Belén came to Christ through a SIM youth camp in Ecuador.

Belén was the wild child in her family, a constant source of heartache for her parents. Her body was covered with piercings and body jewelry, and her room was full of paraphernalia for satanic rituals.

When we announced a Christian youth camp in Gonzanamá, southern Ecuador, her parents forced her to attend. Along with 32 other teens, she participated in a very full week.

Five Ecuadorians joined a team from the United States to run the camp. Activities included crazy games, crafts, basketball, first aid training, and Bible study. The Holy Spirit touched Belén’s heart, and she went home transformed, carrying her New Testament—a gift from the team.

The very day she arrived at home, she removed all her body jewelry and threw out all her satanic stuff. On Sunday, when we arrived for a Bible study with her mother, grandmother, and two aunts, she asked if she could join us. Her mother told us that already Belén had nearly finished reading the New Testament. She is only one of the 33 campers; we want to see God continue to work in the lives of all of them.

Paris and Paco, young men from Guayaquil (a large city on the coast of Ecuador, near the Peru border) were part of the camp team. They are now traveling to Gonzanamá once a month to help lead youth group events. We want to keep building bridges to the young people of this region.

Amanda, my co-worker, reminds me that we can impact two generations with God’s Word—both youth and children—as we seek to see change in the communities of southern Ecuador. Through these generations, God is laying the foundations for a vibrant church.

We also want to reach older people. We have held a weekly meeting in the nearby town of Portete for the last year and a half. This group started with one family and now it has grown to 15 adults and about 17 children. Recently a few teens have begun to attend as well, and several adults have put their faith in Christ. Another co-worker, Jason, is teaching the men how to teach the Bible.

Pray

• for Belén and the other young people who came to Christ during camp.
• for Amanda, Christine, and me as we work together to reach people of various ages.
• for the group in Portete to continue to grow strong in faith.