Miguel and Desirée met in Quito, the capital of Ecuador. As a child Miguel lived on the streets of Quito. He was taken care of by Casa Gabriel. A care center that disciples boys that formerly lived on the streets. Under supervision he got his life in order and finished his high school. This was also the place he came to faith in Jesus and this started a new chapter in his life. Desirée came to Quito as a Dutch trainee for her education. As a Christian she visited a church and came into contact with Youth World. Youth World is a local team of International Teams.
Desirée had a warm heart for the young girls who fell between the cracks and were often exploited and ended up in prostitution. She also had a warm heart for Miguel. In 2010 she was sent out as a mission worker. After a year, Miguel and Desirée married. Meanwhile, Miguel had started his training for Youth Preacher. Together with a number of volunteers, they focused on young people in prostitution in Quito. Street Work, a workshop where typical Ecuadorian jewelry is made, and a shelter for young women, often with children. They come from the interior of Ecuador, the coastal cities or even neighboring countries and would be invisible in the streets of Quito among the many migrants from poorer regions of the country.
Desirée and Miguel now have three children. Janoah, Saël and Ailani. They have been living in Belgium since 2017, Miguel has studied at the Evangelical Theological Faculty in Leuven to get his Masters in Theology, in preparation for a new phase in their lives.
Meanwhile Desirée was involved with Cherut, an organisation in Belgium that supports men and women to get out of situations of human trafficing. After Miguels studies they worked for one of the projects, Koffieklap, as managers.
At this point in time they are pastors in the Philadelphia Kerk in Hoboken (Antwerp). The doors are opened! Their desire is for the church to be visibly present in the multicultural neighborhood where they are located. In this way, more and more people can get to know Jesus and they can walk authentically as a church. Together with our eyes focused on God and asking the Holy Spirit to bring restoration.
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To support the projects of family, donations can be made to the bank account:
NL55 RABO 0155 6677 69, in the name ITeams, with the note IB-AC Zova
BIC RABO:RABONL2U