getting worse. The president blames the production companies, while the producers claim that the state-controled selling price is less than the cost of production. The price has been established without increase for at least five years. Vendors are trying to cash in on higher prices in neighboring countries and are selling it there illegally. People waiting in long lines are getting hot under the collar. I drive around with an empty tank in the trunk of my car just hoping to find a line to wait in. I may have to build a cooking fire. I wish I had paid closer attention in Cub Scouts.

Referendum Passed

The public referendum calling for an assembly to draft a new constitution for Ecuador passed overwhelmingly last Sunday. Now there will be nominations, campaigning and election of delegates. The constitutional assembly will then have about 6 months to prepare a new constitution which will then have to be ratified by the citizens. It should be an interesting process. Please pray for stability and peace for this country during the coming months.

This week we have been shaken by the news of the killings at Virginia Tech University. Our hearts go out to the students and their families. As the parents of daughters in college, we pray for our girls each day that they are away from us. Seeing the faces of the slain students makes us aware that those could be our kids. May God grant grace and comfort to the parents.

After Easter

We hope you had a marvelous Easter Weekend. We were busy. We enjoyed having missionary friends from Quito staying in our home; and we had the privilege of entertaining more guests for lunches on Friday and Sunday.

Part of the ministry activity over the past week involved showing the "Jesus Film" in Travesía on Friday night. The setting was beautiful with a clear starry sky, cooling sea breeze, and sparkling surf. Once the movie started the crowd began to come. By the end of the film at least 70 people had arrived including several from the Manta church who are active in the ministy in Travesía. At the end of the video, missionary Cliff McGhee from Sangolquí (near Quito) gave a brief call to receive Christ as Savior, prompting responses from several. Nine people "came forward" to publicly make their profession of faith.

Please be praying for Ecuador during the coming days. On Sunday there will be a nation-wide vote on a public referendum calling for a constitutional assembly. The proposal involves rewriting the constitution to provide greater authority to the executive branch of government. Ecuador has had much political turmoil in the past decade, little economic or social stability, and people are reaching for whatever hope may be available. Please make this a matter of prayer. God knows the best course for this country to take in His plans for the evangelization of the nations.