The Land of Ecuador
My Reflection of Worlds When we think we are having a bad time God shows us that things don’t look so bad after all. When comparing the things that take place in America to other countries we must come to the conclusion that God is good to us. My visit to Ecuador clearly aroused in me the awareness of how good we have it in the United States. We are truly a blessed nation. In America, the greatest opportunity we have is the freedom to worship God or not to do so; such liberty is priceless. In Ecuador people walked many miles to attend a church service. Some families had little money, and the clothes they owned were few. Nevertheless, they were eager to be in every service to hear God’s Word. They sought to assemble in one place in which they could worship God. I saw their commendable spirit to please God by attending our church services.
Initial Impression
I praise God for giving me the opportunity to go on a missionary trip to Manta, Ecuador. Deep within my heart I always had the desire to travel to another country, but I never thought it was going to be to Ecuador. I thank God for giving me the privilege, through the support of many people, to make this trip a reality. A heart-felt “THANK YOU” for making it possible! Let me share with you how I learned of Ecuador. I was first introduced to the church in Ecuador many years ago. Before my husband and I founded Innermost-Fire Ministries, INC. we were members of New Life & High Praise Temple presently known as New Life Teaching Center, a church located in Odessa, Florida. During that time my uncle and aunt (LS and Alicia Sexton) visited our church and shared with the congregation their vision for the church in Manta, Ecuador. They have been ministers of the gospel for many years and have traveled as missionaries to many countries.
During their travels they have visited Manta on numerous occasions to continue supporting the work being done there. New Life Teaching Center became involved with the church in Manta by sending them tithes which helped in the construction of the church and building a school for the children The growth of the church and God’s work have been reported to be tremendous. I am so glad LS and Alicia invited me to travel along with them. I met with my aunts in Miami, and we arrived at the hotel at 2:45 on the morning of September 9th 2008. It was too dark to see much of the surrounding area, but the Panorama Hotel was a nice place to stay. My room was very small compared to what we are used to in the states. I was excited to be in Ecuador, and I had a great sense of expectancy. I knew that God wanted me to experience how other people live and how they seek to worship Him. I also knew that I was there to share with them: my personal testimony, my walk of faith, and the awesome experience of being touched and healed by the power of God.
The first morning I met the people at the hotel, which included Carmen the manager taking care of the hotel. They were so good and catered to us in a marvelous way. As you may imagine, being that this was my first time in Ecuador I was eager to take lots of pictures; however, Carmen called me aside to warn me of the danger of being seen taking pictures. She said to me: “Please don’t take any pictures around here and don’t let anyone see you with a camera. Things out here are bad, and I don’t want anything bad to happen to you.” Later on I became aware of insurgents and anti government groups that were taking people hostage for ransom. Such events were increasing being triggered by the forthcoming elections.
Friday Service – Healing Testimony
On Friday I had the opportunity to address the congregation. I shared with them my personal testimony of how God saved my life from destruction. I wanted to convey to them the importance of trusting God with their entire heart. I told them how God delivered me from sickness into healing. I poured out the true story of how God delivered me from cancer and how HE restored my life and gave me expectancy and joy. The reality is that God cares and that HE has a plan available to those that are seeking Him. I know that many people don’t believe and only seek medical help. I am one that did it all. I sought medical help including natural cures and when the medical field and natural science were not able to help me anymore I became a living testimony. The Power of God is a reality in me. During a time when everything else failed I am here to tell you that God restored my life in a split second. I am so glad God allowed me to share a message that is so close to my heart.
I deeply shared with them the importance of trusting and relying on God. I stated the need to avoid compromising the godly principles that we believe, even in times of hurt. Love God regardless of your circumstances and regardless of the time you have or don’t have. During my testimony I saw the people receiving the message with sincere hearts. Many were crying, and I know God touched many in the assembly. That night the children had a special play right after the preaching of God’s word.
Saturday Service
I visited a small church on Saturday. The place was small, but it was packed; probably in the amount of at least 50 adults. The service was awesome! I felt in my heart to share a similar message of healing with the people. By the power of God, many were touched in a special way; some were overtaken by the presence of the Lord, some had tears, while others sought prayer. After the preaching of God’s Word my aunts and I had the opportunity to minister to many people who asked for special prayers. The grace of God was mighty in the service. After praying for a young lady she was filled with the Holy Ghost instantly. Many families were blessed with the power of God; even some by the restoration of marriages. The pastor of the church was so excited that he asked us to come back!
