Chris Roina Challenged to Take Ecuador Lesson Home to California

Chris Roina could spend his vacation time at the beach or mountains of California. Instead, Chris has made two trips to Ecuador to help throw parties in several impoverished areas of Quito.

He returned home to Santa Maria, CA, with some powerful insights.

“I was thinking about the challenge to love my neighbor,” Chris said. “Are people in Ecuador my neighbors? It doesn’t seem like it. But when you are standing in Quito, loving on people and serving them, the cultural and language barriers don’t exist anymore.

“You have kids running up and hugging you even though they don’t even know you. You see the power of love to touch and change people’s lives.

“That does something to you and makes you want to be a part of it,” he said.

“One of the things I’ve been raised to believe is that if you’ve been given much, much is required. I feel I have a responsibility to give back because I have the resources.

“This morning, I got a hot shower. Most of these people (at the parties) didn’t. I have a lot of give and it’s pretty selfish if I don’t.

“The town I live in, Santa Maria, California, is actually quite similar to Quito, not only in weather, we also have a very high Hispanic population. I was thinking I should learn to speak Spanish so I can come to Ecuador, but I realized I should learn Spanish to speak with people who live in my own neighborhood. I can reach out and be a part of their lives as well.

“It’s funny how you have to go thousands of miles to realize some of the same opportunities are in your backyard.”

Chris said he was impacted deeply by the Christmas party at Pan de Vida, a community center that reaches out to street kids and homeless adults.

“Pan de Vida was amazing. There is just so much joy in the place, in spite of whatever hardship was going on.

“Even the power of a child’s heart – they are just so happy and joyful. You can’t help but catch that as well. It touched my heart. I hurt from smiling.”

by Tim Fausch

Canadian Teen Lauren Moyer Expected Tears, Found Joy in Ecuador

Most teenagers are focused on themselves and their friends. After all, self-focus is one of the signatures of being a teenager.

But when people from her church in Simcoe, ON, Canada, returned from a humanitarian trip to Ecuador in 2009, Lauren Moyer was inspired. She listened to their stories and wanted to join them on the next trip.

So in 2010, the 17-year-old Moyer became one of the youngest volunteers to go to Quito, Ecuador. For a week in early December, Lauren joined an even larger international team that helped throw Christmas parties in several community centers and the Zambiza Dump.

The teams ventured into impoverished areas of Quito to work with leaders who were passionate, but under-resourced. Lauren and the other volunteers provided the energy and help.

They participated in five Christmas parties in five days, serving thousands of people. In addition to providing games, face and nail painting, and family photos, the volunteers distributed food staples to the adults and gift bags to the children.

“When I first signed up to go, I thought it would be sad,” Lauren said. “I thought I’d be crying a lot. But instead, I’ve experienced real joy.

“Everyone here is so happy and polite,” Lauren said. “They have so little but are so happy. They are less greedy. I volunteer at an after-school program in Simcoe and the kids are never this polite.

“Coming here has helped make me see more clearly people who are in need. I am hoping to change the way I see things in my life. It’s been a lot of fun. I had a great time in Quito.”

by Tim Fausch

Chester Van Ness Collects Junk to Help Orphans

Chester Van Ness has a weird hobby. He picks up junk – mostly scrap metal – at businesses located near his home in Scotland, ON, Canada.

Some guys pick up scrap to make a few bucks on the side, maybe to help pay for hockey tickets or a nicer truck.

Chester recycles scrap because it helps pay for a few basic necessities for the kids at the Montanida Verde Children’s Home in Monta, Ecuador. It is run by the Por Amor Foundation, a partner supported by Extreme Response.

The idea for the recycling came during a discussion among the youth of the church Chester attends. The group wanted to become involved in giving back to those in real need, but did not have the financial means to do so.

“I told them if they were willing, they could ask for scrap to be dropped off at my place and help process it, then I would recycle it for the cash,” Chester said. “The idea blossomed and now if the youth feel the call to participate in something like Extreme Response, they have a means to do so.”

