WILSON FAMILY MISSIONS: May Update

Greetings from Ecuador!  

I want to start off by saying "thank you" to everyone who was praying for me and the AAI SEW (Spiritual Emphasis Week) last week.  It was a long, but fruitful week.  Here is a quick overview of SEW:

Sometime last year I heard a series by Andy Stanley called, "Who Needs God", addressing some key areas why people are walking away from God.  I was really excited about doing this series with my students because the vast majority want nothing to do with God and my prayer was that the mix of apologetics and the gospel would open their eyes and hearts to the truth of God, Jesus and His Word. I loved his approach and some of his content, thus I decided to take some of his ideas and make it my own.  The really tough part was that I had never prepared nor preached for a whole week.  That's pretty much all I did for the 2-3 weeks prior.  I was also in charge of worship & the follow up discussion questions, so it was a lot of fun, but also a very crazy few weeks.  

Daily Topics:

Day 1: 

Atheism 2.0- an update on what atheism believes and teaches.  The big idea was "you can't walk away from something (ie, God) without walking towards something else (ie, atheism)."  

Day 2: 

For the Bible Tells Me So- The big question was "do we believe or not believe just because the Bible tells us so?"  I explained that it's both.  I explained that Christianity doesn't exist because of the Bible any more than we exist because of our birth certificate.  The Bible was the result of something that happened.  I also shared with them some key apologetics and why we can rely on the Bible as truth and as the inspired word of God.  

Day 3:

gods of the no-testament- People walk away from God or don't believe because of wrong thinking and wrong understanding of who God is.  I addressed aspects of God's nature and character that just are not accurate, like "If God exists, then good people should not suffer."  I asked them, "Where did you get that idea?  Who told you that?  Because that's not in the Bible."  I also shared key scriptures and testimonies of who God really is.

Day 4:

Good or God- I showed a short message by John Bevere addressing how there are things deemed good in the world's culture that are bad/sin to God and God's Kingdom Culture.  The message is a "recalibration" message of turning our hearts back to God.  (if you'd like to watch his message: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XH8a_MShSTA&t=2s

I gave an altar call at the end and about 30 students came up wanting to completely dedicate their lives to the Lord.  

Day 5:

Testimonies & Final Discussion followed up by a big Ice Cream Social. (I bought tons of ice cream and toppings to make ice cream sundaes.  It was a fun way to close out SEW.)

The amazing part of this week was not seeing incredible transformations from atheism to being sold out for Jesus, but seeing and hearing testimonies of students who were heading towards atheism and now are heading towards faith in God.  There were so many who doubted God's existence and the Bible's validity day 1, but by the end they had made a turn towards God.  My prayer is that the work that God began in their hearts will continue to grow & develop.  

Please keep praying for these students.  You don't know them and I honestly don't know all who were touched by the Lord, but He does.  Pray that the seeds planted will grow deep into their hearts, leading them to surrender their lives and put their complete faith in Christ Jesus. 

For us as a family, we're doing really well.  The school year ends at the end of June, so everyone is anxious for the year to be over.  It's been a really hard rainy winter, so much so that the school has flooded a few times.  That was not fun!  It's only been in the last few days that we haven't had a daily downpour.  Praying that "El Nino" has come to an end.

  

Carolina and I had the opportunity to get away on Monday & Tuesday.  We had such a wonderful time together.  It was greatly needed.  The kids are doing well.  They are both growing in piano and doing well in school.  Joaquin's bday is next Friday, so he'll be turning 10.  Can't believe he's going to be in the double digits.  

Well, that's about it for now.  Here are a few prayer requests:

1.  Hunger and desire for more of God's presence.  Ministry is not a replacement for intimacy with Christ.  Complacency has had its way and it's time for that to end.  We need Him and everyone at the school needs Him.  

2.  Family & Marriage!  The enemy is always looking to infiltrate and destroy marriages & families.  Please pray for us and the families at AAI.  We need God's covering, strength and protection.  

3.  Physical Injuries!  Carolina has really hurt her shoulder playing volleyball and needs to get checked out.  I have a partially torn meniscus in my left knee that apparently needs surgery.  I also slipped and fell recently and really hurt my right knee and ankle.  I need to get an MRI on that knee now because I'm in a lot of pain.  It even hurts when I drive.  So, please pray for our healing and if we need surgery, that God will provide the finances to cover that.    