Sunday Service
This Sunday service began in a unique fashion. Some days before, the car which was owned by the pastor was stolen by insurgency members. They contacted the pastor to ask for money to see if he wanted to get the car back. Many ministers encouraged him to just give them the money to avoid being harassed, but he refused to pay them any money. He said that he was not going to participate in their delinquency by giving them what they asked for. Instead he said: “I will trust the Lord regardless of what they say or do.” That Sunday two dead bodies were found at the front doors of the church. The pastor called the authorities, and in that atmosphere the Sunday service began… In the service we saw the moving of God in a special way. It was a blessing to hear my Aunt Celia preach for the first time in the trip. My Aunt Celia asked the pastor and his family to come forward for prayer, and as we prayed for him I saw two tall angels with swords standing behind the pastor. These supernatural beings were big in size. The unction of God was directing me to tell the pastor that God was with him at all times, and that nothing was going to happen to him or his family. After the service we had a fellowship meal in the evening for the ministry leaders. My aunts and I had the opportunity to cook for the pastors and their families. We also invited the hotel personnel who treated us great.
The Children’s School
Missionaries have the privilege to impact the lives of people when given the opportunity, and as a sponsor to a missionary you must rest assured that your money will be used to touch people in special ways, especially the children. One of the areas I was looking forward to seeing was the development of young kids. The children in the school are wonderful! They showed us so much love, and as we gave them candy they were so happy and thankful. They were around us and they didn’t know how to say thank you enough. The school began with few kids, but the church’s leadership did not quit. Their vision included winning the kids and their parents to the Lord. It was the leadership’s perseverance, by trusting in God, which increased the school membership to a great number of students. This happened because they believed God. Today the school has over 350 students and most of the parents have come to know the Lord. The Bible clearly says: “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6).
We know that God has a burning desire for the children. I noticed how the school impacted the church, and through the children they are winning families for God. In the school the students and teachers wear uniforms. These uniforms are provided by the church. It was amazing to learn that their own members make all the uniforms. The children spend most of the day in the same classroom, but they are allowed to change classrooms when studying in the computer room. The school has about 7 computers that are not up-to-date, but are good enough for training. Teachers are dedicated to the children and ministry, and it shows by the amount of pride they take in all they do.
The children are so eager to show the things they have accomplished in the classrooms. Two of the teachers were students of the school at one time, now they are serving the church and the community. What an awesome report! The school has a system of rewarding students and teachers. Everyone who achieves and produces fruit receives a gift known to them as “galardon”. I am excited to share with you that our own ministry (Innermost-Fire Ministry) donated to the Manta Ministry tithes from our 2nd Quarter Tithe Funds. The pastor in Ecuador used these funds to purchase these special rewarding gifts. We are excited to sow in good ground. Our church members are delighted to know that we have taken the time to bless other ministries.
The People of Ecuador are GIVERS!
It is amazing to experience love from people that you first come to know. That’s exactly what happened to us. In the hotel and in the church, everyone we met treated us in a special way. The day I preached during the Saturday service the pastor collected an offering for us, but it was given back. My Aunt Alicia talked to me about it, and we felt that we wanted to bless the people in every possible way. By doing so we knew that they could use the funds to help their ministry. During the week we had the opportunity to visit families out in the country. They shared with us the things they had grown from their farms. We received gifts and were blessed with farm goods. In one home they gave us three sacks of food. We were so excited to give these items to other families in the church.
Final Thoughts!
What I brought back from this trip? I brought back a thankful heart. I realize that many things I possess are blessings from God and sometimes I fail to acknowledge that. On the trip I saw people trusting God in their everyday situations. The pastor did not give up when his car was stolen, but his heart remained fixed by trusting in God. I saw the hand of God in the midst! The day we left the country we had the opportunity to see the pastor’s car returned to him. The people who stole it were not able to sale it or get rid of it. In fact, the law-breakers called the pastor and pleaded with him to come and pick up the car. You see, the enemy restored that which was stolen.
During this trip I saw people making sacrifices to attend church to worship God; many of them were hungry to hear the message of the gospel. In their lack I saw their strength to pursue happiness within their surroundings. In recent telephone conversations the pastor has shared that our visit to his church has blessed and helped many people. Praise to God for we are vessels used of God! Let all glory be given to God Almighty! I cannot thank you enough for keeping me in your prayers! The trip was challenging as we were not able to travel freely or openly as we are able to do in America. Your support and love made this trip a reality. Only God can truly know the impact that this trip made on the people of Manta in Ecuador. Please, keep them in your prayers, as they continue to face challenges while gathering many for the Kingdom of God.
