February 2018 Newsletter

Read our latest newsletter.

You may access and read our newsletter from February 2018.

Link to Newsletter

You can subscribe to regularly receive our newsletters in your inbox.

Link to subscribe

October 2017 Prayer Report

Anzalone Ecuador Prayer Report October 2017

Trying Times

We returned to Ecuador on August 30, and arrived in Manta on September 1. We have encountered a number of challenges during the past several weeks. We are very aware of your prayers for us as a family, for the church in Manta, and for our minsitry in general.

We have been disappointed to learn that the ministry leadership team in Manta was very dysfunctional during our long absence. There was unresolved conflict, a lack of pastoral care and leadership, and evidence of dishonesty with church funds. Several members of the team left the church. Within a week of our return, the pastor resigned. Soon the remaining leaders asked us to guide the church through this difficult time, and the entire church membership gave its approval. We accepted the challenge and are once again preaching, teaching, leading, and counseling at Iglesia Bíblica Bautista de Manta. We have no idea how long we will be serving in these roles, but we believe this is God’s will for us now and until he makes it clear that we should step aside for others to lead.

We are faithfully directing the congregation to focus on the core truths: the saving message of the Gospel, the supremacy of Christ, the power of the Holy Spirit, and the sovereign plan of God. We ask you to pray that this difficult time would be a starting point for revival and spiritual growth; and a catalyst for the multiplication of disciples, servant-leaders, and local churches. Pray with us for repentance, restoration, and renewal. Pray for new believers and young disciples to be confirmed in their faith, and for more mature disciples to renew their commitment to fellowship and service. We are seeing some positive signs: seven people are ready to be baptized this month. We are grateful that God has allowed us to be here at this time, and that you stand with all of us in prayer.

Next Step

Our home in the city is for sale, and we are actively seeking property in a rural area about a half-hour from Manta. We looked at a beautiful two-acre site just outside of a nature reserve. The owner has offered it to us for $27,000. It would be perfect for building our home, as well as a guest house, recreation area, and a pavillion for small group gatherings. This sort of property is a key part of our vision for serving Ecuadorian ministry families. We wish to provide hospitality to those who serve Jesus. Please pray with us for the sale of our house in Manta, and for God’s direction and provision to the place he has in mind. Please pray about giving especially for this project by designating an offering through BBFI (designate: Anzalone Ecuador Multiply).

-->

Thank you for praying and giving.

July 2017 Prayer Report

It’s time for us to get back to Ecuador!

This furlough has been a great experience for our family. In some ways we’ve had ample opportunity for rest, recharging, and even recreation; but in other ways it has been stressful and challenging. We have reserved tickets to Quito for August 31, so … ready or not, here we come!

Praise

·       Fellowship – Since we arrived in the USA at the end of October 2016, we have spent 12 to 16 weeks around 3 different churches that invited us to stay in homes provided to missonaries. Their generosity created much-needed stability for our family, and reduced our furlough expenses. It also created a unique bond of fellowship and sense of belonging between our children and the church. We are very grateful!

·       Safety – We have been driving a couple of 2007 vehicles with high numbers on the odometers, but we have had no breakdowns and no accidents. One of our trips with the five of us plus our grandson Crosby Taylor covered 13 states, and over 4,000 miles in 15 days! We’re thankful for God’s mercy over weary travelers.

·       Family – Joy and I are at this stage of life when we value time with our parents, children, and grandchildren over almost anything else. God has been generous with us in allowing us to spend quality time with many of our family members, to enjoy holidays together, and to make memories that we’ll treasure.

Prayer

·       Goodbye and Hello – We have mixed emotions about returning to Ecuador. It is going to be hard to say goodbye to family and friends. Our parents have some serious health concerns and our adult children have challenges to face. On the other hand, we’ll be returning to our Ecuadorian brothers and sisters who love us and to the Manta church that has moved forward during our absence. Pray for us to have grace for both experiences.

·       Extra expenses – Our budget is always stretched beyond the limit! Airfare from Knoxville to Manta will have a total cost around $3,000 for our family. Recently an opportunity developed to have Carla and Matthew professionally tested in regard to their special educational needs. They will be completing the testing before we leave. The testing, plus our usual education costs at this time each year, come to over $2,000. If you’d like to help with either of these needs, you may add an additional amount to what you send through BBFI (mark it Anzalone Ecuador Special).

