April Highlights: The Cuenca Recyclers

April Highlights: The Cuenca Recyclers 

Thank you for joining with us as partners. God continues to bless and grow His Kingdom. His Gospel is powerful! Our desire is for you to know more and feel more connected to what is happening on the mission field, so every six to eight weeks we will be bringing you ministry highlights from the Arco churches here in Ecuador.

In February we shared with you how the Arco ministry network has been responding to our Venezuelan brothers in need as they flee their collapsing country. This month, we bring you wonderful news about breaking the cycle of poverty in a group of our neighbors right here in Cuenca: the city recyclers.

To support themselves and their families, these recyclers pick plastic, tin, and glass out of neighborhood garbages. They live significantly below the poverty line and have been doing so for generations. Arco Church in Cuenca has recently partnered with a municipal program to work with the families of the recyclers, with a special focus on their children.

Children’s pastor Ismael Vallejo has seen huge changes in children’s lives through the program. Speaking about one boy in particular, he says “Seeing how the other kids loved each other was so impactful for this boy. It was shocking to see how he completely changed from one day to the next. I know that giving material gifts is meaningful, but it isn’t the most important thing we can do for these kids. It’s how we treat them that has such a great impact. We love them and treat them like people, like God’s children. They’ve never felt that before.”

Take a moment to hear the rest of this boy’s story, and to learn more about how God has been working in all of their stories over at the Arco Ministries site. We ask for your continued prayers for us and for the families of the Cuenca recyclers. Thank you for your continuing support!

Summer Update - 2018

As we step into our new network of churches, Arco Ministers Alliance, remembrance is prophetically ringing in our hearts, minds, and experiences. We began this adventure 30 years ago, totally unprepared and completely dependent on the Lord’s mercy and favor.

Marilyn and I recently returned from our first visit to Israel, where we were invited to participate in a conference with leaders from around the world. While there, we celebrated the 70^th anniversary of the founding of the modern nation of Israel, the day of Pentecost, and the establishment of the U.S. embassy in Jerusalem. After all we heard, saw, and felt we are more convinced than ever that we are living in a powerful prophetic time on the earth.

WooHoo!! 25 Years!!

Wow! As we think back on all the thoughts and concerns we had when we first began this adventure there are SO many, I think I'll just focus on two.... the first was the peace of knowing this was what God was calling us to do. Second, was struggling at not being overwhelmed at the thought of reducing our 3 bedroom house, and two vehicles, down to 6 - 55 gallon drums, and a handmade crate the size of two disassembled kids bicycles. Wish we had taken more photos!!! I think I was so traumatized I couldn't take a picture!

Joel, John, Jonathan, Marilyn, Lisa and Al Vescera - January 1988

REVIVAL CONTINUES!

 

We are amazed and grateful to report that the time of harvest in Ecuador has continued for over a decade and has shown no sign of abating.  In Cuenca, our third service is standing room only.  Each week we receive 30 to 40 first time visitors, many of whom make a public commitment to the Lord.  On average 20 new believers are being baptized every month.  Our discipleship classes are well attended, our marriage seminars, retreats, and Alpha courses are running at capacity, and about 50% of those who attend are unbelievers, hungry for God.     

The gospel is advancing mightily all over the country. The Lord is pouring out His Spirit on many churches and ministries. In January we celebrated Verbo’s 30^th anniversary in Ecuador, and we’re grateful and humbled to see that by His grace, He has shown special favor towards Verbo.  

Diego Espinoza, our national leader, introduces Bob Capaldi, director of South America.

In key cities like Quito, Riobamba, Loja, Pasaje, Guabo and Lago Agrio, Verbo is the largest evangelical church, often times with double or even 3 times the membership of other churches.  In many instances our churches are filled to capacity in 3 and even 4 Sunday services.  In cities like Guayaquil, Cuenca, Santa Rosa and Santa Domingo, our churches have significant influence and favor in the city, with important social works, through their community and ecclesiastical involvement.  

the church in Cuenca

John continues serving as director of the southern region of Verbo Ministries in Ecuador, which includes a total of twelve churches, the Family Health Foundation, a Medical Clinic, the Verbo school- with 250 students from K-12, La Esperanza children’s home, Radio Familia - our FM radio station, and our Arco Language Institute.

