The team originally was thinking of building their memorial church in another country, then the project was changed to a place in the mountains of Ecuador but due to complications with the property, Ibarra became the final decision as to where to build the memorial church.
The memorial church was built in memory of Marion Rich who is the wife of Harry Rich, and mother of NAF Director Dwight Rich. Harry and his wife served 18 years as pastors and 26 years as missionaries. Marion passed away 2 months after suffering a car accident two years ago. She was an author, educator, preacher, and speaker for women's conferences. She was a wonderful Christian example to all.
Harry and Marion's children joined the Waynesburg, PA Work and Witness team. The family included a daughter, Vicki Wicks and her family from Canada, daughter, Sharon Harvey from Arizona, Dwight and Carolyn Rich from Ecuador joined the team as well as their son Bryan Rich from KS.
3 generations of the Rich family worked on the church building, father Harry, son Dwight, and grandson, Bryan.