Introduction: This is a summary of evangelistic work being done in Ecuador, and in the city of Machala, in particular. The Church of Christ ("La Iglesia de Cristo") in Machala consists of about thirty souls. Their present meeting place is a commercial building in the business district. The local preacher there is Elias Davila. This report also includes notes from my recent trip and an appeal for assistance for Elias and for the church in Machala. I encourage each of you who read this to consider the work and the need carefully and prayerfully. ....Olen Britnell
The Mission Field: Ecuador lies on the western coast of South America, at the equator. It's a country of about 13 million people, composed mainly of people of Spanish descent and mixtures, descendants of the Incas, and descendants of slaves in the coastal region around Esmeraldas. Quito, the capital, is nestled in a valley between two ridges of the Andes mountains, and sits at an elevation of over 9000 feet. Among the Andean peaks, there are several active volcanos, including Cotapaxi, the highest active volcano in the world. The highest peaks exceed 20,000 feet. Guayaquil, on the coast, is the major shipping and commercial region. Machala, on the coast farther to the south, is also an important port. With extensive plantations all around, Machala is the "banana capital of the world".
Background: For four or five years, I have been in contact with Reid Braswell, a gospel preacher who lives in Bogota, Colombia, and works with the churches in both Colombia and Ecuador. Reid has worked in the Latin American countries for over twenty years. About two years ago, he introduced me to the work of Elias Davila in Machala, Ecuador. Elias has been preaching for about sixteen years. He works with the only church of our brethren in Machala, a city of 200,000. Reid has encouraged me to visit that work for some time, and I finally made the trip in early September of 2004. I travelled to Quito, where I met Reid and David Quinatoa, a young gospel preacher from Ambato. We flew together to Guayaquil, and from there drove a rental car to Machala.
Visiting Machala: During the visit, Reid taught three or four classes, I spoke to the church twice (with Reid translating for me), we visited in the home of Elias and Ines on two occasions, and we spent some additional time with various ones of the church.
The church in Machala is small, but they have a wonderful attitude toward the Lord and their responsibilities and opportunities. See more details in the link "Machala Church".
Assistance is needed for both the church and for Elias and his family. And more details about specific needs are provided in the link "I will help!"
Can you help?..... Will you help?..... For details, go to the "I will help!" link.