Mission Trips to Ecuador
Upoming Trips
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Mission Trip from the USFor: Young Women 18 -30
When: July 17-30
Cost: $400 (this includes transportation, food and lodging. Does NOT include plane ticket).Registration deadline: May 31st (12 spots available)
If you are interested, please contact Sr. Kelly María for more information: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Information
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The Home of the Mother have been working in Ecuador since the year 2003 to fill the material and spiritual needs of the people.
The mission trip are like nothing that you've ever experienced before.
Each year we organize mission trips for groups of young college-age students, giving them the opportunity to help with the projects that the Missionary Groups of the Home of the Mother (MGHM) do: visiting the sick, taking food to needy families, helping in the children's soup kitchens and on the Maria Elisabetta Farm, accompaning the sisters to give communion to the sick, etc. To learn more about the projects of the MGHM, visit this page.
This missionary experience also becomes an encounter with God. In the end, one realizes that one has received more than one has given, for the Lord does not let himself be outdone in generosity.
If you want more information about mission trips for girls, write to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The Servant Priests and Brothers of the Home of the Mother also periodically organize mission trips for young college-age men. If you are interested, write to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
News Articles
Testimonies
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ADRIAN GARRIDO ZURITA
It was the best experience of my life. I had never imagined, even in my wildest dreams, that I would get to experience something like this mission trip to Ecuador. As a matter of fact, I had never even considered taking a faith-related trip. But now, more than ever, I can stand up and say that I am proud to be Catholic.
Before going on this trip, I was hardly practicing my faith, even though I had received both a Christian education and the Sacraments. As the years went by, I slowly stopped practicing; I drifted away from the Church and her beliefs, and the love of God.
All thanks to a series of “coincidences,” without having met anyone, and really in an “all or nothing” sort of way, I finally ended up running into the Home of the Mother and my conversion started from the very first moment. Everything I lived there is going to stick with me and you might venture to ask: “Why?” Basically, because I would like everyone who doubts their faith, or who at least has the slightest ounce of restlessness (like me), to set out on this adventure that has changed my life and helped me to grow both personally and spiritually. I have made nine unbelievable friends who I’m sure will be praying for me every time they remember the trip that changed their lives.
GABRIEL GARCÍA BAAKEN
The mission trip to Ecuador is a spectacular adventure that usually involves setting out thinking that you are going to give everything you have, and when it comes down to it, you are the one who ends up receiving everything.
In my own personal experience, I must say that the trip has meant a before and after in my life. The great thing about mission trips is that they make you remember that the world does not revolve around you. You are a part of the world’s revolution, a revolution that is capable of changing the world when you learn how to focus on what’s really important: God.
JAVIER SÁNCHEZ MARTÍN
The twenty days I spent on missions in Ecuador were, for me, above all, a time dedicated to what is most essential to my life: my relationship with God.
It has helped me to be a bit more aware of the generosity that I lack and the selfishness that I have too much of, as I constantly look for my own satisfaction, my comfort and my well-being. I am often willing to give my time to others, but knowing beforehand that it entails a beginning and an end, and that I can always come back to the comfort of my own house. In Ecuador, I have seen people who place their entire lives at the service of God and others, without taking breaks or going on vacation.
It is impressive to see how people who materially don’t have anything really have everything, because they live firmly anchored in God. You begin to understand that the most important thing that you can take them is not something material that they will soon run out of, but the faith in Christ, which is what lasts and gives life.
To sum it up, these three weeks of mission have confirmed what I have experienced so many times: that I am happier the more I forget about myself and the more I give myself to God and to other people.
PABLO ALBAÑIR
The truth is that even though I was really excited to fly and go on a mission trip on the “other side of the pond,” a week before it was time to head off to Ecuador, I started to get cold feet when I saw all my friends on vacation at the beach, or in the mountains, and off partying and participating in other summer activities. But the truth is that I had no idea what was waiting for me.
Once I was in Ecuador, I started to realize how many things in my daily life I had always taken for granted. That is why, if I had to describe my experience in one word, it would be GRATITUDE.
