By Dottie Ford
The fourth trip sponsored by Southern Singles Ministries to Paraiso, Ecuador was to build a church at last. How exciting! Three contractors and three helpers were all that came from the United States. Our goal was to have people in Paraiso help build the church. The Collegedale Church provided half of our team: Matthew Paige, Molly Helton and Dottie Ford. Craig Barthlett came from the Ooltewah Church, Stanley Thurmon from north Georgia, and Carlos Lozano from Texas.
As our building team stood on the back side of Paraiso looking at the very small, steep parcel of land that had been purchased for the church, we were all thankful that there was another option! Talking with the pastor and local members, we had been made aware of a three story house for sale across the street from the park in town. Standing on a stool peering in the windows we knew that WE had come to Ecuador with a very good plan but we were all wondering, “Could GOD’S plan be different? Could this house actually be our church in Paraiso?”
When the owner arrived the next morning, we were all amazed at the completely open ground level room. No walls would have to be removed— only shelves, which would be great for use in other places. Essentially, all we would have to do is build a podium in the corner, install some lights, buy chairs, clean and paint and we would have a fine little sanctuary.
The team moved up the steep stairs outside to the second story. We found three Sabbath School rooms and a room that could be converted to a half-bathroom and storage room by recycling the shelving downstairs. Of course, cleaning, painting, and all the work associated with creating a bathroom was needed.
Then we all descended to the basement which opened onto the back side of the building. We all agreed that one room could be converted into a kitchen, another could be the fellowship room, and the rest might someday be a little apartment. (Anyone want to live in a cute little apartment in Paraiso and do mission work?)
Finally, we wandered to the bathroom/laundry area in the back. Algae and moss were growing prolifically. The chickens had taken over the shower and “powder” room many years before. The floor was deep in chicken droppings, which also plugged the sink and floor drains. Since we already had a shovel, I immediately added bleach and scrub brushes to the “need” list which was rapidly growing.
After a significant period of negotiating, we handed over a $7,000 down payment with the understanding that money would be sent each month until another $8,000 was paid by the end of one year. With $3,000 left in our pockets for the cleaning, painting, and renovations and with a song of gratitude in our hearts we all agreed that we liked God’s plan much better than our own.
When the last team members left three weeks later, the Iglesia Adventista del Septimo Dia de Paraiso was a reality. Our final trip to finish the church, and provide Bible studies and medical care will be during Thanksgiving week.
For information call Dottie at (423) 396-4414.
By Dottie Ford
Wow! Is it possible that this was our third trip to Paraiso, Ecuador. Each trip is so very different and this was no exception.
Our first stop was the town of Mindo. There we had clinic in the back of the Mindo Seventh-day Adventist Church on Friday and Sunday. Dr. Ramiro Alonso showed many people the love of God through medical care. He was supported by Vilma, his wife, as the lab tech, Lynn Phibbs and Faye McColpin in the pharmacy and Rick Yancey doing the intake interviews. The sanctuary was full of activity. The parasite medicine was dispensed by Ron Aromaki and Kate Goodwin. Sue Peterson and Nancy Galarza assisted with the clothing distribution. Our Bible worker, Eddie Galarza, taught exciting concepts from the Bible with Jim Plyman assisting. Many Bibles were given to those who wanted to continue studying God's Word. The local pastor, Pastor Carlos Calderon', was excited to have a list of about 25 people who were interested in continuing to study. Our construction crew, Bly Beamesderfer, Craig Barthlett and John Turner worked on repairs for the church. By the time they finished, the bathroom had no more leaks and the door locked, the baptistry could hold water, and the front door was fixed. Lola and Ken Kewin, and Rosa Kirwan worked with the children's ministry. There was to be so many people joining us for Sabbath worship, we were given the community center. While the adults filled the community center with the sounds of worship, the children filled the church with the sounds of worship.
