Ecuador

What can you expect to experience in Ecuador?

Ecuador is a beautiful country with majestic mountains, lush rainforests, and stunning waterfalls. You can expect to get to know Ecuadorians in both jungle and mountain villages where the legacy of Jim Elliot and others lives on in the hearts of these people who have experienced and committed to the Gospel.

Key Information

  • October 23 (arrive late) – November 4 (morning departure)

    11 full days in Ecuador with a few travel days.

  • Cost per person $1,650

  • One Collective (El Refugio)

    This is the same organization that the LIFT Program has partnered with for over 10 years and where we send LIFT students every year on their mission trip!

  • 9-17 people

    Married couples encouraged!

  • There will be several Zoom meetings with Rick Borman (our missionary host) for team orientation and planning outreaches.

    Recommended reading:  “Through Gates of Splendor” by Elisabeth Elliot

  • El Refugio is raising money for their John Deer tractor and some home improvements for Ron Borman’s jungle house base. Contact Tim Trezise to inquire about how to support these ministry needs.

    Click on the button in the "Mission Experience" section to email Tim.

“These people live so simply but with so much happiness.”

The Mission Experience

Ministry opportunities include:

  1. Traveling to villages to play games with villagers and share your story

  2. Helping with work projects like painting church exteriors

  3. We will visit unreached people groups in several villages to get to know them, hear their stories, and learn about their culture.   We will also look for opportunities to share our stories and faith, plant seeds of hope and life, and pray for them.

  4. Playing games with Cofan villagers

  5. Service Opportunities at El Refugio, such as remodeling and interior work on some staff housing units.

MEET YOUR TEAM LEADERS

Tim & Kate Trezise

Tim and Kate are close friends with Rick Borman, founder of El Refugio.  Throughout the past 15 years, the Trezises have taken the LIFT students on many short-term mission trips to serve with Rick, and have also done some personal tourism and mountaineering in Ecuador. 

Rick Borman will take our team to a very remote jungle village, where you can participate and experience the legacy of his father, who was the first to bring the great news of Jesus Christ to the Cofan people during the same time that his friends, Jim Elliot and Nate Saint, were attempting to bring the gospel to the Waorani tribe. 

Come travel through the majestic and beautiful land of the Andes mountains and Amazon rainforest, share the love of Jesus, receive the warm hospitality of the Ecuadorian, Cofan, and Quichua people, and of course, eat some delicious empanadas and tropical fruits.

Your testimony is important to share!

Listen to Dave Schultz speak on his Ecuador experience! You never know where and when God will call you to share your testimony.

Memorable Moments

  • “I remember standing at the Cofan village gravesite where Rick and Ron Borman’s parents were buried and seeing on their gravesite, ‘Well done my good and faithful servant.’ That was a powerful moment for us.”

    — Marcos C.

  • “Our ‘shoeless’ morning spent with God on top of a hill with amazing views of the Andes mountains left me humbled that the God that created these mountains would spend time with me.”

    — Rich A.

  • “Hearing the villagers sing hymns that Rick Borman’s parents translated into the Cofan language was so impactful because I was witnessing the fruit of their lives and how God is praised in every tongue.”

    — John G.