·       Family – We are starting our new “Multiply!” ministry. Pray for us as we create networks with pastors and churches. Pray for new visions and strategies for discipleship, servant-leadership development, and local church planting. Pray for the sale of our home and the purchase and development of a new home for hospitiality ministry. Pray for God to provide our goal of $50,000 for development of the property. Please pray about giving for this purpose.

Thank you for praying and giving.

You can download the full PDF file of at Anzalone Ecuador Prayer Report July 2017

February 2017 Prayer Report

We are in Florida, staying at the mission house of Palm Springs Drive Baptist Church. Pastor Scott Carlson and the church here have been ministry partners for many years and part of our lives for even longer.

One item for praise is that Iglesia Bíblica Bautista de Manta celebrated its 12th anniversary of ministry! The church has grown in many ways during the past year, and we thank God for it.
This prayer report also covers our plans to continue our ministry in Ecuador through multiplication of disciples, servant-leaders, and local churches.
You can read the report via this link:

Anzalone Ecuador Prayer Report February 2017

Merry Christmas! Happy New Year 2017

We come to the end of 2016. Time to celebrate the birth of the Savior, Jesus Christ. It's time to look back on 2016 with joy and gratitude for many lives changed forever by the one sent to us to bring us God's grace for the forgiveness of sins and adoption into his eternal family.

Here is a link to our latest prayer report:
Anzalone Ecuador update December 2016

Happy Thanksgiving!

Have a very happy Thanksgiving holiday! We have a lot to be thankful for.

Here is a link to our latest prayer report in which we give thanks for great things God has done for us.

Anzalone Prayer Report Nov 2016

September 2016 Prayer Report

Follow these links to find out more about rebuilding projects for our ministry in Manta, Ecuador.

September 2016 Prayer Report


September 2016 Photo Page

August 2016 Prayer Report

Check out a summary of what our visiting ministry teams did. Read our August 2016 Prayer Report. Just click on the link below:
Thank you for your prayers and partnership in ministry.

August 2016 Prayer Report

Earthquake Prayer Report

Follow the link to read our latest prayer report related to the recent earthquake we experienced in Manta, Ecuador.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B_rLHp1GThOCb0RhamNrdFlkZXM

Prayer Report March 2016

This month's prayer report features a lot of information about one of our Love in Action ministries, the food pantry. We call it Bendecidos para Bendecir, (Blessed to Bless) because God's blessings in our lives are for the purpose of blessing others.

Anzalone Prayer Report March 2016

November 2015 Prayer Report

Help Wanted

Our November prayer report relates three areas where we need your help in prayer and giving. Here is a brief summary, but you can download the full report from this link: Anzalone Prayer Nov 2015

1. The Taylors have been serving with us as short-term missionaries for over 18 months. They need more financial support.

2. The church in Manta will be sending out and supporting Pastor Darwin Moreira and his family to plant a new church in the Manta area. You can help with the start-up and support of this new work.

3. Our food pantry ministry has been going strong for 7 months. We need your help in order to take the next steps in this service opportunity.

Contact us if you would like more information about being a partner in giving. 

Prayer Report July 2015

Here is a link to our latest prayer report on things that have been happening in our ministry. Thanks for your prayers. We depend on you!

Anzalone Prayer Report July 2015 PDF

February 2015 Prayer Report

On February 1 we celebrated the 10^th anniversary of Iglesia Bíblica Bautista de Manta, our church in Manta, Ecuador. We’ve been blessed to serve in evangelism, discipleship, and leadership development in this work. We’re excited about what God has prepared for the future of the ministry here.

Part of our anniversary Sunday tradition is giving baptism certificates to those who had been baptized in the past year. That’s always cause for celebration!

We have another anniversary in February: we arrived in Ecuador as a missionary family on February 11, 1991. We are starting our 25^th year of ministry in Ecuador! It has been our privilege to work in Quito and Manta. We know that God has made it all possible, and you have been instruments he has used through your prayer and giving.

Thank you!

Pray for us as we travel in the States briefly.

If you would like some new prayer cards, a new family photo, or a copy of our latest video update, you may request them by e-mail: anztony@gmail.com

We will get you whatever you need.