César Trejo

Today, let me introduce you to César Trejo who lives on the island of Muisne in northwest Ecuador. I first met César in 2000 when I went with an evangelistic team to do ministry in Muisne and immediately noticed that he had amblyopia, or a lazy eye.

Several years later, a group of prayer warriors at Chinese Grace Bible Church in Sacramento, CA (my home church!) provided the money for César to have much needed surgery because of the amblyopia. This picture of César was taken a couple of years ago, but you can tell that the surgery was a success. Thank you, Lord!

Now almost 15 years old, César has outgrown his glasses and is in need of new pair. The recommended frame which is totally flexible (rather important for an active 15-year-old!) and lenses comes to $225. If you would like to donate to help César get his new glasses, please let me know. He and his family will be most appreciative, I know.

God's answering our prayers!

In my February 1 blog I told you about "Vertical Limit", the new youth group at church. I told you about Samuel Zarria, my co-leader, and the fact that most of the youth that come are his classmates. I also asked you to pray for sensitivity to the needs of the group.

Thanks a lot for praying! God is moving and constantly opening doors for Sam and I to minister to his classmates and family. Two weeks ago we had the opportunity to clearly present the Plan of Salvation to four of his friends. None made a decision, but the seed is planted. Please keep praying!

Four are having some pretty serious relational problems with their parents and three of them have sought out help from Sam. Tomorrow he and I will meet with one of their mothers who is seeking advice. God's Holy Spirit is moving because you prayed. Thanks a bunch. Please keep praying.

The photo: In November, Samuel was one of the actors in a new radio series of short-format programs in Spanish being produced by Hope for the Heart Ministries. Here's a photo of him in the studio during the recording. Pretty cool, huh?

Nube Vogan - Waves of Hope Radio

Nube Vogan and her husband are missionaries with OMS - One Mission Society and serve with Waves of Hope Radio in Loja, Ecuador. Nube came to Quito for a 2-week internship as part of our personalized training core. Here are her thoughts after completing her time with us:

"I thank God for the giving me the blessing of being at HCJB for two weeks for the internship in radio news. I enjoy learning, seeing and collecting all of the information that can serve us in Waves of Hope Radio. This way we will improve professionally without putting to one side, not even for a moment, the passion for showing our listeners the love and power of God. I’m very thankful to HCJB for opening up this form of training which is a great blessing for me.

I will go back to Loja with a challenge: to be more professional every day, not forsaking my passion to talk about God’s love and to continue preparing myself at every opportunity. Recently I have come to understand what a privilege it is to serve God by way of radio, the responsibility for the way I do so and for each word that I speak."

Please pray for the Vogans in their ministry through Waves of Hope Radio.

Pantasma - Nicaragua

In February 2007, we did a radio training seminar for the staff and volunteers of about 7 small radio stations in northern Nicaragua. Armando Zerón, who at the time was a producer at the Evangelical Voice of Honduras, was the other trainer with me. We met, trained and slept at what is now a retreat center run by the provincial government. However, it formerly an operational center by the opposition government during the civil war days in Nicaragua!

Colleagues from Perú

Our training programs also include a 1- or 2-week personalized training, run much like an internship. In September 2009, three colleagues from a future Christian radio station in Chazuta, Perú came to Ecuador to participate in this program.

In this picture, they're seen with Carlos Salgar and his wife, Gabriela. Carlos is a Christian recording artist from Colombia who uses music to tell much of his personal story of his Christian walk.

Christian Briones

You actually met Christian Briones and his brother in last Saturday's blog. But today is Christian's 15th birthday, so he's here again.

I first met Christian during HCJB-2's annual sharathon in December 2008. (The picture is me interviewing him then.) I didn't know his story then, but God really placed a burden on my heart to pray for him. I later met his younger brother, Kevin. I've been praying for both of them constantly.

Even though none of us can physically be with Christian for his birthday today, we can all be with him spiritually. Please join me in praying for him. That in spite of all that he has experienced in his life, God would be so real to him today and that he would sense God's spirit and our love through prayer.

Happy birthday, buddy! ¡Que viva el cumpleañero!

Spotlight Listeners Club

The Spotlight Listeners Club meets tonight at Quito's English Fellowship Church. Spotlight is a specialized English radio program that is being used by many Ecuadorians to improve their English. In late 2002, the Listeners Club component was added which allows for conversation with native English speakers and open doors to share the Gospel. In this photo from 2004, Jeff Ingram facilitates his small group.

By the way, all of the Listener Club materials are available on HCJB's website so that your church can use them to reach out to non-English speakers in your community.