EMT current group photo

EMT current group photo
June 2023 Ecuador Mission Team

Thanks 2012 Team!


I want to extend sincere gratitude to you on behalf of the students and chaperones of the Ecuador Mission Team of 2012. I trust that everyone who returned from this year’s trip feels like they are all caught up on sleep, family and friends by now. I think I am getting there, perhaps by the weekend. I got a chance to connect with just a few parents on our return but I know that Dr. Bracher saw everyone else.


On Sunday morning, our last morning in Quito, we had church at the apartment with Pancho delivering the sermon from Matthew 13 (The Parable of the Sower). In short Pancho expressed that the choice is ours what kind of heart we choose to have because we belong to one of the four categories of ground Jesus referred to in the parable. It was a time of reflection and spiritual and emotional bonding. It was a special time as well because the ladies who cooked and cleaned up for us were among the congregation in this intimate setting. Everyone expressed gratitude to someone else present in the room. I was pleased to hear the expressions of gratitude from each member of the team. The rest of the day went smoothly. There was rarely a dull moment as we spent the rest of the time out and enjoying this last day. 

Parents, I first want to thank you for all of your efforts this year. Without your partnership and sustained support, the EMT would not be possible. Special thanks to Dr. Lindsell, Dr. Farrar, Dr. Banke, Mrs. Brostrand, Tom Wood and the advancement team, Michelle Durrett and the accounting staff, Cordie Swift and Debbie Breault, Jason Bilotti and the Vinings Chick-fil-A team, Sage Dining, Linda Simpson, Stacy Rutter and Heidi Wight, Jan and Chris LeCraw, and faculty members from all three schools, Pancho and Pity Sola (and their beautiful children), EMT members and of course, Jackie Tolford and Dr. Bracher! If I have left anyone out it was not intentional because the EMT is truly grateful for all the prayerful support and gifts in cash and kind this year.

This year’s group enjoyed working and building relationships with the kids and family at FAE as much as they enjoyed building relationships with each other and their chaperones. Praise God that some of our members elected to sponsor children at the school on the last teaching day. For me this trip was bitter sweet as the story of Sarita and her little sister Camila, who lost their mom on Father’s Day, still lingers with me. We crave your prayers for FundaciĆ³n Amor y Esperanza and for this young lady. She is in the eighth grade and is currently staying with her uncle and grandparents.

Thanks a million for your continued partnership and belief in the Christ-centered and service oriented mission of Whitefield Academy and the Ecuador Mission Team. Until next school year, blessings to you all!

Opal