John sharing in Quito

 

Marilyn continues serving in the local church and heading up short-term medical outreaches, throughout the country.....  more on that soon!  

One Physical Therapist prays with a patient, while the other works on a patients hand...

February 2013 - Verbo Santa Isabel

    

THE CHALLENGE

 Lisette and Vanessa 

Carlos

 For over a year we have struggled with the authorities to keep La Esperanza, our children’s home, up and running. Much of this time we weren't allowed to enter the house to see the kids, only shift workers could be there, and our volunteer program was suspended. This has been our most heart wrenching, and time consuming challenge.  
Even though the government doesn’t approve, 

we are planning on having husband and wife teams care for the children on a daily basis.  They have tentatively given us a year to make this model work.  We’ve found the only way the children can experience healing and security ... is in a healthy family atmosphere. How can they learn what God planned as a functional family if they are never allowed to see a model?

Camila, Danny, and Nancy

   

In the end if we can make this work, 
they will allow us to keep our home.  

 If not, they will force us to close.  

 This would break our hearts, as many of our children have been with us for a long time.  We can’t imagine them being placed in an overcrowded government run home.

Maria Fernanda

YOUR PART

Thank you for the important role you play in our lives and in what’s taking place in Cuenca and Ecuador. 

We need your prayers and support in order to make vital changes in the care model for our  children’s home. 

Priscila

Nancy

PRAYER NEEDS
Our 18 children- that God would guard their hearts during these constant adjustments.
 The staff- that they would see their jobs as a ministry and calling and be diligent to care for the children with love and integrity; 

The couples who have answered the call- for the Lord to confirm and bless them. 
   That we would be shown favor with the government.

Will you pray with us? 

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/

 

More on the Christmas parade

This is where the 'traveling Child' stays when he isn't in a parade or in a special service.

Well, as you can see, the 95% Catholic population has a big influence on the Ecuadorean culture. Aside from enjoying the colorful presentations, it is troubling to see the great lengths people will go to, spending a small fortune to deck out their 'float' or horse, or even baby stroller so they can 'win' a blessing for their home and family. Sometimes they can't get together the cash for a few weeks after Christmas, so these parades go on in a smaller form every weekend until Carnival- which is the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. Many people compare this level of devotion to a statue to what we in the States have experienced. "they don't really pray to the statue, it's just a symbol to help direct our thoughts to God." But in 20 years we have had many conversations, and because of the level of syncretism here, the truth is that many really are praying to one particular statue or image . . . of a saint, or the virgin Mary, or a baby Jesus, or a crucified Jesus. A college student once told us how he and fellow students would have long arguments over which statue, located in different cities in Ecuador, had more power.

It is sad to recognize that in spite of their devotion, they just don't know that Jesus isn't a little baby, or a crucified man- He is the Son of God! He came and died for our sins, so that we can share in His heavenly Kingdom, and we can never do enough good works to 'win' His favor or Salvation. We are so blessed every week seeing the number of new people who come into the church. We pray that He will continue to allow us to serve here and enjoy this great harvest. He is a mighty God who is alive and drawing us all to Himself. Oh, that we can be sensitive to hear and respond.
In I Thessalonians 1:9b-10 Paul is telling the church: "They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead -- Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath."

El pase del Niño Viajero

I'm starting a new category . . . 'culture' After living here for 20 years, we were finally able to run downtown for a little while to catch the annual parade which takes place on December 24th.

I'm going to translate parts of a couple of articles I found to explain a little of the history.

