Translating and More!

Dear Friends and Family,


Training continues to go well. It's fun getting to know everyone!

We visited a Quecha school here in Quito. It was started by a local pastor who had a dream to provide the indigenous community with a Chirst centered education. With the help of generous donations, he runs a school from Kindergarten through third grade. It was awesome to play with the kids and lead them in songs about the love of God. I played my guitar (which I am really thankful I could bring it down) and sang with the other staff. I then translated for the first time for the pastor.

After visiting this school, we visited a different church who is expanding their building to provide medical services to the community. As I lead teams, we will be helping in finishing their roof to expand their ministry.

In addition to translating and singing Spanish songs, I also ordered for the whole group for dinner with one other girl on staff. It is very rewarding to take all of these first steps in my Spanish "camino" or journey in learning Spanish.

Please continue to pray:

for my health, my stomach has been a bit upset :(

Unity for the team

Great recall of all the things we are learning in training.

Besitos (Ecuadorian greeting: touch cheek to cheek and make a kissing sound)

Benediciones! :D

Staff Training

As staff, we just started staff training today and it was great. We visited the famous basilica, a famous cathedral, and visited two plazas. The food for lunch was amazing! We ate at an Ecuadorian restaurant. I had an Empanada de pollo and an Empanada de carne.

I am thankful for our staff. God is going to do great things through us as we all have very diverse backgrounds.

The coolest thing for me so far has been the ability to speak Spanish and learn about the culture.

Thanks for your prayers. Please continue to pray for continued good health for me and unity for us as staff.

Safely here in Quito

I made it here safely to Quito. I was able to bring some important medication down without hassle through security.

I was picked up by the director and two guys on staff.

I greeted them at the airport by wearing some funny false teeth.

Thank You for Your Prayers. God answers prayer.

I will write more, but for now I need to sleep!

Packing Up...

Dear Friends and Family,

Thank you again for partnering with me this summer in Ecuador through prayer and/or financial support. In part to your generosity and God's faithfulness, I have all of the necessary funds for this summer. Praise be to God!

I just finished up my spring semester at Bethel University in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It was a great semester. During the semester, I volunteered in a church in Minneapolis helping Spanish speaking adults and children to improve their English. (Pictured Below)

On Saturday, I ran a full marathon (yes, a full 26.2 miles). :) It was an empowering experience to be able to finish it even after having two ACL reconstruction surgeries. God is the ultimate healer!

I will be flying to Quito, Ecuador in two days!

Please pray for these specific requests:

• I would bear much fruit as a result of abiding in Christ (John 15:5 and Colossians 1:10-11)
• Safety: I will be traveling in the inner city Quito, the coast of Ecuador, and the jungle.
• Health: Please pray against any sickness or disease: Yellow Fever, Typhoid Fever, and Malaria

Stay tuned...I will continue to post updates after I arrive.