I have been back in Quito now for 2 months! Forgive me for not writing an update sooner. Life has been very busy. I returned the beginning of August- with my family! They stayed for two weeks. It was wonderful to be able to show them around Ecuador, introduce them to the people, and visit churches that I have been working with. I loved having them here with me. They left on August 19th and I had one week to get my classroom ready for school to begin again at the Alliance Academy International. I lost my voice that week and sent an email out asking for prayer. God answered prayers because my voice came back the day before school started! However, I continue to be sick. Right now I have a sinus infection that won’t go away.
Please pray for my health and that the Lord will restore it quickly.
Here are more details about what has been going on:
Alliance Academy: I am teaching 3rd grade again this year. This year I have 15 students, of which 4 are American, 2 are Korean, 1 is Chinese, and 8 are Ecuadorian. I have a more challenging class this year. I have one student who does not speak English, one student who is extremely ADD, and one special needs student who is at a 1st grade level. God is testing my patience daily, but I know He has put each student in my class and will give me the wisdom to be the best teacher for them.
Please pray for me!This year I started a Bible study, along with my friend Cherie, for the new young single women who work at Alliance. There are 9 of us. We meet on Sunday nights for dinner and then Bible study. It has been wonderful to build a community and be in the Word together.
Please pray for us, and that they Lord will teach us and lead us during our time together. Santos Pamba School: Thank you to everyone who has sponsored a child’s education. School started September 2nd. We have a new kindergarten teacher named Soledad who is wonderful. Soledad is a senior in college and studies in the afternoons. She is working with Amanda and Mary. I am meeting with the teachers every other week to give them ideas, and encourage them. There are 12 kindergarten students, and 30 preschoolers this year. I am in the process of taking their individual pictures. They each received a new backpack for school (thanks to a sponsor!), new uniforms (thanks to a sponsor!), warm hats (made by my mom), and a toothbrush (thanks to Dr. Kadzik in Gig Harbor!). We were able to purchase all of their textbooks using money from sponsors. The moms and dads are very grateful.
Thank you for investing in the future of these children, and most importantly, joining me in prayer for them.God’s faithfulness and provision never ceases to amaze me! We are finishing the 2nd level of the school still. The classrooms have been moved to the 2nd level because the rooms are bigger, however they are not finished yet. There are no doors or windows. The students are cold from the wind that enters. We brought this need before God and WOW He provided again! The next day I received a donation from a sponsor! God is so good! We also need to buy/have made 15 desks and chairs for the kindergarten classroom, and tables for another room, which is used for tutoring. I am working on getting these things done.
Compassion International Update for Santos Pamba: Pastor Pedro Pablo and I are on a waiting list to have a meeting with the Director of Compassion here in Ecuador. It’s October now- when they promised we could get the paperwork started for the site.
Please pray that we will have a meeting soon. Quick summary:Prayer requests:-wisdom for leading Bible study for new young single women
-health restored 100%!
-meeting with Compassion International for Santos Pamba site
-wisdom and guidance to be the best teacher for my class
-balance in my life with school, friends, the Bible study, Santos Pamba- that I will say no to things that I don’t have time for
Praises:-God’s continued faithfulness and provision
-new teacher Soledad for kindergarten at Santos Pamba
-many new young single teachers at Alliance
Thank you for your continued support and prayers for me. I feel them! Above are some new pictures. I will post more soon. God bless you all!
Downtown Quito with my family
Santos Pamba School building
My mom and Ken playing duck duck goose with the Santos Pamba kids
Activity with the kids at Santos Pamba
The kids with their new wool hats that my mom made
My roommate Laura's birthday party at our apartment
At Santos Pamba church service with the teachers
My good friend Pablo playing a special worship song
