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

Take a look at the new Extreme Response video - Changing Lives.

click here to view video: Changing Lives

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

Hog Heaven: Michigan Family Overwhelmed by Ecuadorian Family’s Generosity

In 2006, Don and Kim Clapham and their daughter Stephanie traveled from their home in Lake Angelus, MI, to Quito, Ecuador. Their goal was to help a team of Extreme Response volunteers rebuild a home for a struggling family that worked in the Zambiza Dump.

When the Claphams left Michigan, they viewed their trip as a one-sided affair. They would serve an Ecuadorian family by helping provide safe housing.

They did not expect the family to serve them.

“Unfortunately, the family had lost their home when the roof had collapsed earlier that spring” Don Clapham said. “We learned the family worked six to seven days a week at the Zambiza Dump, digging through the garbage to sort out plastic, metal and cardboard, which they sold for a very small amount of money.

“Because they did not have the time or the resources to rebuild their house, they were forced to live in a home with a leaky, dilapidated roof, exposed to the elements.

“We worked on the home from Monday through Friday, mostly mixing mortar and laying cinder blocks. The work was long and hard, but very gratifying because we knew how appreciative the family members were of our efforts from the looks on their faces.

“As we worked, we noticed that the family had three large pigs in their possession. Upon inquiring, we learned that the pigs made up the majority of the family’s life savings. The pigs were, therefore, of great importance to them.

“When the house was nearly finished, the family invited us to have lunch with them. While we were putting the final changes on the home, we noticed that one of the pigs was missing.

“We then realized the family, out of their extreme appreciation, had butchered one of their three pigs to feed us lunch. Knowing how important that pig was to them moved us all very deeply. We will never forget the heartfelt gratitude the family showed us that day.

“This experience with Extreme Response stirred my heart to serve people in extreme situations, Clapham added. “The appreciation and love shown by the Ecuadorian people made the effort very fulfilling. My family returned to Quito with Extreme Response in 2007 and 2008 and we hope to collaborate with them again in the near future.”

by Tim Fausch

Laurenne McDougall: “A Part of My Heart Will Always Belong to Ecuador”

Laurenne McDougall is a serial “Ecuadork”. So taken with the people and culture of Ecuador, Laurenne joined work teams from Woodside Bible Church three years in a row. In 2008, she and her team traveled to Quito to help add two stories, a roof, bathroom, and classrooms to the Good Shepherd community center.

“A few hours into the first day, a truck rolled in with at least 1,000 cinder blocks. The blocks needed to be moved from one end of the yard to another, so we started a block relay. My arms felt like they were going to fall off. I never wanted to see another cinder block again. However, as part of the construction crew, we needed to lift all the blocks up the stairs to the second floor. Amazingly, we were able to finish all the projects we hoped to that week.”

“We also led the kids in crafts. We made notebooks, bracelets, totes, and t-shirts. At one point, we had 400 kids. The kids loved playing with us and we loved the kids. Little Ecuadorian girls would randomly pet my hair and tell me that my curls are very beautiful.”

“On this trip, we made dinner for 300 people who work the night-shift at Quito’s Zambiza Dump. The very young children of the dump workers go to the nursery everyday, and all of their meals come from programs run by Extreme Response. The older children attend kids camp. As they leave, each takes a vitamin and a snack.”

“From a catwalk, we watched dump workers digging in mountains of trash looking for items they can sell. One woman found a cup of yogurt and ate what remained. Another woman pulled out a blackened sweater to give to her child. My eyes have been opened and my heart softened to the horrible conditions in which much of the world lives.”

“Near the end of our trip, my friend Hannah and I volunteered to serve fruit snacks as the kids were leaving. We were both weeping. We received hundreds of hugs. It broke my heart when the kids would say, ‘Thank you for everything’ in English.

“The people of Ecuador captured my heart. They really know how to make you feel loved. The generosity of the Ecuadorians will never cease to amaze me. A part of my heart will always belong to Ecuador.”

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!