June Medical Caravan

From a recent Bruce Brief

The medical caravan saw and treated over 400 people in the three days that we attended the people here in Rio Verde. From a tiny newborn baby, suffering from congestion, to several old grandmas with painful joints, the doctors and nurses poured out their love and care to each and every one. It never fails to surprise me that Shelia and her crew are able to love these people—literally, holding the kids on their laps and even hugging each one—as they arrive one by one. While we have come to love this people over the years, we realize that many of the Awa come from miles away, and they are often dirty and sweaty, not necessarily easy to get close to. As each one took their turn on the examining table, I could see the muddy black boots sticking out at various angles. And yet, during the days of the Caravan, I believe each one felt the mercy and love that flowed from the hands of His servants.

Teresa came from the other side of the Lita River, with her small son who was sick with pneumonia and barely breathing. Those who were doing the reception area saw how sick the little boy was and moved them into the front of the line. Dr. Tim was worried the little guy would breathe his last right there on his examining table. He worked quickly to put an i.v. in him and give him antibiotics. Then Kevin quickly drove Teresa and little Benin and one of the nurses down to Lita to the small health clinic. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief when we heard that Benin was still breathing when he arrived in Lita, after an hour of driving on the rough road. Later he was taken to the hospital in Ibarra and spent several days in the children’s ward in the social hospital there. This week Teresa was able to bring him home again.

Even as the caravan days ended, we heard the tragic news that a relative of Milton’s wife had been knifed and killed in a drunken fight in a community west of here. Another fellow was shot in the same fight. And we are reminded that most of the Awa live in a very dark world, without the light that comes from knowing God.

So we thank the Lord for the opportunity to shed His Light here in Rio Verde, and we pray for that Light to spread into the many Awa communities in the mountains around us.

in HIS grip, Kevin & Kathy Bruce

PS - for those of you praying for Agustin, he is still in the hospital in Ibarra. They operated on his broken leg, but I wasn't able to get able to any news as to how long they expected his recovery to take when I visited yesterday. He is suffering, and once this week pulled out the iv with his teath (he has no hands), so they've tied one arm down. Please pray for him to be able to rest peacefully and heal. Most of all pray for him and his family to rest in the grace of Jesus!

Teach to Transform

"Teach me Your way, O Lord; I will walk in Your truth."

Psalm 86:11

Although the communities in Ecuador where our teams have worked these past fifteen years have begun to change in many ways, lasting change does not occur until the hearts and minds of a people have been transformed at the deepest level. We believe this can only occur through trusting and believing the truth about Jesus Christ. During the past half century God has used health care as a means for Christians to bring the gospel to unreached groups of people. The next step is to train believers in the unreached areas of the world how to share the gospel in their own country. Providing health care training to these believers, therefore, equips churches to share the gospel very effectively.

Kim and I participated for the first time this year in a program called "Teach to Transform". It is a new medical missions program being developed by Dr. Tom McKechnie. Tom works as an ER doctor at the University of Louisville, and has led many medical mission teams in Africa and Asia. He and others have developed teaching modules concerning basic health care, including vital signs, wound care, burns, ENT, pulmonary and diarrheal illnesses. The program also provides a backpack loaded with diagnostic equipment (stethoscope, otoscope, digital thermometer, pulse oximeter, BP cuff and headlamp) and dressings for burns and wounds. This year, Kim and I obtained four of these. We provided instruction to two individuals -- Milton, a young Awa man in the Rio Verde area, and Olga, a young Quechua woman in the Mojandita area. We have asked them to make themselves available to their communities, acting as first responders to acute illness and injury. Based on their evaluation, they will be able to competently advise whether further care by a doctor or hospital is needed, whereupon transportation can subsequently be pursued.

We are excited about this new aspect of our work in Ecuador, and are hopeful that this training will be used by our Lord to enable many people to come to a saving knowledge of Him and His grace.

Back home again,
Tim

Jessica

"While He was in one of the cities, behold, there was a man covered with leprosy; and when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and implored Him, saying, "Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean." And He stretched out His hand and touched him, saying, "I am willing; be cleansed." And immediately the leprosy left him."

Luke 5:12-13

Phil and Shelia Duncan were missionaries in Costa Rica and Ecuador from 1985-1990. They returned home and now coordinate our mission trips to Ecuador. Shelia is a Spanish teacher, and has had many students over the years in Ecuador. One of those students - a young Quechua woman named Olga - contacted us this year with an urgent request to visit her younger sister Jessica at their home near Mojandita. Over the past three years Jessica (who is now seventeen) has developed a severe dermatological disorder for which no diagnosis has as yet been made. Kim, Shelia and I accompanied Olga to their home.

