I will be going back to Ecuador in Feb 2021 for a few weeks but here is the story so far
|
Pan De Vida - Ecuador
Over the summer of 2016 I had the chance to go out with a team of people on a mission to Ecuador from Fulwood Free Methodist Church and a family from our church. This was my first time away from my family and also abroad. A few months before we went there was a very big earthquake in which many people lost they lives and there homes The 2016 Ecuador earthquake occurred on April 16 at 18:58:37 ECT with a moment magnitude At least 676 people were killed and 16,600 people injured |
|
When we got there very early in the morning we only had a few hours to sleep before it was breakfast and then we went to the centre to get introduce to Oscar who set up Pan De Vida with his wife
We then went to see some families who were helped by the team who went out a few years ago when there did some building work
We then went to see some families who were helped by the team who went out a few years ago when there did some building work
Pan De Vida which simply means the bread of life helps and support the poorest of the poor in Quito and the surrounding area in
feeding
loving
serving
Prayer
hit squad and much more
We had the wonderful privilege to be involved in being part of the hit squad team at a ladies house who lives with her dad called Norma and we did some building work each morning
We did a older children's holiday club everyday and our theme was Journey's with Jesus leading up to the journey to the cross
feeding
loving
serving
Prayer
hit squad and much more
We had the wonderful privilege to be involved in being part of the hit squad team at a ladies house who lives with her dad called Norma and we did some building work each morning
We did a older children's holiday club everyday and our theme was Journey's with Jesus leading up to the journey to the cross
We also prepared food and gave food out to many people who come off the streets and then we went to the earthquake area and visited four towns who was badly damaged over 600 people died many were Physically, Mentally, and in need of love and care and we gave out clothes food toys and many other things and spent time Praying with them one by one and showing them love
during this time we took ten children who come to Pan De Vida centre to the coast for a few days to be taught more about God amazing love and we were able to take them to were the earthquake happened to meet people and they helped to translate for us and for a treat we all went to the beach for a day and for me that was such a real blessing and joy in many ways that I will never forget
during this time we took ten children who come to Pan De Vida centre to the coast for a few days to be taught more about God amazing love and we were able to take them to were the earthquake happened to meet people and they helped to translate for us and for a treat we all went to the beach for a day and for me that was such a real blessing and joy in many ways that I will never forget
|
Oscars Story - how Pan De Vida Started
In 2000, Ecuador went through an economic crisis that brought serious financial hardships to many Ecuadorians. Oscar noted an increase in the number of beggars at the gate of the church he was attending and this weighed heavy on his heart. As Christians we are called to reach out to the poor, starting with those who live right around us. One day while Oscar was leaving church, he met Juan Alpapucho, a 12-year-old shoe shine boy who approached him asking to shine his shoes for a quarter. He agreed and while he was getting his shoes shined, the Lord spoke to Oscar showing him that He had given Oscar so much, an education, a good job, but that here at his feet sat a poor boy who was just trying to make enough money to eat that day. Oscar suddenly felt very ashamed. Oscar invited him to breakfast at a nearby bakery. Juan first refused to enter, saying the clerk would chase him out as street children aren’t allowed to enter the shop, but they walked in together and for fifty cents, Juan had breakfast. |
|
Oscar promised him a Bible if he came next week. Juan did come and brought three buddies with him! Once again, they all headed down to the bakery and as they got their bread, one of them prayed for Oscar and thanked God for his kindness in buying them bread, and something happened in Oscar’s heart. He knew the Lord was asking him to reach out to the poor.
He approached his church board asking for help in starting a feeding program for the area’s poorest on Sunday mornings. He was given time in the pulpit to ask for volunteers. Ten people from different business and missionary backgrounds responded to his request. On February 4th, 2001, Pan de Vida held its first meeting in the driveway of a missionary. They served a simple meal of scrambled eggs and ham, rice, a banana, and a piece of bread and glass of milk. They sang some songs and shared a Bible message.
Today, Pan de Vida has grown to serve over 1600 persons on a monthly basis through a hot meal, the Word of God, medical assistance, a micro business program, and much more. We have seen the impact the Word of God has made on hundreds of lives, some of our families have even been able to “graduate” from our program as they have turned their lives around, found employment, and no longer needed the assistance as before.
http://www.pandevida.org.ec/
He approached his church board asking for help in starting a feeding program for the area’s poorest on Sunday mornings. He was given time in the pulpit to ask for volunteers. Ten people from different business and missionary backgrounds responded to his request. On February 4th, 2001, Pan de Vida held its first meeting in the driveway of a missionary. They served a simple meal of scrambled eggs and ham, rice, a banana, and a piece of bread and glass of milk. They sang some songs and shared a Bible message.
Today, Pan de Vida has grown to serve over 1600 persons on a monthly basis through a hot meal, the Word of God, medical assistance, a micro business program, and much more. We have seen the impact the Word of God has made on hundreds of lives, some of our families have even been able to “graduate” from our program as they have turned their lives around, found employment, and no longer needed the assistance as before.
http://www.pandevida.org.ec/