Whitefield Academy Ecuador Mission Team

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Coming Together As A Team

We have a lot to be thankful for today. The second day of teaching was satisfying for the team. The connection with the kids is definitely growing. Many were able to recall names and specific things about the kids that made their day today. It was interesting to watch our team members share the detail of the biblical story of the rich young ruler with the kids in their classes. They used illustrations and resources to help bring the kids to this understanding - all the material things that we cling to in this life have little value in fostering a relationship with God. 

The younger kids demonstrated what the heart of the

rich young ruler might have looked like with opaque cups and dark colored paint. Of course, the outside of the cups were clean (appearing pure) vs. the inside of the cups which were painted with black paint. This object lesson was the practical representation of the fact that the ruler's heart was full of sin. How fitting for us, who also need this reminder from time to time.  We are all sometimes as Jesus stated to the Pharisees in Matthew 23:25 states - clean on the outside but full of sin on the inside. But the good news is that Emmanuel is with us. We are to commit daily to allowing Him to transform and renew us from within.

After working with the afternoon small groups we were able to play some indoor soccer in a fierce competition against Pancho’s “Ecuadorian team." Needless to say that Atlanta took a fall as they were up against the champions such as Panchito “el jefe de futbol." The first aid kit was ready but I was not! I was determined that we would not need the kit or need a trip to the neighborhood pharmacy to bandage any wounds similar to a few years ago. God be praised because despite the terrible loss and blow to some soccer skills, everyone emerged injury free! As far as I am concerned, we were all winners J.

As we march closer to the end of the week we are looking forward to a successful culmination of the afternoon sessions which will end with a field day on Thursday afternoon. We plan to award prizes to students who can recap some of the main points that we discussed this week, share highlights of the discussion groups as well as those who demonstrate superior physical ability in the games we will play with them. We will be putting the finishing touches on our planning for the teacher’s party on Thursday afternoon as well. 

A special treat is that we will assist with the wedding ceremony for Lorena, one of the long-term employees of the Foundation on Sunday and we are all excited about that! God is good and I know that He is perfecting our team daily as we work hard, play hard, and honor Him. It is almost 10:30 p.m. and it is unusually quiet for this time. Hmm….todos cansados (exhausted teenagers) perhaps? Yup, it is time to rejuvenate and recharge. Blessings to you all and good night from Quito.

Opal