Friday, June 22
Honoring The Teachers of FAE
Honoring The Teachers of FAE
It was a high
day in Carmen Bajo today. Teamwork was at its peak. The group was animated
this morning before leaving the apartment and I really felt like this was a
great start to a day that could turn sad with all the goodbyes that were
before us. Absolutely no one was focused on that. They were all eager to meet
with their classes and several of them couldn’t wait to share
special letters they wrote for each child, give gifts they brought for the kids, and
perform for the kids and the teachers as well.
It always
touches me when the students pray for us.. With all sincerity
they thank us for coming to spend these days with them, spending time to get to
know them and praying with and for them. Today, after we received their prayers,
thanks and appreciation, we moved right into preparing a party for the teachers
and community moms who daily minister to the beautiful children of FAE.. This is always a blessing and a treat simultaneously.
The FAE faculty and staff really know how to party J.
At the party, our team did two songs for FAE teachers and
after asking the 5th grade teacher to join in, the party really
started. Teacher Fausto took center stage along with teacher Carlos and Pastor
Nelson. Pancho got reeled in and it was a Hollywood moment because all the cell
phones and cameras came out to record that moment. By this time the laughter
was immense. If any stress entered that room before the party, it was all
chased away with the laughter of everyone in the room. We had a White Elephant-type of gift giving time and in the true meaning of White Elephant, there were
a few steals but all in good fun as they laughed and cheered on each other. In
all the fun of today I was reminded of the words of Proverbs 17:22 – “A merry
heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.” It’s been
quite a while since I have laughed the way that I did today. If no one else
did, I know for sure that I needed that diversion.
It was an early
night for us tonight. Immediately after dinner Pancho and Pity
met for devotion time with us. With only two days left, they asked each team
member to mention their high and low points of this trip so far. From the
responses, I can tell that God has stirred hearts within this group. From those
who initially were not excited about this trip to those who decided to return
(give it another chance so to speak), to those who had no idea what to expect;
God has made some real changes. Parents, if you prodded and engineered the
thought of making this trip, thanks! From your child to you, they are thankful.
To the returning parents, thanks for supporting the decision and seeing it
through to this moment and
to parents who are doing this for the first time, I can’t thank you enough for
the faith you are exercising even now. I know that many obstacles presented
themselves for some families as you planned for your child to attend this trip but, God is the one who is really
in control here and not our circumstances. There is a song that I love to sing
and the opening line is, “Giants, do die, the bigger they are, the harder they
fall…let God arise giants die!” When we return to Atlanta I hope that you will
see that your child had a new encounter with God while in Quito this year.
I praise God for
wellness for us all as we enter into the last few hours of this trip. God is
able to see us through. Until we reunite, from us to you - have an excellent
weekend as if we were with you.
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