Weekly Update - March 28, 2010
Hola, friends and family!
I pray that this last week has been one filled with blessings and growth for all of you. I also pray that this email finds you healthy and content. Let me start by voicing a heart-felt ‘Hallelujah’, for the school yearbook from last year is finally done! Rick has contacted the printer, and hopefully the books will be ready for students soon. Also, he is very grateful that this-year’s yearbook students are very reliable and work hard, so that this year’s yearbook will be done on time!
Another reason for praise is the school drama departments production of Antigone, performed this last week. Students, directors, and crew have all been working very hard over the last couple of weeks to prepare this production. They did an amazing job and are now ready for a well-deserved rest!
Friday night we celebrated Craig Black’s birthday. A group of about 15 of us joined Craig and Amanda at a local Indian food restaurant. Since Craig is not one to be the center of attention, the only mention of his birthday was when we sang “Happy Birthday”, followed by a rousing rendition of “Skip around the room. Skip around the room. We won’t shut up ’til you skip around the room.” This seemed only fair, as Craig was the one who introduced us to this birthday tradition in the first place. Craig complied and skipped around the restaurant, much to the confusion of the other diners.
UV levels have been very high over the last few weeks, and our elementary students have been required to have all PE classes and recesses under the covered basketball court (instead of on the playground and soccer field). On Friday it was announced that the UV levels have finally dropped, and they will be able to return to their regular locations for PE and recess time. Even so, PE teachers and parents are trying to make sure that sun screen is readily available to them whenever they are outside.
This last week has seen fewer crises amongst the students and families at AAI. Rick and I continue to seek out opportunities to sow into their lives, and are grateful for any opportunity that God allows us to be a part of. I have seen many of our students begin to ask very good, theological questions and begin to seek out what their purpose is in life. I pray that God will continue to lead them to His answers and his Truth.
One of the challenges, when moving to a new place, is finding out where different businesses and services are. I am happy to say that Rick and I have found a very good dentist, just a few doors down from our apartment building. Her prices are very low, which is wonderful, since we have no dental insurance. She repaired Rick’s broken tooth and filled two cavities, all for $50! Rick has another appointment for next week, since he has a few more teeth that need attention.
As always, thank you for your prayer and support. We know that God has sent us to Ecuador, and we relish the ministry of which He has allowed us to be a part. He is truly good, and He is truly God!
Sincerely,
Rachel Sams
