God's Continued Faithfulness

So much has happened in the past few weeks! Are you ready to hear?

Jungle Trip with High Schoolers: (see pictures)
February 2nd – 5th I went on a mission trip with the high school students from my school. Thank you to those who prayed for us! We had an incredible trip. Nothing went wrong! I was so proud of the high schoolers. They put on a children’s program with clowns, puppets, songs, a Bible story, crafts, and games. We went to three small jungle villages: Pano, Campana Cocha, and Achidona. We saw over 400 children! For many of the high schoolers, this was their first exposure to the jungle and poverty. We had to bathe in the muddy river, sleep on the floor, etc. It made me think back to the many mission trips I went on in high school and how they changed my life. I pray that this trip changed their lives also.

Santos Pamba Preschool Update: (see pictures)
As I shared in my last update, the architect Antonio Naranjo sent 3 of his workers with me on January 26th to work on the Compassion House. They put in the electricity, and painted 2 of the classrooms! Antonio also was able to get come kitchen supplies donated. Praise God for this connection. He wants to continue to help. Next weekend, he is sending a team with me to finish painting, start building the retaining wall, and to install 2 bathrooms! God has been providing!!
The Lord is SOOOO good! Remember the retaining wall and how it is an emergency because the wall is collapsing? The Lord responded to this need and moved in the heart of a Foundation. They donated money to build the wall and help finish the house for Compassion to come!! PRAISE GOD! When I shared this wonderful news with the Pastor, his response was, “God is faithful. When we come before Him and submit to Him, He provides if it is His will.” This is confirmation again that the Lord has BIG plans for this ministry in Santos Pamba. God is going to do BIG things once the Compassion International house/program gets started! I’m excited to watch how lives will be changed for Christ!
The cafeteria and kitchen are almost finished being built in the Compassion House. With the donated money, I am going to work on getting tables made, and buying supplies for the kitchen. It has been amazing to watch how dedicated the members of Santos Pamba church are to this ministry. In March, Compassion International will be coming to see our site again and we’ll see if we get the final approval. Be praying!!
I am working on getting each preschooler’s education sponsored. I only need 5 more sponsors!! If you are interested in supporting a preschooler and helping them go to school, please let me know!

Preschooler update:
A couple of weeks ago I took one of the preschoolers to the doctor because the teachers were concerned about her. A bad smell was coming from her nose. I took her to the father of a teacher at my school- connections! He recommended us to other doctors. The first doctor was a nose doctor who looked up Diana’s nose and pulled out something an inch and a half! Yuck!
Then, we went to a pediatrician. He did a physical on her and told me that she is not the correct size for her age. Her head, hands, and height are not correct for her age. I have to take her to some further exams next week. Please be praying for Diana.

Karlita update:
Remember my little Karlita who we got the wheelchair for? I just got back in touch with her family. I had been trying to call them, but their cell phone was robbed. Karlita is in the hospital! On Monday night her mother called me and told me that Karlita was in the emergency room. She has severely advanced pneumonia and is malnourished. She is still in the hospital. Please pray for her. The doctors said it is pretty serious. If you would like to donate towards her medical bill expenses, please let me know. They need support!

School: (see pictures)
Things are going very well at the Alliance. I just finished a fundraiser for Socks with Love. We filled 3 big barrels full of socks for kids. I am going to give the socks to Mark and Cheryl to bring to villages in the south that are up in the mountains (Quitocucho, San Bartolo, Cajabamba, etc).
On Valentine’s Day my class went on a “mission trip” to the Santos Pamba preschool. It was a wonderful day! My students led the whole program- singing, games, an art project, decorating heart cookies, and a drama about loving others. I was so proud of them! God has given me the opportunity to mold my students to love others and become future leaders. My students have truly fallen in love with their amiguitos at the preschool. Everyone was excited to see each other again. I thank God for the opportunity to work at the Alliance Academy and bridge the gap between two classes/worlds. I love that they support my desire to involve my class in my ministry. My class is already begging to plan another trip for March!

Summary:
Praises:
-God’s provision for Santos Pamba
-my wonderful school and the opportunity to mold my students to love and serve others
-new sponsors for preschoolers

Prayer Requests:
-for Karlita and Diana
-for sponsors for the preschoolers
-my health: I have lost my voice and can’t talk at all! Pray that my voice comes back soon!!

Thank you for your constant support and prayers. May the Lord continue to bless you!