Pressing On
With Courage
By Rebecca Pazmiño, One Mission Society
Missionary Church Planter in Ecuador
Jhon Luis (pictured here with his mother) grew up in Chongón, Ecuador,
on the outskirts of Guayaquil. He experienced a difficult childhood. His father,
when he still lived at home, spent very little time with him and provided just the
minimum to survive. Jhon Luis was often frustrated by the lack of basic needs like
nutritious food and sufficient funds to get to school.
My husband Pablo and I began working in Chongón in 2013, and as we grew to
know the community better, our hearts ached for the lives torn apart by drug abuse,
teenage pregnancy, and broken homes. Agua Viva (Living Water), an OMS ministry in
Chongón, began as a women’s Bible study that later developed an active children’s
outreach and is now growing into a network of house churches.
When Jhon Luis attended an Agua Viva retreat at OMS’ Camp Pallatanga with his
mother and three of his seven siblings in 2017, his father met them with a beating when
they returned home. Not long after that, his father left for good, and it became even more
difficult to meet their family’s basic needs.
One thing his father did leave him was an innate talent for soccer. Through one
of the Agua Viva leaders, God provided a scholarship for training at a local
soccer school. Nonetheless, Jhon Luis looked for something more. A group
of boys who gathered to play soccer at a local park also had a different kind
of brotherhood. It turned out that they were a part of a gang. Jhon Luis was drawn
to them, and they encouraged him to join. Recklessly, he took the step but quickly
regretted it. He dropped out of school when it became too dangerous due to gang
feuds among the students.
There seemed to be no way out.
But his mother’s tearful, dedicated prayers prevailed. Her last name
is Guerrero, which means warrior, and she lives up to her name as
a prayer warrior! Through much pleading with the Lord, a way
opened up for Jhon Luis’ freedom. He miraculously raised the
$50 needed to be released from his commitment to the gang.
God also gave him a psalm, which reflected the freedom he felt:
O God, insolent men have risen up against me; a band of ruthless
men seeks my life, and they do not set you before them.
But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and
abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.
Turn to me and be gracious to me; give your strength to your servant,
and save the son of your maidservant.
Show me a sign of your favor, that those who hate me may see and be
put to shame because you, L ord , have helped me and comforted me.
.
–Psalm 86:14–17
In April 2019, Jhon Luis was baptized in his neighbor’s plastic pool. God continues to grow Agua Viva, and
Jhon Luis’ family actively serves in the Kids’ Club and in the house churches. The challenges continue as their
family struggles to stay afloat financially, but they keep pressing on with courage.
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