Mission Ecuador

 

October 15,2003

Dear Pastor Gary & Pastor Faye,

We just returned from our trip to the country of Ecuador. I would like to share with you the events of the time we spent there. Without all of the spiritual support and prayers of all those who stood in support of Rebirth International Ministries, this mission would have been impossible. I thank God for all of your help as you stood in the gap as a spiritual covering.

We encountered such a large need for funds and because that need was met, our missionary team of 12 from the US was able to bless every single child, every day, at every meeting. Not one child was left behind. Toys were given to each one. Orphans and widows received clothing.

In Ecuador, it is the norm for the Quichua Indians to send only one child per family to school due to the inability to afford school supplies. Your financial support made it possible for our team to purchase thousands of school supplies, providing every single child with the means to receive an education, for as long as the supplies will last.

Your prayerful support also made it possible to meet the medical needs of the Quichua Indian Ecuadorian people. We were able to buy additional medicine there, as the need was greater than we expected and for which we were prepared. Additionally, we were able to feed hundreds on a daily basis. Both children and adults were provided with daily nourishment by our team. We experienced some of the indigenous culture of the area as we watched and then imitated the women using broom sticks to mix food contained in large cast iron pots.

Due to the lack of money, the Ecuadorian culture allows for only one-room huts with straw roofs. The inhabitants sleep with all of their animals in doors to prevent theft of this precious asset. In between them and their animals, lies a rustic kitchen and grain stores for livestock. Their sleeping arrangements consist of a thin piece of wood board with straw laid on top. Whenever the bus was unable to make it up the very steep slopes, and we had to hike the mountains, we soon learned the day-to-day routine of the Ecuadorians outside the home. They are mountain dwellers and work plots of land for farming on steep slopes. We marveled at their farming skills, as we struggled to keep our balance just trying to walk up the slopes.

The trip centered around 3 women’s meetings, with a duration of 2 days for each meeting. During each meeting, the men of our group worked on the building of a church in the city of Chismaute, Ecuador. Working at an altitude of 12,000 feet, the men accomplished the establishment of 4 concrete walls. The locals will continue the vision, completing the very first church in the area.

While the men worked and the women met for education, teaching and the hearing of the gospel, the medical team worked non-stop from 10am to 5pm attending to a long list of those needing attention. When the children were not receiving medical attention, they attended one school session in the morning and one in the afternoon, learning Biblical stories, singing and making crafts. Once again, because of your generous financial support, we blessed each child with crayons and Christian coloring books.

The first women’s meeting took place in San Carlos de Tipin, Chimborazo. Seven people experienced the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Many more rededicated their lives to serve God.

The second women’s meeting, taking place in Illuchi, Cotopaxi, was filled with the blessings of God. God ministered to the people’s hearts in their own language. Through the tears of women, God’s presence was visible. Some women reported seeing visions and feeling the fire of God over their lives.

During the final meeting in Cachisagua, Bolivar, we were pleasantly surprised to receive a triumphant entrance by the children who stood in long parallel lines before the church. We were touched by their demonstration of happiness at having us be among them. Many people were saved during the last meeting. A large number of teenagers responded to the call to receive Jesus Christ in their lives. By the meeting’s end, the women stood ready to spiritually fight for their country and for their faith.

When not ministering to the Ecuadorian people, our team experienced the awesome beauty of God’s creation in the country’s breathtaking nature. We hiked through the Amazon River, explored the jungles, and swung on Tarzan vines. All the while, we praised God for the opportunity to touch the lives of his people across the globe that was only made possible by God’s grace and by all those who supported Rebirth International Ministry.

Thank you for your support. The trip was a true blessing because of you.

Your Missionary,
Brygitte Lusinski