Jan. 2004

Dear Praying Friends,

The year of 2004 has come which means that 2003 has passed. It does not seem possible that another year is behind us. As Monoka and I look back over this past year we can see the hand of the Lord working here in Ecuador. God has been so good. May we share with you some of the victories we have seen.

For several years we have been praying that the Lord would open the door for a Bible Institute in Cangahua. Bro.Gary Janky and I have gone many times teaching Institute lessons but it was never on a full-time basis. This year the pastors came to me and asked if I would help them begin an Institute which they would teach in Quichua. What a joy to see this take place. We have 14 students that have been attending. If you would like to have a part in this new Bible Institute and the Lord would lay it on your heart, we could use $500.00 at this time to purchase the material for the classes. The Bible Institute, "Instituto Bautista Libro de Vida de Candelaria", has just finished another year and it has been a blessing to watch the students grow in their faith.

The mission, "Bíblica Bautista La Biblia Dice de Larcachaca de Cangahua", baptized 11 believers and we had the joy of giving each one of them a new Bible. Also we have watched as they have been working on their new church building and just a few weeks ago finished installing their roof. They are working now on painting and finishing the inside with a concrete floor. Also God has blessed "Iglesia Bautista Independiente La Victoria" located in Quito in many ways. We have seen growth in the church attendance, people saved and baptized, new floors put down, and a baptistery added.

We had the joy of having two work groups come down to help us this year. Both were a blessing to their brothers in Christ. We have heard so many times, "When are they returning?". We are praying that they can return and others will plan a short-term mission trip to Ecuador. It helps to strengthen the faith of everyone and gives a first hand look at the mission field. We would like to thank these two groups for helping on the new roof at the camp, painting, repairing, teaching, preaching and fellowshipping with our people. Only God knows how their labors will grow in the future. So we say "thank you" to the Faith Baptist Church of Zoar, Ohio and the First Baptist Church of Ashland, Ohio.

We have worked together on the camp and little by little we are seeing it take shape. We are looking forward to the day we can put it into full use. God has touched many lives through the camp ministry here at home where some have surrendered their lives for full-time ministry. Many of God’s faithful saints are praying for the same in Ecuador. We have been given an invitation to visit the pueblo "Los Reales" below the campgrounds. You can enter by horse, walking or by burro. We plan to take tracts and witness there.

There are many more things we could share but just wanted to thank each one who has prayed, given, or worked in any way with us to see God’s work done in Ecuador. Also we wanted you to rejoice with us in the Victories won!

Yours for Souls,

Ernie and Monoka Brown