I would say this in particular for two things: first of all, gratitude for the material side of things—for where I was born, for my family, my education, everything that is normal for Spain and Madrid and that we take for granted. I realized how lucky we are in comparison with all the poverty in the world. And the second reason is simply for having grown up knowing about God and receiving a Catholic education thanks to my parents. This isn’t that simple there because many people are Christian just out of habit or for tradition.
Lastly, I would also like to say that after living this mission trip in such humility and so close to God, I realized that material things don’t give you the happiness that you receive from living in grace and serving others.
EMILIO FRA AMORES
I went on the mission trip with a mix of different expectations. On the one hand, I wanted to see where the earthquake had happened and pray where Sr. Clare and the other girls passed away. On the other hand, I wanted to visit a country with a different culture, travel to South America, see the jungle, get to see the Pacific Ocean—in short: have an adventure. I had also seen the change that going to Ecuador in previous summers had produced in my sisters.
I didn’t really have a clear idea about what I was getting myself into or why. My intention was to dedicate these weeks to the Lord, give of myself with generosity and share the best of myself by helping others. And at the same time, I wanted to have a good time. The truth is that all of my expectations were met. I had an authentic adventure as I followed the real Adventurer.
I learned how to see the things that I have in Spain, and that not everyone else has, as a real gift from God. One of those things is my family: seeing the reality of the family situations in Ecuador helped me to give thanks to God for my own.
Giving up the comforts and distractions that I had in Spain helped me a lot to focus in and direct my gaze towards what is most important: Christ. The intense schedule that we followed, always organized around our daily prayer times, helped me to live this time with Our Blessed Mother, offering everything up.
DAVID VICENTE OLEGARIO
The time that we spent in Ecuador helped me to grow in my faith and to learn how to see Christ in those around me. I had the opportunity to visit sick people and take them Communion with one of the Brothers. This experience of being able to take Christ to the sick helped me a lot. I was able to see how the people recognized Christ present in the Eucharist and I realized that He really is present in Holy Communion and that we are often so used to this that we don’t live it as the true miracle that it really is: Christ makes Himself nourishment so that we can receive Him in Holy Communion.
We experienced how Our Lady took care of us in everything that we did and how the Lord made Himself present to us throughout the day. We were really lucky to be able to go to the Shrine of Cajas the day before the anniversary of the apparitions. When we prayed the Rosary and celebrated Mass there, I felt the presence of the Blessed Mother and experienced how she was looking after my faith and helping me to follow her Son. When we left, we were able to meet the visionary and her message of hope helped me to keep on following Christ and Our Blessed Mother, loving them more and more every day. To conclude, I can say that it has helped me to love Christ in His poverty and draw closer to Him in the Eucharist and to His Mother. It has also helped to confirm the vocation that the Lord is calling me to.
AARON MAESTRO
In Ecuador, I was able to experience poverty in a small way as I let go of my comforts and began to experience greater freedom. The time that I spent without my cell phone made me realize how badly I often use it and all the time I had wasted. We can’t waste our time—that’s what God has shown me very clearly.
The greatest gift I received in Ecuador was an increase in the desire for radical generosity, something that has helped to confirm my vocation. I felt the desire to come out of myself, to stop thinking about me and to just give of myself. I felt like I had to live like that always, responding to the call that the Lord and Our Blessed Mother have given me to the Servant Brothers of the Home of the Mother. The first place that I began to receive this grace was in Valeria’s house. This girl, who lived with such radical generosity, was madly in love with the Lord and Our Blessed Mother, and was even able to help lead her grandparents to a deeper conversion. I also learned about Jazmina’s story and I asked her, if she were in Heaven, to help me to overcome my fear and respond to the Lord once and for all. I also did the same with Sr. Clare and the rest of the girls who died with her.
The people welcomed us and we were able to share the faith with them, speak to them about God and Our Lady, and pray with them. It has been an incredible gift.
