Day 5 - Palmira

The medical team traveled to a new location today, Palmira. Few North Americans have been to Palmira, but thanks to a recently built road, we were able to treat around 200 people today. It also rained for hours today which made the 2 hour truck ride back a little scary at times, but God is GOOD and he protected and provided for us.

Monday

Being a Blessing

Today was our second full day in Ecuador. One of my favorite times is always evening devotions when we worship and share how God has shown his light in circumstances. The theme this trip is power.  Nine on the team have been to Ecuador on this trip before; ten of our group are here for the first time. A few highlights of those sharing last night…

John and Jay, two men on the VBS team, were in charge of recreation. They have both served as youth pastors. Everyone played and had a great time. Eventually, they did the the bat head spin game under a parachute, and then kids had to run across under parachute to their place in circle. Lots of laughter. Then the two danced, and the women of the church laughed at them and would move dancing kids out of the way in order to still see the men dancing. There are five youth from Lifesong Church in Russell, KY. They have loved being loved on by the Ecuadorian children.

God’s light is shining in darkness. The pastors in the Galilee church have been discouraged and in somewhat of a desert spiritually. However, the team (VBS portion) had planned for Submerged VBS in the church with service to community children, also. The church leadership was ignited and joined together with renewed joy.

Medical team went to Gualsaqui. The pastor, Roberto, there has a huge passion for Christ and the people of his community.  Due to only being a half day, we we not able to see all that we usually see in this community. However, Roberto said that the sickest and those that needed to be seen were seen. My heart was touched by a woman who has declined physically since a family member passed recently. She had many internal manifestations of outside stress. Even though we are worlds apart, we see many of the same issues.my favorite answer to the question “Que paso?” (What’s wrong) was when an aging woman told me she wanted her graying hair black again. I had to laugh out loud.

One of the devotions I read yesterday (Joni) was about being a blessing.  God gives us so many opportunities to bless others. His life flows through us to others. We come to bless others, but instead we are blessed so much more by the Ecuadorians. To be blessed by God means being drawn deeper, higher, and further into his heart.

Thanks for all who have been praying. Traveling was unremarkable: no plane delays, no custom issues, safe travel.

My prayer today:

Make me a blessing, make me a blessing,

Out of my life may Jesus shine;

Make me a blessing, O Savior, I pray,

Make me a blessing to someone today.

Blessings to all,
Kim

Day 1 - Ecuador Mission 2016

Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia and from there they sailed to Cyprus.

Acts 13:3-4

Dear friends and family,

Dr. Kim and I are midway through day one. We started at Bluegrass Airport, then travelled to Chicago O'Hare, and are now at the airport in Miami, where we joined up with fifteen of our team. We will arrive at the airport in Quito around 9:30, eventually settling in at the hotel in Otavalo around 1:00 am.

It is a long day filled with travel. But our journey is much easier and safer than Barnabus' and Paul's. Like them, however, we are being led by the Holy Spirit. Every one of our 19 team members need to hear and be led by the Holy Spirit. Please pray for us today in that regard.

Tomorrow, our team will be holding our first health clinic and VBS in a small community near Otavalo. Pray that hearts will be open and that lives will be changed.

Dependent on Him,
Tim, Kim and the team

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

Day 6 - Scenic Loss of Power at Rio Verde

"By the river on its bank, on one side and on the other, will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither and their fruit will not fail. They will bear every month because their water flows from the sanctuary, and their fruit will be for food and their leaves for healing.”
Ezekiel 47:12

Dear friends and family,

On day 6 (Monday), the team returned to see Awa patients at Rio Verde. (The night before we experienced the loss of all electrical power in the area. We had devotion time by flashlight -- the singing was strong -- and then contemplated how dark the world can be without light.) the trip to the village is always scenic, and this year the team was treated to some great views of the Rio Verde.

 We saw about 60 families of varying size at the clinic that day.  Problems included back pain, headaches ( including migraine), gastroenteritis, sciatica, cerumen impaction, small cuts, plantar fasciitis, warts, asthma, pneumonia, and probable tuberculosis.

We also saw patients we have seen before, including an older couple who have two young children with Down's syndrome.  They have done a great job in raising the older son and younger daughter, despite having had no access to resources.  This year, however, the team was joined by a pediatrician from Otavalo who attends a church pastured by one of our friends.  We asked Dr. Jose to see these two delightful children, and he helped direct the couple to some available training locally to address the daughter's inability to walk.  Shelia and I enjoy seeing this courageous family.

As the team drove back home that night, I reflected on how circumstances had improved for this Awa community.  Their road was better, they had light available with the introduction of electrical power, and through the lives of Kevin and Kathy Bruce (as well as others) God had brought them the life and hope found in Jesus.  The scripture found in Ezekiel 47 seemed very prophetic and pertinent.

Encouraged by what He is doing,
Dr. Kim and Dr. Tim

Day 5 - Worship with the Awa

Dear friends and family,

One of the biggest treats for this year's team was to worship with the Awa people at their new church building.  It was built about two years ago, and is located adjacent to the homes of the missionaries with whom we work - Kevin and Kathy Bruce, and Andy and Krissy Shaub.  These two families live on a ridge, high above the community of middle Rio Verde where the team holds its clinics for the past several years.  It used to be that the only way to get to the ridge top was by walking (See Trail of Mud), but now there is a road of packed dirt and rock that can be traveled by truck.

And so it was that our team of twenty (ten Kentuckians and ten Galilea church members from Otavalo) joined the missionaries and about sixty Awa in worship on Sunday morning.  Kevin played guitar, and Andy played flute, while Kathy led the singing.  We had song books with both the Spanish as well as the Awa words to the songs.  The presence of the Holy Spirit was strong as people of three languages lifted up praises to our Father.  I especially enjoyed the song "Family of God". The views from the ridge were majestic.

