Statement of Faith
The ultimate basis of our beliefs is the Bible, God’s infallible written Word, the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments. We believe there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. We believe Jesus Christ is the perfect Son of God who came into the world fully God and fully human.
We believe Jesus Christ lived a perfect, sinless life and that he was crucified, died and was buried in accordance with the Scriptures. And that on the third day, God raised Him from the dead, defeating sin and death. We believe that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God but those who confess in the Lord Jesus Christ and believe in their hearts that God raised Him from the dead will be saved.
Mission
Dunamis is a non-profit organization in Quito, Ecuador serving underaged girls who have been rescued from sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and violence. We aim to teach them life skills while providing a Christ-centered environment focused on restoration to enable them to reintegrate into the world as healthy young women.
Mission
Our vision is to be a model in Ecuador first, and then Latin America in providing a safe place for girls who have survived sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and violence, and be a tool for transformation in their lives through Jesus Christ.
History
Dunamis started in 2010 with the mission of helping under aged victims of sexual exploitation, abuse and violence. During this period of time, we have worked alongside our community in programs to prevent such crimes. God has provided us with the tools and the strength to love each of the girls that has passed through our foundation.
A love Story
Boris and Fernanda Salinas, the founders of Dunamis, met in their twenties while volunteering at a camp for children with special needs. Ever since then, they knew God had a special plan for them as a couple. Before long they were married, and they decided to walk by faith and serve the Lord full time in ministry.
First Steps
In 2010, they began this walk by serving poor children every Friday from the community of Angamarca, a small city near Sangolqui, about 25 km. from Quito, the capital of Ecuador. Along with the food Boris and Fernanda would share the word of God.
Later, the Salinas’ contacted a group of young girls who used to be part of a local foundation in Quito. These girls were single mothers and went through very difficult situations, particularly financially. Boris and Fernanda would to invite them for breakfast at their home once a week. Here they used to talk with them, have devotions and even provide counseling.
A New Call
As time went on, the Salinas’ got to know these girls in a deeper way and wanted to help them even more. They came up with the idea of training them, so they can develop some life skills. Tagua jewelry workshops were the first option as Boris new the skill already.
First Supporters
As this project took off, an international Christian organization started to support Boris and Fernanda´s ministry. They bought jewelry made by the girls and sold them to their groups of visitors who came to Ecuador. That money was used to buy items needed for the girls, especially diapers for their little children.
As the mission began to grow, Boris and Fernanda received a huge blessing in the form of a large donation given by a sing individual from the Netherlands. Because of this Boris and Fernanda decided to provide a professional jewelry making course for the girls, using the tagua. Tagua is a seed found in Ecuador that has an unfavorable appearance, but once opened, refined, processed and polished, it takes the appearance of a beautiful stone. This process captured theme of the work the salinas were performing with the girls by helping them discover the beauty within themselves. By this time, the Salinas’ knew where God was leading them. They understood that the Lord had a special purpose for them as missionaries and for the girls, whom they started to serve.
God Is Calling
After the Tagua course, the girls were so enthusiastic as they saw how they could create amazing and beautiful jewelry. Learning this skill gave them the confidence to see that they were worthy, and their broken lives started to have hope.
That was when Boris and Fernanda knew they had to formalize the ministry as a non-profit organization in Ecuador, in order to serve these girls, and be legally recognized by the Ecuadorian government. So Dunamis was Born!
Dunamis Foundation
The Greek word “Dunamis,” came to Fernanda one night in a dream. “Dunamis”, meaning “power,” embodied the mission god was creating through his servants the Salina; who after an experience of serving a small group of three girls, knew God was calling them to serve Him in a more powerful way. Together they decided they would serve as many young ladies as they could who had been victims of abandonment, abuse and even sex and labor trafficking.
Where we are now
Currently Dunamis serves girls who have been victims of sex trafficking, sexual abuse, neglect and abandonment. They reside in Zoe’s Home where they learn the Word of God, receive counseling and learn life skills such as sewing, beauty and tagua workshops. They also continue their education and have medical and psychological help. The young ladies are exposed to a Christ-centered holistic development program while staying on an 11 acre compound under the care of Boris, Fernanda, and a specialized professional staff.
