The big news is that I (Alex) have accepted the job of
Community Development Director for the next year. I am only doing it part time
and still teaching part time and being Mum, but I hope I can give enough to the
department to make a difference.
Why only committing to a year as director… well, we have
decided that next year we’ll take a home ministry assignment/study leave so
Alfredo can study for a masters. We are
applying for Wheaton College, USA, looking at some courses in UK universities
and Alfredo already has a differed place in a good postgraduate institute in
Quito. We will remain missionaries and return to our work in Ecuador after
completion.
Other news… Alfredo has two opportunities for training, if
we can raise the funds to go. Water Missions have a base in Iquitos, Peru where
the Shell water projects team wants to go at the end of the month and get
trained in the water filters that are used in disaster relief work. The second
trip is to Texas in November to be trained in well-drilling. For the two trips
Alf needs about £1500. If you’d like to help us, get in touch!
We had a fun few weeks with the summer interns. The final
week we had all 17 of them in Shell and Alf and Wim took a group into the
jungle and almost didn’t make it out because there was constant rain!
We went to Cuenca and Loja for our anniversary and to see
nephew Mateo out of hospital!
We’ve said good bye to our good friends the Mead family, and
Benjamin’s best friend Jonathan. Hopefully they’ll return to Shell soon.
I (Alex) am teaching ‘sustainable production’ and ‘alternative
energy’ courses at the university next year… EDAT guys, can you help?!
Praises for the month… fun holidays, encouraging time with
the student interns and that Mateo is out of hospital
Prayers for the month… for the money to go to the training
courses, for wisdom as I lead community development, for the children to enjoy
their holiday out of nursery and for Alfredo’s English study.
Thank you for your interest and care for us
Many blessings
Alex and Alfredo, Benjamin and Camila
Us with the summer interns (and Wim and Nienke) in Papallacta