Literacy classes
Retired teacher Peggy Bohrer of Anaheim, CA, shares the story of her mission in Ecuador:
I arrived in Santo Domingo on January 8th with the purpose of starting a six-month reading program for non-readers. I named it Zion Reading Academy. With the Lord’s help, I was able to bring 260 children’s books in several reading levels to Ecuador. The Lord also provided a whole curriculum for teaching. The first week involved an intense search for other materials such as folders, book boxes, binders, rewards and all a teacher may need to add character and joy to the task of learning. A room in the church became a welcoming classroom that displayed big charts of Christian songs and Bible verses in big letters. Finally, we had an active learning environment for anyone willing to learn. On January 19 we started the Academy in three different locations, but in the next few days, due to the lack of attendance, we closed one of the locations. |
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PEGGY BOHRER of Anaheim, CA, standing at left, is visiting the Butkas’ mission in Santo Domingo, Ecuador, to teach literacy classes.
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PEGGY is teaching at two different locations for six months.
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| At the same time I began to train several other workers to be able to take over once my time here comes to a close. Now the Academy continues on strong, displaying in every session the love of God through our teaching, reading of scripture, prayer and singing. Somber faces have become radiant smiles and the joy of learning is evident as sounds finally make sense to become the words we speak and see.
We have faced some cultural challenges. Students are not used to attending school on time and every day. Team members have had to go to their homes to knock on doors to remind them to come to school. Parents, whose priority is to feed their children, allow them to stay home to take care of siblings while they go to work. For that reason, I have to bring some toys to entertain little ones while mom or siblings learn to read. Students’ ages range from 8 to 75 years old.
It has been a real pleasure and a welcome challenge to come to Santo Domingo, Ecuador, to aid missionaries Mike and Danell Bukta in their vision of reaching the lost. |
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| Note from Danell: Peggy attends First Evangelical Free Church of Fullerton, CA. We were very blessed to serve alongside Peggy in Ecuador. She made a huge impact on the people here and will be greatly missed. We will continue what she started and help the people learn how to read. It is amazing and incredible to watch! Thank you, Peggy, for sharing your gift that God has given you and your generous heart.
“You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.” 2 Corinthians 9:11 |
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Women’s group
We have a new women’s group in Santa Martha, sector 5, a new barrio where we are working. We do a variety of things, such as Bible studies, crafts, and cooking lessons. During our crafts time we are concentrating on using inexpensive, recyclable products so the women they can sell their final products for a profit. Each of the ladies has to bring the materials to make their craft. In December many of the women took advantage of what they were learning and sold some of their crafts to earn money to help put food on their tables. So the women are not only building relationships with one another and God, but they are learning how to make amazing things and are able to sell them to help support their families. |
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Microbusinesses begin
Six individuals have completed 21 micro business training lessons. Miriam, Beatriz, Manuel, Angelita, Emma and Doris recently bought their first pigs to start their business so they can earn money to support their families. They will continue their training and learning from their experiences to grow their businesses.
The participating families are under the supervision of the missionary leaders responsible for microenterprise. The missionaries will be encouraging, supporting, and helping them so they can be successful. They also provide security when they are researching other areas to sell their product.
We learned a lot during this process, and each of the individuals is very pleased and excited to work toward his or her goals and dreams for their families. We have had many people donate money to help these people start their micro businesses selling pigs. Thank you for your kindness! Lives are being changed because you care! |
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 Manuel is a young man who has accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. He had a hard upbringing by divorced parents, but God guided his steps to our church in El Milagro, Trujillo, and Manuel began to understand God’s purpose for him. He began to put faith in the Lord and started his relationship with Christ. Neptali and Deysi had the privilege of baptizing Manuel.
Manuel has the desire in his heart to become a pastor. He has experienced answered prayers. He still is struggling with personal battles with impatience, character, anger, disappointments and resentments, but he does not deny God. He repents and obeys the Word of God with humility. He wants to do God’s will and is striving for that.
He wants to study, but the economic situation of his household does not permit him to follow that path. Manuel is encouraged to participate in the affairs of his Heavenly Father. Join us in prayer for Manuel and his family that Manuel will do great things with Christ!
“Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4 |
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| Thanks for all your prayers and support.
Mike and Danell Bukta
Team Expansion missionaries to Peru and Ecuador |
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Project New Hope + CMF
CMF and Project New Hope are part of an exciting partnership with Team Expansion missionaries Mike and Dani Bukta and their work in Peru and Ecuador. Through this partnership we will work together toward holistic mission where disciples are made, individual lives are transformed, and nationals are empowered to lead. U.S. churches will be challenged to actively partner in this ministry with the goal of creating dynamic Christ-centered communities (churches) that can transform the world. |
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