Words cannot express my gratitude to you for your faithfulness to God. May God bless you in abundance! Thank you! Love you!
___________________
Elba Cortes-Maldonado
Initial Impression
I praise God for giving me the opportunity to go on a missionary trip to Manta, Ecuador. Deep within my heart I always had the desire to travel to another country, but I never thought it was going to be to Ecuador. I thank God for giving me the privilege, through the support of many people, to make this trip a reality. A heart-felt “THANK YOU” for making it possible! Let me share with you how I learned of Ecuador. I was first introduced to the church in Ecuador many years ago. Before my husband and I founded Innermost-Fire Ministries, INC. we were members of New Life & High Praise Temple presently known as New Life Teaching Center, a church located in Odessa, Florida. During that time my uncle and aunt (LS and Alicia Sexton) visited our church and shared with the congregation their vision for the church in Manta, Ecuador. They have been ministers of the gospel for many years and have traveled as missionaries to many countries.
During their travels they have visited Manta on numerous occasions to continue supporting the work being done there. New Life Teaching Center became involved with the church in Manta by sending them tithes which helped in the construction of the church and building a school for the children The growth of the church and God’s work have been reported to be tremendous. I am so glad LS and Alicia invited me to travel along with them. I met with my aunts in Miami, and we arrived at the hotel at 2:45 on the morning of September 9th 2008. It was too dark to see much of the surrounding area, but the Panorama Hotel was a nice place to stay. My room was very small compared to what we are used to in the states. I was excited to be in Ecuador, and I had a great sense of expectancy. I knew that God wanted me to experience how other people live and how they seek to worship Him. I also knew that I was there to share with them: my personal testimony, my walk of faith, and the awesome experience of being touched and healed by the power of God.
The first morning I met the people at the hotel, which included Carmen the manager taking care of the hotel. They were so good and catered to us in a marvelous way. As you may imagine, being that this was my first time in Ecuador I was eager to take lots of pictures; however, Carmen called me aside to warn me of the danger of being seen taking pictures. She said to me: “Please don’t take any pictures around here and don’t let anyone see you with a camera. Things out here are bad, and I don’t want anything bad to happen to you.” Later on I became aware of insurgents and anti government groups that were taking people hostage for ransom. Such events were increasing being triggered by the forthcoming elections.
Friday Service – Healing Testimony
On Friday I had the opportunity to address the congregation. I shared with them my personal testimony of how God saved my life from destruction. I wanted to convey to them the importance of trusting God with their entire heart. I told them how God delivered me from sickness into healing. I poured out the true story of how God delivered me from cancer and how HE restored my life and gave me expectancy and joy. The reality is that God cares and that HE has a plan available to those that are seeking Him. I know that many people don’t believe and only seek medical help. I am one that did it all. I sought medical help including natural cures and when the medical field and natural science were not able to help me anymore I became a living testimony. The Power of God is a reality in me. During a time when everything else failed I am here to tell you that God restored my life in a split second. I am so glad God allowed me to share a message that is so close to my heart.
I deeply shared with them the importance of trusting and relying on God. I stated the need to avoid compromising the godly principles that we believe, even in times of hurt. Love God regardless of your circumstances and regardless of the time you have or don’t have. During my testimony I saw the people receiving the message with sincere hearts. Many were crying, and I know God touched many in the assembly. That night the children had a special play right after the preaching of God’s word.
Saturday Service
I visited a small church on Saturday. The place was small, but it was packed; probably in the amount of at least 50 adults. The service was awesome! I felt in my heart to share a similar message of healing with the people. By the power of God, many were touched in a special way; some were overtaken by the presence of the Lord, some had tears, while others sought prayer. After the preaching of God’s Word my aunts and I had the opportunity to minister to many people who asked for special prayers. The grace of God was mighty in the service. After praying for a young lady she was filled with the Holy Ghost instantly. Many families were blessed with the power of God; even some by the restoration of marriages. The pastor of the church was so excited that he asked us to come back!