4.  Finances!  God is blessing us and meeting all our needs, but we are just getting by.  God is faithful and we know He is our provider.  We also know God uses the body of Christ to fulfill His purposes. Please prayerfully consider partnering with us both financially and in prayer.  

We want to give a huge 'THANK YOU' to everyone who already supports us financially and/or in prayer.  We are so blessed and grateful.  You are a big part in enabling us to stay on the mission field.  May the Lord richly bless you all!!!  

Love to you all,

Caleb, Carolina, Joaquin & Milena  

  

WILSON FAMILY MISSIONS: MARCH UPDATE

Greetings from Quito, Ecuador!

For starters, it's been a pretty cold & rainy year here in Quito.  Obviously "cold" has no comparison to our South Bend winters.  It's really like our Spring, but that is bad weather for these parts (thank you El Niño).  Anyways, we are doing well.  It's been a very interesting year for us as a family and school.  Carolina coached volleyball in the Fall and then I coached basketball from November to the end of February, which completely changed our schedules (particularly as a family).  We had a lot of fun coaching and were able to build some strong relationships with those students.  I'm praying for increased opportunities to share the gospel and love of Jesus with them.  As a school, there are a lot of transitions.  Our current director is leaving at the end of this year, along with many teachers in Elementary & Secondary. Nothing bad happened, it's just one of those years where there's a lot of changes.  Preparing for next year and responding to all the new requirements by the Ministry of Education this year, it has been quite the year.

Carolina is doing really well with teaching and leading the Spanish Department.  It was pretty rough in the beginning, but now she's got a good handle on everything.  She's playing a lot of volleyball with a club team, so she's really enjoying that.  Joaquin and Milena are both doing well.  They are both taking piano lessons.  Joaquin is playing a lot of basketball and is pretty passionate about it.  He has also started taking drum lessons, which is pretty cool.  Milena is taking gymnastics as well and really enjoys that.  They are doing well in their classes and it's fun to see them grow & develop.  I am doing well overall.  It's been a challenging year and somewhat disappointing in different areas.  We always dream big and usually want to see those dreams fulfilled immediately, but that's not the reality.  I just need to keep close to the fire and trust that God is moving in the lives of those we touch.  Our job is to plant and water, but it's God's job to bring forth the growth.

Prayer Points:
1.  Right now I'm teaching about the Kingdom of God in my chapels.  I'm really praying that students and staff will be provoked to pursue the Kingdom of God and his righteousness personally.  We all know it's a journey, but as in any journey, there's a starting point and I'm praying and believing every individual will take that journey with Jesus.  Pray for breakthrough and open hearts & minds.

2.  We need a fresh fire and hunger for God's presence & face (as a school and family)

3.  That God will bring the right person to lead this school as the new director in this new season.  We need a strong, godly man with a desire & passion for God's presence above all else.

4.  God's guidance, direction and discernment as we begin planning for the next school year.

5.  Salvation for Carolina's family and for my father-in-laws healing (from emphysema).

Thank you so much for all your love, prayer and financial support enabling us to serve the Lord here in Ecuador.  You are greatly loved and appreciated.

With much love,

Caleb, Carolina, Joaquin & Milena

PS...we're coming home for a few weeks this Summer, so we hope to see you.  I'm working on putting together another worship night.  I will let you all know when that is arranged.  Lord bless!

WILSON FAMILY MISSIONS DEC UPDATE

Merry Christmas everyone!  Praying for an incredible time with family and friends as we all fix our eyes on Jesus, the true reason for celebrating Christmas!  May the Lord richly bless each and every one of you!

It’s been a few months since our last update, so I wanted to take some time to fill you in on what’s been going on for us here in Ecuador and how you can pray for us moving forward. 

In October we had our Spiritual Emphasis Week, with my good friend Sebastian Mora from Chile.  God really showed up powerfully way in many different ways. 

1.     All the places we usually use for our SEW’s were unavailable, so the idea came up to get a big tent.  The vision the Lord placed on my heart this year was to “create environments to help staff and students experience & encounter God’s presence!”  So, the tent idea seemed like a great fit to that vision, only the school didn’t have the money to rent anything, which meant I had to raise the money.  As I explored the possibilities, I discovered it was not going to be cheap.  Some quotes were $3-4K for the week, but thankfully we found someone who would do it for  $1,500 and because of the support of many people and 2 churches in particular, we were able to cover the whole thing!  GOD IS SO GOOD & FAITHFUL! 

