TrueNorth Church, thank you for your patience as the church plant that you funded in Morona-Santiago, Ecuador experienced delays in obtaining legal permits. The process was further complicated by pandemic restrictions. Your church plant, Iglesia del Nazareno, now expects to begin construction soon and complete construction in July of 2021.
We hope to bring you an update in early 2021 with photos of the construction progress. Because of your generosity, the church is making an impact and ministering to families in the community. This update contains country-wide information on Compassion’s disaster relief efforts in Ecuador during the pandemic. Thank you for your partnership with Compassion International!
Compassion Ecuador’s Response to COVID-19 (April 2020 – November 2020)
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- More than 441,000 food packs delivered
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- 130,400 hygiene kits distributed
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- Medical support provided to over 16,000 people
Ecuador confirmed 194,000 positive cases of COVID-19 and more than 13,500 related deaths on November 29, with the epicenter of the virus in Quito. Testing remains extremely limited, however, and death tolls indicate that the number of positive cases is higher than reported. Ecuador’s commerce, industry, tourism, transport and health sectors have been badly affected by the economic slowdown, and experts believe a surge in lost jobs will push many families into extreme poverty. Indigenous groups have been hit hard by the virus; many who live in remote areas have little access to testing or hospitals.
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- Staff from Compassion centers partner churches in Ecuador visit the homes of Compassion beneficiaries.
All Compassion frontline church partners and Compassion centers are closed to group activities. Church staff members continue to provide emotional and spiritual support by making regular phone calls to families and visiting homes where it is possible. The Compassion Ecuador national office has helped to provide more than 2,500 pastors and more than 2,200 partner church staff with counseling and emotional care. Child development center staff provide support to beneficiary households, including helping families access telehealth services. Some partner churches have been able to hold online worship services, prayer meetings and training in child protection.
