June 21, 2026

Dear Friend of FEDICE:

Blessings on you and thank you for your support of the FEDICE ministry in Ecuador.

All the travelers have arrived in Ecuador after storms rerouted folks from at least 3 departure points. But now, all is well, and they are united and doing some orientation and sightseeing before heading into the communities.

Neil Allen sends this report about their Saturday adventures.

Picture of Nora, Linda, and Bernice first full day in Ecuador.

The Market, the Train Ride and THE Game

"Early Saturday morning after arriving in Quito Ecuador. We laid our heads to rest for a few hours in a nearby casa/hotel. At 8:00 a.m. we headed to the Otavalo market 2 hours away for a deep cultural experience with the indigenous community to purchase items for our congregations in the United States which we will markup and sell to raise funds for FEDICE though our global mission partners in Ecuador. 

The people new to the market experience found themselves experiencing a very excited, excited community as the yellow red and blue futbol jerseys were being sold by the truck load as the national team was playing in a win and another game or lose and go home game. 

THE game was slated for 7:00 p.m. that evening, but the real excitement was played out in the market as people cheered for their team as one. it was the same spirit that we weary travelers from three states and two denomination were trying to achieve. Oneness, unity and hope filled our spirits as we spent our first full day in Ecuador getting acquainted with our group and discovering ourselves on the process.

Saturday afternoon we boarded an old train that had been converted to a tourist attraction in Ibarra. On the train we chugged along the tracks past fields and small towns. Children and other local communities members ran out to waive at the train and wave their Ecuador colors - cheering on the economical activities and the tourism it brought to their fabulous communities - just like the power of FEDICE’s work. 

As we gathered that evening in the Yamor Hotel for our first meal and began preparing for the events of Sunday, I asked them in their devotion time to consider what they might discover along the way, and how their journey might change their sense of home when they returned to where they live. 

We were building a new community. We were discovering a culture far different from our own. Such is the value of walking together deeply embedding ourselves into the lives of the FEDICE community."

To see more pictures from each day, go to our Website.

The group will be in Ecuador June 19-26.

This trip is a combined effort of the Christian Church in Oregon and SW Idaho and Good Shepherd United Church of Christ in Cary, North Carolina. The picture above is one of the North Carolina group. Pictures from the Oregon/SW Idaho group coming soon.

Our FEDICE USA website will carry stories multiple times during the trip updating you on what is happening with this group and our partners. You can look HERE to see details of the trip as it is happening.

We hope you will join our Minga remotely and be a part of this time of connection and service.

Board of Directors, FEDICE USA

Hello Friends of FEDICE

In 2025, FEDICE USA forwarded more than $45,900 to FEDICE Ecuador for use in more than ten communities in northern Ecuador.

In 2026, FEDICE USA has sent additional funds for work at a church in Pijal and a day care

center in San Pablo.

The visitors this month will work

at both locations.

 Ongoing FEDICE projects include: 

• microloan support for families engaged in agriculture and livestock production,
• individual and cooperative businesses,
• and community child care centers.

Gifts to FEDICE USA also provide an important backup, if needed, for salary support to our dedicated and talented FEDICE staff in Ecuador.

Thank you to all for your support in prayer,

in gifts of time, and in financial support.

You can find more about FEDICE's activities in Ecuador and how to support these projects through the websites at www.fediceusa.org or 

www.fedice.org.

FEDICE USA is a North American based nonprofit that connects North American partners and FEDICE Ecuador.

FEDICE USA has no employees or office space which keeps overhead low. FEDICE USA has a board that meets to keep information and finances flowing.

Through our new website, you can support FEDICE

with a one time gift or a monthly amount.

Gifts to FEDICE USA are tax deductible.

You can donate HERE

You can also donate by a check sent to:

FEDICE USA, PO Box 19466, Portland, OR 97280

Thank you for your interest in FEDICE and

it's life changing work.