Recap of 2009 ... ok, this is the last one :-)

We've been hosting students from Taylor University through various programs for the past 8 years. In 2005, when Dr. Gene Habecker became president of Taylor University, he incorporated global engagement as part of the university's vision for student development with the hope of opening ten Global Engagement Centers around the world, and formed the Spencer Centre for Global Engagement and Leadership in 2006. Our ministry in Cuenca has become one of the most developed sites to date. We host students from the Lighthouse program, students who are studying abroad for a semester, and students who are Spanish majors during the summer months. They are housed in the homes of church members, study in our language institute, and with local universities.

On September 27, John was installed as a member of Taylor's Council for the Spencer Centre for Global Engagement and Leadership. We thanks God for the honor and privilege to serve with these distinguished men and women from all around the world.

Recap 2009 continued ...

We bought our church property eleven years ago. We chose the site because it fronted a 3 acre city park. About 4 years ago the city re-zoned the area, divided it into home lots, and and turned them over to individuals whom the city had to indemnify due to road building in other areas. This was an illegal act, and would have a major negative impact on our church infrastructure. Even though we were told we could never win, we decided to sue the city. In late October, after going to the Supreme court in Quito, we won our lawsuit, and and now our park is once again a park. Three new homes were built on the park property. The city has said they would be willing to turn them over to us for ministries involving social welfare!Another door that the Lord has opened! 

John attended the Verbo International Council meeting for the first time this past fsummer, which was held in Guatemala city.  It was an honor to be with the men who lead Verbo Ministries from Canada to Brazil, and it was an encouraging, inspiring time. John, Bob Capaldi, and Diego Espinoza were able to visit the famous Mayan ruins of Tikal while they were there.

I think you are all aware that we started a home for children at risk. http://jnmguido.blogspot.com/search/label/orphanage

It has been a tremendous undertaking, but one that has been more rewarding than we ever dreamed or imagined! That's the kind of God we serve!

http://laesperanzacuencaecuador.blogspot.com/

 

Recap of 2009

I thought I'd start with some more recent news and work our way backwards this year!

As most of you know, John has been the senior pastor in Cuenca for the past 7 years. During that time we've planted 6 new congregations and several important extra-local ministries have developed.

After almost 2 years of preparation, Gustavo Cabrera was installed as the senior pastor of the main congregation in Cuenca on November 22. Terry King, from Alliance International Ministries joined us for the celebration.

Gustavo is 37 years old, and has been in full time ministry in the church for 7 years. He is married to a wonderful Norwegian MK (missionary kid), Maria, who was raised in Ecuador, and has a 2 year old daughter, Elisa. We are delighted to be able to work with them and call them our friends.

We are eager to see all that the Lord has planned for our lives and ministry in the years to come!

Most everyone who heard about John 'passing the baton' has asked, "So, what will you be doing now?"

     Here is a list of what he's been doing, and will continue to be responsible for --

The 6 churches we have planted are:

2 in Cuenca with ~ 1,900 members

Azogues- about 35 minutes north of Cuenca, and ~ 50 members

El Guabo- about 2 hrs. west and ~ 600 members

Manta- 5 hrs to the NW and ~ 100 members

Gualaquiza- 5 hrs to the SE and ~ 100 members

4 additional churches John supervises:

3 in the province of El Oro- Machala, Pasaje & Las Nieves- 2 hours west and ~ 600 members

Loja- 3 hrs south and ~ 700 members

We also have 3 other church plants in progress:

Santa Isabel- 1 hr west and ~50 members

Vilcabamba- 4 hrs south and ~ 50 members

Santa Rosa- 3 hrs west and ~ 25 members

The extra-local ministries John supervises are:

La Esperanza children's home - 22 children

The Verbo Christian School - 220 students

2 Compassion International after school programs - 350 children

FM Radio station

Christian Hospital

Medical Outreaches - 5-8 per year

Taylor University's Student Exchange program

Language Institute

Addiction Recovery Ministry

Looks like he'll have plenty to do! Thanks to our Lord Jesus for guiding us, and giving us His strength each day.

Merry *belated* Christmas!

Merry Christmas!!! 

May we all be more aware how close our Lord Jesus is to each of us! Wishing you all the timeless treasures of Christmas, the warmth of home, the love of family and the company of good friends!!! 

Hope your holidays were blessed !!!

Youth on Fire!

This past summer a sister in our church shared some verses from 2 Samuel on Sunday morning with a word for the youth of our church.  She shared that the youth would inherit our city and country, but that they needed to prepare now in prayer- they would be leaders with integrity and principles, who would prepare the paths for their generation,  and they would go out to their schools and work places and share God's truths and bring blessings.

 Afterward, John felt that it was a moment that needed to be taken advantage of, and called all the young people in the service forward so that we could pray for them; blessing their lives, as they dedicated themselves to seek the Lord's will for each one of them. It has proved to be a momentous time in our church body that has been sustained through today! Over 250 came forward that morning. The following Sunday we asked all those who had come forward the week before to come to a special time during the Sunday service, where we prayed with them again, and gave them some pointers on how to move forward in their 'new' walk with God.

Shortly afterward we held a "camp" that focused on service and leadership training. The kids all stayed in a house together and each morning went to our children's home, La Esperanza, and organized different activities, performing dramas and focusing on different themes for the children. In the afternoons different leaders went to the house to teach them and lead them in times of ministry. It was a powerful outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and these young people came away transformed. They have continued to walk in this new move. We don't want this to die off as so often happens when young people are touched in a camp or retreat, and when they go back to class and life, it slowly fades away.

We've held several times of refreshing. After our normal Friday night prayer time, they've  met for teaching and ministry, spending the night together in prayer, and having more teaching in the morning combined with some special activities.

What a blessing to see the next generation taking hold of their heritage in the Lord!