Two hearts touched by God

From the first day Victor and Teresa attended a meeting of the Arenillas house churches, Victor had that friendly smile that made you want to get acquainted. He immediately manifested interest in the teaching of the Word. Teresa was more reserved, and she seldom smiled. Victor committed his life to Christ first. Teresa has told me that she would awaken at night and hear Victor praying for her out in the living room, asking God to help her surrender her heart to Him. In September 2008, they were one of four couples who got married in the third wedding ceremony held by the Arenillas house church.


At their baptism the following day, Teresa gave a short, honest testimony. She said, "I can't testify to God changing my life radically since I began to follow Him. I have not changed very much, but I want to. I am trusting God to change me." Clayton encouraged her that God was at work and would continue to transform her as she yielded to Him.



Today Victor is the main house church leader in Arenillas. In the following photo he stands beside his son Hoover who is leading the evening singing at a monthly joint service that all the area house church groups attend. Hoover has only been playing guitar for two years ago.



Teresa has been a strong support to Victor. Together they have visited acquaintances and unsaved family members, witnessing to their new life in Christ and doing home Bible studies. Their home is the scene of weekly meetings for the house church in La Libertad, their area of the city. Victor has a shepherd's heart and is willing to go wherever he senses someone wants to know God.

Teresa's personal mission field is the neighborhood children. Though she first thought she could not teach a class (she struggles to read), she decided she would do what she could to spread the Gospel to others. She visited the parents of families living nearby, and invited the children to come for Bible class on Saturday mornings.


Victor and Teresa purchased Bibles so the children could read from the Bible together and learn God's truth right out of The Book.


Though some parents did not want their children to receive religious training, their children slip over at meeting time and attend the study anyway. Teresa says, "I can't send them away if they come hungry to learn."


The class begins at 9:00. At our last visit to Arenillas, the children were beginning to arrive soon after 8:00. Teresa invited them in, and they sat quietly on the chairs, waiting for the time to begin. Teresa is willing to give the best she can, even though she has no fancy Sunday School materials or colorful books. And these days I see her smile often! Her whole face lights up and it is easy to see God's joy shining through.


The first Saturday of January, 2012 Victor and Teresa accompanied us for the first time to the annual assembly of the Mennonite churches of Ecuador. Here Teresa gives a brief testimony of what God is doing in Arenillas through the house church movement.


New Year's Day, 2012. The learning continues and challenges will always arise, but we are happy to see Victor and Teresa growing in their relationship with God and eagerly and joyfully serving Him as best they understand to do. And God is blessing them. We delight to call them brother and sister and work together with them in the special harvest field of Arenillas.