"Here I am. Send me!"

Isaiah 6:8

By Laurel Ellis

September 17^th, 2024

Marco left everything to follow the call

As I taught Marco and Maria Paula, the students at Timothy's Abode preparing themselves for missionary service, I was blown away by Marco's testimony. He grew up high in the Andes of Ecuador in a Quichua indigenous community. He only spoke and studied in Quichua throughout elementary school. His family then sent him to live with an older married sister in the city of Ambato and there he began middle school in Spanish. He also earned his keep by carrying people's purchases at the city market. Through hard work and diligence, he graduated from high school. He also began loading and unloading trucks to earn money. During these years he became a Christian through his sister in law and was discipled in a Quichua Assembly of God church.

One night as he was unloading a large truck filled with 100 pound sacks of flour by himself because the other worker didn't show up, tears ran down his face mingling with the flour and rain soaking into his skin. He asked God if this was all there was? Shortly thereafter, he was offered a job as a salesman and rose to the top sales position in his company, earning a very good wage.

Marco sensed God's call on his life and began preparing, first attending Bible school and then ISUM, a post Bible School ministerial training program. He gave up his high paying job to pursue the call and is expectant of what God is going to do in and through his life.

Some last minute instructions before I headed home to Cuenca.

Pictured with good friends and the Directors of Timothy's Abode, Ron & Esther Marcotte and their dog, Coco.

Graduate Emerson Naichapi, Missionaries Michael Baty and Ron Marcotte praying for Marco.

Marco and Maria Paula served with distinction at a Special Needs Camp in Cuenca as a practicum during their studies at Timothy's Abode.

Marco praying for a camper at the Special Needs Camp. He was their favorite volunteer.

Marco sharing about Timothy's Abode at a camp for pastors' kids.

Marco's family joins us for graduation

When Marco graduated from high school, from Bible School and from ISUM, his father didn't attend those ceremonies. However, although his father is still an unbeliever, he noticed such a huge positive change in Marco since attending the seven month in-house intensive missionary training program with Timothy's Abode that he and the family traveled by bus all night to be at the festivities. Marco was moved to tears by their gesture of pride and love. Marco is the first Quichua, hopefully of many more, to attend Timothy's Abode.

Marco Agualsaca pictured with members of his family. His father is on the left.

Marco giving his dad a big hug at the end of the graduation ceremony.

Marco's graduation speech hit it out of the park. So anointed and passionate.

I spoke representing the visiting professors.

Colleagues Michael and Leah Baty also teach at the school each year on Social Justice.

Missionary Associate Domonique (L) and Intern Jayce (R) traveled to graduation to help with logistics.

What's next for Marco?

On numerous occasions, I passed this city driving to the Bible School in Riobamba and wondered if it had an Assemblies of God church. Upon checking with the district authorities, I was told there is no church. Chunchi is the county seat, primarily made up of Quichua with a population of 13,000. Statistics report that 55% of the people live in extreme poverty. Marco wants to plant a church here. Please pray for him! He's single and has never done anything like this before. Pray that God will give him great courage and will supply everything that he needs to reach this community with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Chunchi, Province of Chimborazo, Ecuador

Tireless devotion

Can I brag a little bit about my good friends and colleagues, Ron & Esther Marcotte? I've been teaching at Timothy's Abode for five years, living with Ron & Esther in their home and observing their lives and hearts. They are the real deal! From early morning until evening, they are giving of themselves to the Ecuadorian people. Throughout these five years, Esther has been the construction manager of the building project as well as mentor and teacher to the students. Ron is professor extraordinaire whether he is teaching twenty students or two. They are on the homeward stretch in the construction of this beautiful building that will house future students preparing for missions. Please pray for the needed funds to complete the project. If you feel a Holy Spirit nudge to give, please go to their website, linked here. And please pray for Ron & Esther, for God's strength and anointing to continue to flow through them to the nations.