Ecuador Missions: From Wilderness to Restored Calling

Dave Batcheller's journey to Ecuador missions began over 40 years ago with a calling that seemed to be a Divine Appointment. But sometimes God's timing requires a season in the wilderness before restoration can come. After two decades of struggle and spiritual desert wandering, Dave discovered that God's plans are never abandoned—only delayed until the perfect moment. Here's his remarkable story of how a seemingly lost missionary calling was beautifully restored in retirement.

Ecuador Mission: Dave Batcheller Sharing the Gospel

Dave's Original Calling: Seeds Planted in Peru

"I first felt called to missionary service after visiting Peru for the first time, more than 40 years ago," Dave recalls. The invitation came from two young men who had attended his local college and become part of their church community. But this wasn't just a spontaneous decision born from a single trip.

"Leading up to that, I had been influenced by studying God's Word and reading numerous biographies of many well-known missionaries," he explains. These biographical accounts of faithful servants who had gone before him planted seeds of possibility in his heart. His sense of calling to Latin America grew stronger as he made several more short-term mission trips to other countries over the next few years.

The vision was clear. The calling was unmistakable. Latin America was beckoning, and Dave was ready to answer.

The Wilderness Years: When Dreams Get Derailed

But God's timing and our timing don't always align. "After unsuccessful attempts to go to Colombia and the Dominican Republic when I was in my early thirties, this dream was put on the back shelf for many years," Dave shares with the honesty that comes from walking through deep valleys.

What followed was not the adventure he had envisioned, but rather a painful detour that would test his faith in ways he never anticipated. "After a very painful divorce, I passed through a long period of struggling and 'wandering in the desert' for about twenty years."

Twenty years. Two decades of what felt like spiritual exile. During this time, Dave continued to work, raise his family, and serve in ministry, but the missionary calling that had once burned so brightly seemed like a distant memory. Like the Israelites wandering in the wilderness, sometimes our journey to the promised land takes much longer than we expect.

Still, even in the wilderness, God was at work. Even when we can't see the path forward, He is preparing us for what lies ahead. There are no dead ends when we put our faith in Him. His compass will always lead us to the "promised land" He has prepared for us.

The Restoration: God's Perfect Timing

"When I reached retirement age, God began to restore my spiritual life, and then my burden for missionary service," Dave shares. Restoration rarely happens overnight, but when it comes, it's unmistakable. The same God who had planted the original calling decades earlier was now breathing new life back into what seemed like a dead dream.

The turning point came in 2019 with another missions trip to Peru—this time with a group from his church in Texas. "That trip sparked the realization that I could retire and finally see my dream come true!" Sometimes we need to return to where our calling began to remember who we're meant to become.

The doors that had remained closed for decades suddenly began to open. "The Lord then opened the door in 2020 to make an exploratory trip to South America, and I was invited to come to Ecuador and work with an existing network of churches that shared much of the same vision and values as I did."

Ecuador wasn't Peru, and retirement wasn't his thirties, but God's timing proved perfect. The man who finally arrived in Ecuador was seasoned by struggle, refined by hardship, and ready for the unique challenges of cross-cultural ministry in ways his younger self could never have been.

Ecuador Missions: A Rich Cultural Landscape

Ecuador Mission: Dave Batcheller Teaching an English Lesson

"The country of Ecuador was deeply impacted through the years of Spanish colonization, slavery, and the all-permeating influence of Roman Catholicism," Dave explains. "In the generations since, a rich blend of diverse cultures and traditions has emerged."

This complex cultural landscape required wisdom that only comes through experience. "Coming to Ecuador has brought many learning experiences into my life. From learning a new language to embracing the culture, I have been challenged and stretched in many ways. The people have a distinct mindset, and getting to know them has enriched my life!"

One of the most important lessons came early: cultural sensitivity in sharing the Gospel. "I learned early on from my friends here not to attack the Catholic church directly, as others have done in the past." This approach of love rather than confrontation would prove crucial to his effectiveness.

"Even though the nation faces many challenges economically, socially, and politically, many are open to hearing the true gospel of Christ. They become even more open when they are able to witness believers loving and serving the needs of their communities. This approach has proven very fruitful, as new people are coming to Christ regularly now in Ecuador."

Medical Brigades: Where Faith Met Action

Ecuador Missions: Medical Brigades

One of Dave's most powerful ministry experiences came through Medical Brigades—partnerships with Christian medical professionals from the U.S. who provide free services to the people of Ecuador. During one particularly memorable experience in southern Ecuador, Dave was asked to assist an ophthalmologist as her interpreter.

"Even though everyone that comes receives an initial presentation of the gospel, she was determined to share the message of Christ with every patient that we had. I was more than willing to comply, but I was also nervous because I would have to share the gospel in Spanish."

