July 28, 2008

Southeastern Connecticut Episcopal Churches Join Forces for Christian Work Projects in Ecuador

Dodging tarantulas, fire ants, and Amazonian torrential downpours, 24 intrepid volunteers, representing 4 local Episcopal churches, returned Monday from an ambitious mission to Ecuador that changed lives on both continents.  Manos en Manos, hand in hand, this diverse group of “gringos”, ages 12-72, cemented relationships as well as walls and floors during a 12-day mission that joined the forces of the Episcopal churches of Ecuador and Southeastern Connecticut.

The relationship with Ecuador was initiated in early 2007 by Mark Robinson, Rector of Stonington’s Calvary Church, and his personal friend and colleague, Wilfredo Ramos, a former bishop of Connecticut. They conceived of this cross continental mission when Ramos was appointed as Bishop of Ecuador. The collaboration emphasizes cross-cultural, long-term personal relationships forged through strenuous work, hearty bi-lingual meals, and the power of prayer.

Chris Morck, assistant to Bishop Ramos in Ecuador and an American Episcopal missionary from Massachusetts, came to Calvary to gain support from southeastern Connecticut’s Seabury Deanery, a collection of churches including Calvary Church in Stonington, St. James in New London, St. David’s in Ledyard, and St. James in Preston.  Through this partnership, the concept became a reality. In August of 2007, a group of 16 Connecticut volunteers ventured to Ecuador to begin their mission.

“The purpose of mission is twofold,” said Grace Barnum of St. James in New London, and one of the group organizers.  “We don’t just go to work and to give.  It is just as important to receive.  Our experiences and what we learn from our Ecuadorian friends provide insights, knowledge, and an expanded consciousness to make positive changes in the world.”

Word of the profound impact the experience had on last year’s travelers and the Ecuadorians they encountered, resulted in a much larger contingent for summer 2008. Nine members of the Connecticut group were repeat volunteers to the mission, while nearly all of the Ecuadorian workers and support team were returnees. A waiting list was formed for the next journey.

On July 17, the group of 24 travelers arrived at the Episcopal Diocesan headquarters in Quito, the Ecuadorian capital nestled in a valley 9,300 feet high in the Andean mountains.  Adjusting to high altitude and a colorful culture, the group spent 2 days absorbing spectacular vistas of snow-capped volcanoes and a vibrant South American mountain city, while learning about the history and significant needs of the Episcopal Church of Ecuador.

Venturing south by bus down the “Avenue of the Volcanoes”, from Quito, through high plains and sharp mountain peaks, they watched the Ecuador landscape drop down into small settlements scattered at the headwaters of the rainforest. The Amazonian city of Puyo was their destination, perched on the edge of the deep jungle. 

“The landscape was amazing – from gigantic volcanoes to steep terraced mountain farms, to waterfalls everywhere and finally to the hot, humid jungle,” said Anna Holt, a 14-year old from Calvary Church traveling with her parents. 

Rain was a daily companion at the work site, as was road dust and mud.  Using rudimentary resources such as wire, duct tape, old nails, and whatever was lying around, they fashioned tools and supplies to paint, to clean, to haul, to build, and to tear down – whatever Patricio, the Ecuadorian worksite manager dictated.  The ability to improvise was a job requirement, as was fortitude, patience and acceptance, for the workdays were long and grueling, and the Ecuadorian ways of accomplishing tasks often differed in interesting ways from gringo ways.  The group worked, ate, learned, socialized, and prayed together in a jumble of Spanglish and gestures to move the work forward.

Ecuadorians understand the power of the “Minga,” a community of people who work together to perform tasks unthinkable for an individual to complete.  Combining the physical strength and nimble minds of the Americans and Ecuadorians the “minga” tore through projects including, the laying down of a new cement floor in the Puyo church, painting of the rectory, the exterior of the church, the walls and fences and then digging up and rebuilding a long stone driveway at La Finca, a small farm owned by the Episcopal diocese outside of Puyo.

Until a few years ago the Episcopal church in Ecuador was strong and growing, with a membership of approximately 20,000, the majority of Ecuadorians are Roman Catholic.  However, in recent years, the Episcopal Church in Ecuador has experienced internal challenges, resulting in a significant decline in members and morale.  “We have experienced serious difficulties, but we are growing again,” said ______, one of the priests who met with the group in Quito.  “Our members and church leaders need to feel the support of our sister churches in the United States, not in dollars, but in your presence here and with the awareness that we are connected to a large and strong community.”

Morck and his family will return to Southeastern Connecticut in October 2008 to enliven what is designed to be a long-term project with new volunteers and raise funds for the many needs of the Ecuadorian mission. 

“The heartfelt passion for the work and the relationships formed will sustain every participant, young and old, Ecuadorian and American for decades to come”, said Mark Robinson. “This is only the beginning of our real work and a real lasting impact upon everyone touched by the project .”  

We are seeking donations in support of our mission: to pay for passage, in-country expenses, and the cost of materials for our work. You can support our ministry by making a small tax deductible donation directly to the Seabury Deanery."