Local Family Travels to Ecuador on Medical Mission

The Peeters family from Butler, North Dakota spends a week providing free healthcare services to those in need.

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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Three generations of the Peeters family - Mary, a registered nurse, and her sons Frank, Charlie, and Jack, who are also registered nurses - traveled to Ambato, Ecuador in February to participate in a medical mission trip. Over the course of eight days, the family assisted surgeons from the Medical Mission Ecuador USA organization, helping to perform 52 procedures including hernia repairs, gallbladder surgeries, and other life-changing operations for local residents who otherwise could not afford such care.

Why it matters

The Peeters family's participation in the long-running Medical Mission Ecuador USA program highlights the impact that volunteer medical professionals can have in providing essential healthcare services to underserved communities around the world. Their story showcases the rewards of medical mission work and the way it can bring families together in service.

The details

During their time in Ecuador, the Peeters family worked long 12-hour days as part of the general surgery team at the Regionalle Hospital in Ambato. On Sunday, they set up their supplies and equipment, and from Monday through Friday they assisted the surgeons, taking on roles like preparing instrument trays and caring for patients in recovery. In total, they helped perform 52 procedures, including hernia repairs, gallbladder surgeries, cleft palate repairs, and club foot treatments.

  • The Peeters family traveled to Ecuador for their medical mission trip in February 2026.
  • They spent eight days in Ecuador, with surgery days running from Monday through Friday.

The players

Mary Peeters

A registered nurse from Butler, North Dakota who has participated in the Medical Mission Ecuador USA program for the past four years.

Frank Peeters

One of Mary's sons, a registered nurse who joined the medical mission trip for the first time this year.

Charlie Peeters

Another of Mary's sons, a registered nurse who has participated in the medical mission trip before.

Jack Peeters

Mary's youngest son, a newly certified registered nurse who joined the medical mission trip for the first time this year.

Medical Mission Ecuador USA (MME)

A long-running organization that coordinates annual medical mission trips from the United States to Ecuador to provide free healthcare services to local residents.

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What they’re saying

“The surgery part was really fun for me. I enjoyed that aspect because I haven't been in an OR for three years. I work behind a computer exclusively now, so that hands-on engagement was really fun.”

— Charlie Peeters, Registered Nurse (nymdispatch.com)

“Inside the hospital, my favorite part would be in the recovery room when the patients are waking up and getting ready to go, they're very thankful. You go out and get their family members and they are even thankful—they're shaking your hand, taking pictures with you—it's very satisfying to see how good they all feel.”

— Jack Peeters, Registered Nurse (nymdispatch.com)

“The impact with the patients, their relief and their reactions to how grateful they are. You feel like you're hardly doing anything, but to them, it's way more than just one simple procedure, it's going to change their whole life's trajectory.”

— Charlie Peeters, Registered Nurse (nymdispatch.com)

What’s next

The Peeters family plans to return to Ecuador for another medical mission trip in the future, continuing their commitment to providing essential healthcare services to those in need.

The takeaway

The Peeters family's experience on the medical mission trip to Ecuador demonstrates the profound impact that volunteer healthcare professionals can have in underserved communities around the world. Their story highlights the personal rewards of this type of service work and the way it can bring families together in a shared purpose of helping others.