Sunday Service
This Sunday service began in a unique fashion. Some days before, the car which was owned by the pastor was stolen by insurgency members. They contacted the pastor to ask for money to see if he wanted to get the car back. Many ministers encouraged him to just give them the money to avoid being harassed, but he refused to pay them any money. He said that he was not going to participate in their delinquency by giving them what they asked for. Instead he said: “I will trust the Lord regardless of what they say or do.” That Sunday two dead bodies were found at the front doors of the church. The pastor called the authorities, and in that atmosphere the Sunday service began… In the service we saw the moving of God in a special way. It was a blessing to hear my Aunt Celia preach for the first time in the trip. My Aunt Celia asked the pastor and his family to come forward for prayer, and as we prayed for him I saw two tall angels with swords standing behind the pastor. These supernatural beings were big in size. The unction of God was directing me to tell the pastor that God was with him at all times, and that nothing was going to happen to him or his family. After the service we had a fellowship meal in the evening for the ministry leaders. My aunts and I had the opportunity to cook for the pastors and their families. We also invited the hotel personnel who treated us great.
The Children’s School
Missionaries have the privilege to impact the lives of people when given the opportunity, and as a sponsor to a missionary you must rest assured that your money will be used to touch people in special ways, especially the children. One of the areas I was looking forward to seeing was the development of young kids. The children in the school are wonderful! They showed us so much love, and as we gave them candy they were so happy and thankful. They were around us and they didn’t know how to say thank you enough. The school began with few kids, but the church’s leadership did not quit. Their vision included winning the kids and their parents to the Lord. It was the leadership’s perseverance, by trusting in God, which increased the school membership to a great number of students. This happened because they believed God. Today the school has over 350 students and most of the parents have come to know the Lord. The Bible clearly says: “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6).
We know that God has a burning desire for the children. I noticed how the school impacted the church, and through the children they are winning families for God. In the school the students and teachers wear uniforms. These uniforms are provided by the church. It was amazing to learn that their own members make all the uniforms. The children spend most of the day in the same classroom, but they are allowed to change classrooms when studying in the computer room. The school has about 7 computers that are not up-to-date, but are good enough for training. Teachers are dedicated to the children and ministry, and it shows by the amount of pride they take in all they do.
The children are so eager to show the things they have accomplished in the classrooms. Two of the teachers were students of the school at one time, now they are serving the church and the community. What an awesome report! The school has a system of rewarding students and teachers. Everyone who achieves and produces fruit receives a gift known to them as “galardon”. I am excited to share with you that our own ministry (Innermost-Fire Ministry) donated to the Manta Ministry tithes from our 2nd Quarter Tithe Funds. The pastor in Ecuador used these funds to purchase these special rewarding gifts. We are excited to sow in good ground. Our church members are delighted to know that we have taken the time to bless other ministries.
The People of Ecuador are GIVERS!
It is amazing to experience love from people that you first come to know. That’s exactly what happened to us. In the hotel and in the church, everyone we met treated us in a special way. The day I preached during the Saturday service the pastor collected an offering for us, but it was given back. My Aunt Alicia talked to me about it, and we felt that we wanted to bless the people in every possible way. By doing so we knew that they could use the funds to help their ministry. During the week we had the opportunity to visit families out in the country. They shared with us the things they had grown from their farms. We received gifts and were blessed with farm goods. In one home they gave us three sacks of food. We were so excited to give these items to other families in the church.
Final Thoughts!
What I brought back from this trip? I brought back a thankful heart. I realize that many things I possess are blessings from God and sometimes I fail to acknowledge that. On the trip I saw people trusting God in their everyday situations. The pastor did not give up when his car was stolen, but his heart remained fixed by trusting in God. I saw the hand of God in the midst! The day we left the country we had the opportunity to see the pastor’s car returned to him. The people who stole it were not able to sale it or get rid of it. In fact, the law-breakers called the pastor and pleaded with him to come and pick up the car. You see, the enemy restored that which was stolen.
During this trip I saw people making sacrifices to attend church to worship God; many of them were hungry to hear the message of the gospel. In their lack I saw their strength to pursue happiness within their surroundings. In recent telephone conversations the pastor has shared that our visit to his church has blessed and helped many people. Praise to God for we are vessels used of God! Let all glory be given to God Almighty! I cannot thank you enough for keeping me in your prayers! The trip was challenging as we were not able to travel freely or openly as we are able to do in America. Your support and love made this trip a reality. Only God can truly know the impact that this trip made on the people of Manta in Ecuador. Please, keep them in your prayers, as they continue to face challenges while gathering many for the Kingdom of God.
Words cannot express my gratitude to you for your faithfulness to God. May God bless you in abundance! Thank you! Love you!
___________________
Elba Cortes-Maldonado