Yes! Indeed there was God’s healing hand present in Ecuador. Not only were
10 medical providers and a large support team able to reach thousands with
their God given talents, but God himself made known who is the true healer
of man. More on the highly witnessed healing event in a moment, but first,
let’s set the stage.
We
have built and established over the last few years a solid relationship with
a large church in Guayaquil, Ecuador called ”La Roca” (“The Rock” in
English). In previous trips we have been able to show the leaders and
people of La Roca that the people of The Vineyard Church are serious about
spreading the Good News and helping the Latin American people build the
network of believers. Several teams from several different Vineyard
churches around the country have spent their time and resources building the
relationship and preparing a foundation for good works and evangelism in and
around the area. A partnership between seven Vineyard churches was born to
serve Ecuador. La Roca has been a gracious and helpful host to our teams.
With pooled resources and established leadership this joint medical
outreach was conceived, planned and completed with outstanding results in
the physical and spiritual realm. The joint team consisted of two from
Gillette, Wyoming, 6 from Walnut, California, a large team from Kansas City
(two churches represented) and 6 members from the Boise Vineyard for total
of 28 short-term missionaries. The leadership for the event was the
responsibility of Ben Gonzales of Kansas City. He did a fantastic job
managing our first medical outreach mission. In addition, a team was
organized from La Roca and an additional team from Quito was provided to
assist. Each day of clinic involved over 80 people to set-up and run the
clinic for the day.
There were a total six days of clinic at six different locations in and
around the biggest city of the country (over 3 million people). Every
morning the team would arrive at a small school or church where families and
patients had already lined the streets in hopes of being able to see a
doctor. The crowd waited patiently as we unloaded the bus and they often
cheered our arrival with warm, exuberant greetings and applause.
Humbled by the overwhelming need, the work began with patients seeing the
medical providers and dentist. Over 2,800 patients were seen and were
provided prescription medications and vitamins from our “suit-case
pharmacy.” The afflictions were many and most suffered from the ill affects
of bad water and unsanitary conditions. Parasites, head lice, rashes,
infected bug bites and wounds along with the effects of diet deficiencies
were all very common problems that were seen and treated. Respiratory
ailments were also very common as the air in most locations was heavy with
smoke from burning waste or fields. The dentist was only equipped and able
to extract decayed teeth. She averaged 30 teeth removed every day.
In
parallel to the medical work, the children had many planned activities. Of
course there was always a soccer game or two in the street or courtyard.
Many of the mission team members would join in the soccer game to have fun
with the children. One soccer ball that a group of boys used was made of a
plastic bag, stuffed with trash to make it round. It actually worked quite
well! Children were able to participate in other games, crafts and coloring
while their families waited in the seemingly endless line for the clinic.
One of the highlights was the mime dramas performed by the Walnut, CA team.
With music, black clothes and professional masks the team performed several
times each day and even performed before the La Roca congregation (over
1,500 people) in the Sunday service.
At
all times, one or more of the evangelistic teams would mingle with the
people and families present to share the Gospel, pray and answer their
questions regarding what it means to be a true follower and disciple of
Jesus. These teams were very effective in sharing the Good News. Each
patient was also prayed over by the medical team and the pharmacy missed few
opportunities as people waited for their prescriptions to be filled. Prayer
coverage was extensive AND effective:
Over 600 people accepted Christ as their personal Savior!
Many more will follow as the effects of this mission event are felt and
shared with others following our return to the States.
One
event that will be told to thousands is the healing that occurred on the
sidewalk late in the week. An elderly man indicated to one of the prayer
teams that he could not hear (at least in one ear) and wished to see a
doctor. The team prayed for the healing of this man. After about 10
minutes of prayer some of the team thought it was time to move on and meet
with the next person in line. One of the team members, Jose from Quito,
insisted to the Youth Pastor from Walnut, Dennis that the prayer for this
man must continue. After several more minutes of intense prayer, some
water-like liquid came from the elderly man’s ear. He declared that he
could hear again! Several witnesses fell to their knees! A miracle had
indeed been witnessed and the Glory and Power of God affirmed! One could
say it was the heat of the day that cleared his ear, or that it was a
coincidence of timing that the man could hear again as a result of prayer.
What are the odds? Of all that were present there was no doubt that God’s
presence and power was responsible. Blessed are those that do not see and
yet believe. Our God is the one and only true healer.
The
people there thanked us repeatedly for coming to their nation with our
hearts and hands, willing to love and help them. They really appreciated
our presence.
With the incredible success of this medical outreach and the partnership
more events with La Roca are planned. A Latin American Worship Conference
is planned for October and a jungle scouting trip (to locate a lot donated
for a church site) is planned near the end of the year. The next medical
outreach will be planned for next year.
Were the people of Ecuador blessed as a result of this outreach? Yes. Was
the mission team blessed as a result of their faithfulness? Yes! Is this
mission work in Ecuador important? YES! Are these short-term missions
effective? YES!! Is your continued support for missions vital? ABSOLUTLY!!!
It
was not a suggestion; Jesus gave us the COMMAND that we COMPLETE the task of
reaching ALL nations with His Good News. Whether you are able to
participate in missions with your talent, services, prayer or finances –
participate in fulfilling His Great Commission.