Chester hasn’t always been into recycling scrap metal. The idea came to him after returning from one of the four or five (he’s lost track) trips he’s made to Ecuador. He became determined to do more after seeing the orphanage’s lack of food, clothing, and educational supplies.

Chester has seen poverty in Canada too, but the magnitude and lack of options in Ecuador caused him to make some life-changing decisions.

“Children who come to the orphanage have no parents, or parents who cannot take care of them. Often, they were living on the street,” he said.

“The newest child there is two and one-half years old. Her name is Diana. She was beaten by her family and made to sleep outside at night. Whether or not she ate depended on whether she could scrounge food.

“It’s a pretty sad situation - heart tugging. Diana is such a beautiful child, ready to love on anyone willing to pick her up and hold her. I could have very easily put her in my suitcase and taken her home,” Chester joked.

“I have a great appreciation for the house parents. They give the children stability in their own country and culture. It’s better to give them a hand up in their own country.”

Witnessing the extreme needs first-hand in Manta and Quito, where Chester and other volunteers help throw parties in impoverished communities, has impacted his family profoundly.

“Working with Extreme Response has made me realize how important it is to give back to the world, not just people in my own country. I now try to do something in my country and other countries. It has caused my wife and I to look hard at what are truly our wants versus what are truly our needs.

“I was encouraged on my recent trip by the new community leaders that ER has come alongside and partnered with. That’s huge for me to see ER partner with on-the-ground organizations indigenous to the area.

“The leaders are the shepherds of their flocks. They are so passionate about helping their people. I have seen such a change in what we have been able to help them with in order to accomplish their vision. I don’t think we would have had the same ability to achieve what has been achieved without these partnerships.”

by Tim Fausch

Ecuador Trips Improve Michigan Couple’s Vision

While Dan and Karen Brown’s sight hasn’t actually changed, they now see the world more clearly. They attribute their improved vision to trips to Ecuador through Extreme Response. Dan has made three trips; Karen two.

The trips have impacted them powerfully and broadened their view of how they can serve others. Dan has lead teams from Michigan to Ecuador the last two years.

“My first visit was as part of a construction team to El Refugio,” Dan said. “I had never been outside the U.S. and Canada.

“One of our tasks was to work to enlarge the school yard. It was difficult to see the poor condition the school was in, even after we finished.

“I came away from that trip with a huge vision for what could happen with enough manpower. Visualizing children in an improved building was exciting to me.

“Being in construction, this kind of work was easy for me. I love hard work and I love what I do. When you add in the people and see the joy in their hearts, it makes it so much fun.”

“I was impacted by the love and passion the Quito pastors show to the people they serve,” Karen said. “They are there serving their communities day in and day out. I don’t know how they do it.

“It was so precious to see someone come into the parties with hurt on their face and then start smiling,” she added. “You hear about pain and suffering in the world, but to see it first-hand makes me realize my suffering is nothing.”

“Extreme Response uses these parties to demonstrate love for the people, to help bring them joy, changing lives one at a time,” Dan said.

“It was difficult to come back to the U.S. and listen to people whining over the wrong color tile in their $30,000 kitchens,” he added. “It’s a reality, and that’s OK, but there are huge needs in the world.”

by Tim Fausch

Dave Findlay Transforms into Papa Noel for Kids

Many people enjoy the idea of transforming themselves into someone else. Often, they dream about becoming a world-class athlete, rock star, or actor.

Dave Findlay wanted to become Santa Claus so he could encourage kids. So he did.

The Guelph, ON, Canada resident donned the red and white suit and became “Papa Noel” at Christmas parties in Quito, Ecuador. He joined with volunteers from around the world who gathered to help throw seven parties in five days in community centers and the Zambiza Dump. The parties are coordinated by Extreme Response.

