Dear Friends and Loved Ones,

Another week has passed here in Quito.  It really is hard for me to believe that we are already done with February, and moving on into March!  The school year will be over before we know it.  As I stated in last weeks email, I am trying to write our weekly email on Sundays now, in hopes of being a little more consistent in sending them out.

Thursday was our friend, Luke Owsley’s, 24th birthday.  We celebrated on Tuesday night with the regular pizza crowd (Rick made a yummy, peanut butter and chocolate cheesecake!).  On Friday night a few of us took Luke out for dinner and dessert, to celebrate again.  I have found that the AAI community seems to do a good job of celebrating birthdays together, which is so important when we are far away from our family and friends back home.  I think that we were successful in helping Luke make his birthday a memorable one.

The student that was deported last week, Kay Jang, arrived safely in Korea with her mother.  She is already posting again on facebook, and sending notes and messages to friends.  Please continue to keep her in your prayers, as she adjusts to living once again in Korea.

There will be a memorial service at AAI for the Ladines family on March 8th.  It will be open to staff, faculty, and others in the community who wish to come and pay their respects.  The school is also taking up a collection to help defray the cost of funeral expenses, autopsies, and medical costs due to the accident.

Over the last few weeks (since the beginning of this semester), Rick has been praying about how to help one of the high school students named Travis.  Travis lives in the dorms this year, since his parents were moved to Colombia (due to his father’s work).  Academics are not easy for Travis, and his grades have declined steadily throughout the last semester.  Due to this, it is a very real possibility that Travis will not be able to return to AAI next year.  Rick has agreed to tutor him several days a week, and Travis has agreed to put more effort into his work.  We are really thankful for the opportunity to sow into Travis’ life, not only academically, but also spiritually.  He and Rick already have a good relationship (and he has stayed with us on two occasions when the dorms were closed), so we are hopeful that we will be able to be Christ’s hands and feet in his life.

I have begun a small Pilates group (yoga-like exercise, lots of stretching, no impact) with a few ladies at the school.  I have been surprised to find out that quite a few women here have fibromyagia, which limits them in many ways, especially when it comes to exercise.  While I am no expert in the matter, I do own a dvd, so we are all working our way through the dvd together.

Saturday was Elementary Fun Day, which is a day that the Seniors sponsor for the elementary students.  They set up different fun booths on the school soccer field (dunking booth, bouncy castle, relay races, etc.) and the kids purchase tickets/tokens to spend at each booth.  The event went from 10am-3pm and proceeds will go towards the senior class trip.  I am not sure what the final sum was, but by 1pm they had already raised over $2000!  Elementary Fun Day (in addition to being a great fund raiser) is a great way for the parents of our students to get to know one another and to build community.
Rick spent Saturday night and Sunday with a group of the high school boys, watching all three Lord of the Rings movies at the dorms.  The original plan was to watch them all on Saturday (all 11 hours of them), but by about midnight they decided it was time to sleep, so they finished them up on Sunday morning.  After the movies ended this afternoon (and since the lot of them had skipped church to finish them up) Rick and Luke had a short LOTR-themed devotional for them, talking about the themes of the movie like sacrifice, honor, loyalty.  Here’s a short excerpt from their discussion pulled from Rick’s Facebook status today:

Rick: “what makes the heroes in this story so compelling?”

one of the guys: “because we want to be like them.”

Rick: “why do we want so badly to be like them?”
one of the guys: “because we’re not.”

It really impacted Rick that these juniors and seniors are beginning to think and wrestle with things like this.  It is amazing to see teenage boys slowly turning into men.  The questions that they ask, and the insights that they have into their own lives (and the lives of others) are amazing.  Something tells me that we will continue to see them grow and flourish over the years to come.

Some of you may be wondering if the earthquake in Chile has had any effect on us here.  At this time it has not, although there may be some of our students with family there.  I am sure we will find out more tomorrow, if that is the case.

Finally, I ask that you keep us in your prayers in financial matters.  I know that many of you, like us, have been affected by the recent hits to the economy, and that times are tough.  Due to this, our monthly support has declined significantly over the last several months and we are praying that God will provide the means for this to change.  We are learning a lot about managing our money well, as well as valuing the things that we have.
Well, that is the week in a nutshell.  As always, thank you for your prayers and support.  We love receiving letters, emails, and facebook messages from you all.

