My name is Stephanne Marsh. I am a TCK-MK (Third culture kid-missionary kid) that grew up in Ecuador. My heart belongs to Ecuador and her people. For many years now, I have returned to Ecuador annually with medical teams and construction teams. I work primarily with a local church, CEMAD (Centro Evangelistico Metropolitano de las Asambleas de Dios) in the downtown historic district of the capital city of Ecuador. My family has an almost 40 year history with this church, and I consider it my home church. The primary purpose of the trips that I lead is church-planting. CEMAD is the mother church of 28 “baby” churches. I am so very grateful and humbled that God has allowed me to continue in the rich heritage of following the path of the footsteps that my parents set out so long ago. The primary purpose of this website is to document and share the work that our teams do with our faithful supporters. It is also my hope that others will be moved by the stories I share and will join in the effort to share the life-changing gospel of Jesus Christ with the beautiful people of Ecuador.
Here, you will find journal entries, stories, pictures and videos that show you exactly what it is that we do. It is an amazing journey, and I am glad you are here. So, grab a cup of coffee, cozy up in your favorite chair, it might be good to grab a box of tissues because it is my hope that you will laugh, cry, rejoice, and praise right along with me, as I take you on a journey of the beautiful land that I am privileged to call home, Ecuador.
This picture is precious to me, as it is a snapshot of the stationary that my parents used to send updates back to our supporters in the USA when I was a little girl. It is over 40 years old at this point, but it was the vehicle that carried news of what we were doing in Ecuador. It might just be a scrap of thin onion skin paper, but it has a beautiful history. The actual effects of that history may not be known until we get to heaven.
Here are just a few things that people who have joined me on a trip to Ecuador have to say
Last year, I was sent to Ecuador. And until last year, I could not have found Ecuador on a map. North, South, Central America? I had no clue. Apparently, it is on the equator. “Okay. Why me? Surgery? No. Okay, and… Well, my daughter wanted to go on a medical mission trip and my colleague invited me. Okay, but I have a lot going on. I’ve got a lot to do. Not in Ecuador.” But then I got sent. Isaiah got sent. It’s a thing. (Isaiah 6:8) And I got sent with 28 amazing people. 28 people who were able to put aside “whatever they had going on” and commit to doing something incredible. Under the leadership of Stephanne Marsh, they were going to intentionally “love God and love others.”
Dr. Ellis Tinsley
My Aunt Stephanne is one of the most loving, Christ-filled, gracious, patient, passionate leaders I’ve ever met. If you join her on a mission trip, you will be led each day with a spirit founded upon truth and love. I ensure that you will return home with a renewed heart as her love for Jesus is infectious.
Mikayla Kent
Stephanne’s skills in organizing and producing a fortified mission trip filled with love, fellowship and great medical care for all, is a heart grabbing experience. It is an opportunity of a lifetime that you do not want to miss. Christ is at the very heart and center of this mission.
Robin Bolton – Nurse
“People who do not know the Lord ask why in the world we waste our lives as missionaries. They forget that they too are expending their lives … and when the bubble has burst, they will have nothing of eternal significance to show for the years they have wasted.”
Nate Saint, Missionary Martyr to Ecuador
Heart for Ecuador 