Posted in True Missionary Stories

The life of a missionary is rarely dull. We have gone into the Satan's backyard as it were to bring light to the darkness in people's lives here. You can be sure Satan doesn't just sit around and watch us! We have been witnesses to many interesting events as God begins to move in mighty ways among the people that come into our lives. Some of these events are stories that need to be told. This category, Missionary Stories, will attempt to do just that. These first few stories have been shared already in our newsletters so those who have been supporting us with prayer for a while will have read them. But you won't have seen the pictures! Enjoy!

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For months the church that meets in the house of Manuel had been travelling every weekend to the small rural community of Churute about 40-minutes outside of Guayaquil. Their purpose? To plant a church in this roadside town where Manuel owns a piece of property.

After fruitless weeks of door-to-door evangelism and doing everything they had been taught by us missionaries, the church was about ready to give up.

But then God stepped in to the situation.

Manuel owns a nice piece of land in Churute. By the carelessness of a neighbor, Manuel's land was set on fire burning everything to the ground including his valued Mango trees. The whole community was prepared for a tense confrontation, and possibly violence due to the indifference the neighbor "Don Carlos" had showed towards Manuel's property and his total economic loss.

Manuel was of course quite distraught by what had taken place and was unsure of how to proceed. Get the police involved? Sue the neighbor? Demand restitution? Confront the callous neighbor and give him a good tongue lashing? Before doing anything, Manuel decided to pray for a week seeking God's mind on how he should proceed.

Once the Lord had given him the answer and peace of mind, Manuel made a trip to Churute. Word quickly spread in the community that the "fireworks were about to begin."

Upon arrival, Manuel announced that he wanted to see "Don Carlos." Neighbors stirred, whispers ensued, and someone ran to get the man who had burned Manuel's field to ashes.

"Don Carlos" arrived expecting a confrontation. Before Manuel could say a word, "Don Carlos" began blurting out excuses and defending himself about what had happened. Manuel lowered his head, listened a while, then chuckled a bit and interrupted him in mid-sentence... "Oh that, don't worry about it...I realize it was an accident...could have happened to anybody...just be a little more careful next time... What I came to talk to you about today was that we were wanting to enlist your help in trying to get the whole community together to see a film we have. We were hoping you might help us with the refreshments and provide some bread and maybe something to drink for the kids so that it might be a good time for all. Think you could help?"

To say the least, "Don Carlos" was stumped and at a loss for words. All he managed was, "Of course...count on my help...when did you want to show the picture?"

A week later, the day came to go show the movie, but neither Manuel or anyone in their church had enough money for gas to be able to take the old car they use to mobilize themselves. As the time drew nearer for having to leave to get to Churute, they began praying that God would send them some gas money. Just in time, someone walked in off the street wanting to buy some tracts. They had some on hand and sold $5 worth. With the $5 they had enough gas to get to Churute and back!

Arriving towards evening, the whole community turned out for the film showing on the life of Christ (word had spread about what had happened between Manuel and "Don Carlos.") After showing the film, Manuel gave a short evangelistic message and an invitation for people to give their hearts to the Lord. EVERY PERSON PRESENT STOOD to their feet raising their hands towards heaven, praying aloud--including "Don Carlos!!!"

The long prayed-for church was born that evening in Churute. That evening the Light came to Churute. Jesus Christ was glorified as His church was planted in this tiny roadside community. A blip on the map overlooked by the world, but not forgotten by God.

P.S. What has happened since then in the past two years? There are now THREE other churches besides the one in Churute. Manuel is moving forward with his plans to have a church in all the neighboring towns!