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Between Here and There: Partnering in Ecuador

Geoff Williams, Director of Missionary Mobilization

Bob Trout and I were traveling with Juan and Fernando Moncayo to visit the Moncayos’ ministry in La Travesia, Ecuador. As we drove into the village we were joyfully welcomed. A few people began to run after us, so Juan got out of the car to walk rather than ride. Kids ran to give him hugs. People waved from their homes and shouted, “Moncayo!” One little girl jumped up into Juan’s arms.

Juan Moncayo and a friend

As we turned in the gate we saw many more people waiting and cheering. There were at least 120 people already at the Moncayos’ house, a bamboo and wood home that is elevated off of the ground and topped with a palm roof. A service of sorts immediately took place as the children and adults began to sing and pray. Then the Moncayos reminded the crowd of the Bible story they taught on their last visit to La Travesia. 

It was just over a year ago when I met Juan Moncayo at a Christian college in the United States. It was obvious from our first meeting that Juan is a unique individual. From meeting with him regularly, I learned about his family and his burden for his people.  

Juan’s father, Fernando, works for the Central Bank, his sister studies at the university, and his brother is finishing high school. A few years ago, the family received an unusual blessing.

Fernando had a friend who spoke of coastal Ecuador as an impressive place to hold a family retreat. The two discussed the idea of having a vacation home to enjoy together, and Juan’s mother, Delila, also liked the idea. 

Fernando and Juan set out on a trip to an area called La Travesia (the traverse, as in “between one place and another”) along the coastal highway. They stopped to look at a house on a spectacular cliff overlooking the pristine waters of the Pacific. Fernando shrugged off the dream of buying the property, since it was not for sale. Juan prayed that God would provide, confident that this was the property they should have.

Several months later, Fernando received a phone call from a property owner. “Senior Fernando, I understand you are interested in buying some land in the area of La Travesia. I have a lot for sale.” Without seeing the site, Fernando negotiated for a small rustic house and approximately 65,000 square feet of property.

Excited about their purchase of a vacation home, the entire Moncayo family set out to La Travesia. As they approached the area, their car suddenly broke down, and they continued their journey by bus. Just outside the village of La Travesia they were dropped off to continue by foot. 

With bags in hand, they began walking down the dusty road. The townspeople greeted them warmly and even carried their bags. The Moncayos asked the villagers which way they should go to find their new property, and when they arrived at the site, they found, to their amazement, that the land Fernando had purchased was the very land that they had dreamed of and that Juan had prayed for. 

The sovereignty of God proved to be marvelous, for since they arrived on foot, rather than by car, they began relationships with the people of La Travesia and were struck by their need for the gospel. Fernando said, “If it were not for our car breaking down, we certainly would not have been introduced to these people the way God intended.”

Sadly, the people of La Travesia are unfamiliar with Jesus or the salvation He provides. The children go to a local public school and are learning to read and write, but most adults are illiterate. This poor fishing community is in a rustic area of coastal desert, with no running water, no phones, and no Internet, though they do have two bars. There is a Roman Catholic Church building, but there is no priest and no religious services are held.  

After befriending the people of La Travesia, the Moncayos realized that the property the Lord had given them should also be used for ministry and not just as a vacation home. The entire family began to participate in outreach on every trip and over every long weekend. They prepared songs, music, drama, puppets, and Bible stories, and the children, mothers, and a few men of La Travesia would come at every opportunity. The thought of their property being a vacation home disappeared as the vision of a church plant began to thrive in the hearts of the Moncayos.

Marvelously, another call came to Fernando. “Senior Moncayo, the social security fund of Ecuador owes you money.” As God would have it, the amount turned out to be just over the purchase price of the land, and the Moncayos were able to pay off the debt.

As Bob and I watched the Moncayos minister to so many people in their home, we were blessed and inspired. As a family effort, they are proclaiming the gospel to those who need Christ—and many are open to it. The Moncayos felt a burden and chose to be obedient witnesses for Christ, and they have experienced God’s amazing provision and blessing.

The Moncayos want to buy a second piece of property in La Travesia. They have a vision to not only plant a church but also to establish a place to train the people to reach out to surrounding towns along “the traverse from here to there.”

ABWE is committed to partnering with national believers, and this is one example of a ministry where it makes sense for us to be involved—not to lead, but to serve; not to control, but to assist. God can use missionaries who will be willing to work in coastal Ecuador, to learn from the Moncayos, proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ, and train Ecuadorian leaders.

As we walked together in Ecuador, Juan made a memorable statement. “Everyone talks about being willing to die for Christ,” he said. “But how many are willing to live for Him?”

Will you be one to live for Christ in coastal Ecuador?

If you would like to know more information about this or other opportunities to serve in missions, click here or contact the Mobilization Team at 1-877-M-ENLIST.