May God bless and keep you always,
Rachel Sams

Dear Friends and Loved Ones,

It has been two weeks since my last email; therefore, I think that it would be best if the Monday Memo became the Sunday Memo.  I hope that this is agreeable to all of our friends and family, and I hope that it will make me more consistent, even during vacation times and short school weeks.

As many of you know, this last Tuesday was ‘Fat Tuesday’, or the day before Lent.  In South America the four days prior to Lent are called Carnaval and are usually celebrated with a variety of parties and excess.  Thankfully, in Quito, the celebrations are limited to water balloons and cans of Silly String-like foam.  We did, however, have Friday, Monday, and Tuesday off of school (both for Carnaval and so that many of the student groups could participate in missions trips).  While Rick and I did not go on any missions trips, we were able to use the time off school to connect with many different friends.  We actually had a double-date with two of our students (a senior and a junior) for Valentine’s Day, too.  (Yes, we are actually allowed to do that here!)

Sadly, on Tuesday, one of our students was deported to Korea.  Kay Jang and her mother have been in Quito for several years, and were hoping to stay just long enough for Kay to graduate this year.  Unfortunately, due to complications with visas and some ill-will from former business partners of her father, Kay and her mother’s visas were canceled and they were unable to stay.  The school had a small graduation ceremony for Kay before she left, and a reception afterward. She was, not only a wonderful student, but a beautiful example of faith in Christ.  Rick and I went with a group of students to see Kay and her mother off at the airport on Tuesday.  It was a sad goodbye, but softened by the knowledge that God is in control and that Kay’s future in Korea is bright.

Over that same weekend, one of our former substitute teachers (Ana Ladines), her husband (Emilio), and her son (Asaf - second grade) were killed in a car accident.  Her daughter (Alejandra - fifth grade) survived the car accident, along with Ana’s father.  Alejandra will be living with her maternal grandparents in Guayaquil for the time being.  Ana and Emilio were Ecuadorian, but had served for several years as missionaries in Central Asia.  They returned to Ecuador 1 1/2 years ago to raise support, with the hopes of returning to the mission field soon.  They had just received word that they would return this coming June, and had taken the opportunity to move back to Guayaquil to be near Ana’s parents before they left.  We are grateful that the students at AAI had a chance to have goodbye parties for Asaf and Alejandra before they moved back to Guayaquil, which made the grief process of Asaf’s death a little easier.  Most of elementary was shaken by their deaths, and the chaplains and counselors spent most of this last week ministering to students and parents as they navigate the grief process.

The chaplains at AAI have instituted a monthly coffee shop, called BYOM 2 CHOM (bring-your-own-mug-2-coffee-house-open-mic).  Different students from middle school and high school sign up to perform, and the coffee flows freely.  This last Thursday was the most recent event, and Rick was able to perform a duet with one of his voice students (Josh Zook).  Many of our students have never heard Rick sing before, so it was a  very pleasant surprise.  He will also be involved in the BYOM 2 CHOM next month.  I will try to get some video clips and, perhaps, post links to them on our website.

This last Friday night was also eventful.  The dorm parents at AAI had evening plans, and asked if Rick and I would dorm sit for the evening.  We actually took it a step further…  Rick hosted a Guy’s Night at our house, which had 16 boys attend, and 8 spend the night.  I spent the evening at another teacher’s house (Stephanie Taylor), along with the elementary chaplain (Lauren Green…  not the guy from Bonanaza, but a wonderful young woman from the US), and all of the girls from the dorm.  The boys watched movies, ate popcorn, and other sorts of guy-stuff.  The girls made the largest chocolate chip cookie I have ever seen, and each of us got to decorate our part.  All of the girls in the dorm this year are Asian, and the ESL aspect of the evening was fun and enlightening.  I am especially grateful that Rick promised to clean our apartment once the boys left (a promise which he has definitely kept) so as not to leave me too much of a mess.  I am really loving the blossoming relationships that we are beginning to see with our students!

Well, that is all for now.  It is my hope in future weeks to keep the weekly emails brief (perhaps just a few bullet points), with one email per month that will be longer and more in depth.  We will try to keep many of you updated via our facebook sites, too.