What we saw was alarming. Jessica's face has been severely disfigured by the disease, with significant formation of pustules, scarring and swelling. There were large areas of black eschar covering her face. Neither Kim nor I have ever seen anything like it. The condition is painful, and the expense of her care is beyond her family's means. We conducted an extensive history. She has seen a dermatologist in Quito, and received multiple chemo therapeutic drugs at a hospital there. A biopsy was obtained, but the family is unaware of any diagnosis. We are making attempts to obtain that report. We also emailed multiple photos of Jessica's face, hands, back, abdomen and shins to our medical missions liason, Dr. Tom McKechnie, who forwarded them to dermatologists and infectious disease specialists in Louisville. We are awaiting their opinions. We did provide Jessica with antibiotic therapy, and prayed with her for quite awhile. She has been despairing lately, believing that she has become a heavy burden for her family. We told her that there was still hope, and that Jesus Christ is our Saviour and Redeemer.

Please pray for Jessica when you read this, and in the days ahead.

Sincerely,
Tim

Unconditional Love

Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

I Cor 13:4-7

When in Punyaro (rural village outside Otavalo), there was one Quechua couple that really stands out for me. It was an elderly couple (rare to see couples in 70s in rural Ecuador). The wife relayed a story that her husband had been an abusive drunk earlier in their marriage. If one cheek was bruised, he would hit the other. He had lost his left eye in a fight while intoxicated. She complained of pain in multiple sites (probably some old injuries and arthritis). Her husband later had a stroke. He required a cane and foot turned under frequently when walking. Now she was a caregiver for her husband. She took him to the doctor and provided for their needs that he was not able to meet.

It just reminded me of final days of Christ here on earth. I do not support the abuse, but it was an example of her love despite circumstances.

Remembering Christ's sacrifice,
Kim

Roberto

"Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?"

Romans 8:35

Upon returning from Lita, our team had made all the necessary plans and preparations to provide a clinic in the poor rural community of Gualsaqui. Our good friend Roberto is the pastor of a growing church there. This year, Roberto had been given permission to hold the clinic in the new school. However, we had not obtained an official letter of invitation from the president of the community. As a result, a representative of the local health department ordered that we shut down the clinic immediately (just after we had spent an hour setting up). The team received this news with some disdain, but we maintained a positive facade.

The people waiting to be seen, however, were angry, and poor Roberto was crushed. (He later wept in my arms, an unusual experience for a Quechua male.) Some said the decision represented the displeasure of some with Roberto's consistent devotion to his faith and evangelistic zeal. I do know that he is a dear brother in Christ who knows what it means to be persecuted for his faith. He has suffered several beatings and broken bones over the years because of his devotion. Moreover, the people of Gualsaqui are now being won over to faith in Jesus Christ because of Roberto's love and passion for his Lord. May this be true of us all.

Captured by a brother's love,
Tim

Friends

"Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends by name."

3 John 1:15

Dear family and friends,

Our time in Rio Verde is always a time of blessing for the team. Those of us who love adventure are always excited to travel through the western Andes and their amazing views. The vegetation is tropical, with an abundance of palm, elephant ears and banana trees. It rains most afternoons, and on this trip we had some impressive thunderstorms. Fortunately, the road to Rio Verde held up quite well, and we held our three day clinic in the school at the village.

One of the best things each year is to see old friends. Kevin and Kathy Bruce, of course, coordinate all of our activities. Their youngest daughter Kimberly helped as well. They are wonderful people who represent the grace and love of Jesus very well. I got to hear much more of Kevin's story as he drove us back and forth to clinic. He describes himself as a prodigal whose heart was captured one summer in Alaska as a teen. He is a jack of all trades.

One of our friends is Gloria. She is an active member of the Awa church here. I first met her several years ago during our first trip to Lita. She had lost one of her fingers to a mysterious disease, and was at risk of losing more. We got her to the university hospital in Quito, where a diagnosis of scleroderma was established. We bring her medication each year, and she is doing better. She is our friend. Please pray for her.

Some new friends are an older couple we met last year. They have two children, ages 14 and 4. Both the son as well as the daughter have Down's syndrome. Although the daughter cannot yet walk, they are clean and are happy. Please pray for them as well.

At peace,
Tim

Gualsaqui

Greetings and love to you all.

Sorry that Tim is much better about posting blogs than I am.

This has been a very different trip for me spiritually. Usually I have lots of quiet time and long times to be alone. God is teaching me that is not the reality of my life to have long periods of time. Take the moments despite distraction, emphasis on prayer, listening. It has been difficult to have alone time due to busy schedule, bonding with 28 US team members, five to seven German Impact mission team members assisting, Ecuador ministers and missionaries.

We have had many clinic days, many blessings to give and receive, many smiles. As Tim said, we have seen more than 400 people in three days at Rio Verde. Some still travel a day's journey to see us. (One newlywed couple came from near Colombian border)

Yesterday was very different (team calls it twilight day). Our truck was late coming to get equipment in Lita. We were stopped at police checkpoint and passports checked (luckily they did not ask regarding Germans and only Americans). How do you explain Germans, Americans, and Ecuadorians on bus as team working for Christ?