ANNALISA FERRI
It is difficult to summarize in a few words the intensity of these two weeks. When we left, the only certainty I had was that I had little to offer on a mission trip: I did not know Spanish, I do not consider myself the best example of a convinced and practicing Christian, I have no particular skills to put at the service of others. However, I allowed myself to be convinced by the desire to "search for something" that could give meaning to my life so vulnerable to all kinds of uncertainty and precariousness.Today, a few days after having returned home, I realize that what I have lived is an experience that has given me an invaluable treasure: it has allowed me to see, through concrete experiences with the people I have met, how much strength that strong and solid faith can give you. I have been very impressed by the perseverance with which the Sisters dedicate themselves to each soul, even the most hardenned, making me understand the importance of caring for each relationship and being attentive to small things. I was impressed by the faith of people who, although they have lost children and grandchildren in the 2016 earthquake, never spoke to us of tragedy but of grace, convinced that everything has its meaning in a larger, divine Project.
SARA RAMBALDINI
During this mission trip I have been able to have a deep experience of God. He has given me so many graces, making Himself known more and more through the people I have met. I was planning to go to Ecuador to help and give a little of my time to others, but they have been the ones who have helped me and taught me how to give it ALL! Some people invited us to eat at their house, offering us what was for them expensive meals, and one girl gave me the only key ring she had ... They have welcomed us and loved us without holding back, without thinking about what they could lose, without thinking about what they would have to give up, but simply loving us and giving us all the best they had. This is a great teaching that I take home from this experience and that I would like to put into practice every day, because the mission is also here in my house, in my town, in my work. That is why I want to be an instrument in the hands of God every day.ESTER BORGHETTI
I sincerely thought that I was going to the mission prepared to give everything, like a hero ... but what I have received has been much more. This experience has taught me many things, one of which has been the way of living the faith simply, essentially, without so many false assurances that are here in Europe. True trust in God, trusting Him without pretense, even accepting and facing one's own fears, trying to be humble and ask for help, not wanting to do it alone but accepting my helplessness. I have learned not to deny Him anything, to give everything that God asks at every moment, even the smallest things, because although it seems insignificant, God can use it to do great things. And not to complain because these things are likely to be forgotten since they are as necessary in Itaia as anywhere else in the world.MARIACHIARA GIACOMELLI
It has been a unique experience. I have learned that mission means taking Jesus everywhere, which can also be among companions, at home, with friends, etc. I have discovered a new world where people, even if they have nothing material, are happy. Happy because they know God and trust Him completely. I have learned to do the will of God, even if it is difficult, because He is our Father and knows what each of us needs; His demands are difficult but not impossible.KATIE VICK
My trip to Ecuador was amazing. It opened my eyes and my heart.
I thought it would be hard giving up all of the things I have at home, but I realized happiness cannot be found in material things. It was humbling to see how joyful the people of Ecuador were, even though many of them did not have much at all. It made me realize how often I take for granted all that I have.
Living with the Servant Sisters for a week really opened my heart. The way they live in simplicity is very beautiful. It really helped to get away from all of the things that get in the way of my relationship with God. Not only did I get away from these things, but also I was with the Sisters who would do anything to serve God. The whole week, I was focused on serving Him and growing deeper in my faith. I really enjoyed helping the people in the communities the Sisters live in. It was easy to tell that the people appreciated it and the Sisters were truly in it for the glory of God.
This trip showed me that material things will not bring you happiness, but a life that glorifies God and serves others will bring us the happiness we long for.
MARY BOWDEN
As far as the impacts on me, I think the greatest is the knowlege I obtained, compared to what I knew before I went to Ecuador. What I mean by this is, I realized how much I took for granted, and how blessed I am to have the family and life I have here back in the states.
For me before I barely knew of the poverty and troubles of places such as Ecuador, and I didn't quite understand how serious and real it was. But I believe my week there really really to helped me understand and see that. This new knowlege and grace motivates me to want to do more for others, and I realize how in a sense, it's my job to follow Christ's word and give our help to the needy, because we are the fortunate who can. Chief Corporal Works of Mercy. It was definetly a huge huge grace for me to share this experience, and everyone I met there I hold very dear in my heart. I will truly treasure those memories and remember them for the rest of my life.
