After 3 Cold Nights - Korean Rescued Atop Pichincha Volcano in Ecuador

July 8, 2013

After 3 Cold Nights - Korean Rescued Atop Pichincha Volcano in Ecuador

July 8, 2013

(July 8, 2013 - by Ralph Kurtenbach) A Korean woman is hospitalized in stable condition following a mountaintop rescue, near Quito, Ecuador. Police were notified by technical crews who had been working on broadcasting equipment at nearby antenna sites.

Rescued on Thursday, June 27, Rho Jieun, 22, had not been seen since Monday afternoon when she was first reported missing. That same evening, firemen went to search for her. She had ridden a monorail cable car to the top of a volcano, Guagua Pichincha, just west of the Ecuadorian capital. Hiking trails from the tourist attraction, known as El Teleférico, lead to another peak, Rucu Pichincha.

Rho contacted the emergency service, ECU911, at 2 a.m. Tuesday saying that she was lost, but a language barrier blocked pinpointing her location. Although further communication attempts failed to reach her, the use of security camera recordings at El Teleférico helped the Korean Embassy obtain positive identification of Rho.

Quito firefighters on Tuesday began the search for Rho, joining with two elite police units (Intervention and Rescue and Special Operations) and using helicopter support to look for her on Rucu and Guagua Pichincha. The efforts proved fruitless.

Around noon Thursday June 2, searchers were dispatched by ECU911 after receiving a report from someone near El Teleférico. The caller had seen a person toward the north. An hour later workers with Ecuatronix contacted ECU911 to say that the Korean woman had been found at La Explanada (The Esplanade) a flat grassy area on Rucu, a 15,400 foot peak just west of Quito. Rho was near a clearing behind a cluster of telecommunications antennas that faces the capital city in the valley below.

Also responding on Mount Pichincha were staff of Radio Station HCJB, who were showing a soon to be installed FM transmitter to visitors, Patrick and Andrea Wehrly. The Wehrlys, from Montgomery, Texas, had been accompanied by Mauricio Patiño and his wife, Tatiana de la Torre, along with Milton Pumisacho, Duval Rueda and Jim Childs.

They provided a dehydrated Rho with fluids and the warmth of the station´s pickup truck, with plans to take her to Quito to be checked by doctors at Hospital Vozandes. Instead, police dispatched a helicopter for the rescued Korean to be airlifted to at the Hospital de la Policia Nacional (National Police Hospital) in north Quito. Patiño phoned news director Edwin Chamorro in Quito to inform him of the rescue. He also sent pictures that were then posted on the station's Facebook and Twitter accounts.

Several dozen visitors to the Radio HCJB Facebook account (HCJBLaVozDeLosAndes) had clicked "Like" to indicate their approval, so Chamorro later responded with, "If you like, you can send a greeting. It would be a great opportunity, as Jieun Rho will monitor our Facebook account."

"Though you walk through the valleys of shadows, He will always be with you," wrote María Fernanda Molina, quoting the Psalms. "Nothing is more real than this. Rho Jieun, I hope God guides you with His hand wherever you go."

Congratulations," wrote S.F. Garces in response to Chamorro's invitation. "This is the best way to reflect the love of God toward our neighbor. God bless you, Jieun, and get well soon."

Sources: HCJB Global, ECU911, El Comercio, La Hora

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Director of Church & Donor Partnerships

Position Summary: The Director of Church & Donor Partnerships strengthens Reach Beyond’s ministry by cultivating purposeful, trust-based relationships with churches, pastors, donors, and mission-minded individuals. Serving as a storyteller, encourager, and connector, this role invites the Body of Christ to join in God’s mission to reach those with little or no access to the Gospel.

Working closely with the Mobilization and Development teams, this person helps raise up new workers, strengthen church partnerships, and resource strategic ministry initiatives—always with a posture of discernment, prayer, and long-term stewardship.

Location: Colorado Springs or remote

Employment Type: Full time with employer-paid benefits, including medical coverage, retirement plan, and paid time off.

What This Role Does (Core Responsibilities)

1. Church Partnership Development

This role serves as a relational bridge between Reach Beyond, churches, and missionaries.

The Director:

Maintains strong relationships with existing partner churches and develops 2–4 new church partnerships annually
Shares the vision of Reach Beyond, helping churches understand and engage with the needs of the unreached
Equips churches with resources that support missionaries and foster long-term, healthy partnerships
Collaborates closely with missionaries as they engage their sending and supporting churches

2. Donor Ministry & Stewardship

This role views donor relationships as ministry and discipleship, not transactions.

The Director:

Manages relationships with approximately 12 key donor accounts
Walks alongside donors with discernment—guiding them through education, cultivation, solicitation, and appreciation
Communicates clearly about ministry priorities, impact opportunities, and project funding goals
Maintains accurate, timely records in the donor management system to ensure thoughtful follow-up and accountability

3. Representation & Engagement

This role serves as a public voice and relational presence for Reach Beyond.

The Director:

Represents Reach Beyond at 3–5 regional or national events annually, with intentional follow-up for every connection
Communicates the story of God’s work in Reach Beyond through stage presentations, small groups, and media opportunities
Participates fully in staff meetings, chapels, retreats, and organizational prayer rhythms

4. Reporting, Collaboration & Administration

This role balances relational ministry with faithful stewardship and teamwork.

The Director:

Provides quarterly written reports tracking progress toward mobilization and development goals
Works closely with the Mobilization and Development Directors to align efforts and communicate organizational priorities
Upholds organizational policies and maintains healthy, proactive communication across teams

You must be authorized to work in the United States.

We participate in the federal E-Verify program. See more information at:

https://reachbeyond.org/e-verify-right-to-work.pdf
https://reachbeyond.org/e-verify-participation.pdf

Why Join Reach Beyond? At Reach Beyond, we cultivate a culture rooted in relationship, collaboration, and dependence on God. Our mission is to see unreached people transformed in Christ through media, healthcare, and community development. As the Director of Church & Donor Partnerships, you’ll play a vital role in advancing God's mission and have the opportunity to grow personally and professionally while making a lasting global impact.

All applicants must be able to sign the Reach Beyond Statement of Faith.

Apply Now: Join us in fulfilling God’s calling to bring hope and transformation to the unreached. Complete the application here. Contact [email protected] if you have questions.