Greetings from Quito, Ecuador!
(Here's the volcano Cotopaxi that erupted last month. Yes,we're ok)
It’s been 2 months since we left South Bend to begin
ministry here in Quito, Ecuador.
We are so happy to be here, but these past 2 months have been trying
times for us as a family, but God has been faithful every step of the way. Here's a quick recap:
July 1st:
Upon arriving, we hit the ground running. We found out that our living
arrangements had fallen through and that we were going to have to begin
searching for a place to live. We also had (and still have) a lot of paper work
to get done. As we began looking
for a place to live, everything we found was at least double the price what we
had planned on paying. We searched
well over a month and came to the conclusion that we would just have to pay
those prices since there was nothing else (over $1,100). To make a long story short, 3 days
before our container was delivered, God blessed us with a wonderful place for
much less than all the other places and it was the first place that met all our
wants and needs. God is so
good.
August:
The same weekend that our container arrived to our home,
both Joaquin and Milena became very sick and had to be hospitalized. They had an intestinal virus and were
so dehydrated from vomiting that they had to get IV’s. They were there 4 days. That was an extremely eventful weekend,
but we’re so grateful to the Lord that the kids were ok. The doctor said if we would have waited
until the next day to bring them to the hospital, it would have been really bad
situation.
Immediately after that weekend, we began a month long
orientation at the school. It has
been very busy trying to move in, work full time (all day meetings) and prepare
for school to begin, but we’re getting there.
September 1-4:
Tuesday we had our open house at AAI, as classes began on
Wed. We have been so busy with
school meetings, that we’re not completely prepared to teach, but we’ll get
there. We’re really excited to
finally be able to begin ministry here with the students. I’m also very excited because I had the
chance to lead worship for our staff communion time and Wed-Fri for our
school’s opening Spiritual Emphasis Week (video of first day at AAI it shows me leading worship at the end of the vid).
There are many students who do not have an intimate relationship with
Christ. Please pray with me for my
students that I will have this year.
Pray that God’s presence & truth will pierce their hearts as they
are exposed to the Word of God and the presence of the Holy Spirit.
Finally, we want to thank all who have supported us financially
and those who have committed to continue supporting us. Your partnership is greatly
appreciated. Your prayers,
financial support and love bring such an assurance that we are not alone. May the Lord bless you. We love and miss you all, but are so grateful
and blessed to be living out God’s plan for our lives. Though nothing has gone smoothly in
this transition, God has seen us through and proven Himself faithful every step
of the way. We look forward to
sharing great testimonies with you as the year gets underway. We love you all!
In Him,
Caleb, Carolina, Joaquin & Milena
PS…We are still currently without internet at home, which
makes communication more difficult.
My plan is to send out monthly/bi-monthly updates of all that God is
doing.
