September update

Dear Friends,
The school year started a month ago, and life has been busy! I have 16 students in my class this year and they are wonderful. I’m thanking God for them. I have 2 girls who don’t know very much English, but they are bright girls and are learning quickly. This group is much easier than my challenging group last year that had many special needs students. My friend Courtney is the other 3rd grade teacher and this is her first year. We are having a great time collaborating together and are working well together. We decided to try something new this year for 3rd grade- I would teach science to both classes and she would teach social studies. It is going very well. I’m loving being able to focus on my science lessons. We are planning to go to Santos Pamba every other month this year- our first trip with these new 3rd graders will be in a couple weeks and they are very excited about it. Courtney is too, which is a blessing. Every day at least one student asks me if it is time to go to Santos Pamba yet. I’m excited to be able to expose a new group of students to Santos Pamba and what it means to minister to others.

Besides teaching, I too have started back to school- GRADUATE SCHOOL! I decided to pursue a Masters of Education in Curriculum and Instruction. I am doing an online program through Seattle Pacific University. I am only taking two classes, but wow, it has been a hard adjustment. My whole schedule has changed. It is hard to be working full time, be in ministry, have a boyfriend, and be studying at the same time. Please pray that I will be able to balance my time wisely, and be able to handle my stress. I really need prayer right now.

Pablo has also started to study. He is studying Contemporary Music at the Universidad de San Francisco here in Quito. He is also adjusting to studying. His schedule is full time at school so he isn’t working at my school anymore as a guitar teacher. We hardly see each other now. It’s hard, but we are trying to take advantages of the few moments even if they are short. Please pray for us during this transition time.

I have a new roommate! Thank you for praying with me because God answered prayers. Her name is Hannah, and she is a study abroad student at the same university that Pablo is studying at. She is a Christian and is from Canada.

The rainy season is about to begin here in Quito, and many people are getting sick at school. Please pray that God protects my health…I’m starting to feel that I’m getting a cold.

Thank you for your faithful prayers, support and encouragement. God bless you!