Whitefield Academy Ecuador Mission Team

Monday, June 17, 2013

A Day of Teaching And Learning

Hola loved ones! Day 1 of teaching was in the words of our team members, “lovely, good and fairly good." We had an early start, of course, and everyone was ready to boldly go where some of the 2013 team members had not gone before. The FAE family was all set and ready to welcome us on the 

patio with worship songs after which we presented the first part of our lesson - the mystery of discovering who God really is to us. The kids loved the songs (and related actions) especially, “Emmanuel” and “Stirred." They really got into the action of  “stirring," as if stirring a pot (which is pretty much half of the chorus of the second song).

In the individual classes things went as well as Day 1 of teaching should go. Our kids talked a lot about how the children made them smile and touched their hearts tremendously. Kathryn was especially touched by the kids in her class practicing the songs, learning how to sing in English and learning how to say “repeat please” because they wanted to sing the songs over and over. The different talents of this group are certainly maturing before our very eyes. Alexa learned today that she is fluent in Spanish. She was a very valuable asset to her teaching buddy, Nile, and also to her afternoon partners who were imparting the truths about alcohol and drug use. 

Please continue to pray for us in terms of our impact during the afternoon small group settings. Today we had one student in the ninth grade mention that she does not believe in God or the Bible. However, she was very curious as she asked questions and wanted answers. Pancho did mention to me that ninth and tenth graders were posing quite some challenges for the administration this year. We appreciate your prayers as we are also praying for these students especially.

I am confident about the impact that we will have this week and I know God will manifest himself to our team members by sharpening their relationship with Him. Pancho and Pity will have devotions with us starting tomorrow evening after dinner. It is my desire that our hearts will be stirred for the Lord as we seek to stir the hearts of the students and families here. I believe Day 2 of teaching at Amor y Esperanza will be greater than today. We spent quite a bit of time in reflection earlier tonight and shared our thoughts on how to be more efficient with tomorrow morning's session. We had quiet time with God and the team had a chance to reflect, pray, and write in their journals. Tomorrow they will seek specific students from their classes to intercede for over this entire week.

Thanks for partnering with us as we continue to work in this part of the vineyard. Until tomorrow – Curling out!