Missionaries in Ecuador

My name is Joy Anzalone, my husband and I are BBFI missionaries in Ecuador. We arrived in Ecuador on Feb. 11, 1991. For the first 13 years we were here, we worked in the capital city of Quito. The Lord started working in our hearts to make a move to the coast to the growing city of Manta. We moved here in July of 2002, and then went to the US for a year furlough that Dec. We just returned to Manta this past Jan. We had our first service on Feb. 6, and the Lord has blessed this new work! We have had a high of 104, on the Sunday after a "mini VBS", with the high on a reg. Sunday of 61! We are seeing souls saved and lives changed every week. I would like to share a story about one of those people.

About two weeks after our return to Manta from the US, Manuela, a sweet lady who helps me in our home, said, "Senora, I need to talk to you today, but not right now." I said, ok, and then proceeded to fret and worry about what she was going to talk to me about! I even had a conversation with the Lord, telling him how I didn't think it was fair the way everything was "going wrong"(our refrigerator wasn't working right, our water pump broke, and the car was having trouble!)and now I just "knew" that Manuela was going to quit, and here we were in a city, where wedidn't really know anyone, how were we going to find someone we could trust to help me at home!

Do you ever do that? Worry about stuff before you even know if there is a reason to worry?! Well later that day, Tony, my husband took my daughter and son out for alittle bit, and I was in the kitchen alone with Manuela. I said, you mentioned earlier that you needed to talk to me. She said, "yes, Senora, I need to know how I can know God!" In about 30 minutes, I was able to lead Manuela to Christ. That Sunday she was a church with her 2 sons, and since then her daughter has accepted the Lord, too! She came to church yesterday with a heavy heart. She is facing some very difficult problems, but we prayed together, after Sunday School, and she went up to the service with a smile on her face. After church she talked with my husband, and shared her situation, but shewasn't crying anymore. She said, Pastor, God is in control and he will provide a way through this!

I have many stories I could share about the way the Lord is working here in this new work. Please pray with us that he would establish a strong ministry here. He is also teaching me to trust him more everyday. I have been saved since I was 6 years old, and grew up in a Pastor's home. Still after over 30 years of being a child of God, I am still growing and learning everyday! I still get caught up in the "urgent" and forget to keep my eyes on the Lord. (Like worrying about all the stuff that was going wrong!)

The biggest thing I have missed since we moved to Manta, is the fellowship with other Missionaries. There are 3 BBFI missionary families in Quito, plus there are many other missionaries there! For 10 years I taught at the Alliance Academy (A MK school)and had many opportunites to build friendships with other Christian Ladies and be involved in Bible Studies in English, etc. I am so thankful for this website! What a blessing to "meet" other Christian Ladies and have the opportunity to interact with them. To share my prayer requests and concerns and know that there are Godly women reading and there to share what the Lord has laid on their hearts! My husband is a great "friend", but no matter how hard he tries, he just isn't a "girlfriend!" :-)

I am praying God's blessings on you today!

Joy