can't change MDN to bypass Verizon activation screen!

[Ambrrr...]

I brought my droid incredible with me from the States when I moved to teach in South America thinking I would use it for everything other than a phone (including internet access). Did a hard reset because it got stuck in a start up loop. Now it requires me to activate it with verizon. I have no signal of any sort. I thought rooting it would be the answer to that but I can't turn on USB debugging without activating it. I have tried the method described in several threads of dialing ##778 and changing the NAM settings. It won't let me change the mobile directory number. Does anyone have any ideas? Help would be MUCH appreciated!