Weekly Wrap Up from Calacali, Ecuador

Weekly Wrap Up from Calacali, Ecuador

March 30, 2007

We’ve had many firsts since we arrived in Ecuador. First meal prepared, first time ordering in Spanish, first time driving. Today, is no exception as this is the first birthday celebrated apart from one of our older kids. Twenty-three years ago today, we welcomed our oldest daughter, Nicole into our lives. Hard to believe how fast the time has flown. Our friends and family have been so generous in providing homes away from home for the older kids. While it is still hard, it is a comfort to know Nicole is celebrating her birthday with family.

Many of you will be happy to learn we received our shipment. Everything was intact and they even delivered on time. The best was unpacking our family pictures and placing them around the house. Along with the pictures and magnets that go on the refrigerator. The Cline’s came out Saturday to help us unpack and as they were leaving Raylin said, “It even smells like the green house (our house in Tehachapi).” I told her that was the best “compliment” I could receive. So little by little it is starting to feel like home.

Our language classes continue, we are completely educated with the ten uses of ser and the three uses of estar. I am happy to announce we can participate in any conversation that requires a question to be asked or answered!

In the midst of our language acquisition, and settling in, the camp continues to be used regularly. There have been groups here on Quito Quest Teams from Canada and a University from Tennessee, a group from HCJB has used the facility as well as a local Ecuadorian church. The groups either spend a day at HER or spend several nights. They are encouraged to hike on the various trails or participate in the different ropes courses available. Our house is located right on the property line, so it is not uncommon to look out the window and see people walking by on their way back down to the team house.

A primary focus of the ministry of HER is to teach and allow people solo time. What does that mean? Through solitude and silence each person is encouraged to hear God’s still small voice. The Bible has many examples where Jesus, during His earthly ministry, stepped away in order to seek God’s guidance. Now if this was an important discipline for the Son of God, it must be important to us, his disciples.

That is my encouragement for each of you this week. In this fast paced time that we live, take time to be still. Cultivate the discipline of solitude and silence before God. A good place to start is to do a word study from the concordance in the back of your Bible on these two words, solitude and silence and then allow God to speak. Especially now, during this Easter season where we remember Christ’s extravagant love demonstrated for us on the cross.

As God is our Refuge, Mary for the Scholl’s

For further information on HER go to http://www.youthworld.org.ec and click on El Refugio

Weekly Wrap Up from Calacali, Ecuador

Weekly Wrap Up from Calacali, Ecuador

March 23, 2007

This has been a very productive week for us here in Ecuador. Howard found and bought us a car. I need to tell you the story surrounding the purchase though. Near us, there is a fairground type place where on the weekend they sell used cars. Howard had arranged two Saturdays ago, to meet our team leader, Bob, to look at cars. Unbeknownst to Howard, Bob couldn’t get through, due to a strike which had closed the road out to HER. Unfortunately, Howard had forgotten a phone. So Bob calls another team member, Juan Carlos to go “rescue” Howard. By the time Juan Carlos found him, Howard had already found the car he wanted, test driven it and partially worked out a deal. I guess between the little English the owner knew, and the little Spanish Howard knew, they had done OK on their own. Juan Carlos told me, “I know now I don’t need to worry about your husband.”

Spanish is progressing. Really, at this point it is a memory issue. In order to speak, write and read complete sentences we need to know the correct verb, adjectives and articles to fill in the blanks. Once we get our shipment we will probably resort to plastering everything with “post its”, until we learn the correct words in Spanish. I am excited about the possibility of teaching ESL here and have found there is a real need. Pray for me for the timing to start teaching.

Howard has settled into a good work schedule. He’s started with the basic maintenance of the tractor, truck and equipment and getting it all up and working. His days pass quickly; by time he works and then has his Spanish session, plus homework. Having Doris (pronounced Dorees), come here to HER (Hacienda El Refugio) is a luxury. We are finding though, it is a double edged sword because it is easy to get sidetracked from doing the homework required.

Last Wednesday, the 21st was an important day in Ecuador. It was the day of the Equinox, which means the Sun is at one of two opposite points on the celestial sphere where the celestial equator and ecliptic intersect (Wikipedia). Because we are so close to Mutad del Mundo (The Middle of the World), at exactly 12:00pm the sun was directly overhead and for 1 minute a person’s shadow ceased to exist. During our Spanish lesson, Doris went outside with a chair to illustrate that even the shadow of the chair disappeared. Thought you might enjoy that little tidbit.

For many of you who are knowledgeable about the many mission organizations here in Ecuador, you may want to remember HCJB (World Radio). There has been a lot of internal turmoil in the last few weeks. The end result could affect the future of Hospital Voz Andes. Pray for God’s wisdom for the HCJB leadership as they navigate these turbulent times.

