A few pictures of the church and people involved.

Some of the group attending the church services/cell groups that are being held in the part of the building that is already complete.

Dirt pile outside the church facility, being brought in by bucket loads, used to even out the floor.

Some of the guys who are working at the church...the one in the yellow is Pastor Emanuel Nieto.

The mixture used to even out the floor before the cement will be laid.

Cutting rebar for the floor.

The land that will eventually be the sanctuary of the church.

The other day I was talking to Luis, we are both struggling with being apart, but we know that God has a great plan and that some day he will bring us together again, but for now he wants us both right where we are. I have been studying the book of Acts recently and that day I had been thinking of him and his friends, as they all work together and share what little they have with each other. One doesn't have money for food or a job to support his family but he can't paint beautifully, so he agreed to paint the part of the church that is already built, for free, just because he loves God, and has faith that God would take care of him. Someone else went and bought him a few groceries to help his family get by. As I read Acts, I came across several verses that speak to this same topic.

Acts 2:44-47 "And all those who had believed were together and had al things in common; ad they began selling thieir property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who where being saved. "

This particular verse really reminded me of this group. Every time I talk to Luis he is telling me of new people they come across that join them and eat with them, and ends up commiting to join the ministry and many who have strayed from God are being recovered and joing the cell group that takes place at the church currently. The fellowship together shar past struggles and are finding healing and joy together. They even recently went to visit another church in Ambato, a town in the mountains, that Pastor Emanuel has connections with and shared these same verses with them. Several came forward and donated what they could to the church! God is moving in such amazing ways to construct His temple and minister to His people. He is strengthing their faith daily! It is so good to see God moving in the same ways written about in the Bible.

Another passage that I shared with Luis was, Acts 4:32-35 "And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them. And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all. For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales and lay them at the apostles feet, and they would be distrubuted to each as any had need."

These two passages lead several of those involved to give to the work of God. Last night several of them returned to Ambato and another soul was lead to Christ. Praise God! God is moving in such a mighty way, I am honored to be a witness to His work.

Please continue to pray!

• Pray for those men involved in the construction and in outreach, that they would remain focused on God and not let Satan get a foothold in their minds or hearts.
• Pray for Pastor Emanuel and his health, he has been hospitalized at least twice in the last month for parasites.
• Pray for needs to be met both for those who are helping with the project and for the needs of the project itself.
• Pray for strength in opposition.

Iglesia Manatiales de Agua Viva (Beginnings)

This is the story of the new church plant's beginnings in Guayaquil, Ecuador, as told by my husband Luis Castro.


One time the Pastor, Emanuel Nieto told me, "Luis Enrique, God has given my wife a vision for us to build a church, and that we should look for the location on three streets of the city. 1. Via Francisco de Orellana, 2. Via a Daule, 3. Via Perimetral." So Pastor Emanuel and I went to look but found nothing. The next day the pastor and his wife were coming home from a hospital called Universitario, where the pastor's wife, Germany Maribel, works. Almost in front of the hospital there was a sign saying that there was a house for sale, so they went to see about it, but someone near by said that the house was no longer for sale, because they were already in the process of buying it, so the pastor and his wife left.


The next day, the Germany Maribel and a friend from work were passing by again, and at the same house they could just barely see a phone number that had been painted on the front of the house, the friend said, to pastor's wife, this is your house, so they took down the number to call later. When she saved the number to her phone, she saved it as "my house", as an act of faith.

The next day, Pastor Emanuel called about the house. He told the man that he was interested in the house and wanted to meet with him to discuss it. They met at the man's shop in the center of town and pastor asked how much the man wanted for the house and all the land, he wanted $8,000. Pastor said, "Ok well I will give you $6,000 for this house and all of the land. Look, the truth is this, I don't want anything for myself, its just that we want this land for a church, I would like you to just think about it." The man then agreed to sell the land to Pastor Emanuel for $6,000, becasue he too was a Christian.

Pastor was overjoy and agreed to bring the man $6,000 the following week, the only problem was that he had no idea where he would find that kind of money, but knowing that God had told them to buy land to build a church and where to look, Emanuel was sure that God would provide. He went home and told his wife about the situation that they were in, they prayed about it, and then she called her mother, asking her to sell of the portion of land that would be Maribel's inheritance, and give them the money to buy the church. The land was sold and the money paid, and there is now the beginnings of a new church in Guayaquil. God saved this land for His church and guided his servants to it. He paid the bill and little by little he is building His church and calling more and more servants to His work.

The church is called Iglesia Manantiales de Agua Viva - Fountains of Living Water Church. More to come later on the progress being made and those needs that still must be met. We would greatly appreciate your prayers for this new ministry, there is a great need in the area and the sooner we get things done the better, but we can't do it without God!