Mission to Ecuador 2015 - Days 10 and 11

We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brethren, as is only fitting, because your faith is greatly enlarged, and the love of each one of you toward one another grows ever greater; therefore, we ourselves speak proudly of you among the churches of God for your perseverance and faith.... 

2 Thessalonians 1:3-4

Dear family,

On Friday the team spent its last day of medical work providing a clinic at Galilea Baptist Church. The people of this Body have been our partners in the work we do here in Ecuador for quite a few years now. Led by pastor Wilman Varela and his wife Clemencia, the team from Galilea work hard and long everyday in providing our team with food, transportation, Bible School assistance, advice and encouragement. They are God-given friends!

Because Galilea is located in Otavalo, many of the church members there do receive regular medical care. Most of my work there is spent in either providing care for acute minor illnesses, or in reviewing the results of lab tests and X-rays that have been performed at local facilities. The day's tasks are lighter than on other days, and we get to see many of our Christian friends and acquaintances.

In the afternoon, the team performed its annual chore of discarding supplies that will expire and of storing and taking inventory of the remaining medications and supplies. Afterwards, we all cleaned up, had a nice dinner at Restaurant SISA in Otavalo, and then had our nightly time of devotions.

Evening devotions have been a very important time for our teams all these years. We sing a song, read a favorite scripture, and then one team member briefly shares their life story and journey of faith. This year the team is praying over the team member after they share. Then, we all share what happened that day, and what we heard from God. We close in prayer, and retire for the evening.

Saturday (today) has been a day of rest. We got to sleep in until 7am, then took our time in doing a bit of shopping, eating, and then packing for the trip home on Sunday. We will share a Celebration meal with our friends at Galilea, replete with games and a surprise. We will retire early, in order to get a very early start on Sunday morning. The team will depart Quito at 7am, and will have a six hour layover in Miami before returning to the airport in northern Kentucky about 10pm Sunday night.

Blessed by the love of His whole church,
Tim

Nicholas from Gonzales

Dear family,

Dr.Tim with children at Gonzales

On Thursday, the team went to a place we had never been before. Gonzales is a poor community located across the highway from San Pablo Lake. The lake is beautiful and is situated at the foot of Imbaburra volcano. The team arrived at the simple wooden house where the Gonzales community meets at about mid-morning. Many older individuals were already gathered to receive health care. Introductions were made, we prayed and our day got underway.

My first task was to check the ears, eyes, mouths, hearts and lungs of about twenty two- and three-year olds, seated on a rug in the middle of the waiting area. All of the children were eager to be examined....they were a delight. Other than a small sty that one boy had, all of the children were healthy. It was a good start to the day.

For all of these years, Shelia Duncan has served as my translator. A former missionary to Ecuador, she also organizes all of our trips. She is a fantastic team member, and a better person. She loves Jesus with her whole being.

Time with Nicholas at clinic in Gonzales

One of our first patients was a man by the name of Nicholas (we discovered this by examining the spelling book he carried with him). He could speak only a few words, and was significantly impaired, both intellectually and socially. We could tell, however, that he was in some pain....but Nicolas was unable to tell us where. We gradually removed some of his clothing, and discovered a wide string tied around one finger, and another tied around his wrist. We thought these were for pain relief, yet there were no wounds of his skin anywhere. I removed his shoes, and again found no abnormalities. Finally, he motioned toward his mouth. There we found five teeth, two of which were abscessed. We asked our dentist, Randy Baker, about the situation. He recommended medical treatment first, so we gave Nicholas an injection of antibiotic ( we did not believe he could follow directions for a course of treatment, and he lived alone).

While examining Nicholas, we did discover a small purse. Inside, there were two pennies, a nickel, and a quarter. We asked the community organizer about him, and found that he was homeless.

After giving him the injection and redressing him, Nicholas gave Shelia and me some big hugs. And then....he reached into his purse and offered to pay us for his care. We of course quickly assured him that there was no need for that, but then we both broke into tears.

The rest of the day went well enough. We did go to a daycare, and enjoyed checking on sixteen babies there. We also made a house call to evaluate a young woman with a persistent headache. We ended up presenting the gospel to her, and prayed with her and her family.

But for a few minutes that morning at the edge of San Pablo Lake, two veteran team members were overcome with humility in the face of God's mercy and grace.

