Surrounded by the Guayas River, Santay Island, Ecuador, is home to approximately 86 families. For many years, the community depended on tourism as its main source of livelihood. However, for various reasons, it now faces serious infrastructure challenges and a significant deterioration in basic services such as access to water and electricity.
In the midst of this reality, Candy currently leads a discipleship ministry that reaches approximately 52 children and teenagers on the island. Her journey with this ministry began in 2011, when a mission worker from OM invited her to a Thanksgiving dinner. It was there that she learnt about the ministry and, for the first time, sensed a clear calling to become involved.
At the time, Candy worked for a company during the week, so she joined the ministry on Saturdays. Over time, her commitment grew as she felt God calling her to get more involved. In 2013, she made a life-changing decision and left her job to serve full-time with the children of Santay Island, who had captured her heart.
Years later, due to different circumstances, both OM and a partnering church withdrew from the ministry. Even so, Candy chose to stay and continued reaching out to the young people on the island. One year later, OM resumed their connection with the ministry, strengthening the work that was already underway.
In addition to discipling youth and teenagers, Candy began a discipleship group four years ago with the mothers in the community after recognising a pressing need for spiritual support among them. She currently leads a group of eight mothers who participate faithfully, not only in Bible studies but also in times of fellowship and community activities such as barbecues and friendship gatherings.
Candy also walks alongside a group of 15 teenagers, attending church with them on Saturday mornings, spending quality time together and helping guide them on their discipleship journey. Although she receives ongoing support from some individuals, the ministry still needs more committed volunteers. While several children and teenagers have already chosen to follow Jesus, 98 per cent of their parents are not yet Christians — both a significant challenge and an opportunity to continue sowing hope.
Miriam is one of the teenagers impacted by the ministry. Her mother is very strict and is strongly opposed to Miriam's participation in discipleship times with Candy. During the week, Miriam stays home to care for her siblings and is not allowed to go out, as her mother works as a live-in domestic helper on the mainland, returning to the island only on weekends.
On many occasions, Miriam messaged her mother to ask for permission to attend the discipleship gatherings, but the response was usually a firm “no.” Even so, whenever she managed to get permission, Miriam was warm, attentive and very affectionate towards Candy.
One day, Miriam asked Candy if they could talk. Candy suggested meeting one-on-one before the group meeting so they could talk calmly and without interruptions. The following Thursday, they sat down together, and Miriam opened her heart.
She shared that she had watched a TikTok video of a young woman talking about how to be a Christian, and that, as Miriam listened to the video and reflected on what Candy had taught the group, she decided she wanted to follow Jesus, too.
Miriam also shared that when she helps with household chores, she often listens to a worship song Candy sent her, and that the music deeply touches her heart, even though her mother criticises her for listening to so much Christian music.
Candy shared with Miriam about the love of Jesus and the work of the Holy Spirit. With deep conviction, Miriam expressed her desire to follow Jesus, saying that she did not want to live like other girls, that she wanted to seek God more, and that, although her mother strongly opposed it, she longed to have a deep relationship with Him.
Miriam also explained that after posting some dance videos on TikTok, as many other teenagers around her do, she felt a strong conviction that God did not want her to expose herself in that way online, so she decided to remove them. At just 12 years old, Miriam is not only seeking to transform her own life but has also influenced three of her closest friends, who have expressed a desire to live differently.
Communication between Candy and Miriam is not always easy, as Candy is aware of Miriam's mother’s opposition. For this reason, she wisely takes advantage of every opportunity they have to spend time together. Miriam is very open with Candy, sharing not only her spiritual journey but also her emotions and struggles in other areas of her life. One of her greatest dreams is to improve her relationship with her mother and for her mother to also experience the love that Miriam has found.
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FIT Global believes there is no need to leave your profession to join missions. Instead, use your profession in missions.
When Naty went on her first mission trip to Angola, she never imagined that mission workers could serve from a dental clinic.
In cross-cultural missions, there are many and varied ways to walk alongside a community. Some people use their profession; others use a business, sports, language classes, humanitarian aid or other tools. However, there is one practice that can never be missing and that forms the foundation of everything: prayer.
