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The opening of the new Church in Santo Domingo de los Tsachila

Words cannot describe how privileged we were to share in the opening of a the new church building that was built on the foundations of love, effort, patience, endurance and self-sacrifice by members of the church, brothers and sisters from other Methodist congregations in Ecuador and from a group of volunteers from the United Methodist Church. The church's vision was to have a 'templo' (temple) that was glorifying to the Lord, a place of welcome and worship for the whole community. The church was officially opened by the Bishop, Dr. Salomon Cabezas with the cutting of a ribbon. The Lord our God was worshipped. Words of thanksgiving to God and to those who were heavily involved in building the church were offered, visitors from overseas were welcomed. Bishop Salomon preached a sermon of gratitude to God and of admonishment to the congregation to continue spreading the Word of God in their community. Members of the church from the Tsachila indigenous community sang a song of worship to God in their native Tsachila, and presented those from overseas with a beautifully woven and colourful native scarf. The Tsachila were adorned with traditional clothing and it was a moving sight to see believers of Jesus Christ from such a different cultural tradition worship and glorify the Lord through this very same tradition. Every tribe and every tongue, confessing that Jesus is Lord of their lives. It is clear that The United Evangelical Methodist Church has an amazing ministry of inclusion and acceptance, and incarnates Jesus' welcome to each and every one of us to come as we are.
Sandra