Global Ministries

Fundacion Ecumenica Para el Desarrollo Integral Capacitacion-Education

It is with deep sadness that the Division of Overseas Ministries(DOM) of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and Global Ministries, our common witness in mission with the United Church of Christ, announce the passing of one of our beloved former missionaries, Violet (Groth) Vaca, on Wednesday, February 27, 2008, in Quito, Ecuador.

Quito, Ecuador's capital city, is one of the most colonial cities in the region, maintaining 17th and 18th century traditions established under Spanish rule. It also has a large indigenous population struggling to maintain its traditions and to survive in an oppressive, westernized society. Our partners are the Latin American Council of Churches (CLAI), the United Evangelical Church of Ecuador (IEUE), and the Ecumenical Foundation for Integral Development, Training, and Education (FEDICE). Pray for: The indigenous communities of the province of Imbabura as they work together with FEDICE to provide water and sanitary conditions that will improve the quality of life of their people. The ministry of EIRENE, a family counseling organization and the Center for Integrated Family Services as they provide counseling and therapy to families in need, and training for future therapists. Mission Personnel No missionaries are present in this country at this time. Partners Fundacion Ecumenica Para el Desarrollo Integral Capacitacion-Education (FEDICE) Partnership with Illinois South Conference Iglesia Evangelica Unida del Ecuador (IEUE) La Asociacion Latinoamericana de Asesoramiento y Pastoral Familiar (EIRENE) Centro Integral de la Familia (CIF) Partnership with Illinois South Conference Confraternidad Evangelica Ecuatoriana Consejo de Pueblos y Organizaciones Indigenas Evangelicas del Ecuador (FEINE)

XIII Anniversary Celebration of the Ecumenical Foundation for the Integral Development and Educational Empowerment (FEDICE)

(translated from the original Spanish by Global Ministries)

It was a morning full of sun in the middle of a rainy winter's week.  The beautiful weather made it easier for the leaders of different Andean communities to arrive in Quito to celebrate the XIII Anniversary of the Ecumenical Foundation for the Integral Development and Educational Empowerment (Fundación Ecuménica para el Desarrollo Integral, Capacitacién-Educación) also referred to as FEDICE.

As another year is fast closing, we stop for a bit to take stock of what we are about here in FEDICE ministries. They say one picture is worth a thousand words so hopefully the following will give you some idea of these ministries.

Our women's organization "Building the Future" is located in the parish San Buena Ventura and belongs to Latacunga Province. It is eight years old.  We are rural peasant people but women who struggle. To face poverty we gather a group of 27 women, and 2 men.

In our community FEDICE began its work in the year 1998 with smaller projects of guinea pigs and rabbits.  Then, we started with the project of cultivation of white onion. Later on we included the Ovine Project.  It was very good and the FEDICE is helping us with another project of cattle.

The Organization of the Women of UNOCANC, OMU, began in the year of 1983, as part of the UNOCANC. The UNOCANC is the Union of Rural Organizations in the North of Cotopaxi.