Every two years, dozens of members of Good Shepherd UCC join with members of our sister churches for a week-long mission trip to economically depressed communities in Appalachia. The focus, is on home repair and property cleanup for homeowners who are unable to do so themselves. Over the years, our team members have worked and shared their Christian faith in action in parts of North Carolina and West Virginia.
Ecuador Mission Trip 2026
Fifteen adults and three youth from Good Shepherd joined nine other people from Oregon and Idaho for a mission trip to Ecuador in June. Our mission was not to drop in for a week and fix their problems or to bring them Jesus. Our mission was to come alongside UCC Global Mission partner FEDICE* and join in worship and work with local, indigenous communities in the Otavalo area. We came to build friendships across borders and to accomplish projects together. In the indigenous language of Quechua, the word for this is “Minga.”
We were accommodated with food and lodging in Otavalo and traveled a short distance each day to the community of Pijal where we worked at a El Buen Pastor Church and San Pablo Childcare Center. In both places we joined with locals in painting and doing small repairs as well as providing first aid training to adults and height/weight measurements for children. We also had the opportunity to visit family farms, cultural sites, and community centers and worship with the people of El Buen Pastor. We were privileged to be present when FEDICE gave $7500 Good Shepherd had raised to Sumak Kawsay (Good Living in Quechua), a community of 18 families, for their economic development projects. These funds will become part of FEDICE’s revolving micro-lending enterprise. We even got to sample the baked goods, ice cream and other food Sumak Kawsay made to sell, as well as see and purchase handmade items.
Our time ended with the dedication and celebration of our minga at El Buen Pastor and at San Pablo Childcare Center.
*FEDICE – the Ecumenical Foundation for Integrated Development, Training and Education
Since 1994, FEDICE has coordinated educational, health, agriculture, and community development projects for the indigenous population in rural communities of Ecuador in provinces of Imbabura and Cotopaxi. FEDICE trains primarily women in local leadership to manage projects funded initially through micro-lending that provide for family income, child development, health needs, housing, and emergency response. FEDICE is a longtime partner of Global Ministries, the joint endeavor of the UCC and the Disciples of Christ to build relationships around the world that pursue justice, reconciliation, and thriving communities.
