“And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6b DECEMBER 2020

Covid struck hard in Ecuador.

The largest cities in the country, Quito and Guayaquil, with an approximate population of three million people each, have the largest numbers related to this virus. Quito has the top number of cases in the country, while Guayaquil has the largest numbers of deaths. Thankfully, just a couple of people from our church have contracted the virus, without any serious consequences.

Luz de Vida started meeting for worship again in August under very strict restrictions. Sadly, our church is one of the very few congregations open at this time. The Roman Catholic Church is open, however, most evangelical churches, in general, feel more comfortable with online meetings only.

Although the lockdown was difficult to bear, the Lord blessed us with the opportunity of holding three basic membership courses for the community. In order to pass the courses, students take twenty-five weekly lessons and a final exam. Those interested in becoming members have to be recommended by one of the instructors and must have an interview with our consistory. We are so grateful that the Lord let over twenty people finish this process and is leading them towards becoming members of our church. More importantly, several of these brothers did not know or believe the gospel before they took part of our courses. We are glad and humbled to see that Luz de Vida exhibits a solid commitment to the Reformed orthodoxy, godly living, and a great zeal for missions and evangelism.

In the last few months, a big step for us has been Steve Wuori’s successful examination for a exhorting license. Brother Steve is an American citizen who has lived in Ecuador for over twelve years. Married to an Ecuadorian lady, he served as a missionary in the jungle of Ecuador. He is exhorting every week, showing a solid scriptural

foundation, shaped by a confessional and practical approach. It is our prayer the Lord opens doors for him to fulfill his desire to be a minister of the word in Luz de Vida.

On a different note, we are also happy for the Pastoral Training Program that Luz de Vida has started this year. Eleven people from different churches took Greek 1 and Theological Foundations. Next term, the program will offer Greek 2 and Hermeneutics. Four men of the Luz de Vida congregation have shown pastoral gifts and are persevering in the program, hoping to become ministers of the word and church planters in the future.

Finally, I am one paper away from finishing a ThM in Biblical Studies at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary. Our licensed brother, Steve Wouri, is working on a Doctorate of Ministry at New Geneva Seminary.

Thanks for your faithful support!

In Christ,Rev. Pablo Landázuri

Quito, EcuadorRev. Pablo & Verenice Landázuri

DECEMBER 2020 • PAGE 1

We would like to introduce STM - Summer Training in Missions. This is an intensive 7 week missions program for young adults that includes Bible, cross-cultural mission, language training, as well as practical experience on the foreign field. We are praying, planning, and projecting to base this program in Mexico in the summer of 2021, DV. For more information please contact Pastor Rich Bout (urcnamissions@gmail.com) or Rob Brinks (rob@rms.org).

Is the Lord calling you to serve in missions?

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

I arrived yesterday in Canada from Honduras, and am now on my 14 day Covid-19 quarantine. As you know, Covid-19 has changed these times in which we live profoundly. But even as we deal with all the stress and concern of this virus, at the same time we know that this time is also under the control of our sovereign God.

One image that one has as they arrive in Honduras is that everybody everywhere except in their homes is wearing a mask, outside, in the stores, on the streets, at their work, on their bicycles, etc. And everywhere you go people are taking your temperature, giving you gel, and sterilizing the bottoms of your shoes!

Another image is the terrible damage from Hurricane Iota and Hurricane Eta. I arrived in Honduras between the hurricanes, with hurricane Eta effects being felt on the Monday after arrival. The rainy season had been exceptionally wet, which usually ends at the end of October. But the hurricanes hit within two weeks in the first part of November, dropping both times an incredible amount of water, causing tremendous flooding and damage, especially on the North coast of Honduras. One of our pastors, Felix Martinez, lives in San Pedro Sula, one of the cities severely impacted by the hurricanes. His house was flooded out with each hurricane, up to a depth of 6 feet, and

all his possessions including his library were destroyed. Other members of the church had stories of loved ones sitting on roofs, up in trees, clinging for three or so days waiting for help to arrive. Unfortunately, many lives were lost, and there is still no official death count.Comayagua, where

we have our church, was mainly left untouched by the hurricanes, although we did see a lot of rain. The church came out of the government-imposed lockdown 7 weeks ago, and it was good to see most of the members worshiping faithfully. But there are no government support systems for those out of work, and this has impacted the finances of families and church. The church had been financially self-sufficient for many years, but there was almost no income during the lockdown, as most of the members waited to go back to work.

Please pray for our churches in Honduras, that even as the country confronts the economic stress of lockdowns and hurricanes, that they may remain faithful to our Lord and King.

Yours in Christ,

Rev. Ernest Langendoen

Rev. Ernie and Betsy Langendoen served in Comayagua, Honduras for many years. They currently reside in St. Catherines, ON. Rev. Langendoen serves Spanish-speaking migrant workers in Canada, and makes regular trips to Honduras. He can be reached at: ernielangen@gmail.com.

Niagara, ONRev. Ernie & Betsy Langendoen

DECEMBER 2020 • PAGE 2