We were very late getting to Gualsaqui -clinic site. We set up and saw one to two patients each, then the health dept "authority" came to close us down because we did not have letter from president of community. Pastor, teachers, church, and most of community were glad to have us. Tim, Shelia (team leader), and I went to the pastor's home to talk while the sports team played with kids. The pastor gave us qui and was very remorseful that people would not be served. The president was not hurting church or pastor, but the people. The pastor wept (Quechua men do not cry). I am anxious to hear what happens with the people and what God is going to do in that community since He closed that door.

Time to begin another day. Love you all!
Thanking Him from Ecuador,
Kim

... so many things

"And they were bringing children to Jesus, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked them."

Mark 10:13

We have returned from Rio Verde! Many things happened there. We have heard from his family that Benin (the very sick boy) has improved as evidenced by his ability to sit up and eat. We praise God that Ben's life has been spared. We saw over 400 patients in the three days we worked at Rio Verde. Our dentist - Randy Baker - and his team have provided wonderful dental care for the Awa people that we saw at Rio Verde. They are very grateful for the relief he has provided.

One significant development that occurred at Rio Verde was the training of a health intern for the community. His name is Milton. He has received some health care training in the nearby town of Lita. Kim and I brought some diagnostic tools and a backpack that we purchased from a medical missions organization called "Teach to Transform". We instructed Milton in taking vital signs with modern equipment, and taught him how to recognize life threatening illnesses. Because Milton will be present in the Rio Verde community each day throughout the year, he will be able to provide a first line of defense for the health of the Awa people.

We were also able to train Olga as an assistant to Milton. Shelia had the opportunity to mentor Olga years ago.

Rio Verde is changing in many ways, including the construction of new waterways beneath the road, as well as bridges over the waterways. We have enjoyed many great conversations with Kevin and Kathy Bruce. They have become good friends, and we value their perspectives.

Much has happened. I will write more over the next few days.

Affected by His touch,

Tim

The Road to Rio Verde

"I will make all My mountains a road, and My highways will be raised up."

Isaiah 49:1

When the Bruce family came as missionaries to Lita, Ecuador in 1995, the road from Lita to Rio Verde was a foot path. Since then, the path became a dirt road, and is now a rock embedded road with multiple improvements made over the past year. Besides the big bridge over the Rio Verde constructed three years ago, there are now 5-6 areas where the road has been raised above crossing streams of water. The building of a second large bridge over a large waterway is currently underway.

These improvements are slowly but surely improving the quality of life for the Awa people in the Rio Verde area. Transportation via this critical link to their nation is now reliable, and therefore more frequently used. Families seem less desperately impoverished, and more hopeful. The work of establishing an Awa church continues to progress. The Shaubs (another missionary family working with the Awa) are on furlough, and will not be returning to Rio Verde until three weeks after the Bruce family departs for a well deserved furlough. During those three weeks, the Awa leadership will have responsibility for continuing the many duties that these missionaries carry fulfill. Thus begins what Kevin Bruce foresees as a transition in their work with the Awa.

Acknowledging His plan,
Tim

The very sick boy

"The royal official said to Him, 'Sir, come down before my child dies.' Jesus said to him, 'Go, your son lives.'"

John 4:49-50

It was a busy Monday morning in Rio Verde. The team had made the scenic and adventurous trip from our quarters in Lita to the little Andean village where we had held clinics twice before. Many Awa people had gathered in anticipation of our annual visit. Once the children were dismissed from school, the dental, medical, pharmacy, and pediatric tunits quickly set up for the day ahead.

The waiting lines at Rio Verde are usually long. Today was no different. One Awa mother stood in line with her thirteen children. The older nurse performing intake duties noted that one of the children - a seven year old boy- was breathing rapidly as his mother patiently carried him along. The nurse sent the whole family to the head of the line, where they were seen by two nurses seeing patients between my area and Dr. Kim's area. They noted that the boy's breathing was very labored, and called out my name, insisting that I see the boy immediately. Upon reaching the boy, it was clear that the boy was seriously ill. He did not respond to my voice, had a fever of 103, respiratory rate of 40, heart rate of 55, and oxygen saturation of 79%. He was critically ill, and had bilateral pneumonia with impending respiratory failure. He could stop breathing at any moment. Our team, however, took quick action, administering two injections of antibiotics and starting an IV line for fluids. The missionary advised the boy's mother that he desperately needed more advanced care at the hospital. She consented. The boy was transported to Lita, accompanied by one of our nurses. From Lita, he was transported by ambulance to the ICU in Ibarra. At last word, he is still alive.

