Open Doors in Esmeraldas
A plea for help rushes a health care team into a far-removed community.
Don Carlos was a man on a mission. In fact, he was so impressed by what he heard at our health brigade that he asked our team if we would be willing to travel to a certain small town and conduct the same type of meeting. He explained that in the province of Esmeraldas, there is a very neglected community due to its remoteness and limited access to any main city. Many of its residents are incredibly poor and have no access to any kind of health care.
Don Carlos was so eager and urgent in his appeal that we decided to schedule the meetings in less than a month’s time. During our three days in this community, we talked about the laws of health, offered medical and dental care and discussed dental health. We also offered free haircuts, facials, therapeutic massages, and cooking and nutrition workshops. Each day ended with a spiritual talk to draw people’s minds heavenward.
We quickly saw that this community has great needs in the areas of health and nutrition. Thanks to sugary sweets and poor oral hygiene, many of the children have rotten teeth. Adults are destroying their bodies through the indulgence of harmful addictive substances. Unclean animal food is weakening their vital power, and as a result, diseases of every kind are bringing death and sickness into this small place. However, the area has great potential for the gospel work, as many people are open to learning more about the Bible.
Once the three days were up, some of the attendees asked us to return so that they could learn more about living a healthy lifestyle. To our delight, approximately 30 people were interested in receiving personal Bible studies in their homes!
We have learned that following up within the first two weeks after a health brigade is paramount for the reception of a Bible worker. There is only one Adventist family in the community, and they are willing to support the instructor with housing. All that they need now is a Bible worker.
Don Carlos, a sympathetic stranger who saw a need, begged for our help on behalf of this village. But we cannot impact it alone. Please pray for us as we go into the highways and byways of rural Ecuador. There are many people who have not yet had the opportunity to experience the joy of salvation that comes from knowing Jesus.
Location
Ecuador
Author
Fernando and Dr. Gaby Endara are the co-directors of the health brigade ministry in Ecuador.
How You Can Help
Pray for Dr. Gaby and Fernando as they use the health message to be the entering wedge in their communities.
Pray for Esmeraldas and the families who are learning more about the Bible. Pray that God will provide funds to support a Bible worker to do follow up.
Give. To help reach other souls through the health message, mark your donations “Ecuador Evangelism” and send to:
Mission Projects International
PO Box 237
Kirksville, MO 63501
To give securely online, visit:
www.missionspro.org/donate
Thank you! Your gifts sustain three Bible workers who are bringing God’s last warning to Ecuador. Thank you so much for your support!