After the 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Ecuador in April 2016, I was able to be a lead in organizing two relief trips to one of the most affected areas. Joining with many generous friends and the Franciscan Missionaries of St. Joseph, the parishes of St. Mary of the Assumption, Milford, MA, St. Monica and Lucy's parishes of Methuen, MA, and the Archdiocese of Portoviejo, we were able to bring over $10,000 worth of food and goods to the people of San Isidro, who had already had been living a challenging life affected by poverty.
Check out the presentations below to find out more.
St Mary of the Assumption, MIlford, has since given another $3K, and I'm continuing to facilitate bridges for more funding. A local parish with an Ecuadorian has over $10K of funding that is likely to go there, and through that parish, there is the possibility of a much larger follow-on project.
I went to San Isidro in December to live there until the new year, doing pastoral ministry and projects and facilitating bridges.