Its Time To Go!

Nate Saint Memorial School

     The school that I will be teaching at in Ecuador, Nate Saint Memorial School, is in desperate need of teacher. The students are children of missionaries who are living their lives to share the Gospel with the people around the world. Because of the school, the parents are able to focus on thier jobs of being doctors and Gospel presenters while knowing that their children are receiving the education that they deserve. I am so excited that I will have the opportunity to assist them in thier mission by making sure their children get the education that they need.

   
To give the children the desired education, the school is normally staffed with 5 teachers for grades K-8. As of this time, there are only 3 teachers for the fall of 2011. In light of this need, HCJB Global has asked that I be ready to leave the country in May 2011. This gives me 11 weeks (as of February 7th to raise my support).

Me with a child at the orphanage in Shell

How can I help?

A monthly commitment of only $28.00 a month raises my support level up 1%. With 50 more people committing to give just $28.00 a month, I will reach my support level!

How do I become a monthly supporter?

There are several convienent ways to begin giving:

• Go to hcjb.org to begin giving today. (Don't forget to include my account # 110553)
• Email me to let me know that you want to begin giving.
• Send a check to HCJB Global. 
• make sure to desginate on the check my account # 110553
• Include a note that says this will be a monthly donation 

What if I can't give monthly? Can I still help?

By all means, any funds donated can be used. Any one time gifts will go to pay for plane tickets, language school and other moving costs.

What I will be doing in Ecuador!

It was going to be perfect. I would be married to a man that would make all of the decisions about when where and how we would be missionaries. We would live some where in Africa and do something that would be considered mission work. ---- These were my plans for my future at the age of seven. But, God had other plans...

The dream changed "slightly" when I went to Ecuador in 2009. God showed me that in His plan for me (at least for right now) I didn't need a man to make the decisions. I needed to trust Him and He would show me what to do.

Well, I was able to "see the dream" a little more clearly when I visited Ecuador in October. I made decisions about the city I will be living in and the school that I will teaching in. It was exciting to meet some of the missionaries that I will be working with when I get to Ecuador. It was also encouraging to talk to some missionaries that finished raising their support and have just arrived in Ecuador.


Where I will be living:

Shell, Ecuador -- At the bottom of the Andes Mountains and at the edge of the Amazon Jungle

Shell is a smallish city about 5 hours from the capital city of Quito. The temperature is always warm (going towards hot). It is safe for women to walk alone on the streets during the day, and at night to walk around with another woman or group. [ This was extremely comforting for my parents to hear]

What I will be doing:

Teaching at the Nate Saint Memorial School for children whose parents are missionaries in Shell.

 

     Nate Saint Memorial School is a small school that has around 30 students in grades K-8. The teachers at the school are all missionaries. This helps keep the cost down for the parents because the teachers do not get paid through the school. 

     If you look close enough in the picture, you can see the line of bicycles against the wall of the school. The children usually ride their bikes to school. At lunch, the children all ride their bikes back home for lunch.

     Because there are only 4 teachers for 9 different grades of children, the teachers all end up teaching subjects to all of the grades. For example, one teacher might teach Math to 1st-2nd grade students during the first part of the day. Later she might teach Science to 7th-8th grade students. 

There will be more to come in later posts about other things that I might be able to be involved in when I arrive in Shell. Until then, take time to view some of the other photos that I took while on my trip to Ecuador!

Day 1 of Vision Trip

Day 1 (October 15, 2010)

I made it to Quito, Ecuador last night around 6:15pm. I had no trouble with my flights. The only problem happened when I couldn't find my luggage. But that was becuase someone had taken my baggage of the turning wheel. I eventually found it and was able to get through customs.

I am staying in a wonderful place called "The Guest House". I have my own room and bathroom. They serve a family style breakfast.

I toured the HCJB Global Headquarters. Its amazing the history to this place. I was able to see the radio broadcasting room where they produce radio programs that go out all over the world.

I also toured the hospital. The hospital is staffed by both Ecuadorian resident doctors  and nurses and missionary doctors and nurses with HCJB Global.

The school, Alliance Academy, was very impressive. They have over 500 students there. You almost foreget that you are in a foreign country when you are in that school. The building is wonderful and the students are not lacking in their education. They have home ec classes as well as art and music and sports.