The parade of the traveling child is a procession with the "Child King" which is more developed in Cuenca than in any other city in Ecuador. It starts before dawn on December 24th and continues until sunset. Multitudes of people participate, representing the important moments that took place surrounding the birth of Jesus, generally riding on distinctly decorated floats made up of various sizes of cars and trucks. (We saw from little homemade cars for one child, being pushed the entire route by an adult family member to huge diesel trucks that could have pulled a double trailer.)

The story begins with a small statue of the baby Jesus which was carved in the year 1823. In 1961 it was owned by the Vicar of the Archdiocese of Cuenca, Miguel Cordero, who carried it with him as he traveled to the Holy Lands, and the statue was blessed by Pope John XXIII at that time. Upon his return to Cuenca, he organized the first procession on the 24th of December with some parishioners who walked with the statue from the church of San Sebastian to the cathedral in the center of Cuenca. Another article stated that the Vicar would carry it around to different churches, and when he entered the people would shout, "Here comes the traveling Child!"

Today thousands of different families, neighbors and other groups join together to walk the route, which now extends well beyond the borders of downtown Cuenca. Some say over 20,000 people participate. The idea is to show their veneration of the baby Jesus, and carry their personal (family) statue so that it will receive a blessing for the rest of the year. Represented in the various groupings are the angel who appeared with the star in Bethlehem, the wise men, the shepherds, the holy family, all sizes of floats and people and children on horseback, groups of dancers from different parts of the country accompanied by a band to play while they dance. Many of the cars and horses are festooned with all kinds of candy, liquors and other drinks, and foods which are then eaten as a picnic after their long walk.

There are lots of pictures here - after all it's a 12 hour event!

First Service in Verbo Rio

On September 7th we were blessed to attend the first service at our new extension church in Cuenca. We chose a location on the other side of the airport, where we currently have 10 functioning home churches. Everyone in the neighborhood received an invitation to come, enjoy the service, and share a meal together. Here are some pictures- enjoy!

Ordaining Elders

On August 29, we had the national council of Verbo in Cuenca for their meeting, and took advantage to ordain some elders from the churches in the southern region of Ecuador. There are pros and cons to every situation- we have known most of these couples since they came into the church, and have been blessed to see their commitment and growth spiritually; so it's doubly rewarding to participate in the recognition of their years of service. On the other hand, Man! We've been around a long time!

From the Cuenca church, we ordained Gustavo Cabrera and Daniel Quiroz. Gustavo has been in the church serving on the worship team for around 12 years. He is in charge of the worship team, and the radio station. In addition he has been a home group leader for years, involved in discipling many young couples in one to one relationships. We have watched him fall in love with Maria, marry, and have their first baby.

You might remember from a few posts back, that we sent Daniel and his family to Gualaquiza in April of 2007. They have been faithfully sowing in the community there- the church is growing, and they have opened a small branch of the Family Health Foundation's clinic and have a couple of doctors and a dentist giving some time to help out those with low incomes. We have sent them a basic range of medications from our “brigade” store room so they have something to offer the poor. Daniel also led home groups while in Cuenca and worked the 5:00 to 9:00 am shift at the radio station, as well as man the sound booth during church services.

The presiding elder from each church presented each of the new elders to the congregation. Mauricio introduced Bruno from Loja, and Gregorio introduced Alfonso and Fabricio from El Guabo. Gregorio is helping out in Machala and has been covering the small group in Naranjal for some time now, so Alfonso and Fabrizio have taken the baton for the El Guabo church. We also ordained two deacons from Loja and Pasaje.

It was a wonderful to see God raising up new laborers- He is so awesome!

Opening a new church body in Cuenca

Rene and Graciela (Chela) Osorio

Throughout the month of August we announced the upcoming opening of a new church body on the other side of Cuenca. Our newest elder had stepped up to the challenge of recruiting leaders and members of various ministries to help in establishing a new congregation on the other side of Cuenca. Our church building is located on the south west side of town.

We have felt the need to open something toward the north east- on the other side of the airport, for a very long time, and have spent many months looking for a suitable location. As always, when the Lord was ready, it all fell into place.