In Christ,
Tim

Return to Gualsaqui - Day 8

How lovely on the mountains

Are the feet of him who brings good news,

Who announces peace

And brings good news of happiness,

Who announces salvation,

And says to Zion, “Your God reigns!”

Isaiah 52:7

Dear family,

On Wednesday the team returned to one of the places we visit each year - the rural community of Gualsaqui. This is where our friend Roberto pastors a Nazarene church, and where we are welcomed with open arms. As usual, the VBS team conducted a bible school (in a corn field), while the health care team conducted medical and dental clinics in the church.

Once again, Roberto and Wilman took Shelia and me on a house call to start the morning. We visited Roberto's elderly mother-in-law, who had been bedfast for several months. We determined that she was suffering from an advanced case of dementia. We left some helps for her medical condition, and prayed for her and with the family.

The people of Gualsaqui are always so very gracious and very grateful for our help. They always ask if we will return in a year, and we tell them that we cannot be sure, but that we will try.

The second case was a seven month old infant who had a severe seizure disorder that had required a two month hospitalization in Quito. We reviewed his X-rays and records, and discussed his care with his mother. We also gave her some of the medication he had been prescribed, and provided some funds to help pay for some of his future care.

In both situations, the patient or family was deeply grateful for the care and help that we had given. We prayed with each of them for strength and for healing.

Blessed with tired but happy feet,
Tim

Time with the Awa - Day 6 and 7

In peace I will both lie down and sleep, For You alone, O Lord, make me to dwell in safety. 

Psalms 4:8

Dear family,

While working with the Awa each year, the team in recent years has been sleeping at the youth campground quarters next to the Liebenzell Conference Center in Lita. Saturday night this year, however, was tough on sleep because a band in Lita played until 2am that night. On Sunday night, though, everyone slept very well!

VBS in Lita

Erica and Andre at VBS
( Liebenzell Centre)

On Monday and Tuesday, the medical team saw patients at the Rio Verde health centre, while the VBS team conducted VBS sessions with children in Lita as well as with children at a one-room schoolhouse along the road to Rio Verde.  Over 200 children attended the sessions in Lita. The team was very impressed by the teaching and aide rendered by our friends from Galilea Baptist Church as well as by the German students with the Liebenzell Impact team. The students had a tremendous time, and remained focused as well.

The medical team consisted of Randy and Connie Baker with dentistry, Leah Duncan and Audrey Smith with primary nursing and medical care, Jessica Marsee with pharmacy, and myself and Shelia Duncan with general medical care. We were assisted by the team from Galilea church, the Liebenzell students, and the missionary families. We also worked with and gave further medical experience to Jose, the Rio Verde community health worker employed by the Ecuadorian government. Jose has become a dependable health care provider for the Rio Verde community over the past two years.

We saw many patients on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. Some of them were patients we see every year, while others were people we were seeing for the first time. We saw Gloria, the older couple with the two children with Down's syndrome, Augustine (the older man who has lost both arms in an accident), the Conticuz families, and Paulino (elder of the Awa church) and his family.

We saw more than the usual number of cases of pneumonia this year, as well as scabies and head lice. We also saw quite a few new people who I believe have seizure disorders. Some of these patients we referred on to local health departments and local physicians, when possible. The patients are now more open to this than in the past, as health care has improved. Randy took care of many patients, and his care is always deeply appreciated because of the pain relief he provides.

All things considered, life in Rio Verde continues to improve. Our team members are richly blessed to know that God has allowed each of us to be a small part of that journey.

Dona Esther hostel in Otavalo

We are now all back in Otavalo, ready to take hot showers and to sleep in soft beds. But most of all, deep in our souls, we know that we have a Father Who cares for us and leads us with a love that grows deeper, wider and stronger with each passing year.

At peace in His arms,
Tim

Worship at Rio Verde - Day 5

Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.

Ephesians 4:32

Dear family,

Sunday was a great day for our team as we were privileged to worship with the missionaries and the Awa people that they serve. We gathered up on top of the ridge where Kevin and Kathy Bruce as well as Andy and Chrissey Shaub live. About twenty five Awa that live in the area worshipped our Lord in song, and then heard a great message on forgiveness, provided by Kevin. Prompted by a recent crisis in the church, the gathered body received teaching from Luke as well as Ephesians.

