WILSON FAMILY MISSIONS- JAN '18 UPDATE

Greetings and Happy New Year to you all from Quito, Ecuador!  

I want to start by saying how good and faithful the Lord is.  We’ve seen His continued provision and faithfulness even in times when I haven’t felt worthy of it.  God is moving in the hearts and lives of many of our students here at AAI and I’m so excited to see what He is going to do starting here in 2018. 

PERSONAL UPDATES:

Carolina is doing well overall.  It was a really rough start for her and all the teachers in Elementary this year, but they are handling everything like champions.  She is part of a club volleyball team, but hasn’t played the last few months due to a bad hamstring pull.  Pray she gets better soon.  She really loves playing, and having that outlet is really good for her. 

Joaquin and Milena are doing great.  They love their teachers and being here at the school.  They are both currently in basketball after school and taking piano lessons, so they are keeping quite busy. 

For myself, it’s been somewhat of a roller coaster at times, but I keep moving forward knowing that God is good and He is working in and through me.  I am keeping really busy these days because I’m the head Varsity Basketball Coach.  Our season goes to the end of Feb.  It’s a great opportunity for ministry and I love the group of guys, though it can definitely be a big challenge at times. 

MINISTRY UPDATES:

In September we started classes and the first few days we had Welcome Week.  One of the days we invited some alumni to come share as a panel.  To sum it up, it was a powerful time for both students and staff to hear all that God was doing in their lives.  Most of them wanted very little to do with the Lord while they were here, but now they are on fire for God!  It’s such an affirmation that there are seeds being planted and watered for the kingdom here at AAI. 

In September, I started promoting what I’m calling “Deep Discipleship” groups, a voluntary Discipleship group for students who are hungry to go deeper in their walk with Jesus.  I put out the invite and had 20+ students sign up.  The trick was to find times in their schedule that would work.  My goal was to gather them together once a week during their study hall.  The office thought I was nuts because the schedules are so different and complex.  I got their schedules and prepared myself for a long day to figure it all out, but only after about 10 minutes I had 4 different groups organized with the same study halls.  So, I currently have 4 Deep Discipleship Groups (2 groups of 6 and 2 groups of 7) that I meet with every week and I love it.  It’s by far the area of ministry I’m enjoying the most this year because I’m ministering to groups of students who want to be there…who want to go deeper with Jesus. 

In October, we had a powerful Spiritual Emphasis Week.  We had a guest speaker, a local youth pastor, come speak to the kids and many were impacted.  Many students came confessing some deep-rooted spiritual issues in their lives and we had the opportunity to minister to them and see many set free, particularly in the area of depression and suicidal thoughts. 

Our Chapel and DNA Program (Discipleship, Nuturing and Accountability) is going well overall.  We are following a set curriculum this year, taking students through 8 Core Roots of Discipleship.  It’s really a great program, but it’s also very tough because all students are required to be in a group and many are totally uninterested in the things of God.  But like the alumni shared, seeds are being planted.  We don’t trust in what we see, but in the work of the Holy Spirit who brings light and life to even the hardest of hearts. 

In December, my parents came and we had such an amazing time.  My mom and dad both had the opportunity to minister to everyone here at the school (Christmas Assembly, 8^th Grade Christmas Celebration, Deep Discipleship Groups, MS & HS Chapel Services).  It was such a blessing! 

Also, as we do every year, we try to do something fun.  This year we all took the train to see the volcanoes.  It was such an amazing trip.  We had great weather and could see everything so clearly.  Christmas and New Year’s was a lot of fun, though it rained hard on New Year’s Eve.  As always though, we had an amazing time. 

I sincerely recognize how blessed we are to get to spend that amount of time with them.  Some teachers here haven’t seen their families in a few years and when they do, it’s for a week at most.  Having them here with us is so special, meaningful and fun for all of us. 

Coming up the first week of March, we have our 2^nd SEW.  I’m so excited that a group from South Bend is coming to lead the worship that week (The Skagg’s family, Taylor Urban, Chad and Tony…part of the group from when we do the Worship Night’s back in South Bend when we’re home).  I’m expectant for God to do some big things in the lives of students and staff that week. 

PRAYER REQUESTS:

-       We are thinking a lot about the future.  We really want and need to know what God’s will is for us long term.  Are we to continue here at AAI, start a ministry here in Quito or does God want to lead us somewhere else? 

-       In thinking about the future, we know God is our provider and he will provide for our every need, but we also recognize that we are not able to prepare for the future financially based on our current income/circumstances.  We are especially thinking about college for the kids.  We are praying for God’s wisdom & creativity for how we can make money…through a business, rental property, etc either here or in the US.  Please pray for us regarding these things. 

-       Pray for my basketball team.  Most on the team are not believers.  I’d love to see God do a great work in their hearts and lives this season. 

-       Pray for our teachers, students and leadership.  We desperately need an awakening and revival here at this school. 

-       Pray for our upcoming SEW and for our DNA and Deep Discipleship Groups. 

-       Pray for our family and our marriage.  Pray that Jesus would be the center of everything we do and desire as a family. 

To close up, thank you all for your love, prayer and financial support.  We truly couldn’t be here and do this without it.  You guys are part of God’s work here in Ecuador.  We love you and thank you from the bottom of our hearts.  Lord bless you all!

                                                           Caleb, Carolina, Joaquin and Milena

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