Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Quick Santos Pamba update
Today I had a meeting with Pastor Pedro Pablo and Amanda, one of the teachers. They told me that over the weekend the parents painted the cafeteria and kitchen! Yeah! I will send pictures soon. They have begun construction on the second floor. The last day of classes will be July 4th. Also, another blessing- UNICEF donated food to Santos Pamba and now they are feeding the preschoolers 3 times a week! :) God is faithful and continues to provide!
Saturday, May 17, 2008
May Pictures
Kid's Choir at Santa Maria
May Update
The last month has been very busy. I am finally having time to write an update. Here’s what has been happening lately…..
COMPASSION approval for Santos Pamba!
Pastor Pedro Pablo and I met with the Director of Compassion International for Ecuador in the beginning of May. He told us that in October they will begin a project at Santos Pamba!! Praise God! Thank you for your constant prayers and support. God has heard your prayers!
In the meantime, we have to find over 100 kids to be a part of the project and have to finish the construction of the house (cafeteria and kitchen). We still need to install lights, and paint the cafeteria. The kitchen needs to be furnished and plumbing/sinks installed. Tables and benches also need to be made for the cafeteria. The rain is beginning to slow down finally. We are going to begin construction on the retaining wall by the church. There is still a lot to do, but God keeps providing and we are trusting in Him! Let me know if you want to be a part of finishing this project. It’s exciting! God has big plans for Santos Pamba, and this is just the beginning.
Preschool update:
ALL of the preschoolers are now sponsored! Praise God! Thank you to those who are joining me in prayer for the preschoolers and investing in their lives.
We have just been approved by the Ministry of Education as an official school in Ecuador! They encouraged us to find a Quichua teacher so that the students will learn their native language, as well as Spanish and hopefully English. Pastor Pedro Pablo is in the process of looking for a Quichua teacher for next year.
I had the two Preschool teachers to my home for dinner a couple of weeks ago. Mary, the teacher’s assistant, has not graduated from high school. She comes from a poor indigenous family. I’ve been encouraging her to go back to school so that she can be a role model for others. She always tells me no. However, GOOD NEWS! She decided to go back to school and get her GED! Mary does not have the resources to pay for this. She has 5 children in school, and is in her late 40’s. If you would be interested in helping Mary finish high school, please let me know.
The first school year at the Santos Pamba Preschool is ending soon. It is amazing how much the kids have learned with Amanda and Mary. They are wonderful teachers and truly dedicated to teaching these kids and most importantly, sharing God’s love with them. Many parents want to continue for next year- but we need another teacher! Please join us in prayer that God will provide another teacher for the next level (called 2nd grade here, but really more like kindergarten/1st grade).
Ministry Update:
At the beginning of May, Dave and Marilyn Shaw, with their daughter Becky, came to work with Santa Maria Quichua Alliance Church. I was able to spend 4 days with them. I worked with them last year when they were here in October. We did home visits in Santa Maria and encouraged the brothers and sisters. I was their translator. It was very humbling to see the homes and receive their hospitality. They fed us in every home, even though they do not have the means to provide for themselves. We went to be a blessing to them, but left being more blessed. We also took a road trip to Quitocucho where I lived for a week last summer. We visited the church members and had cafecito with them. For their last weekend, Dave preached at El Tejar Alliance Church which is the main Quichua church in Quito. I translated for him! It was in front of over 100 people. I was shaking in the pew before I had to go on stage. As soon as I stepped on the stage, I stopped shaking and had a complete peace from the Lord.
Margie Snodgrass and some dentists from Washington are here working in small villages named San Miguel and Cajabamba. They will be here until May 31st. On Thursday night I am going to travel south and spend 4 days with them. I will be returning Sunday evening. I will let you know how our time goes.
School (Alliance) update:
I am quickly finishing up my second year of teaching. It has flown by! I have a wonderful class this year, just like last year. It will be hard to let them go to 4th grade! We are going to go to have a day with their preschool “amiguitos” one last time on June 6th. My students don’t want to go to 4th grade because they want to keep going to the preschool! I love how they have fallen in love with them. I thank God for the opportunity I have had to expose these kids to poverty, the indigenous culture, and life outside their comfort zone. They have learned to love everyone just like Jesus. My last day of school is June 13th.
I had my last children’s hospital visit with the high school students on Wednesday. I decided that I am not going to be a part of that ministry next year. I feel that the Lord is leading me in other directions. There are many new young teachers coming to teach at the Alliance next year! I’m excited! I am the “big sister” to 2 of them and will be helping them get settled here. I have been asked to lead a Bible study next year for the young, single woman staff at my school. I am praying about this. Please pray for wisdom for me. I feel honored to be asked, but am not sure if it is what God wants me to do. Another change at my school is that we are getting a new Elementary principal. Please join us in prayer that the Lord will provide a qualified and Godly new leader for our Elementary.
