This has been a wonderful trip. Every day brings new friends, new opportunities and new ideas for service. So much new information keeps flowing in that it is difficult to keep track of all of it.

For that reason, I want to go back and share a litle more about our time in Quito, Ecuador during the first couple days of our journey. Both Mike and I were moved by the ministry we visited there.

Pastor Juan Cardenas began a church in one of the poorest sections of Quito. The area is one of high crime. There is also the ubiquitious problem of drugs. Of course the area is also rife with prostitution, homelessness and street kids. Many refugees from Columbia also have come into this area of the city.

Inglesia Cristiana “El Camino” is a small store-front church of two rooms. The sanctuary is no more than 20 feet by 40 feet, and the sunday school room is about 10 feet by 20 feet. But, the size is deceptive, as is the humble surroundings. The presence of the Spirit fills this space.

Pastor Juan’s congregation numbers about fifty. It is a poor congregation in a poor neighborhood.

But, the congregation realizes that Ingelsia Cristiana “El Camino” is ideally located to do the work of the gospel. They are situated in the area of greatest need. And they have rolled up their sleeves.

This tiny, impoverished congregation provides a hot and nutritious meal to street children and single mothers three days a week. Members of the church provide all the volunteer labor. They also provide as much of the food as they can from the local mercado (open air market) where many of them work.The remainder of the funding necessary for the feeding project comes from a church in Raleigh, NC.

This is a powerful partnership that truly benefits both the US church and also Ingelsia Cristiana “El Camino.” Members of the Raleigh congregation not only get the opportunity to give. They visit and help in Quito during annual “mission trips.” Members of Pastor Juan’s congregation get to reach out and serve the poor in their community.

Pastor Juan and the members of Ingelsia Cristiana “El Campo” are not satisfied, however. They have a bigger vision. All of them want to feed the hungry kids in their community every day. They also have to turn away dozens because of limited space.

What is needed is more assistance. They need funds to rent (or buy) a bigger space for their feeding ministry. They need financial help to buy more food to help expand the feeding to five, six or even seven days a week.

What a powerful demonstration of faithfulness. A congregation of poor folks, smaller than many of our church school classes, meeting in a rented store-front church (smaller than many of our garages) are living out the good news. They are not making excuses. They are simply doing all they can to feed the hungry and make a real difference in their community.

What would happen if we would catch their vision? What would happen if we would begin to reach out like the members of Inglesia Cristiana “El Camino?” What would happen if we decided to help fulfill their vision?

As I have already said, it takes such a little to do such a lot. All of us working together can end hunger in our lifetime. Pastor Juan and Inglesia Cristiana “El Camino” is one example of where to begin.