May God bless and keep you always,
Rachel Sams

Well, it is 9:15 on a Monday night, and I am just now starting the Monday memo.  This might give you some indication as to the busyness of the last week.  I know that every week I say how busy we have been… Please don’t misunderstand me… Busy means that we have been doing all kinds of exciting and fun things!  This is, most definitely, not a complaint!

Since the hour is getting late, I will keep this week’s email brief.

1) The Counseling Summit was a success!  I have heard several good reports from staff and students alike.  One of our teachers led a seminar on Dating, talking about the Biblical guidelines of purity and respect.  His final conclusion was that students should not be dating (unless they are at a place in their lives where they are preparing for marriage…).  I was surprised at how many students were able to see his point of view.  Two students (both girls) have begun a Bible Study with this teacher before school starts weekly.  How awesome that they are seeking out God’s will for their lives and relationships!

2)  The parenting seminar on Saturday (KidUnique with Dan Webster) was amazing!  We had about 35 people (mostly parents, with a few chaplains and staff) attended.  We hope to bring the same presenter back in the future to lead a seminar for the teachers.
3)  Rick had a Guy’s Night at our place this last Friday.  Nine high school boys were here (plus Rick and our friend, Luke Owsley).  They watched movies, ate pizza, and did all the crazy things that large groups of boys do.  (I made myself scarce, hanging out in the bedroom watching movies and playing on the computer.)  Rick’s ministry to the high school boys is really growing in leaps and bounds.  He really has a gift for connecting, guiding, and encouraging them in life skills, as well as in their spiritual walks.

4) This week at Alliance Academy is Spiritual Emphasis Week.  This means that all of the middle schoolers and high schoolers will  have chapel daily this week.  Please pray that the ministry team is able to connect with the students and that God’s Truth will be understood at a heart level.  We have so many students who come from unchurched homes, who are just now beginning to hear about the Lord.

5)  We have half a day of school this Friday, and then we have Monday and Tuesday off for Carnaval.  As some of you may know, Carnaval is celebrated for 4-7 days, right before the beginning of Lent.  Traditionally, this is when you emptied the pantries of all of the rich food and drinks that you would not consume during Lent.  What this eventually translated into was great feasts and drunken parties right before beginning Lent.  Here what it translates into (not sure why) is days filled with water balloon throwing and silly string shooting. :)  Many of our Christian Service Outreach groups (students with a focus on ministering to the community) use this time to go on short-term missions trips into the jungle or the coast.  Please pray for their safety, and that they will not be tempted to ‘celebrate’ the holiday in ways that are unpleasing to God.
6) Since last week’s update, we had a meeting with the director regarding our proposal as to what our continued service at Alliance would look like.  The meeting was really almost a “best-case” scenario.  Not only has the administration accepted our counter-proposal to pay for the required continued education for Rick ourselves (thus allowing him to pursue the field of his choice and keeping us from more debt), but the director indicated that the school might be considering a policy change that would make it much more feasible for faculty to pursue advanced degrees with the school’s financial help.   Thanks much for your prayers in that regard.  It appears they’re being answered.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support!
Rachel Sams

Has it been a full week already?!  I pray this email (letter?) finds you all well and satisfied.

I suppose our biggest news this week is that we have told Alliance Academy International that we feel it is God’s will for us to stay here at least one more year.  We meet tomorrow with administration to see if there are any details that remain to hammer out.  We are both pretty excited about the fact that we won’t be going through the process of ’sell everything you own and relocate again’, and are committed to putting even more effort into seeing more of Ecuador and participating in different ministries while we are here.

Of course, this means that we will need to put even more effort into selling our car in Kansas, as we feel it would be very beneficial for us to have a vehicle here in Quito.  Not only would having a vehicle make it easier for us to get around town, it would also provide the chance for us to get out of town more often (which is much needed for those of us not used to the city-life).  It would also let us participate in several ministries here.

We are also starting to think about our plans for this summer.  I feel that it is important for me to spend a week or two in the States, as my grandparents (both maternal and paternal) are not doing well.  While I hope their health improves, I realize that this may be my last chance to see them.  I hope to fly to Tampa, FL where my parents live.  From there, they and I will drive to Tennessee and to Pennsylvania and back.  It should be a great way to spend time with my parents, as well as seeing my grandparents.