Following the service, we all enjoyed lunch and the great views from the missionaries' homes. I enjoyed watching a huge grasshopper make its way along the gutter at the backside of the home, and I also enjoyed perspectives on American life by 12 year old Leeann Schaub.

We saw where the government has now extended the road to Rio Verde yet further by about five miles to the remote community of Palmira. The team is hoping to hold a medical clinic in that community next year.

After lunch, we all went back down the ridge to Rio Verde where we conducted the first day of clinic for the Awa. We saw about sixty people, including several cases of pneumonia, as well as scabies, head lice and parasites. We anticipate a busy day on Monday.

Blessed by our Father's forgiveness,
Tim

Mountains Quake - Day 4

Prayer for Mercy and Help

Oh, that You would rend the heavens and come down, That the mountains might quake at Your presence—

Isaiah 64:1

But now, O Lord, You are our Father, We are the clay, and You our potter; And all of us are the work of Your hand.

Isaiah 64:8

Dear family,

Mountains are everywhere in Ecuador. There are 22 volcanoes here, and one one of them has been active the past few years. So, yes, the mountains do sometimes quake here!

The team is heading to the remote area where the Awa live this afternoon. We will be there the next three days. I likely will be unable to communicate with you during that time. Please pray for the Awa people, the missionaries, the team and me during those three days. We each have physical needs, emotional needs and spiritual needs. Mostly, though, pray that each of us hear what God has to say to us, and that we will respond to Him with submission and obedience.

In His hands,
Tim

Pitched Our Tent in Nantabuela - Day 3

Then he proceeded from there to the mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east; and there he built an altar to the Lord and called upon the name of the Lord. 

Genesis 12:8 

Dear family,

Over the nineteen years that teams from Kentucky have been going to Ecuador, there have been half a dozen times when a tent was put up to be used as a one or two day clinic. Today was one of those times, and for the first time our team played a big role in pitching the tent. Our pastor friend Wilman Varela directed us and a few of his church members in setting up a 60 foot tent, and then putting up the external and internal tarpolin walls. It was a great team experience, and a lot of fun!

As usual, we saw a lot of medical and dental patients. We were in the community of Nantabuela, where a weekly Bible study has been established by Wilman and his wife Clemencia. The community welcomed us with open arms. Many of our first time team members were deeply impressed by the trust and sense of community that they experienced.

Like Abraham, we pitched our tent on the mountain, where we called upon the name of the Lord. It was a day of great blessing.

At peace, and looking forward to a time of rest,
Tim

Mission to Ecuador - Day 1

 ...but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. 

1 John 1:7

Dear family of God,

We are flying at 38,000 feet, high above the clouds, on our way to Quito. There is a panorama of white and blue below us, with an endless display of illuminating rays of sunlight. The sea far below is a brilliant blend of blue and green. The islands of the Caribbean shine with white coastlines and dark interiors. One is struck with how awesome is The Creator.

Our team travels to Ecuador to have fellowship with His church as well as with those we serve. Old friendships are renewed, and new brief relationships develop with patients as well as with the children in the Bible Schools where we work. All of these relationships are enabled by our Father, Who provides the light in which we walk, day by day. It is a rewarding and very exciting way to live, albeit with considerable effort and endurance at times.

We also celebrate being one with Him, enabled by the sacrifice and life of Jesus. We are meant to live and walk and work and love in Him. It is a life that at times allows us to fly above the clouds, seeing things from His perspective.

In His grace, peace and mercy,
Tim

2015 Pre-Ecuador thoughts

“Listen closely to the thunder of His voice, And the rumbling that goes out from His mouth."

Job 37:2 

Dear family and friends,

The team has gathered and settled in at the Hampton Inn near the airport.

We will rise early in the morning to get on the 6am flight to Miami. Everyone is excited. Though half of us have made this trip many times before, no one can be sure of all that will happen tomorrow. We have made many preparations for this day, but in the end our path is in our Father's hands.

Tonight, it is thundering outside. The sound reminds me of God's sovereignty and awesome power. Like Job, I am reminded to listen closely to what the Lord is saying. Tonight, I hear Him saying, "Trust Me. I am the One Who has made the deep preparations for this trip. I have prepared hearts and minds and circumstances and meetings. My purpose will be accomplished. Enjoy this journey." And so, I lie down for a much needed rest, knowing that our Father will provide.

At peace in His grace,
Dr. Tim