Rene sharing on Sunday morning.

On their last Sunday in the 'home' church, the ministry team came forward for a prayer led by Bob Capaldi, our national leader of Verbo, and a member of the international council.

In all, there were close to 30 ready to go and serve in the new work. We are so happy to see how the body has been so open to heed the Lord's call on their lives, and challenged to encourage others to rise up to replace them!

Anniversary

My goodness- I was looking forward to July 9 for months now thinking about what John & I could do to celebrate . . . but as happens so often, the tasks of the day move us on and before we know it the "special" day has past.
So, 20 years ago, John and I and the 3 kids, (Lisa-10, Jonathan- 7, and Joel- 15 months) got off a plane in Guayaquil, Ecuador, amazed at all the noise and confusion, got ourselves out of customs, and met our old friend Rick LaBouef, who drove us 8,366 ft. straight up to our new home, Cuenca, Ecuador. So many things have happened since then, I hesitate to even begin to talk about it for fear of this entry turning into a book!
Cuenca is more beautiful than ever in some ways, and more terrible in others. We have several grocery stores now, and most of the roads are paved, the downtown area was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999, and is in a constant state of upgrading. When we got here, looking for a taxi after 9:00 pm was a lost cause- everyone went to bed! We walked home after a night meeting, many, many times. The spiritual atmosphere was very traditional and closed to any new ideas.

On the other hand, the culture has become much more open to influences that are not in sync with former family values. Teenagers line some of the main roads drinking from early afternoon into the night any day of the week. Spouses are less likely to put up with their mates philandering, so the divorce rate is up. However, these negative influences have broken open the closed spiritual doors, and we are convinced that we are in the middle of a revival here. Recently someone told me they were talking to a missionary who worked in Latin America many years ago. When revival was happening in other Latin American countries, the situation in Ecuador remained closed- now it is time for Ecuadorians to seek God for all He has for them, and His Holy Spirit is being poured out like never before.

We count it all as God's grace and mercy- he has put a love for Ecuador and it's people in our hearts, and we rejoice to see the fruit He has allowed to come forth as we worked for His kingdom here. Each day we see new areas of need, and He shows us how we can minister. It has been an awesome 20 years, and we look forward to many more years of walking with our Savior, and rejoicing in the marvelous ways He works.

Spring 2008

Action packed, only begins to describe our spring in Cuenca. The last week in March, a Taylor University freshman, here on a short mission trip, tried to impress his classmates with his “Survivor” savvy and was lost for a day and a night at a 13,000 foot elevation in the Cajas National Park above Cuenca. After an grueling search and rescue effort, the young man was located and brought to safety.

In keeping with their heritage of excellence, Dr. Skip Trudeau, dean of students and Dr. Chris Bennett, associate provost and dean of international programs at Taylor University, abandoned their busy schedules and flew to Ecuador to offer apologies to the mayor, the city officials, the search and rescue leaders and to our church family. This gesture of humility, once again, solidified our confidence in Taylor’s high standards of academic integrity, one of North America’s finest higher educational institutions.

On the heels of this event we received a 32 member graduating team from the Bethel Church School of Ministry, from Redding California. This group, who moved in the true Spirit of Jesus, ministered in Riobamba, Cuenca and Guayaquil. The above photo shows a ministry time in Cuenca- below, some team members doing some prophetic art during worship time. The pastor of the Riobamba church confirmed that a woman in his fellowship was healed of leukemia in response to prayer from the Bethel students. PTL!

In early April, while the Redding team was still here, we received a GHO gynecology team led by Dr. Ross Rumph and Mary, his lovely wife. Ross stayed on a second week and spearheaded the efforts of the 1st Women in Medicine & Dentistry team from Global Health Outreach.

Simultaneously, we were also enjoying the company of Rachel and Ricky Guido, our niece and nephew from North Carolina, who were translating for the various medical and ministry teams and visiting their friends in Cuenca. They did a fantastic job, and we love having them in our empty nest.