Rick is not sure at this point if he will go back to the States this summer or whether he will spend that time here in Ecuador, investing and volunteering with different ministries here.  While he would love to see friends and family in the US, he is also excited about the possibilities of really “owning” more of Ecuador during that time.  Here are a few of the opportunities he’s considering:

       There are possibilities of short-term mission trips into the jungle with our good friend Daniel Klassen (MK from Peru, raised in the AAI dorms, chaplain at AAI now, and all around mountain-climbing/jungle-hopping ninja).

One of the fathers of a student at AAI is heavily involved in a ministry in the men’s prison here. The prisons are very overcrowded (often 15-20 men per room, unless their families can pay extra money for a less crowded room).  Edwin Brown has helped begin Bible Studies, create a libray of Christian literature, and even acquired a computer and printer for the men to use.  Every Christmas, Mr. Brown and his supporters coordinate a Christmas party for the inmates and their families, including Christmas gifts (and school supplies) for their children.

Another ministry, here in Quito, is Extreme Response, who work with the poorest of Ecuador’s poor.  Among other things, they work heavily with the families that live in, near, or who make their living at the local garbage dump.  These families glean recyclables from the garbage and trade it in for small amounts of money.  Many of their homes are made from the cardboard, metal sheeting, etc. that they find in their scavenging.  Often their clothing and the toys their children have to play with come from the same place.  Extreme Response helps them with basic food supplies, as well as preschool and day care for the children.  We helped with their Christmas party this year.  You can see pictures elsewhere here on the site and on our Facebook pages.

Today was the Counseling Summit at Alliance Academy.  Both Middle School and High School students attended a number of seminars addressing issues of identity, where we learn what we learn about ourselves, our world, and our God.  The High School seminars focused on topics such as divorce, depression, pornography, relationships, and grief.  They helped the students think about how these topics affect how we see ourselves, our world, and our God.  I pray that each student left with greater insight into their value in the eyes of God, as well as with more questions about their Creator.  The responses that I have heard thus far have been positive. Rick helped out with a couple of the seminars by sitting on a panel of faculty and staff TCKs (Third Culture Kids), and helping direct a group discussion with many of the students from multi-cultural and multi-racial homes.  I am so thankful to each of our presenters, the teachers who allowed us to use their classrooms, and the other counselors who helped to organize the whole event.  That being said, I am also glad that it is done for the year!

We bring praises that our student, Kay Jang, and her mother were able to receive legal visas to stay in Quito until Kay graduates in June.  Immigration police have shown up  school on three or four occasions over the last month with orders to arrest Kay and deport her (since she is 18, she is legally an adult).  We are so grateful that Kay and her mother will be able to stay long enough for Kay to finish high school at AAI!  Kay’s testimony of faith and peace has been amazing throughout this whole ordeal!

Please keep our friend, Kyle Holloway in your prayers.  He (along with several other friends of ours) summitted the mountain Antisana on Saturday.  Unfortunately, Kyle’s sunglasses were not sufficient for the UV rays (not to mention the altitude and the sun’s reflection off of the snow).  He came down the moutain with snow blindness (due to sunburning of the retinas).  When we saw him on Sunday night, his eyes were still swollen shut and painful.  He had to return to Cuenca Sunday night (8-9 hours on bus).  We were thankful that another friend, Chad, was with him (since traveling on a bus while blind is a good way to get robbed or mugged).  Kyle had an appointment with an eye doctor today, and we are hoping that all is well.  While snow blindness seems to be a common, and not permanent, ailment for climbers here in Ecuador, it is still a potentially serious thing and we are praying that Kyle is better soon (and that he buys better glasses for his next climb!).

As always, please keep Rick and I in your prayers.  Now that we are sure of God’s call for us to stay in Quito a while longer, we are also aware of the many needs that there are here.  Daily, He shows us the hearts of the hurting around us, as well as our responsibility to love others well.  We will soon begin seeking out new ways to raise support for our time here.  We know that God provides for our needs in His time, and are trusting Him to lead us along the way.

May God bless and keep you always,
Rachel Sams