Weekly Update - May 27, 2010
Hello to all!
Once again I have missed a week in our weekly email. I do apologize, but I cannot promise that it will never happen again.
The last two weeks have been full and we are always able to see ways in which the Lord is moving here. One of our greatest prayer requests this week is for one of our 10th graders, Mathias Ranft (Yes, his family is German!). This last Sunday Mattias was returning from dropping off his sibling at the airport and was in a serious car accident. He is currently in the hospital and drifts between unconsciousness and a sleep-like state. Scans have shown blood on his brain and the doctors are saying that it could be anywhere between one to four weeks before his body can reabsorb this blood. They are not sure if there is any permanent brain damage at this time. Neither Mathias or his family are believers in Christ, but have been very thankful for the school community who have reached out to them in this time of need. Rick has developed a relationship with Mathias this year, and has enjoyed having him in a chapel small group. Please pray for his recovery, as well as a continued interest and understanding of Truth for him and his family.
The senior that I mentioned in my last email, Nathan Marshall is recovering well from his surgery to re-set his cheek bone. His black eye is almost gone and he is back in school. We are so thankful that his injuries were not worse and that he is making a full recovery..
Due to several, relatively minor, symptoms I went in to the doctors this last week. They ran some tests on my thryoid, which all came back fine. They still don’t know what is causing the symptoms (hair loss and enlarged thyroid), and have suggested that I wait 3-6 months and then have the tests done again. Please pray that God will either stop the symptoms or help me find out some answers soon.
This next weekend is the Junior/Senior Banquet (AAI’s version of prom). Rick and I have been invited to attend (he will be one of the photographers), and we have also been invited to attend the After-Party. The After Party will start with chiva-party bus from the banquet to Calacali (a rustic campground spot outside of town) where the students will stay up all night, watch movies, play games, and roast hotdogs around a campfire. It will be a lot of fun and a great blessing to spend that time with them! It is also quite an honor that the students chose us to help chaperone.
This year the Chaplains at AAI have created a small coffee house venue on campus. Once a month they offer an open-mic night. Students are encouraged to participate and perform, as well as some staff. This month, they asked Rick if he would put together a group to head-line the event, which he was thrilled to do. All went really well, the students and parents loved it, and Rick got to be a rock-star for the evening. Hopefully some video clips will be available soon (either on facebook or youtube).
Both Rick and I are starting to feel the stressors of the end of the school year. There are many loose ends that will need to be taken care of, obligations to complete, and relationships to strengthen over the next four weeks. As always, please pray that God would grant us health, wisdom, and safety as we do His will in Quito.
We cherish any communication and updates from you and pray that you are doing well. Thank you for all of your prayers and for your support.
Rachel Sams
May 27th, 2010, posted by ricksams