Ecuador
About this trip
Experience a life-changing mission trip to Ecuador with it Is Written! We have been invited by the South Ecuador Mission to conduct evangelistic meetings, evening children's programming, and health fair-style medical clinics in the city of Guayaquil. Five team members will be chosen to preach at the 5 church sites around the city.
There will also be light construction projects on this trip. Non-medical support team members are also needed to assist in the clinic, evangelistic meetings, and the children's programs. There are many people who need Jesus in this region, and your service there will make an impact for eternity!
You will need a U.S. Passport to travel there, but there are no visa requirements at this time.
Ecuador Information
Country Overview1. Guayaquil is the largest city in Ecuador.2. The city was destroyed twice by indigenous tribes in the early 1500s.3. The city has survived many small earthquakes over the years.4. The city is only 152 miles south of the equator, so there's always plenty of sunshine.5. Although it is a busy port city, there are no local beaches, but paradise is only an hour away.CapitalQuitoPopulationEcuador - 18+ millionGuayaquil - 2.8+ millionLanguageThe official language is Spanish, although some folks speak English.ReligionAround 81% of Ecuador is Catholic. Approximately 12% is Protestant, and the remaining 7% is divided among other belief systems.ClimateEcuador has warm, tropical weather year-round with two primary seasons of dry and rainy. December temps range from the low 70s at night to the high 80s during the day.CurrencyEcuador uses the U.S. dollar.PowerEcuador uses types A and B for electrical outlets, which is the same as the United States. There is no need for converters. However, an adapter from 3 to 2 prongs may prove helpful in some areas.Time DifferenceEcuador is in the Eastern Time Zone which is the same as the eastern the United States, but has not used Daylight Savings Time since 1993. They are 1 hour behind when we are on DST, but they are the same when we are off DST.Food and WaterFood is on par with U.S. standards in restaurants. Drink only unopened bottled water or other drinks unless you confirm that it is purified. Drinking unpurified water will make you sick. Unopened water bottles are always safe. It is not recommended to eat from food trucks or street carts.
Volunteers Needed
- 5 evangelism speakers, preferably experienced (translators provided)- 5 health talk speakers, no medical training needed- 5 children's program leaders- 20 other team members who can work the clinics and do construction during the day and assist with the kid's meetings at night.The cap on this trip is 35 participants.
Travel Information
Please follow these instructions carefully when booking your flight:1) Your flight should depart from your airport of choice to Guayaquil, Ecuador (GYE) on or before December 10.2) Once you arrive in Guayaquil, you will be collected from the airport by your team leader.3) Your flight from Ecuador should depart on or after December 21 from the Guayaquil airport back to your preferred destination.4) If you would like to arrive early or stay late for personal leisure, all arrangements, accommodations, and expense is your responsibility, but please notify us if you choose to do so.5) Please send your travel itinerary to Cathy Q once you have it.6) Should you need help booking your flights, you may contact Butler Travel in Oregon. They are an Adventist-owned travel agency and can help for a minimal fee. It Is Written is unable to assist you with booking flights. We encourage you to utilize their professional services to get the very best pricing and flights to meet your needs.Butler travel is open Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. PST and can be reached at 503-879-5005.Entry Requirements1) A U.S. Passport is needed to enter the country. If you are from another country, please check the requirements for your particular country from Ecuadorian immigration.2) COVID vaccines or testing are NOT required to enter or exit the country.
Accommodations and Meals
1. It Is Written seeks to provide the very best accommodations for reasonable pricing. The mission field will require flexibility and sacrifice. Still, we strive to maintain safety and a comfortable and restful experience.2. Accommodations will be at a local hotel TBD. We will inform you of the final details in our zoom meetings.3. Please do not book your own hotel reservation for the main trip. It Is Written will do that for the entire group unless it is before or after the trip dates.4. Participants will have roommates unless you elect to cover the extra cost of your own room, which you must pay for before departure. This cost varies per trip, so you must contact the office for the amount. It is not guaranteed that a single room will always be possible. This will always depend on local availability.5. Local transportation is provided to and from the airport and all trip destinations.6. Three vegetarian meals are provided each day. Due to local limitation, vegan meals are not always an option, although often vegan selections are available. We do our best to have options for both.7. We are unable to accommodate gluten-free or other similar needs. It is often difficult to obtain these items in other countries. However, the food is usually fresh and simple, so these challenges are not as typical as they are in more developed countries. You are welcome to bring any food items that will meet your needs while there. We encourage you to bring a variety of snacks such as crackers, granola bars, peanut butter, etc. No fresh produce may be brought into any country from another country, although fresh fruit and vegetables are in abundance locally. Be sure to pack any liquid items above 3 oz in your checked baggage.8. Any food purchases outside of the three provided meals are the participant's responsibility.9. Most hotels we stay at provide laundry services for a fee.
Early or Late Arrivals and Departures
If you plan to arrive early or stay longer, you are responsible for making all of your hotel and transportation arrangements.Other details will be shared on scheduled zoom meetings. We will have 2 zoom meetings before departure. We will email you with details and instructions as the time approaches.
Medical Requirements
Check online for the recommended vaccines and medicine list and consider visiting your doctor 4-6 weeks before the trip for any further medical advice you need. The CDC can provide helpful information and recommendations. Each recommendation is a personal choice at the discretion of the individual. Participants should consult with their personal physician and make responsible decisions. It Is Written is not responsible for the results of any personal medical decisions.
Payment Deadline
Please register and complete your fee payment as soon as possible. The final deadline is November 1, 2025.If you need an extension beyond this date (due to extenuating circumstances) or have any questions, please call us at the office. Please note that if you are granted extension time, you must pay the remaining fee before departing the country, or your spot will be forfeited, even if you have booked your ticket.If you are viewing this information beyond the deadline and have interest in the trip, please call us. There may still be vacancies left.You will receive an email sometime following your trip registration. We are working on a new system for processing, but for now please know that if you submitted your application, we have it. We will connect with you soon. If you have any questions, please feel free to call the office.
Cancellation Policy
If the participant cancels before we have paid for the accommodations, internal flights (where applicable), travel insurance, and meal headcount plans, we give a full refund.If a participant cancels for any reason after the accommodation and reservations have been made we give a 25% refund. Because these factors vary for each trip, you will need to call the office and discuss these details with us as soon as you need to cancel.
Available Packages
Adult
Available until November 1, 2025
The price covers food, housing, transportation, and travel insurance once you have arrived in the country. It also assists with supplies and expenses for the medical clinic and evangelistic meetings. So, your fee covers all of your in-country expenses, and it supports the medical and evangelism work we will do while there. You will also receive a custom It Is Written mission trip T-shirt and mission gift box willed with exciting gifts useful for your mission experience!
Your plane tickets, personal and excursion expenses, or additional baggage fees are separate from this cost. Most people bring $200-$400 for personal spending, but it is at your discretion.
Available options
Child 8-14 years old
$750
Deposit: $50
Children ages 8-14 room with parents or chaperone.
Child Birth-7 years old
$175
Deposit: $50
Children up to 7 years old room with parents or chaperone.