Each day we are humbled by the apparent provision of God. We are thankful…to finally be here…for a team that is so supportive…for good friends…for a job that is made exactly for Howard’s gifting…to finally get settled in a wonderful home…for possibilities. I realized a couple of days ago, I actually anticipate the next day because of all the possibilities that exist. Possibilities to love…serve…minister. That is my prayer for each of you this next week, to realize all the possibilities God has available exactly for you.

As always, we recognize in order for us to be here, it takes the love and support of you, our friends and family.

As God is our Refuge, Mary, for the Scholl Family

Weekly Wrap Up from Calacali, Ecuador

Weekly Wrap Up from Calacali, Ecuador

March 16, 2007

We started our Spanish lessons this week with our tutor, Doris. We are hopeful that working one on one will work best for us. For the time, Howard and Jonathan meet with her separately, and then Danielle and I meet with her together, since our Spanish is somewhat the same. At the moment my head is spinning with all that we need to learn each day. I keep remembering Pastor Rafael’s comment, “Spanish is easy!”

We are happy to inform you that Bridget, our 21 year old daughter has joined us for the next three months. She is here on an extended leave of absence from her job. She joins us as designer, painter and most important, Algebra II teacher for Danielle. Pray for her as she seeks the Lord’s will in her life over the next few months.

This week our visas were registered. Now we can proceed with the task of buying a cell phone and a car, which will allow us more independence. With our visas registered, now our “stuff” can get through customs and hopefully be delivered the first of next week. Some of you may not know that we had reduced all our lively possessions for shipment to three pallets measuring 4X5. To say we look forward to its arrival is an understatement.

The big news of the week is we finally received rain! This is the rainy season and as yet, Ecuador is well below their season average. Rain is especially important out here at HER, with the need to replenish the water table which in turn helps our existing water system.

I have attached a letter we received from the wife of Casa Gabriel’s director, Debbie Douce. As many of you know, Youth World has several ministries. Phil Douse helped start Casa Gabriel in order to take kids in off the streets in Quito, Ecuador. I asked her permission if I could include it because it candidly illustrates the type of life the youth here in Ecuador are exposed. While it is easy for us to get caught up in the things of life we think are important, this is a reality check as to the dangers these kids face every day.

As always we covet your prayers and understand how important you each are to our ministry.
As God is our Refuge, Mary for the Scholl Family

Weekly Wrap Up from Calacali, Ecuador

Weekly Wrap Up from Calacali, Ecuador

March 9, 2007

As we finish up our first week and half, we are so thankful to finally be here after so long of a preparation. Our flight went smooth and we spent the first night at the Hacienda El Refugio or HER for short.

Two teams were here when we landed. One group, from Hume Lake is building a huge tree house out of steel beams. When it is complete it will really be quite phenomenal. The second group was training basically in search and rescue techniques. The interesting thing about the second group is there were some non believers and there was an opportunity to present the gospel to each before they left. This is a good example of why we are so captivated with the ministry at HER, because you have a very non traditional way to reach people who may never hear about the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

With these two large groups the water system was challenged because this is the dry season. Howard was up on the mountain assessing the situation and knows this will be one of his priorities to address. Howard met with the workers and started the process of overseeing these men. He needed to be here, each man has been basically doing as they saw necessary without an overall plan in mind. Pray for Howard, that the men will follow his lead and as he works at communicating with them in Spanish.

We all start our sessions with the Spanish tutor next Monday. We have all felt the need to understand and speak the language because of the barrier we feel. Danielle went to youth group on Sunday and they went to the Cinemark to do informal religious surveys. She was so impressed with the language skills of the American kids here and has a real desire to do as well.

Jonathan probably feels the most like he has come home. Unlimited mountains to hike and things to discover, we joked he may never set foot off the property again.

As I sit and write this I can look out our window and see cows on the mountain, which looks like a 90 degree angle. I have no idea how they don’t fall off! Last Friday, we all hiked up the mountain on the property to see the progress on the tree house and we just kept saying, “Can you believe we are finally here?”

One final encouragement from us to you is to do one thing out of your comfort zone. Bridget and I were talking last summer and I told her at that time I had no idea what my comfort zone was anymore. Well this last week our family had to step “even further” out of our comfort zone. Howard drove alone for the first time in Quito, without the aid of following anyone and having someone in the car with him. I grocery shopped in a store where everything is in Spanish. Now granted it took me 15 minutes to figure out what cooking oil to buy, the point is I came home with cooking oil.

We are thankful for each and every one of you. We are fully aware we could not be doing the work here without your love and encouragement.

As God is our Refuge, Mary for the Scholl Family