FACES children had the time of their lives in a summer Kids Fest Bible Camp brought to Ecuador by a group from Living Waters COG, Fountain Valley, CA. God did awesome things in the hearts of the children who enjoyed three days of puppets, songs, games, and God’s word. None of the FACES children had ever attended a Bible camp before.
The 2010-2011 School year was the most successful school year ever! Since beginning this ministry for kids working in the busy, dirty streets
of Quito eight years ago, we have placed a big emphasis on reinserting the children into an educational program while seeking solutions to the problem of early immigration. This was our first year to realize our dream of placing educational projects directly in the Indian communities in the outlying mountain provinces to prevent school drop-out and deter the immigration of working children to the city. 680 children received assistance with school expenses such as books and uniforms. Our permanent staff in these areas overcame the long distances, the mud, and the cold, to touch thousands of children and adults in our weekly after school programs and monthly workshops for parents. Each day the power of the Word of God impacted the lives of these precious people.
Here in Quito, we continue provide a safe place where working kids can come in off the streets to eat a healthy meal, rest, play, and hear the word of God. 120 children in received school assistance or attended our accredited high school, New World Christian School. The parents also meet to study a variety of topics evedry month. We are thankful to see the tide turning on child labor in Ecuador. Our efforts ARE working, but there is still much more to do.
Summer Vacation in the FACES Ministry means learning, playing and coming to know Jesus better. Shoeshine boys and candy sellers take a break from the South American heat to rest in our ministry center. Many of our working children have “retired” from their work activities at a very early age and now have the privilege of passing their summer vacation like other kids. In Quito, an average of 60 kids crowded into our ministry center each day for a nutritious lunch, planned activities, Bible study, and tutoring.
In our targeted Indian communities, hundreds of children were thrilled to be able to attend a weekly Summer Day Camp where they found a reprieve from their labor in the fields and incentive not to emigrate to the city to work. It was one long vacation Bible school all summer!