2.     My friend Sebastian was able to come and God used him in many ways.  It was exciting to see the progression from day 1 to day 4 of SEW.  There was a continual increase of the presence of the Holy Spirit and many students had a powerful encounter with Him.  Many signed up wanting to be discipled and go deeper with God.  What an amazing week.  Here is the link to watch the SEW Highlight Video!       https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GLRb7z9EP4

In November I began meeting with students who wanted to be discipled.  It’s been difficult because students forget to come or others have backed out of wanting to meet.  Sometimes it is difficult for us to come back from a powerful encounter with God because we think everything will just happen on its own, which does not happen.  It can be very easy to settle back into “normal day-to-day life”.  I’m glad to say though that I have around 12 high school students who meet with me every Monday during lunch, but only 1 in middle school.  I’m praying and believing for good things to happen in our times together.   

December has been pretty chill here at the school as we enter into Christmas break.  My parents are here now and it is such a blessing to us as a family.  They have gotten the opportunity to meet many of our friends here in Ecuador and experience some of the programs the kids are in.  Praying for a wonderful Christmas with them and all of Carolina’s family. 

Prayer Requests:

-       Please be praying for me, my family, our students and our staff to not settle, but to press into the deeper things of God. 

-       Please pray for Carolina and I as we pray about our future here at AAI.  We have 1 more year on our contract here at the school.  I see us being here in Ecuador for years to come, but we are not sure how long the Lord wants us here at AAI.  God has placed many things on my heart for ministry and we just want to discern His timing. 

-       Please pray for us to have great faith and no fear so we can step into whatever it is God has for us moving forward.  

-       Please pray for the salvation of our family members here in Ecuador. 

Thank you for your love, prayer support and financial support enabling us to serve the Lord here in Ecuador.  God is moving, but I’m hungry and expectant for so much more!   We love you all!

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Caleb, Carolina, Joaquin & Milena

Wilson Family Missions- October Update

Greetings from Ecuador! 

Well, we have completed our first month back in school here in Ecuador.  There have been many changes for everyone this year and it is taking some time to get accustomed to all the adjustments, but we’re getting there.  Schedule changes, class schedules, new government requirements, etc are all issues we’ve had to face.  The school has taken a hit financially as well, which has made the transition even harder, but God is faithful and He will see us through. 

As many of you already know, I have transitioned into the role of “chaplain” (or in my words, “campus pastor”) here at the school and I am so grateful to have this opportunity.  Carolina has been promoted to Spanish Department Head, though this has put a lot of extra work & stress on her.  But as always, she presses through and does an AMAZING job!  I’m so proud of her.  The kids are doing well and are enjoying their new classes/teachers as well. 

One of the things I’m particularly excited about is the opportunity I’ve been given to take the student worship band to the next level.  One of the new government requirements I mentioned deals with Service Projects (required to graduate).  The worship band has been approved as our Service Project, which means we will not only be leading worship in school, but also out in the community.  This is amazing and I’m excited to see what God has in store.  Please be praying for us.

We have had 2 student chapel services thus far and I felt lead to talk with them about “living a life of expectancy with God” and “Biblical Faith” as we enter into this year.   As expected, hearts are cold & desire for God seems minimal.  Honestly, this season really feels like a time of plowing the soil, but I’m really expectant for a powerful move of God this year as we faithfully plant and water. 

In 2 weeks (Oct 17-21) we have our Spiritual Emphasis Week and I’m so excited because I have my friend Sebastian Mora coming from Chile to speak to them.  If you don’t know Sebastian, he is one of my closest friends that I met while living in Argentina back in 2012.  He is an anointed man of God and I’m praying & believing for a great move of the Holy Spirit in the lives of staff & students.  If you could all please join me in prayer now through that week I’d really appreciate it. 

