Ministries

Ecuador

2008 marks the eighth year St Luke has planned a mission trip to Ecuador. Over the years, we have served in two general areas; medical care and construction of child care centers.

Our mission teams, working with Servants in Faith and Technology (SIFAT), have centered our efforts in Quito, the capitol city. The thrust of our efforts is to promote health and education of the underprivileged children of Ecuador. This program was begun and is promoted by a dedicated Ecuadorian physician and Christian named Roberto Contraras, MD. He is a guiding light and inspiration to all of us.

The medical portion of the team examines and treats 400-600 children per year. These kids range in age from infants to teenagers. Part of our challenge is to take the medications required to treat a broad range of common childhood diseases. We actually establish our own pharmacy and dispense prescribed medications.

Our physicians, physicians’ assistants, and nurse practioneers take brief histories and examine all children before prescribing the appropriate medications. We routinely give pediatric multivitamins and treat the ubiquitous parasites that sap nutrients and inhibit the growth and development of these kids. It has been very rewarding to see the physical and intellectual progress of these kids due to the St Luke team and other similar SIFAT teams. We have documented their growth and development since we weigh and measure every child as well as taking the routine vital signs.

There is a backlog of patients waiting to see the health care professionals. We take advantage of this time by members of the team administering a strong dose of Jesus Christ through teaching, Christian coloring books, and example.

The other purpose of our trip is to help with construction of childcare centers. Dr. Contraras has promoted these centers as cornerstones of nutrition, cleanliness, education, and Christian teaching. He wisely has sought the participation of the children’s mothers and they have enthusiastically responded. The mothers are now strong proponents and allies in this program.

We were not able to send a construction team in 2007 but one can see our previous contributions written in REBAR and concrete at several child care centers.

We need physicians, physician assistants, nurse practioneers, pharmacists, nurses and almost any health care professional to be part of our team. When construction teams are involved, we need engineers, construction workers, and builders of any kind.

However, the main quality needed for a mission team member is a desire to help these kids. Anyone who has that Christian desire is needed regardless of any healthcare, construction or teaching skills. We have never seen a person fail to find a useful and rewarding job if he/she has that desire.

If you want to go to Ecuador as part of our team, there will be a productive, satisfying job for you. Our experiences have changed not only Ecuadorian kids lives but also our lives. If you want to go, there will be a way.