A Work of God

We have completed day three and truly sense that God is at work here in the city of Puembo, Ecuador. The dental ministry has been a great blessing to the people. Today more than 30 people were seen and assisted with dental needs. Each day God has provided the opportunity to not only minister through dentistry but open the door to share the gospel. The opportunity to share the gospel during this time has led to the formation of a Bible study in a nearby home. The people who are coming are already asking when we will be back. During the morning time David (translator) and I (Brad) were able to go out into the community and do some street evangelism. We had the opportunity to share the gospel with three individuals. This is a difficult task because the people of have difficulty understanding the significance of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. They have heard of him and read about him but seem to place more emphasis in their Bible reading or praying for a relationship with God rather than trusting in Jesus Christ. Our VBS time this afternoon went really well. Over 40 children once again gathered in the colisieum for a time of games, a story, and a craft. Today, David (the translator) told the story of salvation by using the beaded bracelet (black = sin, red = blood, white=Jesus, etc...). The children seem to enjoy time we spend with them. The most exciting part of this time was seeing Pastor Disandro, a local pastor in the area, visit with four women during and after the VBS session. Following the VBS session these women each made a profession of faith in Jesus Christ. The most disappointing aspect of the day was there was no Bible study. We had moved the time forward and told the children to go home and tell their parents to come to the colisieum for a Bible study. However, no one returned. Nevertheless, the group as a whole believe that God is truly at work in this area. Please pray for the people of Puembo, the new home Bible study, and God's continued work in this community. From left to right the pictures above are: the children at the colisieum preparing for the Bible story, the suitcase filled with over 200 toothbrushes, Pastor Brad and David sharing the gospel, Dr. Benning working on the teeth of a young girl, and Marjorie Hawkins holding one of the young visitors at the dental ministry.