"I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me" (Galatians 2:20).

Abide in Christ presents evangelism conferences in Ecuador with the emphasis on teaching personal evangelism to Quechua pastors and leaders.

August 6-13, 2011 we concentrated on the town town of Laguna San Martin which sits 11,200 feet above sea level across from Mt. Altar with its eternal snow glistening in the sun. The Land of Canaan Evangelical Church has a vibrant witness in this community. Wil taught evangelism workshops here, and Dr. John Howell, Don Dumas and Carl Mason went door to door with leaders from the church sharing Christ. Wil also took class members witnessing as part of the practical training during the workshop. In two days there were 50 decisions for Christ. The next two days were spent in Santa Ana, at 11,700 feet, where there is a new evangelical work, another 29 people made decisions for Christ. The class members and these three Christian men from the U.S. distributed over 250 New Testaments in these two locations. Since the trip there have been many more decisions for Christ as these local churches put into practice practical principles of witnessing.

Here is Dr. JOHN Howell's report.

Don Dumas, Carl Mason and myself  had the privilege of joining Bro. Wil Pounds for a week of evangelism in the mountains of Ecuador in early August 2011.  The cool temperatures were a welcome relief to the scorching Arkansas heat. 

Due to the late night arrival into Quito, we spent the night at the Radio HCJB's Guest House and departed early the following morning to Riobamba.  Pastor Julio and his son, Edwin met us in Quito.  Arriving in Riobamba we had an opportunity to meet our translators for the week and share time getting to know one another before the evening worship service.

Beauty filled the skies as the sun rose over the mountains early Monday morning.  We drove up into the mountains to the community of Laguna San Martin.  As Wil began his teaching, we headed out with our translators, sharing the gospel to those at home and working in the fertile fields.  The fertile soil which we found many people were cultivating by hand pointed to their fertile hearts God had been cultivating before we arrived.  What a blessing to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with such a beautiful people in an area where Christianity is less than 50 years old. 

The Quechua's are quite and somewhat reserved but at the same time open to listening and receptive to our presence.  Always dressed modestly with the ladies wearing their hats topping their long straight black hair.  Bright colored clothing identified the culture with the beauty of the landscape.  Men wore ponchos to give them comfort from the mountain chill.  Men and women wore black rubber boots like the ones my grandparents wore while farming.

At the first of the week, a 14 yr. old boy decided to go along with my translator and I.  The young Quechua seemed as though he was on a mission to go to specific houses.  He led us to a field where a young Quechua man and his wife were cultivating their small plot of land with hoes.  Their two young children were there with them as they worked.  Dedicated to their work they paused long enough to hear the gospel and both accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. 

The young lad led us uphill and beyond all the houses.   I could not understand why we were passing all the houses but he appeared to be on a mission.  After what seems to be several miles, but was only a few hundred yards, the young man headed across the road ditch and up an embankment.   We topped a hill and there were 4 or 5 small houses.  A young lady was standing outside by one of the houses.  We shared the gospel with her and she accepted Christ.  This was our young  guide's 18 year old cousin.  No one else was home at the other houses.

That day God used a 14 year old boy to direct our path to the hearts He had prepared.

Don Dumas and I met a lady in an area where they had begun a home church.  They have 12 people attending the church but only one Bible.  We left the lady enough Gideon PWT’s so each person could have their own.

High is the Andes Mountains we spent a week observing God at work in the hearts and lives of the beautiful Quichua Indians.   Glory to God!

John Howell

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Don Dumas witnessing to Quichua woman in Laguna San Martin, Ecuador.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Land of Canaan Evangelical Church at Laguna San Martin, Chimborazo Province, Ecuador.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Wil Pounds translating for Carl Mason at Genesis Evangelical Church, Riobamba, Ecuador.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quichua believers at Santa Ana, Chimborazo Province, Ecuador

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jesus the Good Shepherd Evangelical Church, Santa Ana, Chimborazo, Ecuador