On a dreary morning in Ecuador, a 13-year-old girl arrived at a church’s educational program with three companions — her two younger brothers and her five-month old sister. Startled by the parent-less drop-off and the children’s attire, the teachers immediately tried to learn about her situation. “The baby was wearing such minimal clothing that it could have been fatal for her with the low temperatures,” one teacher said. “We knew something wasn’t right when we saw a child caring all day for another child, and then we found out that the family didn’t have clothes for her,” she said.

The teachers at the Hope Center, which ICM helped fund in 2023, knew that they needed to be the hands and feet of Christ to assist the family however they could. They initially rallied together to provide suitable clothing for the entire family to get them through the harsh winter months, but they faced another astonishing reality when they visited the family’s home. There were two rooms, one with two mattresses where all five slept, and one with nothing but a small stove. “As a church, we stepped in as quickly as we could to give them a table, chairs, and food, because they had great need,” a church member said.

The congregation’s generosity and care made an immeasurable impact on the family both physically and spiritually. The body of Christ met each of their basic needs, and their actions encouraged the 13-year-old girl to visit their church. She now attends regularly and worships with the same people who provided her family with a kitchen table, warm meals, and a winter coat. “She is already part of the praise we give to God because she has shown great love for the Lord and a deep desire to serve Him,” the local partner said.

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