The location of the parties – impoverished areas of Quito – may have lacked the glamour of a stadium, stage, or Hollywood set, but the results resonated deeply.

“I came on my first Christmas party trip three years ago after my daughter and granddaughter said to me, ‘Let’s go’,” Dave said. “My reaction was ‘wow’. I really enjoyed the people and the work was tremendous.

“I looked at the guys who were playing Papa Noel at the parties and said, ‘I can do that’. I had a ball being Santa. I see so much love in the people. The kids hug you so freely.”

The country of Ecuador was not new to Dave. He had first come to Ecuador in 1958 and worked for HCJB before retiring. Returning as part of an international team of volunteers has been rewarding.

“We fell in love with Extreme Response when we saw what they were doing in Quito. It really opens your eyes to the needs. I love that ER’s programs allow you to be hands-on with the people they serve.

“We visited the orphanage in Manta in 2009 and loved what they are doing there too. I had to come back.”

by Tim Fausch

Clean Freak Pattie Wolfe Gets Dirty in Quito

Pattie Wolfe likes a clean house, clean hands, and well, clean everything. So when she joined a team traveling into sometimes less-than-sanitary situations in 2004, Wolfe had to make a choice.

“Coming on these trips takes me out of my comfort zone,” Pattie said. “I’m a clean freak. This is a chance to hold hands that are dirty, kiss faces that are dirty, and pick up trash with my hands.”

Pattie has been coming on trips to Ecuador for four years; her husband Jim, two. The Indianapolis, IN, couple has joined teams operated by Extreme Response that reach out to those living in extreme poverty, often lacking basic necessities that U.S. citizens take for granted.

Pattie has learned not only how to embrace people whose exteriors are a bit dirty, she values the relationships built by showing love to people who are often overlooked by society.

One way that has been accomplished is by throwing Christmas parties in poor sections of Quito.

“I’ve been impressed with how all the Christmas parties are organized,” she said. “I have always felt that if I am going to invest my time and money, I want it to be for something where I feel I am being used.

“There is a special part for each person to play on these teams. I now feel as though I have brothers and sisters who are Ecuadorian.

“I admire the partnership ER has with the local pastors and their wives. I’m impressed with these strong leaders and their heart for the people they serve. They don’t rely on help from the U.S., but they value our partnership.

“Jim and I value these trips because we’ve been able to show our kids there is so much more in life than being successful. Two of our children have come on trips and one is working in South Africa after going on a Christmas trip with Extreme Response.”

ER Parties Are a Family Affair for DOD Contractor John Mason

As director of Personnel Recovery Center- Ecuador, John Mason spends much of his time tracking down missing travelers from the U.S. and other countries. With such a high-stakes job, Mason feels it is important to make sure his family is grounded.

John grew up in Charlotte, NC, but he has spent much of his adult life in South America. After retiring from the U.S. Army in 2006, he moved his family from Bolivia to Quito, Ecuador, so his wife could return to her homeland and their children could be raised there.

The Masons are immersed in the language and culture of Ecuador and are plugged into a school and church. So when Extreme Response’s Dan Maloy asked John to volunteer at the Christmas party at the Zámbiza Dump, Mason said yes simply to “help a buddy”.

But John, who has volunteered at four dump parties through 2010, discovered the annual event met a need within his family.

“I found that volunteering allowed us to grow as a family and to do something together that was not about us,” he said. “It allowed us to be part of something bigger than ourselves. I think it’s important that my kids are here at the dump volunteering.

“These parties take a lot of leadership,” he added. “I see the professionalism, planning, and sincerity that goes into Extreme Response. No one wants to be involved with something that is fly-by night. ER is something you want to be a part of.”

John Mason (left) with Santiago Arteaga

by Tim  Fausch

Homeschooling Mom Cheryl Tomas Bends the Rules to Join Christmas Team

As a stay-at-home mom homeschooling her daughters in Fishers, IN, Cheryl Tomas follows a rigorous schedule. It’s the only way to assure the girls achieve their educational requirements and the needs of the family are met.

