So my last 2 blogs probably sounded like I was having too
much fun. But rest assured, it was only those 2 days of transitioning between the 2 countries. 😛
7/2/11 Monday (Ecuador Day 4. World Race Day 32)
This month we are staying with the Amores family where the
mom is the principal of the Christian school we are working in. Our team members
are staying in 3 different houses all within the same family. Since we are
staying in a house, our accommodation is 5 stars. Seriously. I have a bed (a bed!) with 3 layers of
blankets, a hot shower, a maid that does our laundry (are you kidding me?!) and food provided by the school (while we are in
school) or the family (when at home). I feel like an exchange student more than
on the World Race. Such luxury! And the Amores are amazing people, very
generous and hospitable.
The neighborhood that we are living in.
Students in the school range from 5 to 18 years old, and
they are housed in this big mansion-like school. (I think it used to be a rich
man’s house). The school is surrounded by mountains and the view is beautiful. Our
role there is to encourage the teachers and students to speak English, to pray
for the school and be spiritual partners. Each one of us is assigned to a
different class or teacher, and I am assigned to be with the Science teacher.
The school field and the mountains in the distance.
Tonight was really good. Rosio (the principal) shared about
her heart for the school and why they are doing this school. Apparently she had
a dream where God told her to start a school that was English speaking for the
children here. That was really strange for her because she doesn’t speak any
English. But she saw that many children, even children in Christian families in
Ecuador do not grow up with the right upbringing that we expect from a
Christian family. Many children are brought up in very legalistic homes or even
homes with many problems such as adultery or drugs or other problems. We tend
to think that these problems only happen in poorer families, but in reality, it
happens in Christian families too. So they really hope to raise a new
generation of people that is not just all ‘nice and proper on Sundays’, but
everyday throughout the week at all times.
45% of the students are on scholarships because they cannot
afford to pay for the school fees, and because of this, the school is not doing
well financially. But they really believe in this vision that God has for them.
I really can’t believe how hospitable the family is. Talking
to them tonight, we found out that they did not expect us to pay them at all
for our stay here at their houses. They went all out of their way to get beds
for us, and are providing for all our meals and transportation. They even want
to take us out to visit the country during the weekends. They really see us as
coming alongside them, partnering with them to improve and build this school
together. And to them, spending this money on us is really a little thing
compared to the eternal riches that we will be able to reach for Christ.
I am just amazed at what God is showing me here. Yesterday
when we arrived at our host families, I was thinking ‘how is God going to do
any miracles here in this rich city and school?’ Somehow my skewed concept was
that God could only show me miracles and healings in poorer places where people
have no other means to help themselves but to rely on God alone. Oh how wrong
was I! I realized that many times I was looking for the miracles and not the
miracle worker (God). I had placed importance on the wrong thing(s).