Thank you for your continued support and prayers! May God bless you.
COMPASSION approval for Santos Pamba!
Pastor Pedro Pablo and I met with the Director of Compassion International for Ecuador in the beginning of May. He told us that in October they will begin a project at Santos Pamba!! Praise God! Thank you for your constant prayers and support. God has heard your prayers!
In the meantime, we have to find over 100 kids to be a part of the project and have to finish the construction of the house (cafeteria and kitchen). We still need to install lights, and paint the cafeteria. The kitchen needs to be furnished and plumbing/sinks installed. Tables and benches also need to be made for the cafeteria. The rain is beginning to slow down finally. We are going to begin construction on the retaining wall by the church. There is still a lot to do, but God keeps providing and we are trusting in Him! Let me know if you want to be a part of finishing this project. It’s exciting! God has big plans for Santos Pamba, and this is just the beginning.
Preschool update:
ALL of the preschoolers are now sponsored! Praise God! Thank you to those who are joining me in prayer for the preschoolers and investing in their lives.
We have just been approved by the Ministry of Education as an official school in Ecuador! They encouraged us to find a Quichua teacher so that the students will learn their native language, as well as Spanish and hopefully English. Pastor Pedro Pablo is in the process of looking for a Quichua teacher for next year.
I had the two Preschool teachers to my home for dinner a couple of weeks ago. Mary, the teacher’s assistant, has not graduated from high school. She comes from a poor indigenous family. I’ve been encouraging her to go back to school so that she can be a role model for others. She always tells me no. However, GOOD NEWS! She decided to go back to school and get her GED! Mary does not have the resources to pay for this. She has 5 children in school, and is in her late 40’s. If you would be interested in helping Mary finish high school, please let me know.
The first school year at the Santos Pamba Preschool is ending soon. It is amazing how much the kids have learned with Amanda and Mary. They are wonderful teachers and truly dedicated to teaching these kids and most importantly, sharing God’s love with them. Many parents want to continue for next year- but we need another teacher! Please join us in prayer that God will provide another teacher for the next level (called 2nd grade here, but really more like kindergarten/1st grade).
Ministry Update:
At the beginning of May, Dave and Marilyn Shaw, with their daughter Becky, came to work with Santa Maria Quichua Alliance Church. I was able to spend 4 days with them. I worked with them last year when they were here in October. We did home visits in Santa Maria and encouraged the brothers and sisters. I was their translator. It was very humbling to see the homes and receive their hospitality. They fed us in every home, even though they do not have the means to provide for themselves. We went to be a blessing to them, but left being more blessed. We also took a road trip to Quitocucho where I lived for a week last summer. We visited the church members and had cafecito with them. For their last weekend, Dave preached at El Tejar Alliance Church which is the main Quichua church in Quito. I translated for him! It was in front of over 100 people. I was shaking in the pew before I had to go on stage. As soon as I stepped on the stage, I stopped shaking and had a complete peace from the Lord.
Margie Snodgrass and some dentists from Washington are here working in small villages named San Miguel and Cajabamba. They will be here until May 31st. On Thursday night I am going to travel south and spend 4 days with them. I will be returning Sunday evening. I will let you know how our time goes.
School (Alliance) update:
I am quickly finishing up my second year of teaching. It has flown by! I have a wonderful class this year, just like last year. It will be hard to let them go to 4th grade! We are going to go to have a day with their preschool “amiguitos” one last time on June 6th. My students don’t want to go to 4th grade because they want to keep going to the preschool! I love how they have fallen in love with them. I thank God for the opportunity I have had to expose these kids to poverty, the indigenous culture, and life outside their comfort zone. They have learned to love everyone just like Jesus. My last day of school is June 13th.
I had my last children’s hospital visit with the high school students on Wednesday. I decided that I am not going to be a part of that ministry next year. I feel that the Lord is leading me in other directions. There are many new young teachers coming to teach at the Alliance next year! I’m excited! I am the “big sister” to 2 of them and will be helping them get settled here. I have been asked to lead a Bible study next year for the young, single woman staff at my school. I am praying about this. Please pray for wisdom for me. I feel honored to be asked, but am not sure if it is what God wants me to do. Another change at my school is that we are getting a new Elementary principal. Please join us in prayer that the Lord will provide a qualified and Godly new leader for our Elementary.
Thank you for your continued support and prayers! May God bless you.
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