by Arlene Jonkman as referenced in Winter 2012

The child sponsorship programs continue to grow in Ecuador with the second phase opening up in a neighborhood called Malecon [mah-lay-cone’], the area in Quininde with the highest level of crime and prostitution. The state in which the children live in this community is unimaginable. They are at high risk of sexual and physical abuse and many of the children are not in school or are very behind in their studies. None of the homes have running water or bathrooms. Of all the homes visited, we have not found an intact family yet. In fact the majority of these children do not even live with their fathers or mothers. Many of the parents are in jail for drug trafficking and other crimes. Some of the children live inside the brothels where their mothers work.

Humanly speaking the work will be monumental and difficult. However, we have a real peace and confidence that God wants us to open the project here. For many years we have been praying for this community and asking God to show us what to do. With the help of Word & Deed and all its generous supporters we are now ready to embark on a new ministry in this community.

Three years ago we began to look for property as there is no rental property available. All the lots are very small (four square meters). There are no lawns and the dilapidated houses sit almost on top of each other, many of them built on poles hanging over the edge of the river. Several families live in each shack. The lots are too small to house a project that will feed and care for 100 children.

Last year a larger property with a large half built home on it suddenly went up for sale on the edge of this community. The property has a frontage of 14 square meters. We found out that one of the middle class residents in Quininde bought this property many years ago and started to build a home. However, he never finished it as he became disillusioned with the community. The place sat empty for almost 15 years and was completely overgrown with vegetation and garbage. The owner finally decided that he would never want to live in this community so he put it up for sale. He had it on the market for over a year with no offers. In November 2010, Dr. Yeny Agila de Penos, director of Mision San Lucas, found out where the owner lived and inquired about the property. When he heard what we wanted to use it for, he offered it to us for $15,000 US. However, we only had $11,000. We decided to pray, asking God to make his ways clear and help us to raise more funds if this was his will. In April the owner approached Dr. Yeny and offered the land to us for $11,000. In May the paperwork was signed. The municipal government then came out to put a value on the property for tax purposes. They estimated that with the two building structures and the large lot, the property was worth $47,000 dollars. We were all shocked. When the owner heard this he wanted to back out of the deal. Another buyer suddenly showed up and offered the owner much more than we could offer. He planned to build another brothel. It seemed that the sale was going to fall through and we would lose the property and worse yet, that another prostitution center would open. Dr. Yeny talked to the owner (who is not Christian) and pleaded with him not to sell it for another brothel. After many weeks of indecision on the part of the owner and much prayer on the part of us all, the owner phoned Dr. Yeny one morning and told her that he did not have peace. The property would go to the mission and at the agreed upon price of $11,000. God is so good.

The smaller building in the front will be renovated as a Dr office for Dr Yeni

This whole situation confirmed to us that God wants us to work in this community. It also gives us great peace to know that if this is what God wants, then he also plans to bless this work. Jesus is the light of the world! This is the only hope we have for this community. Please pray for us as we reach out to this community; pray for the safety of our workers and the children. Pray that the Lord would work mightily with his Holy Spirit regenerating the people in this community. If you have the means to sponsor a child from this community, please do so and cover this child with your unceasing prayers.

Fred and Arlene Jonkman are missionaries working in the Iglesia Reformada del Ecuador and in the Reformed Center of Theologial Studies of Ecuador.  Their ministry centers around Christian education and discipleship.