Front row left to right: Dr. Ted Beam-pastor, Anaclare Cobb,
Joyce Hudson, Amy Smith
Back row left to right: Amanda Anderson, Jason Anderson,
Marc Travis

I don't know his name, but I'll never forget his tears, his handshake, and his story. I'll never forget working side-by-side with his 16-year-old son who is studying to be an ambassador. And I'll never forget praying with his 21-year-old son and 18-year-old daughter; both repenting of rebellious lives, both in tears, both returning home. Now his entire family belongs to Jesus.

This man told me the story. Years ago, he had lost his family due to his overwork and neglect. His wife and three of the four children went to America for four years. The children prayed. He prayed. His wife prayed. They made several attempts to pull the family back together. The family finally returned to Ecuador with the two eldest children rebelling in many ways. On Thursday, the 21-year-old son set down his paint brush and asked if we could go pray. He met Jesus. Then at the close of Sunday night's service, the 18-year-old daughter came forward to pray. Both of these young people are in medical school. The father stood in tears, giving God glory for answering the prayers of his family. Parents and children-back together, and back with Jesus.

After the service, we interrupted some targeted witchcraft aimed at interfering with our worship. We prayed over the city, claiming it for Jesus. We want the entire city to experience reconciliation to God. God is gracious all over the world.
--Ted Beam

I've been asked to recall what I consider one of the best things about my trip to Ecuador. I find myself quickly faced with a very tough decision. I had the opportunity to travel to a beautiful land, meet beautiful people, and enjoy some of the most well spent, greatly productive Christian fellowship that I can truly recall. To pull a certain detail from such a rewarding experience is challenging.

During our typical evening meetings with the group in Ecuador, we often went around to each individual and stated his or her high point and low point for the day. Despite the facts that communication was a challenge and I could have gone without my day in an Ecuadorian hospital, I miss it all so much. I truly would return again tomorrow. It was so rewarding for me to be able to offer my labor as a helping hand for the Saraguro Indians. What a tremendous experience!

In my daily routine back in the States, I do whatever my job has me to do, unfortunately, without much appreciation or even much satisfaction. In Saraguro, Ecuador, I so enjoyed my labors. Being able to offer myself physically, to fix a door to the Sunday School room that was swollen from rain and hadn't opened or closed since anyone could recall, to add life and smiles to a Sunday School class by simply covering the walls with a fresh coat of paint, to make the children safer by repairing holes in floors that were so rotted and were only growing bigger, was for me an unforgettable experience of personal growth.

My heart goes out to those I met, people that live so hard, face such daily challenges, and live with so little compared to what we simply take for granted. Yet, these people were able to present me with such smiles, such appreciation and thanks, such strong faith and accepting friendship, that I truly thank God for the opportunity to have spent time with the Saraguros.

If ever you have wondered what it might be like, let me encourage you to find out. Saraguro was my first mission trip, and definitely not my last.
--Marc Travis

I recently returned from a mission trip to Ecuador. What an overwhelming experience! I was humbled by the outpouring of love from the Saraguro Indians and the other missionaries with whom we came into contact. The Lord is at work in Saraguro, Ecuador.

The highlight of my trip was being able to break through language and cultural barriers to witness about Jesus Christ. I am not much of a public speaker, and I had the opportunity to give my testimony twice to large groups of Saraguros. I was quite nervous, but the Lord calmed me and gave me courage. After the second testimony, several Saraguros came up to me to tell me that they could relate to what I had said. They asked me to pray for them, and I am grateful to pray for my brothers and sisters in Saraguro.

This experience has helped me to grow spiritually. I started the mission trip with the hope and expectation to touch others with His word. I feel this was accomplished, but something greater happened. I, myself, was touched and continue to be uplifted by my memories of this special place. This was my first mission trip and definitely will not be my last.
--Amy Smith

As I glanced around the room at the people surrounding me, my heart grew heavy and tears spilled down my cheeks. This was our last night in Saraguro, and the church members had come to say farewell. Although we had only known each other for a few days, we recognized that we were with our brothers and sisters in Christ.

There was a frustrating barrier to our bonding as a family, however. I spoke very little Spanish and they spoke no English. Yet, we had managed to communicate at times without the assistance of an interpreter. Smiles have universal meanings.

On this night, we sat facing one another. We had two interpreters, but there were several of us. Still, we managed to joke and laugh through facial expressions and hand signals. This was nice, but I longed to have real conversations with these people. I wanted to learn more about all of them, but we were running out of time.

Once the Saraguros decided to leave, we prayed together in English and Spanish. Afterwards, we hugged and wished each other wonderful lives. At this time, God taught me a lesson.

Miguel, the Saraguro pastor, spoke to us through a translator. I could see the compassion in his eyes. We were told that he would see us again someday--if not in this life, then in heaven. And when we meet in heaven, we won't need a translator, we will be free to speak to one another.

My heart leapt-I had never considered this. There will be a day when we will be reunited. Jesus will be with us, and we will be able to communicate through the language of His love.
--Amanda Hudson-Anderson