Rewarding Bible Study

This past Sunday, June 5, our church recognized one of our Sunday School teachers, Viviana Moreira, for having completed 12 courses in our Thursday night Bible Institute, Escuela de Liderazgo Bíblico. Viviana has been a part of our church since we started in 2005. Pray for her as she and her family are going through a trial after their home was shattered by the earthquake. She has a brilliant testimony for Jesus so it was extremely cool to be able to encourage her by recognizing her for Bible study. Her reward is a big fat study Bible!

Fifth Anniversary for Manta Church

BBFI missionary Cliff McGhee was a our special guest speaker. He did a super job. His sermon directed us to continue to take the next step in our walk with the Lord and in the mission of our church. We recognized those who have been baptized during the last several months and those who have completed courses in the leadership training ministry. Afterward, we all had lunch together. Many worked hard to make the anniversary service a success.

Bible Institute Students

Here you see most of the people from the church who recently completed subjects in our Bible institute ministry. All of these folks take active roles in our church. Baby Aaron was present for the latest subject and took the final exam. This Thursday we expect to add several new students to this group.


Miriam, Darwin and Jessica each received a beautiful Study Bible in recognition of their completing 12 subjects. They are the first to finish the Level One courses. They will be continuing to study in areas specific to the ministries they are involved in or will be stretching into!

Teacher Training Seminar-2

Here is a photo of the adults and teens who completed the teacher training seminar in August. Twenty-one people received certificates. We are looking forward to their teamwork in children's ministries.

Blue Ridge Group

A group from Blue Ridge Baptist Temple in Kansas City, including Pastor Bill Boren, ministered with us for five days toward the end of June. They did a great job, taking music and evangelism to elementary schools, parks, a children's home and the village of Travesía. They also participated in our regular church services. Their ministry was well-received and fruitful in opening doors for sharing the love of Christ with many in our community. Thank you, Blue Ridge Baptist!

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.