Thrive Community Church, we are pleased to present to you this latest field report from your church plant, Iglesia Cristiana Jesús el Nazareno Mompiche (Jesus the Nazarene Christian Church) in Mompiche, Muisne, Ecuador. As the building begins to take shape, it is already helping to bring positive change to the community. Thank you for the continued prayers and support.
Construction Progress
Even though weather has caused delays, the advances in construction have led the community to learn to trust that this project will be completed. This is something that has not been accomplished by other organizations because they made promises and did not fulfill them. That cost them credibility in the community and made it difficult for us at the outset.
Thanks to God, we have built the pillars and walls to a current height of 1 meter. Now we are strengthening these pillars and walls that make divisions for the classrooms, the kitchen, bathrooms and dining room.
The families of the community have helped us to take care of the construction materials. They provide water and food for the construction crew. Through this, the community has begun to seek God.
Church Activities
Strong rains have made church attendance difficult for people (especially families) who live far away. We will have an evangelization program in July. We are still working on a discipleship program because this is a new church.
The pastor and the tutors have been monitoring the progress of the construction and learning about the spiritual lives of the children’s parents when they attend the center.
Many of the parents are attending faithfully because they have seen a serious ministry. There are parents who have changed their lives and give testimony of their children’s change as well.
Challenges Encountered
We know that we have fallen behind in the construction of the Mompiche church as it was necessary to divert the construction crews to churches in other areas before this one [which was noted in a previous update].
Parts of the construction site’s ground had to be regraded because we have had a lot of rain and there was a lot of mud. But we now have solid ground to be able to build.
Next Steps
The goal was to have more than 50% of the construction by the end of May, which includes:
- Room-dividing walls
- Classrooms
- Bathrooms
- Dining room
- Kitchen
- Office
Testimony of Impact
One of the mothers was very happy because her son received a letter from his sponsor. For her, it was the first time that someone from another country sent her greetings, which filled her heart. Children now have the habit of praying before eating and for everything they do.
Praises and Prayer Requests
All the families are happy about the project because they have been helped spiritually and physically. We are very happy with all the great support.
As a church, we are grateful to God for having set His eyes on this community, the children and their families through Compassion International. Another sign of progress is that a few weeks ago, a brothel closed because we are building the church and child development center about 20 meters (66 feet) away.
We ask you to pray for the unity and commitment of the parents. Many of them are separated. Others live together without being married which, to them, is not a problem. Also, many of the fathers have abandoned their wives and children.