2026 JAX Church and HOPE worldwide Ecuador
Worthy Bathroom Program
Looking for a life changing experience?
We want to invite you to join or support the Worthy Bathroom Program in Cunucyacu, Ecuador. JAX Church (Jacksonville, FL.) as served in collaboration with HOPE worldwide Ecuador since August 2024 and plan to again in July 31- August 9, 2026.
Bathrooms Completed Next To Each Home
Collectively, we have engaged with the indigenous families of the community bathrooms
53 have been completed next to each home. The need is to construct approximately 80+ more in the region. Each costs about $350.00. Additional activities are designed to build relationships with dignity and respect in the community and sister churches in that region.
Through the generous support of contributions
From the churches, individuals, and corporations we have raised nearly $25,000 to provide construction materials, scholarships, and other supplies for volunteers from Quito, Ambato, and the USA. If you cannot go but want to support, you can donate to HOPE worldwide JAX Chapter which are tax deductible.
As for the trip…
A $1,000 Registration fee includes housing, transportation, meals, etc. You are responsible for purchasing personal airfare & medical / travel insurance. Grants of $300.00 are available to assist with your registration. Airfare ranges from $600-$900 depending on point to origin. Total cost is approximately $2,000. We travel as a group departing from Miami & Quito to coordinate group dynamics and minimize inconvenience upon our hosts.
This is a separate collaborative program of the JAX Church and HOPE worldwide Ecuador. JAX Chapter of HOPE worldwide assists in raising funds to purchase construction materials, coordinating and supporting volunteers from all over who participate.
Please see and print additional forms below for deadlines to complete and submit.
If you are interested in going on the trip in 2026
Please contact Jim Mackie, WBP Coordinator at hopewwjax@gmail.com or 904-477-9291.
“It is the greatest of all mistakes to do nothing, because you can only do little…do what you can.”
Sydney Smith
Participant Reflections
Is a crash course in empathy. When you leave, your hearts are always full because of the seeds you have exchanged in each other’s hearts.
This experience was a spiritual, emotional, and life-changing experience. I got to be with my brothers and sisters from another sector and never felt like an outsider. It was like we were all family from day one. The devotionals were amazing, emotional, and inspiring. I definitely felt the presence of God throughout my entire journey there in Ecuador. I loved talking with the people from Cunucyacu and learning about their experiences. The HOPE worldwide Ecuador team is amazing, helpful, and caring. Definitely a life-changing experience.
I originally pictured the trip as mainly our group serving and sharing with them. But the greatest impact on me came from the morning bus ride devotions and especially from the Cunucyacu community. Through their humble spirits and quiet generosity, I felt closer to God and to each other. It was an experience that is hard to fully explain.
For all the team, for me it has been an experience to be able to share so much with each one. Seeing your love for God and your compassion has helped me understand what Jesus’ example is like. I aspire to achieve that. Thank you for everything you have done for the community to meet their needs.
It is not just about building bathrooms. It is about building relationships, not only with the Cunucyacu community, but also growing spiritually with our brothers and sisters.”
This was a life-changing experience for me. I feel totally bonded to my brothers and sisters from Jax, NJ, and Quito, who I spent every day with. I also felt honored to break bread and worship with the Ambato church and serve our families in the mountains. I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit throughout the week, but especially during our bus ride devotionals.
In John 13:4–5, Jesus teaches us the lesson of the towel when he washed his disciples’ feet. When we serve others in this way, we become more like him and our hearts are purified.
Download Your Form Copies
2026 Ecuador Worthy Bathroom Program
Timeline & Deadlines
To participate in the Worthy Bathroom please anticipate and meet the following deadlines so that we can properly prepare and plan. This years trip is scheduled to Depart Miami, Thursday pm, July 31st & Return from Quito, Sunday pm, Aug. 9th, Returning to Miami, Monday am, Aug. 10th.
Here are the deadlines to submit all forms and documents.
March 1, 2026
- Registration Application
- Health Questionnaire
- Proof of Background or church screening validation
- Grant request if needed
- Registration Deposit of $300.00. You may pay the full amount at this time or in monthly payments, all no later than June 1, 2026
June 1, 2026
- Valid Passport (not to expire within 6 months of departure)
- Proof of Medical / Travel Insurance
- Air Travel documents received
- Balance of Registration ($1,000 total)
- July 1st Last day for any full or partial refunds except in extreme emergency
Airline departures & return: Group will travel together from Miami and return to Miami. You will be responsible to make your own flight details to meet the group in Miami.
If you choose to arrive early or depart at times other than our group arrival you will be responsible to make your own arrangements for transportation to or from the hotel as we cannot ask our hosts to make separate transportation arrangements to Ambato as they are almost 2 -3 hours from airport to hotel. Any additional hotel dates will also be at your own expense. Please communicate directly with the trip coordinator Jim Mackie so your trip will be smooth and seamless as possible.
Tentative available as of December 2025, airline schedules are currently at $500.00 round trip, Depart Miami to Quito 7/31, American Air #833 lv 5:35 pm arrive 8:50 pm
Return Quito to Miami American Air # 2162, lv 11:40 pm arrive Miami, 5:00 am Monday 08/10
Open Letter To Consider
Yes, this an exciting and life changing experience, but really it’s more than that. Things it is not, are, it’s not another box we check for doing service, it’s not a vacation, nor a time to just explore the equator, see the sites and experience a different culture.
It’s a raw, dirty, sometimes cold & rainy day of work in challenging conditions. It helps you to see who you are really serving, is it you or is it those around me. It exposes selfishness, it allows you the opportunity for empathy, to see God’s grace and mercy working in your life and others. It not all grimy work as it can also be a time serving the community through education teaching women and children, sharing devotionals, supporting the other volunteers with meal prep and other needs.
It challenges one’s humility to serve, listen to others and respond in a godly manner. It’s like the word of God, it exposes us and judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
As one volunteer expressed after this years experience, ” it’s a crash course in empathy… when you leave your hearts are always full because of the seeds you have exchanged in each other’s hearts”
So before you save your money or write a check, pray and truly see is this for me and what I need. Am I willing to go with a humble heart and spirit, with a desire to respectfully serve and love my neighbor, looking first to their needs and those around me. Jesus calls us to serve the least of these, so come join us.
We trust you will join us in August 2026 on this incredible experience to witness the power of God and see His will and good works to His glory. We look forward to your joining us on this incredible journey.
In His service,
Jim, WBP Coordinator
904-477-9291
hopewwjax@gmail.com