The problem was Cheryl’s friends Santi and Ruth Arteaga and Joe and Julie Wendel continually shared their positive experiences serving those in need of help in Ecuador. The Arteagas live in Quito and work as Extreme Response staff and the Wendels are ardent supporters and volunteers.

Her friends’ compassion eventually got the best of Cheryl. She and her husband Nate decided it was time for her to join a team heading to Ecuador to help throw Christmas parties at the Zambiza Dump and several community centers in Quito.

“I’ve wanted to join the team in the past, but felt the need to stay home and continue the girls schooling. I don’t like to get behind schedule,” Cheryl said. “But this year it was impressed on my heart the selfishness behind that reasoning.”

Nate, a technical manager for a software company, offered to work from home to keep the girls on schedule. Cheryl organized classroom assignments the girls could do on their own while she was in Ecuador.

Cheryl said being an active participant on the Christmas team had a tremendous impact on her.

“While volunteering at the Quito parties, I watched the children’s and adult’s faces light up at a single word of encouragement, a smile or a hug,” Cheryl said. “Through this I realized how desperate people are for someone to come along beside them and love them. I should be intentionally looking for ways to encourage people around me.

“This trip opened my heart to the people around the world who are struggling daily to support their families,” she added. “I no longer believe giving monetarily is enough for me, although still extremely important. Intentionally getting in the trenches, being vulnerable and building relationships are the keys to helping people.”

by Tim Fausch

New Hampshire Couple Finds Kindred Spirits at ER

As the founder of Love In Action, an organization dedicated to connecting, empowering
and mobilizing volunteers, Adriana Mendes looks for partners to help achieve the group’s goals. But when she reached out to organizations serving in Ecuador, she found many were unable to help her.

When Extreme Response offered to help Mendes and her organization as they seek to care for the poor, she was overjoyed.

“ER helps connect us. The staff is flexible, open and operates in an organized manner,” Adriana Mendes said. “ER makes its resources available to us for our work. They donate extra supplies for our Christmas parties.”

Adriana and daughter Tania Mendes launched Love In Action after witnessing the poverty and needs in Ecuador. Adriana, her husband Chris, and their 13- and 15-year-old daughters Dana and Bianca traveled from their home in Merrimack, NH, to Ecuador to volunteer at some ER Christmas parties, and oversee the construction of a community soup kitchen, while running separate Christmas parties in Quito.

“ER has an open philosophy,” Adriana said. “We’ve brought several volunteers from different backgrounds to work at the parties in the dump. It’s easy for Love In Action to be an extension of ER’s outreach.

“The organization (ER) is awesome,” said Chris. “Everyone is on the same page and everything is well run down to the minutia. I love seeing people benefit from the food distribution and the games.

“What ER is doing is very unique,” Chris added. “We’ve encountered a lot of obstacles, but ER has been a big help. Their hearts are in the right place.”

For more information on Love In Action, email Adriana via at loveinactionicu@yahoo.com.

by Tim Fausch

A team of 7 traveled to India and Nepal - flying 49 hours, through six different countries and drove 54 hours on bad roads to put on 6 different Christmas celebrations.

Party #1 in Nepal was with 500 children from a local community and the outlaying slums. The kids had a great time watching the drama, the cultural dances and listening to the Christmas story.

Party #2 (Nepal) took place at a Hindu school high in the mountains and Party #3 was for a group of young Hindu mothers and their small children. The young mothers had a great time laughing and playing together.

Party #4 (Nepal) was for street boys who enjoyed the food immensely! We were able to give each one of them a warm wool hat.

Party #5 took place in India for a group of 100+ orphans ranging from 2-23 years old. They all enjoyed the Christmas story and loved the food and gifts.

Party #6 (India) was for girls who live in the slums. They put on their best dresses and came to get their faces painted and enjoy the food and fun.

Thank you for helping make these parties possible!