In regards to Spiritual Emphasis Week, I have an urgent request.  I am in need of renting a large tent to hold all our services for SEW!  All the places we’ve used in the past that can hold the number of students we have were unavailable and our chapel is just too small for everyone.  The cheapest quote I have found to rent is around $1,200 (tent & chairs) and I have no budget because of the financial situation here at the school.  SEW is coming up quickly and I want to ask if you would prayerfully consider sewing financially into it.  Many of you are so faithful into sewing into us as a family, enabling us to serve the Lord here in Ecuador.  This is just another opportunity to help sew the seeds of the gospel to the students here at AAI.  If this is something that you would like to partner with us in, please let me know and send your gift to Radiant Church.  I will need to order the tent by Friday, so please let me know ASAP.  Your partnership is so greatly appreciated!

As always, THANK YOU for all your love, prayer and support to us as a family.   We love you!

Lord bless,

Caleb, Carolina, Joaquin & Milena

Wilson Family Missions

Wilson Family Missions April Update

Hola from Quito, Ecuador.  First, I want to apologize for not having written for some time.  Things have been going great here, but we've been very busy and tired and simply have not taken the time to write.  I will do my best to keep this short and sweet, while filling you in on the past few months.

 

In December, we had an incredible time with my parents who came to visit us for 2 weeks.  It was such a blessing having them come visit and a real necessity for us as a family.  We had such a wonderful Christmas and time to just relax and visit some fun places.  (see pics below)

  

Our family is doing well.  We are completely settled now and feel at home in our apartment and in Quito.  It's such a blessing from the Lord to be able to call Quito home.  We are also glad to say that we have finally found a great, vibrant, Spanish speaking, worshiping church called "Comunidad de Fe".  It was a long process, but we are really enjoying our time there.  The husband of an Ecuadorian that we work with here at AAI is one of the worship pastors and we have gotten connected with them.  We'll see what doors open up to join the worship team there.  I also want to let you all know that we will be home for about 6 weeks this summer (June 24-Aug 11).  We are so excited and look forward to reconnecting with you all.  Our plan is to have another Worship Night at the end of July like we did prior to leaving last year.  I will let you know exact dates in the near future. 

Ministry at AAI is going well.  I am enjoying this second semester and the connection with my students.  I have gotten some really neat feedback from some students and parents about their growth and how they've been challenged to grow deeper in Christ.  My Worship DNA group is going really well.  We have lead worship for multiple school venues (Elementary Chapel & Spiritual Emphasis Week; Monthly high school chapels & Spiritual Emphasis Week; Easter Assembly & Service; and will be leading the Spiritual Emphasis Week again here in May).  In addition to that, the AAI leadership has now given me 8th hour on Fridays to draw in and develop more students who would like to join the worship team.  I'm excited for the opportunity to invest in the lives of these students and pray God will open up more doors for ministry to and with these students.  Carolina is doing well in her classes.  She went through a difficult season, but has come through on the other side.  The kids are doing well.  They really enjoy school and life here, but they are VERY excited to see their Lito, Lita, Tia Leah, Baby Olivia and all their friends this Summer.  

Some extra details & prayer requests: 
We just had a worship night at our home a few weeks ago with 20+ people in attendance.  It was a wonderful night of worship and pray that it was just the beginning of greater things to come.  We need a fresh outpouring of Holy Spirit in our lives and in the lives of all at the school.  AAI is in great need for a spiritual breakthrough and I believe worship, prayer, hunger, surrender and unity will be keys to that breakthrough.  Please pray for us, our school (students & staff) and the nation of Ecuador.  Believing & expectant for great things ahead.

I have applied for the head high school chaplaincy position for next year.  I have really felt the Lord leading me to pursue this position and am really excited about the possibility, but want the Lord's will to be done overall.  I've had some great conversations with the director of Spiritual Life, but please be in prayer that the Lord's will be done in this.

We have started a marriage group with another couple in our home.  There are 5 couples all together and it has been really great.  We meet every Wed, have dinner together and are doing "The Art of Marriage" study.  Everyone seems to be really enjoying it.  Pray that God will continue to challenge us and grow us in our marriages!

Please be in prayer for us as a family, especially Carolina and I.  With the transition and all the other things, it's been hard to connect on a deeper level.  We've looked back and we have not had a vacation together, just she and I, for over 5 years.  That's never good.  We are really wanting to get away soon together and are planning some time away when we get home this Summer as well, but we really need your prayers & intercession.  Things are good overall, but we're not happy with "good", we want God's best for our marriage (spiritually, emotionally, relationally and physically).

