Weekly Wrap Up From CalaCali, Ecuador

“God sees us as we are and at the same time sees us for who we will become.” Our pastor spoke these words last Sunday; the words resonated with me, because this exact point has been manifested in my life. Many of you know I recently completed my degree in education, what you don’t know is how many times I wanted to lay it down, due to physical, emotional or financial stressors. However, each time, Howard and I were convinced this was what God wanted me to do, even if it was to just teach my own kids. Many asserted it was simply a task in chasing the wind, an exercise in vanity if you will. Bearing in mind the opening quote, this week, after six years I now know why the Lord had me finish my degree in teaching. As a result I also know exactly why I am here in Calacali, Ecuador, to teach English.

I have five students and I can not describe to you how I am completely affirmed during those class sessions. This is who God has intended for me to be, a teacher to these Ecuadorians. I write this as an encouragement to the person who is struggling. Your view is limited, God’s is eternal, remember in an eternal perspective, years are just a blip. In the thing God has called you to be obedient, be obedient in that thing and trust Him for the outcome.

Home schooling is going so well this year, we are trying a new curriculum and absolutely love the change. We’ve settled into a fairly rigorous routine with school each day and then traveling into Quito for Spanish on Tuesday and Friday afternoons. Plus, on Wednesdays, the kids are participating in a Christian Service Organization connected with the Alliance Academy. Danielle will be leading an AWANA group and Jonathan will attend a group of middle schoolers called Guardians. This is a good way for them to be with kids their own age.

Speaking of Jonathan, many of you know he has had some vision issues in the past. I am not kidding about two weeks after we arrived here, he lost his glasses. What to do, what to do. Again, we saw God’s hand in our lives as we found an Ecuadorian Ophthalmologist, who happened to study the issues related to his vision. We now have a current prescription for his eyes and I am happy to share, as he has matured, so have his eyes and for the first time he doesn’t have to wear bifocals. J

Also, on a very happy note, we are so pleased to announce the engagement of our daughter, Nicole to a young man named Jay Kimbler. They met at Cal Poly, where she managed the horse unit and Jay the beef unit. God, in His graciousness has supplied me with a plane ticket to go home in October to help with the plans, so as we know more information, we will be sure to pass that along. They are shooting for either a May or October 2008 wedding.

As always, we know we couldn’t be here without the faithful support and encouragement of you. “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms” I Peter 4:10

As God is our Refuge, Mary for the Scholl Family

Weekly Wrap Up CalaCali, Ecuador

The Power of Time

When we arrived six months ago, many of you may remember there was a team here from Hume Lake Christian Camps in California, who started construction of a tree house here at HER. A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about the power of a team, this update is about the power of time. When the team left, they had put into place the basic structure for the two platforms of the tree house. Since that time our program team, the interns, workers and Howard have worked on the overall design. While there is still quite a bit to do, the tree house is now functional for individuals to use. Although, it is hard to tell from the pictures, the tree house sits about 40 feet off the ground. Really, it is amazing as to what can be accomplished in just six months time.

The camp vision statement is to function as a training and retreat center which facilitates a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ, through nature and outdoor adventure. The tree house is yet another example of how this can be achieved. Ultimately, there will be two to three “pods” where people can go and spend quite time. There will be a “library” where a person can open a book and inside there will be the tools to accomplish a task they have been assigned. All designed to encourage the believer to go deeper in their walk with their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

We come now to the final days of summer. Our kids will start school on the 4^th of September. We all will start Spanish the same day. Pray for us as we move from talking in only the present, to the future and past tenses. Time to stop speaking as two year olds!

As God is our Refuge, Mary for the Scholl family.