Dates:

January 17 – 27, 2019

Location:

Ecuador 

Ministers:

Markus Lohi, Big Lake, Minnesota 

Vesa Tahkola, Pattijoki, Finland 

Others:

Raija Tahkola, Pattijoki, Finland 

Translators:

Vesa & Raija Tahkola 

Marcelo Hernandez 

 Congregation Reports – by location: 

 

1. GuayaquilThe mutual prayer (Markus, Vesa translated) around the bed of Marianela’s mother was warm and comforting. After Mercedes had passed away, we understood and heard that the prayer and preaching of the gospel to Mercedes were a big comfort to her close ones. The services on Saturday were memory services for Mercedes. We gave flowers on behalf of the believers. Many, many tens of relatives, friends, coworkers came to honor the memory of Mercedes. She was in the open coffin in their living room. There were so many people that even the street was closed by cars on both sides of the Mite house so that the people were sitting on the street. We were able to support the Mite family to offer food to everybody. We discussed with many guests about death and the matters of faith. 

   Lodging in the house of Gladys and Alfredo was nice and the hospitality was great. Fortunately, we had a lot of time to visit with them. Alfredo spoke again to Vesa of his sister who is living in far eastern Ecuador. He would like to go there with ministers! Marcelo guided us to walk in Guayaquil. He also translated the Bible Class of Markus on Saturday. 

 

1. NaranjitoManuel welcomed us in a warm way. Vesa served and the people listened exactly. After the sermon they thanked us very much. A man kept a long food prayer in Spanish (and also in Quichua). All the service guests received delicious food.

   Milton was a very safe driver from Guayaquil—Naranjito—Balsapamba—Salinas—Riobamba—La Merced—Chiquicha—Quito. We discussed matters of faith a lot with Milton. 

 

1. BalsapambaWe visited Balsapamba after a night in a hotel in Babahoyo. Uvaldo was carried to sit on the terrace. He cannot walk but was speaking actively, laughed and listened to Markus’ sermon exactly. Julia seemed to be in good condition although she has skin cancer. They needed help because of their illnesses. We filled out HAC applications. 

 

 

1. SalinasWhen we drove up to Salinas, Markus got a headache. He took medicine and was better. Vesa had a headache and nausea and he couldn’t preach. Markus served and Raija translated. It was a nice situation and the people did not hurry away. One of the women asked for a prayer for her sick sister.  

 

 

1. Riobamba and Hacienda La MercedThe next 4 nights were in Hotel Monte Carlo. The evenings of January 22 and 23 were at La Merced. More than 50 people were present on Tuesday. On Wednesday there were about 45 people. Milton exhorted them by very warm words to participate in Holy Communion and 30 people participated. Markus preached in Finnish, Vesa translated into Spanish, and Carolina translated into Quechua. All of us visited a lot with men and women. The feeling was very nice. 

   Alicia’s and Milton’s home: The family of Milton’s cousin and the grandmother (94 years old) were present. Grandma was Catholic and we discussed a long time with her about faith. 

   The recently translated Songs of Zion were sang powerfully without music. They liked them very much! 

 

 

1. ChiquichaSonia, Patricio, William and Elman participated. The gospel was preached. Vesa served.  

 

1. QuitoLodging, services, Bible Class, Holy Communion in Panizo Home. We sang many new songs and the service guests longed for the music. They liked them much! We filled out a HAC application for medicine for epilepsy for one woman. Good and long discussions. 

 

 

Humanitarian Aid: 

• 2 Humanitarian Aid requests were recorded on the HAC forms.  
• One application for Julia and Uvaldo in Balsabamba. 

• One application for Janed in Quito (epilepsy). 
• Alfredo Hernandez in Guayaquil asked for Ibuprofen 200 mg and Ben Gay lotion. 

 

 

Action Items: 

• Pamela lost her Bible and would like another one. 

 

Recommendations: 

• Have the next missionaries check that their system is compatible with the projector cables. Markus ended up using his cell phone instead of a laptop as the cable didn’t fit his laptop. They found some adapters from a store but for some reason the projector still didn’t work with the laptop. With the cell phone it worked just fine.  

 

 

General Observations:

We really experienced that here in Ecuador is a little flock of God’s children who are spread over all the country! They are like a flock without the Shepherd when they have no servant of the Word. Markus, Vesa and Raija listened very exactly to the speeches of Milton during the services and long driving. The same way we discussed in a deep way of Alex Panizo of the matters of faith. They both live in the right way. Our mutual idea and hope, even revelation of spirit, is that they both will be set to be ministers at the same time. Thus they may support each other in this responsible duty.