Interestingly, the verse of the week was Colossians 1:17, which we at TCAT have been studying as well.  Some of the teaching was given by Awa leaders, and the sermon was given by Kevin, taken from the book of Hebrews.

After church, all of us enjoyed a meal in the missionaries home. It was great. Afterwards, the team provided dental, medical and optometric care for all the church down at the Rio Verde clinic.

Blessed to be a part of the family of God,
Drs. Tim and Kim

Day 4 - Gathering Gifts in Otavalo then on to Lita

“For as therein and the snow come down from heaven, And do not return there without watering the earth And making it bear and sprout, And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it."
Isaiah 55:10-11

Dear saints,

The team had a good night's rest last night, and today we are enjoying obtaining gifts for many of you.  It rained for awhile here this morning, which is uncommon here in Otavalo.  The soil here is usually dry, but the plants nevertheless flourish with the small amounts of rain that they receive.

Our Christian brothers and sisters here also seem to be flourishing, despite difficult circumstances.  They struggle each day to make a living for themselves and their family.  Hard manual labor is a way of life.  Yet, God has given them deep faith, and a joy and love that sustains them.  As we encourage them with our care and resources, they encourage us with their love and faithfulness.  They are treasures to us.

So it is with God's word.  We need it to grow.  And He has a purpose for it in each of our lives.

This afternoon, we travel to Lita where we will work with the Awa people at Rio Verde.  The climate there is tropical, which appeals to those of us who love adventure.  Please keep our team and our mission in your prayers for the next two days.

In His mercy and in His grip,
Drs. Tim and Kim

Day 3 - Gualsaqui blessings and miracles and prayer

“I will open rivers on the bare heights and springs in the midst of the valleys; I will make the wilderness a pool of water and the dry land fountains of water."
Isaiah 41:18

Dear saints,

Pharmacist Jessica mixing meds at clinic

Today the team went to Gualsaqui, a rural community where our friend Roberto pastors at the Nazarene church.  He is looking healthy and strong these days, after years of persecution for his faith.  He says that God is doing great work in this land, as many are coming to faith and the church is being blessed with good growth.

Shelia Duncan started the day off with two home visits.  Our dear friend and pastor Wilman drove us and Roberto to the homes in the Trooper that our team gave him last year.  The first patient we saw was Manuel. He had been unable to walk without falling for six months. He had previously been injured when a bus ran over him. We determined that he now was weak on the right side due to a stoke.  We provided exercises for him to do, along with some medication. He was Quechua, so Roberto translated for us, while Wilman lifted him in and out of bed, and demonstrated the exercises.  His family was very supportive, and Roberto told us that he was a believer.  We prayed over him in three languages.

The second visit was with a lady who had had a headache and fever. We treated her with two medications, and learned that she too was a new believer.

Dr. Kim and nurse Lynn bidding farewell to their patient

Kim was busy all day seeing patients, assisted by nurse Lynn, who is from Vermont.  Randy and Connie Baker took care of many dental patients, despite back pain suffered by Randy.  Please pray for relief for him.

We had a very blessed day.  I was especially impressed by Roberto's prayer to begin the day.  He was joined by 10-12 members of his church who were volunteering to help for the day.  Their praying was powerful, as many tears came forth.  We were able to help most of the patients we saw, by the grace and power of God.  Everyone left at the end of the day in a state of peace and contentment.

Tomorrow, the team takes a day off to see the sights of Otavalo on market day. The tomorrow afternoon we travel to Lita and the land of the Awa.

Mercy, peace, and grace to each of you,
Tim and Kim

Day 2: Water in Otavalo then Punyaro

"...but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.”
John 4:14

Dear friends,

The team is eating breakfast, ready for a new day. We rested well here at Dona Esther Hostal in Otavalo, high in the Andes.  Today we serve in the village of Punyaro, where the local pastor has made arrangements for our first clinic to be held.

Our devotional theme this year is water.  How critical to life is water?  Completely!  We cannot live long without it.  As we serve those with needs today, we will seek to educate them about basic principles of good health.  One of those is to drink plenty of clean fluids every day.  Indeed, every team member will be carrying a bottle of clean water.  We are teachers more by what we do than what we say.

Jesus is our true Water.  He is our life.  We will watch today for living evidence of that fact.

Dependent on Him for life,
Drs. Tim and Kim

Mission to Ecuador 2014: Day One

Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.
James 1:17

To the saints at Tatesbrook and to all who may read this letter:

Mercy and peace to each of you, from the Son and the Father. 

Dr. Kim and I greet you from the sunny land of Miami. Our team of ten assembled last evening in northern Kentucky, and departed early this morning. Everything went remarkably smoothly, in accordance with your prayers.  Our two hour flight was both comfortable and beautiful.  Praise be to God!

Our team consists of two nurses (Leah and Lynn), two physicians (Kim and Tim), a dentist and assistant (Randy and Connie), a pharmacist (Jessica), an optician (Thomas), a student (Tatum), and one organizing director supreme (Shelia).  It appears to be a well balanced and effective mission organism.  The Body of Christ has enormous, yet unrealized, potential. Christ in us enables us to be used for God's purpose over the next seven days in the rugged mountains and green forests of Ecuador.

The people we will be serving eagerly await our arrival.  We join them, with the anticipation of discovering what God has in store for us to live out, together.  All praise, glory and honor be unto Him!

Following His leading,
Dr. Tim

Multiplication

The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 

2 Timothy 2:2

Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong. 

2 Corinthians 12:10

 
And He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 

Matthew 4:19

One last word to follow,
Tim