Hello Family & Friends!!
ATL stands for Ask the Lord. We have formed new teams for our final month in Ecuador based on common people groups. Prior to this month of ATL, we asked God who He wants us to partner with here in Ecuador. I am excited to let you know my people group to focus on for the month with my new team is Venezuelan Refugees. Basically, July 31st through August 23rd, we will focus on loving the Venezuelan refugees here in Ecuador. We do not have a specific organization or ministry to partner with, but we have reached out to many contacts over the last few days already.
So far, this month has brought many mixed feelings. Eva, who has been on my last teams for Months 1-10, is on the Backpackers team this month. She is off hiking Cotopaxi and sharing the love of Jesus with backpackers with her new team. It was the first of many goodbyes that I will have to say at the end of this month. It’s bittersweet. We are so close the finish line, but that also means we must say goodbye to this season that God called us to.
This month, I have to work extra hard not to check out. Since we don’t have to be at a specific ministry every day, I must ask God everyday to give me grace and strength and how to love the Venezuelans. If you have not heard, Venezuela is in crisis and an estimated thousands per day are fleeing their homes by crossing into the close countries, such as Colombia and Ecuador. I encourage you to read about it.
In both Colombia and Ecuador, we met Venezuelans selling on the streets with their children, due to complicated visa/passport situations and most being unable to get jobs. They are leaving devastating situations at home, only to walk right into a situation that’s also challenging.
For the past 5 days, my team and I have been to the US Embassy, the Red Cross, UNHCR, UNICEF, Pan de Vida, Inca Link, English Fellowship Church, and Don Bosco church, and met with many different people. After doing some research on the Venezuelan situation here in Ecuador, and talking with both Venezuelans and Ecuadorians, we are now planning a free event for Venezuelans.
Our vision is to bring together Venezuelans and various humanitarian organizations for a day of fun, food, a free medical clinic, and lots of information for them, such as lawyers on how to navigate getting established here in Ecuador. We also want to have music and a presentation of the Gospel and the love of Jesus. So far, everyone we talk to is totally on board. Right now, the event is scheduled for August 17th. Please be praying for this event and pray for us as we plan and make the connections needed.
All of that being said, I estimate I will need approximately $200 more to get me through this month of ATL and our final debrief the last week of August. We have had to travel far throughout Quito to make the many needed connections, and it’s been above & beyond our given budget. Sometimes we take the bus which is only 25 cents, but other times it’s more feasible to take Uber or Taxi.
I want to thank you for all of the support you have given me throughout this entire trip because I couldn’t do it without you! I miss you all and thank you for all of your prayers, financial support and love that you have provided me with during these 11 months.
I would like to ask if you could prayerfully consider helping in any amount. If you would like to donate you can do so via Venmo, CashApp or PayPal.
Help me/us help the Venezuelans here in Ecuador!
-Donations-
Venmo: @SharonMos
CashApp: $Sharonruns
PayPal: https://www.paypal.me/sharonworldrace
In courageous faith and for His glory alone,
Sharon
