PCC Treasurer, Derek Holley, participated in a short term missions trip this July.

Faith Baptist Church Ecuador Trip

On Wednesday July 25th, a group of 19 people from Faith Baptist Church in Corona, NY departed on a two-week missions trip to work with a small church in Quito, Ecuador.  This diverse group ranged in age from 16 to "50 something" and included people of Indian, Colombian, Ecuadorian, Philipino, Puerto Rican and Dominican heritage as well as Black and White Americans. 

Embarking on this trip caused us to rely on God since only three members of our team had ever been to Ecuador and only 6 team members were fluent in Spanish.  But God showed us that when we are without strength in ourselves, that is when He can really use us.  A great verse to summarize our trip is Ephesians 3:20 "Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,".

Our ministry included Vacation Bible School - 5 days, Teen outreach at a local park - 2 Saturdays, feeding homeless people at a bus terminal - 1 day, street preaching - 5 days, leading Sunday service and Sunday school at our host church - 2 Sundays, and children's meetings in a local park - 3 days.  Our Pastor had an opportunity to teach the book of Ephesians and Homiletics to a group of 50 pastors and 100 lay people over seven nights.  We also had a great opportunity to share the gospel with our bus driver and his family.

The people in Quito, Ecuador were hungry for the gospel.  Every where we went men and women, boys and girls wanted to hear the gospel and wanted to get saved.  We estimate that as many as 200 people got saved as a result of the ministry in Ecuador.  Praise God!!!!!!

As a team and as individuals God taught us so much about faith, missions and service.  While we wanted to be a blessing to the people in Ecuador, they ended being more of a blessing to us.  While the believers there may not have much materially, their love of God was a great testimony.  There is so much to do in Ecuador as the harvest is plenteous and the laborers are few.  We all left Ecuador wanting to do more.  God put it on the heart of a couple from our church to return to Ecuador and serve our host church as missionaries and our young people all would like to return next summer to continue the work.