In October, a team of 6 pediatric doctors, 1 endocrinologist, 1 physician, 2 audiologists, and 1 dental hygienist embarked on a pediatric caravan to bring resources to areas without medical access. Despite difficulties resulting from the protests, they served 606 patients across several provinces.

The patients ranged from infants to 18 years old. The dentistry team saw 61 patients for cleanings and performed fluoride treatments on all patients over 2 years old. Dental hygiene kits were given to all.

Additionally, endocrinology could screen blood sugars using equipment made for children. Patients were also educated on how to prevent parasites.

Due to the many road closures caused by the protests, white flags were attached to the vans, letting people know a medical caravan needed to get through. Calls were made to community leaders for help clearing the way. In some cases, team members had to move logs and stones from the roadways, even covering holes! Throughout the week, team members were careful and vigilant, taking care of one another.

We are grateful that we serve a faithful God who guides our paths and provides a way to serve others well. Amidst all the adversity, the only thing that mattered was the children’s smiles.

A Reflection from Kim

A lot came up when I think about the most recent Ecuador trip. The day before leaving, there were conversations about whether we should even go based on the protests happening in Ecuador. The protests were going on in the areas where we were to serve. One area had already been canceled because we could not get there due to blocked roads. The decision was made after a lot of conversations and prayer. We took a big step forward, not knowing exactly what the week had in store, but taking the step that God had brought us this far.

We had to change a lot, sometimes at the last minute, but the team was amazing, flexible, and so excited to serve and care. We had to move tree trunks, drive over dirt piles, and fill potholes, but we made it to every place we were supposed to be. Our amazing staff helped in different communities, with relatives accompanying us through blocked areas. Local restaurants opened their doors to us, and we received and experienced Ecuadorian hospitality in new, big ways we had never imagined.

One day, our last day, we went to a community high in the mountains called Isacata. A family brought their son, who had been having continuous seizures for a few hours. She had been giving him a medication every hour to try to stop them. We had a team of pediatricians, some of whom specialized in seizures and how to manage them. We were able to give recommendations for the next steps, write different notes to the hospital, and send them to a hospital in Quito. You always wonder sometimes with teams if you make the right decisions. I wondered, of course, if we could have seen more patients or done things differently, but at that moment, I realized that it could have been for this young man, for whom our team was meant to be here. Having specialists who could give the exact information needed wasn’t a coincidence. All the doubts left in that moment, knowing there was a reason bigger than us.

I’m so grateful for such an amazing team of individuals willing to serve when things were less than perfect. A team willing to have conversations, encourage each other, and lift up those around them. A team willing to go even when it’s messy and hard. Grateful for the encouragement to me personally. Just grateful.

Also, for me personally, it was great to spend an hour with friends who used to do life together, catching up and continuing life. Encouragement from my partners like Esther and Mirian, who gave me much-needed laughter, hugs, and love, was SO life-giving.