Waterford Mennonite Church in Goshen, Indiana, blesses Jane, Jordan and Jerrell (front center) Ross Richer, as they prepare to return to the Ecuador portion of their two-way mission. The Ross Richers' assignment was created to permit six months of ministry each year in Ecuador and six months in the United States. However, since the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the Ross Richers have not been able to return to Ecuador. For the past three years, the insights that they received while living and working among the Indigenous Peoples of Ecuador were contextualized to the North American context. But their hearts continue to pull them back to Ecuador.

Jane, Jerrell and Jordan Ross Richer are scheduled to fly to Ecuador on January 18 to reconnect personally with the people whom they have known since 2015. They have remained in contact with local leadership and friends throughout the pandemic via occasional emails and WhatsApp messages. During this six-week visit to Ecuador, the Ross Richers will discern the shape of their future ministry with the communities in which they have been involved. The Ross Richers' daughters will not accompany the family due to studies and work. Front row – second, third and fourth from the left are Teresa, Naomi and Sierra Ross Richer. 

Photographer: Michelle Ramer.