December 2017 Newsletter

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." John 10:10

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Christmas in the Brothels

Brandy was able to partner with Youth World/Casa Adalia in blessing the 400+ women who are working in prostitution with a Christmas celebration, a message of Hope through Jesus Christ, carols, drama, a lunch, a bag of traditional sweets and a hand-crafted jewelry box filled with a pair of earrings made by the women of Casa Adalia/Esperanzart. This was a beautiful time spent loving on these women!
We are learning more and more the importance of education. Many of these women do not know how to read or write and this ends up being an industry that attracts many of the uneducated.

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Rocafuerte Parties

Through your generosity and obedience we were able to provide a weekend of family fun and worship! On December 22 we hosted a private celebration for the 150 children who regularly attend the church in Rocafuerte. We were able to give them a new outfit, new underwear, new shoes, toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, bread, milk, sugar, chocolate for baking or making hot chocolate, a traditional bag of sweets and a delicious dinner!
On December 23 we invited the community for an evening of celebration and provided 380 children  and 40 adults with a delicious dinner and a traditional bag of sweets. The teen leaders from the Sponsorship Program led the service with song, dance and drama! It was beautiful!

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El Redentor Receiving Christmas Boxes

80 precious children at El Redentor received their Samaritan's Purse boxes and they were thrilled! They also received a bag of sweets, which is the typical Ecuadorian Christmas gift.

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Property in Rocafuerte

Well, after 4 years of praying over this property...it will soon belong to our ministry! Through your obedience and financial partnership we raised all of the funds needed to purchase this property!
The property will serve many purposes. As we are waiting for clear direction and building plans, we will begin with raising some chickens and planting fruit and vegetables. We hope to build a community center where there are always activities for the community to get involved with in a positive, Christian environment. The Lord is so faithful!

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Teens in Rocafuerte Serving the Elderly

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The leaders in Rocafuerte are amazing! The young men and women serving the elderly are the same young men and women YOU are sponsoring in our Sponsorship Program. They have hearts of gold and are learning to serve others in incredible ways. The leadership skills the youth leaders are instilling in these teens is priceless! Please continue to pray for the leaders and the teens! 

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Celebrating Christmas with Dear Friends

A new Christmas Eve tradition with great friends! We shared delicious food together then we opened gifts at midnight!

An afternoon in Cuenca

We were all taking a rest by the river after a nice walk across town!

Being away from our Georgia family was a super challenging time for us this Christmas. This was the first time in our children's lives that they have not spent Christmas with our extended family. We have been so blessed to have the privilege of spending quality time with our family for so many years...and we are thankful for this.
This year, we spent Christmas Eve with a special family we are blessed to do life with here in Quito. On the 26th we took an adventure to a new city, Cuenca. We had a wonderful time walking around the city and taking in the beautiful fresh air.

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A Brief Recap of 2017

We want to Thank You from the bottom of our heart for playing such a vital role in our ministry by joining us as a financial partner/prayer supporter. Your contribution is an incredible blessing to us as we seek to be the hands and feet of Christ, both in our community and in Ecuador. You have been such a blessing to all of the families we are so fortunate to work with day in and day out. With your help, we have been able to:

• Partner with local churches to provide weekly hot meals and education to families living in extreme poverty
  
• Provide 150 children with a new pair of shoes and a complete outfit for Christmas
• Provide 500 children with a box filled with goodies and food for Christmas
• Teach self-defense classes to women who have been rescued from sex trafficking and domestic violence
• Partner with local churches to provide a Christmas Party and dinner for families living in extreme poverty
• Volunteer with orphanages
• Provide indigenous artisans with sustainable income while sharing the love of Jesus with them
• Host women who have been rescued from sexual exploitation and trafficking at our home
• Provide bi-weekly dinners at our home for the women rescued from sexual exploitation and trafficking
• Allow the women who reside at the safe-house to serve others on short-term mission trips
• Provide 3 Christmas Parties for women who are currently working in prostitution. The women received lunch and a gift.
• Launch a Child Sponsorship Program in Rocafuerte providing 2 meals daily, education, school supplies, uniforms, Christian mentorship, birthday present and celebration
• Host Sports Camps for children living in extreme poverty teaching leadership and teamwork
• Work with local pastors to instill leadership skills within the ‘at risk’ teen community and providing these teens with great role models
• Partner with US teams
• Inspire creative ideas for the women in Esmeraldas and Rocafuerte to earn an income
• Teach affluent Ecuadorians and International students in a Christian environment daily
• Teaching locals about discipleship
• Bless our partner pastors with time of relaxation and renewal

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Year End Tax Statements for 2017 Giving

Thank you so very much for your support of our ministry over the last year! We truthfully cannot do what we do without your obedience! The past year has been absolutely amazing! God has blessed this ministry with the ability to serve those truly in need and your partnership makes this possible!
In an effort to reduce costs associated with administrative fees, we are emailing End of Year Tax Statements rather than mailing them. If you would prefer them to be mailed to you, simply respond and let us know!
May you be blessed with abundance!
Scott and Brandy Murphy

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