What started as individual conversations soon evolved into something more efficient and powerful. "The doctor then had the idea of bringing in groups of about 15 people into the waiting room, where I could speak to the entire group at the same time."

This is where faith met action in remarkable ways. "The Lord put on my heart to share with them the story of Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus in John 3. This message cuts through all the religion and explains clearly the necessity of being born again spiritually."

The diversity of their audience was striking: "Our visitors included the very poor, working class, professionals, and even the mayor of the city." Yet the Gospel message transcended all social and economic boundaries.

"In my messages, I suggested a clear parallel with the Jewish people of Jesus' time and the religion that they had experienced all their lives. When asked if they had ever had this type of experience, most of the good Catholics would shake their heads or say 'no.' At this moment, the Holy Spirit would show up!"

The results were extraordinary: "During the course of the week, several hundred heard the true gospel and at least 20 people gave their lives to Christ for the first time! What a blessing! And definitely one of the highlights of my time in Ecuador."

Church Renewal: Becoming a Catalyst for Transformation

After moving to Machala, Ecuador in 2022, Dave quickly integrated into the local church and began serving. But he soon noticed areas where the church was struggling. Rather than criticizing from the sidelines, he chose to invest personally in the leadership.

"So I began to spend time personally with the leaders and other servants within the church to get their perspectives and to encourage them." This relational approach—investing in people rather than programs—reflects the wisdom gained through his wilderness years.

"Eventually, this resulted in an invitation from the lead pastor to teach a series of classes and discussions with the entire leadership team on the subjects of evangelism, personal discipleship, and healthy church life. The people were very receptive and this became a huge blessing and a turning point for the church."

Dave's humility about his role is striking: "Even though this type of church renewal ministry has not been my strong point, I believe that God used me as a catalyst to set the stage for real transformation and church growth. Today the church is moving forward with a clear vision and solid plans for growth and impacting the community for Christ."

Holistic Ministry: Meeting Both Physical and Spiritual Needs

In Ecuador, Dave discovered that effective ministry requires addressing the whole person. "In Ecuador, the struggles of everyday life and physical needs weigh heavily on the people. The Evangelical Church in Latin America has seen tremendous growth, and part of that is vitally connected to ministering to people's physical needs."

This holistic approach takes many forms: "from distributing food, clothing, and other items, to free medical clinics, ministry to children at risk, and radio ministry. Seminars are also given regularly on a wide range of subjects, including marriage, parenting, small business development, English classes, and more."

The church's response during crises demonstrates this integrated approach: "Also, the church has rushed to help whenever there is an emergency caused by a natural disaster or other event, such as the Pandemic a few years ago."

"This approach, when combined with a compassionate, yet clear presentation of the gospel message, has proven to be very effective here in Ecuador. When people witness or feel the love of God through these various ministries, they often become more receptive to hearing the gospel and responding."

God's Heart for the Nations

Through his Ecuador missions experience, Dave has gained fresh insights into God's character and His heart for the world. "I have learned a lot about God's compassion for lost and broken people. Also, that God does not show partiality, but He is concerned and merciful to all."

Working with people across economic levels has taught him important lessons about ministry approach: "Witnessing firsthand the struggles of people at different economic levels has shown me the importance of ministering to people with sensitivity and patience."

The generational challenges in Ecuador have also highlighted the importance of local leadership development: "The problems caused by broken homes and an unstable economy are beyond measure. Learning how to encourage people who have not had good role models in their own families because of these generational effects has been very challenging. So now, I also realize more deeply how important it is to disciple and train the local people, because they are better suited to reach their own people."

The Bigger Picture: God's Mission Through His Church

Dave's experience in Ecuador has reinforced his understanding of God's global mission: "God's heart is for ALL the nations to know Him and to experience an abundant life in Christ. His plan must be carried out by the Church, and we must respond to that call as a unified body of believers."

This perspective transforms how we view setbacks and delays in our own callings. Dave's twenty-year wilderness wasn't a detour from God's plan—it was preparation for it. The man who finally arrived in Ecuador brought wisdom, humility, and seasoned faith that his younger self couldn't have possessed.

From Wilderness to Restoration

Dave Batcheller's story reminds us that God's timing is perfect, even when it doesn't align with our own timeline. His journey from wilderness wandering to restored calling in Ecuador missions demonstrates that our setbacks are often setups for greater impact than we could have imagined.

For those walking through their own wilderness seasons, Dave's testimony offers hope: God doesn't abandon His calling on our lives. He refines it, prepares us for it, and fulfills it in His perfect timing.

The Ecuador missions field gained not just a willing servant, but a seasoned warrior who had been tested by fire and found faithful. Sometimes the longest journey to our calling is exactly what we need to be truly ready for it.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11

If you'd like more information about Dave's missionary adventures, check out his website at davidbatcheller.com