Last but not least, our house is up for sale again.  The people who were renting suddenly bought a home and have moved out.  We are now having to pay for our mortgage and bills again which is a financial burden, but God is bigger and He is our provider.  Please pray for the quick sale of our home and a great price.  (If you know of anyone looking to buy or rent, please let us know) 

Thank you again for all your love and support (prayer & financial).  Without the Lord and you all in our corner, we would not be able to be here.  May the Lord richly bless each and every one of you!  We love you all!!!

Caleb, Carolina, Joaquin & Milena                            

Wilson Family Missions- November Update

Greetings from Ecuador!  It is now November and we have gotten quite settled here in Quito, Ecuador.  We are really enjoying our home.  I can honestly say, I feel at home here.  Things are also going really well at the school.  As in all things, there are issues, but God is faithful.  The kids are really enjoying the school.  They have adapted very quickly to our life here.  Carolina has faced some difficulties, but as I'm sure most of you know, she is a trooper and presses in and does her job extremely well.  I'm so proud of her!  Please keep her in your prayers.  For me, I love my classes and all the opportunities to share, challenge and encourage my students to go deeper in God.  It is not easy, but it is only my job to pursue intimacy with God and then release the passion for Him before my students.  It is the Holy Spirit's job to draw them.  (You can see the pictures of my 4 classes here in this post).  Please keep my students in prayer.  I have great expectation that God is going to do great and mighty things in their lives throughout this year.

Apologetics Class

New Testament Survey

Aplogetics Class

New Testament Survey

There are a few exciting things that have taken place for me personally at AAI.  About a month ago, I had a female student (also a volleyball player) come to my class with a torn muscle in her arm.  She was in a lot of pain when she came to my class 3rd period.  She had shared with me that a few other teachers prayed for her and she was so excited because she was able to move her arm a little and felt God was doing something.  So, at the beginning of my class I invited any student who had faith that God could heal her arm to gather around her, lay their hands on her and begin to pray.  I stated prior to praying, "wouldn't it be an incredible testimony if you were able to play volleyball today?"  We prayed and she was overwhelmed by the presence of the Holy Spirit.  After class I asked her, "How is your arm feeling?"  She stood up and began to move her arm in a full throwing motion.  She had no pain and was completely healed.  She said, "I always thought healing was something we hear about just in the Bible.  I never expected to see it happen and never thought it would happen to me."  God is so good.  I have so much hope and expectation for more supernatural healings to take place in my class, at AAI and in Ecuador.  Please pray for an increase of the anointing of the Holy Spirit in my life, specifically in the supernatural. 

Another thing I'm excited to share is that I have started a worship group with some male students.  Every Wednesday the high school has discipleship groups.  There are many groups, all with a different activity/focus (like basketball, soccer, martial arts, board games, etc).  I chose to have a Worship focused group and I have 9 young men who signed up to be a part of it.  I am very excited to see how God will develop this ministry.  I pray for great opportunities to pour into the lives of these young men both spiritually and musically and challenge them to live lives of worship all the days of their lives.

That should about do it.  A few areas to be praying for:
- Please be praying for us as a family to go to deeper levels with the Lord, for an increase and spiritual awakening in the lives of the staff and leadership of the school and for the lives of our students to be changed and transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit.
- Increase of the anointing of the Holy Spirit in my life in worship and the supernatural.
- Finances- things are quite expensive here.  Pray for divine provision from the Lord.
- Carolina's family- please keep them in prayer.  My father-in-law is quite sick with emphysema.  Each lung is only functioning at 20%.  Also pray for his salvation, along with many others in Carolina's family.
- Finding a home church- We have been to quite a few churches and are still looking to find the place God has for us.  Pray that God will clearly show us!  

To close, THANK YOU to all who are supporting us in prayer and/or financially!  It is such a blessing to know we have family in the body of Christ lifting us up and supporting us every step of the way.  If you would like join in partnership with us financially, click HERE!

Lord bless you all!  We look forward to sharing more with you about all the things God is doing in and through our lives here in Ecuador.  Thank you and we love you!!!

Caleb, Carolina and kids!!!

PS...the volcano Cotopaxi is still quite active.  It could erupt any time, but we're praying God's grace (favor & blessing) over us.  We're not fearful, but know it could wreak a lot of havoc in the lives of many people here.  Thank you for your prayers!!!

Wilson Family Missions- September Update

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 1^st:

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.