The Inside Story of Laparoscopic Surgery in Ecuador

February 20, 2009

The Inside Story of Laparoscopic Surgery in Ecuador

February 20, 2009

The pincers grab and pull, then grab and pull again. But it's not a scene playing out in a B-rated horror flick.

The steady beep . . . beep . . . beep of a heart monitor reveals that this is, instead, a surgical theater. More accurately described as a needle-holder, the pincers use a small curved surgical needle and thread to sew a stitch, then another, and another.

Meanwhile, physicians and medical students watch the surgical procedure on a monitor in a Hospital Vozandes-Quito (HVQ) conference room as the surgical team in the operating room two floors below provides commentary and updates on the surgery via cell phone contact.

Advanced laparoscopic surgery workshops were among the many breakout sessions held during the 22nd annual Jornadas Médicas (medical education conferences) offered each January by HCJB Global Hands in Ecuador. Attendees at these sessions traveled via a laparoscopic camera to a patient's abdomen to witness the surgical procedures.

Pioneering work in laparoscopic surgery began 100 years ago, but the procedure was launched into new areas with the introduction of computer chip television cameras in the 1990s. The approach aims to minimize patients' post-operative pain and hasten recovery times while maintaining an adequate visual field for the surgeons.

With improved patient outcomes in the last 20 years, laparoscopic surgery has been adopted by various surgical subspecialties such as gastrointestinal and gynecological surgeries as well as urology. The surgeries at HVQ were bariatric procedures--stomach stapling--for morbid obesity.

This was just one of the 27 breakout sessions offered at event along with 35 seminars. Eight missionary doctors and 28 HVQ physicians were among those who spoke to 480 people in Quito and 430 participants via satellite downlinks across Ecuador.

Topics followed the conference's general theme, "Advances and Controversies in Medicine and Surgery--a Multidisciplinary Approach."

Posted: Feb. 20, 2009

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.