A New Ministry

In mid April we decided to investigate the need or an orphanage in Cuenca. In spite of being told for years that there was no pressing need for children at risk in Cuenca and southern Ecuador, what we discovered was startling and sad. Every facility we visited in Cuenca, was under-staffed, over-worked and under-funded. In 2007,only 31 children in all of Ecuador were adopted in spite of the 230,000 'orphans' who live here!

Paola Hermoza's entire family followed Marilyn and I here from Lima, Peru 11 years ago. A young woman with a burden for orphans and abused children, Paola set out interviewing orphanage directors, social service administrators, doctors, lawyers, social workers and even interviewed the director of the women’s prison here in Azuay province. To a person, everyone she interviewed pleaded for assistance and concurred that, because of the strength of the Family Health Foundation and the decades of stability of the Verbo church, a children’s home founded by us could rescue many precious lives of children at risk. We also believe that this thrust toward mercy and social justice could impact our entire city and province with the gospel in action. (Mt.25:40)
We presented a proposal to the executive board of the foundation. Our orphanage proposal was enthusiastically received and unanimously approved. Preliminary government approval came rapidly, due both to the solid history of the Family Health Foundation and the diligent efforts of Paola. We then presented the vision to the church and six couples immediately volunteered to work as house parents or assist in any way they could. The time table we projected had us receiving our first children in September, but it seems God had another idea!
On June 1, the Lord dropped 8 children on our door step. Suffering unmentionable abuse at the hands of their demonized father, these eight siblings were filled with fear and anxiety. Their mother fled in terror, when their father repeatedly raped one of the children in front of the others, and then threatened to sell them into child prostitution.

So now, our well articulated plan could not wait for our carefully scheduled timetable. We kicked it into high gear, believing God for provision. The Verbo church family rallied with clothing and temporary housing. Family Health Foundation, treated the two youngest for pneumonia, provided medicine to treat all 8 children for lice and scabies and pregnancy tested one of the older siblings.

Temporary housing was found to meet the immediate need, but we needed a home closer to town where our psychologist, social worker, and other care givers could begin the long-term healing we had originally envisioned. In the beginning of this quest, we made a commitment to Jesus to care for these children as HE wanted them cared for.

Paola’s contacts quickly found us a couple who were willing to rent their large house for $800 per month. That amount seemed beyond our reach, but in faith we looked at the house and offered them $500, the amount we had originally budgeted for our first home. Raul and his wife, Etelvina, who attends a Verbo women’s bible study, were moved by our heart for orphans, and agreed to rent to us for our $500 budget amount. On July 1 we are the new tenants of a beautiful house in Cuenca, near the church building and a big market - God is faithful!
After we interviewed the potential house parents on Saturday, June 14, we found the perfect couple to care for these 8 precious children. Yuri and Maria del Carmen have a two year old daughter, Rebekah, and because of a health condition will not have other children of their own. Yuri has always wanted lots of children and Maria feels called by God to be a mother of many.I had the privilege of leading Maria del Carmen to the Lord a number of years ago. Since that time, this couple has been an integral part of the Verbo church family. Maria del Carmen has helped Marilyn with the medical brigades, and then went on to work in the Physical Therapy department at our clinic. We are confident this couple can help foster the wholeness and healing these battered siblings need and deserve.

On Sunday, June 15, Maria del Carmen brought all the children to church, and the oldest sister, Daniela, gave her heart to the Lord. We know this is the first fruits of our obedience to the Lord’s command to care for the orphans and fatherless. (James 1:27)

-Please pray for God’s provision of furniture, bedding, appliances, dishes and the plethora of items we will need to make this house a home.
-Pray the authorities will take the father’s crimes seriously and detain him accordingly.
-If God moves you to participate financially please send your tax deductible checks to AIM- and note "for the orphanage", the address is at the bottom of the page. Or you can give by clicking on the donate button on this page as well. By all means, if you would like to help us in a hands on way, we would appreciate your help on a short term mission.

On mission with you - John