It should be noted that while he was at our clinic many people were praying for Ben. They are doing so even now. Ben's mother later told us that he had stopped breathing for an hour the day before we saw him. Everyone in attendance knew that it was only the hand of God that sustained Ben's life. Please pray for him as you read this.

With hope,

Tim

Lost, then found

"Or what woman if she has ten silver coins and loses one, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it?"

Luke 15:8

On Saturdays the team usually takes a break. Part of the day usually involves going down to the world famous open air market in Otavalo. Because I am such a poor shopper, I usually tag along with Shelia Duncan, shopper extraordinaire. I wanted to buy just a few items. It was a bit cool, so I wore my black jacket instead of my tan vest. While buying a shirt, belt and ring, my hearing aid battery went dead, and I placed my hearing aid in the pocket of my jacket. However, when I returned back at the hotel one hour later, I could find it nowhere. I checked and rechecked the three pockets of my jacket many times. As I checked all of my room, I despaired of finding it.

Shelia and I decided that I probably dropped my hearing aid while shopping that morning. We were to go to an event at church that afternoon, so we could retrace our steps from that morning. The day had warmed up, so I wore my tan vest. We searched the clothing stand where I had bought a shirt, questioned 2-3 proprietors, and even investigated the dirt alongside the curbs, but alas we did not find it. Shelia decided to lift up a quick prayer of trust and request that we find the hearing aid. Suddenly, she asked what was the tiny object clinging to the Velcro on the exterior of my vest. And there, believe it or not, was my hearing aid!!! I was dumb-founded, and have concluded that it was a gift from God! I have rejoiced several times since, telling the story to all.

Also in Luke 15 it says that the angels in heaven rejoice more over finding one lost person than they do over the 99 who have already been found. Could it be that our Father is trying to impress upon us His strong desire for more people to come to know Him?

Impressed by His might,
Tim

Mojandita

Team posing at Mojandita

The medical clinic established at Mojandita through our team in 1997

Crying

"The righteous cry, and the Lord hears and delivers them out of all troubles. The Lord is near to the broken hearted, and saves those who are crushed in spirit."

Psalm 34:17-18

She was a widow, 81 years of age. The people of Galilee church in Otavalo had opened their doors to the people of the surrounding community to gain access to free medical and dental care at the clinic our team was providing. Her chief complaint was dizziness. She had been through some surgical procedures over several years time, but was healthy for her age. As Shelia conversed with her in Spanish, a significant discussion began developing. Hannah, a college student on our team, began watching Shelia's face. The elderly woman described how she lived alone, and was very fearful of her future. I was praying, when the Holy Spirit said we should pray for her.

At that moment a baby in the adjoining room began to cry. So too did our patient. She began to pour out her heart in sorrow. Shelia began to cry, as did Hannah and I. We prayed with her, asking God for protection for her, and for deliverance from fear. We encouraged her to cast her anxiety upon the Lord, and to begin attending activities at the church. She welcomed the idea, and made plans to return.

Michael Card writes in a song entitled "Distressing Disguise" that, when a brother or sister reaches out to another in need, they both disappear and it is only Jesus we see. In a little church far away in the Andes Mountains today, that is exactly what I saw. God saved me too.

Eternally grateful,
Tim

End of Day One in Ecuador

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Our team landed in Quito last night two hours later than expected due to a problem with the plane's altimeter. Turned out everything checked out okay. We arrived safely, and went through customs with no snags (thanks for your prayers). We had a good night's rest at HCJB, and had a delicious breakfast there this morning. Our bigger than usual team (we have 26 at present) has worked well together today. We held a clinic for the Galilee church body here in Otavalo this pm, and the Cross Extreme sports team got started as well. We were assisted by eight German students with Liebenzell Ministries, who served as our translators. They did a great job!

Kim and I saw a variety of cases as usual. I spent 45 minutes treating a young man for nosebleed, and also saw a five month old with what probably is cerebral palsy. I also saw a lady with a tumor of her parotid gland, and another lady with Sjogren's syndrome. Our team dentist, Randy Baker from Olive Hill, used the new portable dental chair that River of Life helped to acquire. It worked great once one of our team hooked it up to a new car battery!

I have been reading an impactful book by Brennan Manning lately, entitled "All Is Grace". I will likely share from that this week.

Love to you all,
Tim Scott ( beneath the giant ivy at Dona Esther hostel in Otavalo)

Ecuador 2012 - Getting Started

"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden."

Jesus

(Matthew 5:14)

Dear Saints of Tatesbrook:

Our newly formed team arose at 3 am today, and is now checking in at the airport. We have had all of the meetings this past half year, have gathered all our supplies, communicated with our counterparts in Ecuador, packed and repacked, paid up and picked up. We are ready to get started! This year's theme verse is Matthew 5:14. Jesus said we are the light of the world....Wow!! Here we go!!

In Him,
Tim