"I never imagined having a church and I really never thought I would talk about God in my home,” says Edwin Mora. “But these have been the plans God has for us.”

Edwin and his wife Mirian live in Lago Agrio in the eastern part of Ecuador. They are currently serving together in the new church where they have been working with the young people and children.

"The people are open to the gospel and even though there are not many of us right now, we believe God is in our midst," Edwin says. He points out the patio of their house where they meet every Saturday and Sunday. Shade is provided by a tarp hung above.

Before they got involved in church planting, Mirian and Edwin went through a difficult time. Their marriage was about to end. Mirian didn't see any reason to be married to Edwin anymore. Even though they lived in the same house, they lived as strangers.

"I was never interested in having a commitment to God," Mirian says, "but I wanted to hear what the Bible said.” Gonzalo, another church planter, came to pray with her and share the Word of God. And just when she was establishing her steps in the faith, the news of possible terminal cancer hit her strongly. Nevertheless, Mirian decided to entrust herself in the hands of God and to believe that there was nothing impossible for Him.

Edwin also found himself with health problems and in addition to their marital struggles, it felt like he was hitting rock bottom. God touched Edwin’s life through His Word and in the middle of his affliction, he decided to get close to God and implore Him about his health, his wife, and the restoration of his home.

After eight months of constant prayer and medical treatment, Mirian received the news that her body was free from cancerous cells. God brought her and Edwin to reconciliation and they were baptized.

Edwin was discipled in the faith and also invited to work in his neighborhood as a church planter. He didn't hesitate to do so and shares that the church planter training with Multiplication Network Ministries (MNM) helped him to know how to teach others and to share the Word of God.

They use their difficult experiences as part of their testimony to encourage others to draw near to God. Even though things do not always go as Edwin or Mirian plan, they recognize that God is the one who has allowed them to begin this work.

"After seeing the goodness of God, we want others to hear the gospel," this couple shares. They continue to pray for the salvation of those who do not know Christ.