First two months on the field:
Excitements and Adaptations
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This is our recently formed Youth Ministry Team. From left: Israel, Helen, Mark and I. Read more below :)
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Arrival and Adjustment
I arrived in Loja about two months ago and have been quite busy learning culture and language, working regularly on two ministry teams, and finding my daily routine.
I've been trying new foods, meeting new people, starting online trainings, and meeting with mentors and team members! It has been a very exciting season, yet a challenging one. Thank you for all your messages and prayers since I have arrived!
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Big Events
In February, I found an apartment and moved in a few weeks later. I am living in the center of town just two blocks away from SIM’s ministry center and walking distance away from stores, restaurants, and pharmacies. I joined a House Church shortly after arriving and have been building relationships with locals since then. At the beginning of this month, I traveled to the city of Cuenca and received my volunteer visa that is valid for two years! Just this week, the city announced new restrictions due to increasing Covid cases, so many events are being held online again.
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Youth Ministry "El Sendero"
Last year when I was living and serving in this city, a huge passion of mine became working with youth and teaching English. SIM's Youth Ministry is called "El Sendero" meaning "The Way." That is reflected in the new logo, that Jesus is the Only Way, and our hope is to point young people in Loja to Christ. A few months before I arrived, a couple arrived from the UK to serve with SIM short term and have also joined this ministry team. After I arrived, our team of four began refocusing the vision and mission of El Sendero. It has been a productive time for this ministry as the team has been growing, the vision has been reconsidered, and ideas are being crafted for the future of ministry to young people here in Loja.
At the beginning of 2020, we were conducting an English Conversation Club regularly called R.E.F.F. (Reflection, English, Friends, and Fun). This was a place where people could come to practice their English and have fellowship with other young people as well. Some were believers and some nonbelievers, but it became a great space for God's truth to be shared. Since then, and because of Covid, this ministry has been conducted online through Zoom. It has been amazing to see how this ministry has continued over the last year and how people in different parts of Ecuador have been impacted. However, the hope is at some point to have this ministry in person in some form or another (complying with safety regulations) in order to build relationships and ultimately disciple those here in our own city. We are praying about when that transition will be possible.
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Prayer Requests
Thank you so much for all of the messages and prayers sent to me. I believe that is a huge part of what the Lord is doing here in this city, and I am grateful to have so many people in support of the work He is doing through me. Here are some ways you can be praying for ministry, our team, people in Loja, and myself this week:
- El Sendero: Pray for our English Ministry, REFF, and the decisions being made to stay online for the time being. Pray that the non believers in our group will experience the truth of the gospel message and see Christ in our efforts.
- Compassion Team: Pray for the group of 6 of us that are currenly taking a training called "Innovate" and learning how to minister in areas of poverty. Pray for unity in our team and that we can use this training practically in our ministry.
- House Church: We just switched to having church on Zoom due to the virus. Pray that connections are continuing to be made within the congregation and that leadership has wisdom in decisions of transition.
- My health: I have had some health challenges including migraines and a few other interrupting symptoms over the past few months, and especially the past week. Pray the Lord will comfort me during these times and that I will lean on Him for strength.
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