Thank you to all of our donors who continue to bless this mission with your support. Each year our organization is able to increase the amount of aid that we send to our partner church. This in turn enables Linaje Del Rey to not only continue their current ministries and outreach programs, but also to start new ones allowing them to help more people improve their lives and receive the message of salvation. Here are some of this year’s highlights so far showing how your financial support and prayers directly impact those in need.
Our partner church held its annual Christmas/Hanukkah party in December and it was a big success thanks to the continued support of our donors and the dedication of Pastor Ruben and his congregation. Every year Linaje Del Rey holds this gift giving celebration to help disadvantaged children and their families experience the joy of the season and the good news of Jesus’ birth. This gathering is a blessing to many children each year and is made possible because of your continued support.
Pastor Ruben and his congregation love being able to help people, especially children and this year Linaje Del Rey has had some new opportunities to reach more kids and their families. This winter our partner church partnered with one of their sister churches to host a dinner and gift giving for local children with disabilities. This was an opportunity for these children and their families to come together to celebrate the Christmas season and celebrate life. The children were excited to have some time in the spotlight and their families were grateful to have the support of the churches. This is an event that Pastor Ruben and his church wish to be part of again in the coming year.
Linaje Del Rey has also been reaching out to children and their families by getting involved with La Pila. Every Sunday members of Pastor Ruben’s church take prepared food such as sandwiches and fresh fruit to children at La Pila. The children learn about Jesus, have a nutritious snack and play games. This past Sunday 60 kids showed up and the church is hoping for even more to become part of this new program.
Ecuador, due to its geographical location and economic set up often faces times of food shortages, property damage and financial hardship. During the fall, there was a food shortage related to the government’s cancellation of a fuel subsidy. As the cost of fuel increased there was a decrease in the transportation of food to stores since funds were very limited and the demand for food and fuel were both high. Tensions rose as can often happen during times of unrest so Pastor Ruben and his church took action and supplied food for families in need during this shortage and in doing so helped keep people calm until the situation could be resolved.
Linaje Del Rey continues to assist the medical needs of the congregation and community. Early this year our partner church was able to use funds to purchase a nebulizer for an elderly gentleman in the congregation. He was having trouble breathing and could not afford this very necessary device. Thanks to your donations the church was able to make this a possibility and now this man no longer has to worry about the health risks that come from having continual respiratory issues.
Our partner church also continues to help local small business owners get their start so that they can become independent and productive members of the community and hopefully one day be in a position to help someone else in need. The woman above started a small business in her house making and selling homemade preserves so that she could support herself and her two young daughters.
However, her refrigerator stopped working throwing a wrench into the works and slowing up production. Since she did not have enough money to have the refrigerator repaired or replaced, she had to make due without one for a long time. Linaje Del Rey heard about the situation and paid for the repairs. Now the refrigerator runs like new and this business owner is back to work in full force doing what she loves and providing for her family.
The church’s Awana program is now on its fourth year and going strong. Part of Pastor Ruben’s vision is to focus on helping children and young people learn about Jesus and use this knowledge to better their lives. Awanas has a strong emphasis on team work and fellowship. It also encourages children to develop a strong relationship with Christ. Team leaders often split the kids into small groups to study, play games, worship and pray.
Your donations make it possible for our partner church to continue this children’s ministry and each year that it continues the church is able to bring more children to Jesus and to give them hope for a bright future. The young boy on the left in the blue shirt was able to get a hearing aid last year because of donations received. Now he is able to get more enjoyment out of Awanas and interact more with those around him.
Linaje Del Rey Church believes strongly in the power of prayer and worship. The congregation knows that God brings healing and guidance so when they found out that this woman was very ill and in the hospital, they prayed over her and asked God to heal her of the oppressive illness. Now she is free of the ailment and praising God for his power and healing.
Our partner church also believes that during hard times it is important to meet people’s spiritual needs as well as their physical needs. Starting in late 2018, there was an uprising in the number of Venezuelans fleeing Venezuela because of political unrest and crossing into Ecuador to find aid. Pastor Ruben and his congregation felt called to do what they could to help the growing crowds of people seeking safety and stability.
Thanks to your continued support, members of Linaje Del Rey headed to the streets to bring food and water to the Venezuelans in need. While bringing supplies, the church members also brought the message of Jesus, praying with the groups of people and bringing many to salvation. Pastor Ruben knows that this may be a ministry which will require resources for some time. As the number of Venezuelans entering Ecuador increases, the availability of supplies may decrease and costs may increase causing an increase of need among the Ecuadorian people.
Ecuador also has seasons of heavy rain which can cause detrimental flooding. So far this year, Ecuador has already had two major floods which caused many areas to be dangerous and supplies to be limited. Despite their own struggles though the church and community strive to continue to give aid to others seeking aid.
Your generous support makes it possible for our partner church to continue their work helping others who are facing hardship to find hope and better their lives. Because of you, we are able to continually send aid to Linaje Del Rey who in turn takes this aid directly to the people who need and appreciate it the most. Thank you all again for making this mission possible and stayed tuned for updates on how your donations directly impact the lives of many.