On Sunday after lunch we picked up fresh produce and some groceries at the town of Nanegalito and proceeded on to Pacto where we would be staying for a week while working in Paraiso and beyond. The house presented numerous challenges. The kitchen had no sink, stove, counter tops or refrigerator. It had storage shelves...nothing more. Our Ecuadorian cook, Marlene Buenaventura, and her husband Fabian are the leaders of their church and also of the Pathfinder Club. The Pathfinders loaned us their cook stove and cook supplies!! We were so grateful!!! With the purchase of thick plastic to cover the few available surfaces in the kitchen, and a water hose which was brought in through the window, Marlene was ready to cook some impressive vegan meals with an Ecuadorian twist. Lola and Rosa were the assistant cooks. One evening Bly treated us to a spaghetti dinner complete with garlic bread. We, of course, had bananas (in numerous varieties) but we also had the experience of tasting many other tropical fruits...some "interesting" and some delicious. Other than being generally very crowded, the other challenge the house presented was actually a town problem. We had water from 5:30 a.m. until about 8:30 a.m. each day. The men were great at being sure each bathroom had a small reservoir of water each morning so when we returned in the afternoon there was water available for necessities. Since we brought our drinking water from Quito, that was not a problem. All of us ladies will remember the bat flying through the house as we packaged parasite medicine for our last day of clinic. Poor bat. We probably sent him to an early grave.
As we arrived in Paraiso on Monday morning we did not know that God had many plans for breaking down prejudices. Seeing the familiar, friendly faces was a complete joy. They were so happy to see us. Our whole group went into high gear and in just a few minutes we were ready to see patients. Again, the clothes were set out for distribution and an area was set up for Bible Studies. Unlike the last trip, the President of the community, Senor Segundo, gave us the community center to use and another building for our children's ministry. Now Midge Dunzweiler joined the children's ministry group to teach tooth brushing classes. Since we had a small construction crew and no church to build, we offered to work on whatever the President wanted us to fix. Our men immediately went to work on repairing the electricity and plumbing in the community center. On Monday a prominent citizen came to the clinic with a fatty tumor to be removed. Dr. Alonso made arrangements to use the town clinic the next morning to do the minor surgery. The family was so grateful they fixed an Ecuadorian banquet for us on Wednesday for lunch. This same family had been very prejudiced against us when we were there before. Senor Segundo, who had not allowed us to use the community center during our last trip to Paraiso, gave us a letter of gratitude and invitation for us to return. Yes, God knows how to take care of prejudices.
Our last two days of work were given to the Minister of Health in Pacto, Luis Capelo. On our last trip he had requested that we go to some towns where there is no doctor. Over the next two day we went to three tiny towns, Guayavilla, Mashbi, and Pachijal. The people were so excited that this group of Americans had come with a doctor. Everyone had the bellyache from the parasites so everyone accepted the parasite medicine. Many Bibles were given away. The children and adults enjoyed the Bible study and health classes. Because of the Apison Seventh-day Adventist Church's baby shower, we had baby clothes to give away through the last day. Many mothers received their first baby clothes from us. How fun!
Our last Sabbath in Ecuador we returned to Paraiso to worship with our new group of believers. There were more worshipers than ever before. People who would not have come near an Adventist worship service were singing God's praises and turning the pages of their Bibles right along with the rest of the believers. Leaving is always difficult. It is sad to say goodbye to these precious people. I hope that the next time we visit these new believers, we will have the construction materials in hand for their house of worship.
And now for the totals. The doctor saw about 450 people and we gave parasite medicine to about 1200 people. And the Bibles...about 200 Bibles were given away, with another 50 to be used for Bible studies in the Pacto area and at Fabian's and Marlene's church in Quito. The blessings and answered prayers were numerous. But we all witnessed the answered prayer on that Friday when I could not come up with a plan for getting the whole group to Mashbi and Pachijal. It was only seconds after ending our prayer for guidance that the answer came and we all knew that it was God's plan. As it turned out Luis and Luis (Minister of Health and bus driver) surprised us by adding to God's plan what we were too afraid to add. As the bus traversed the precarious mountain road, knowing that we were in God's will was totally reassuring.
I would like to personally thank each of those who participated with their contributions and sacrifices. Several participants had to take time off without pay and come up with their money for the trip. You are all wonderful and I pray that God will continue to bless each of you as you remember your special memories from this trip. You showed children of God in another part of this world what God is truly like. Thank you also to those who supported us with prayers and offerings and to the Apison Seventh-day Adventist Church for all the help they have given. May God bless each of you.
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