At the heart of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Los Angeles (SVDPLA) is a simple but powerful mission: to serve the poor with love, respect, justice, and joy. Recently, that mission traveled far beyond Southern California—over 3,000 miles away—to the barrios of Rumiloma, Ecuador.
Two of our Vincentians, Mike Hanika and Laurie O’Keefe from the St. Maximilian Kolbe Conference in Westlake Village, embarked on a journey to meet our new “twinning” partners at the Señor de la Misericordia (Our Lord of Mercy) Conference. What they found was a community with very few material resources, but an abundance of faith, warmth, and resilience.
Twinning to Serve Beyond Borders
Earlier this year, the St. Maximilian Kolbe Conference joined the Society’s International Twinning Program, which pairs SVdP conferences in the United States with those in developing countries. The goal is to provide ongoing support for Vincentian Services that address urgent needs such as food, clothing, medicine, housing, and elder care.
After much research and prayer, the conference chose to partner with Señor de la Misericordia, a Vincentian group serving some of the poorest neighborhoods near Quito. They committed to sending $200 each month, a contribution that stretches three to four times further in Ecuador than it would in the U.S., to help fund their life-changing work.
A Warm Welcome in Rumiloma
When Mike and Laurie arrived in Quito on July 7, they were greeted at 6 a.m. by Ximena Suntaxi, head of the Señor de la Misericordia Conference, and other local Vincentians. Their day began with a tour of the parish church in Rumiloma, where they met Fr. Luis and learned about the seven additional chapels—or capillas—served by the conference. Together, these chapels reach over 8,000 people in dire need of the basics many of us take for granted.
The Vincentians in Rumiloma work closely with their priests, visiting two capillas each week to deliver food, clothing, and medicine, pray with the sick, comfort the elderly, and celebrate Mass. Their service is a lifeline for a community often overlooked by government resources and isolated by geography.
Encounters That Stay With You
Mike and Laurie visited two capillas—Miranda and Balvina—both modest chapels with metal roofs, surrounded by dirt roads and humble homes. Despite the poverty, the people greeted them like family. In Miranda, elderly parishioners welcomed them with music, song, and heartfelt words. They toured a preschool supported by the parish, filled with bright, cheerful classrooms that radiated hope for the next generation.
In Balvina, parishioners offered hugs, speeches, and gifts of local nuts and fruit—symbols of gratitude from people who have so little, yet give so much.
A Mission Without Borders
The experience was more than a visit, it was a reminder of why the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Los Angeles exists. Serving the poor is not just about meeting physical needs; it’s about building relationships, crossing boundaries, and recognizing the dignity of every person.
Mike and Laurie left Ecuador with full hearts, having witnessed what Vincentian services look like in another part of the world, where resources are scarce but community spirit is abundant. They returned with a renewed commitment to our mission here in Los Angeles, inspired by the resilience and generosity of the people they met.
As Mike reflected, “Our presence there became a gift to ourselves. It was a God-given reminder of why we serve—not just those in our neighborhoods, but our brothers and sisters everywhere.”
How You Can Help
Your support helps SVDPLA continue our mission locally and abroad. Whether it’s through donations, volunteering, or prayer, you can join us in bringing hope and assistance to those who need it most, across town or across the globe.
📍 Learn more about our services, find ways to get involved, or make a donation at svdpla.org.
