V.B.S. El Calvario and Pennsylvania Group

The last week in July, to the first week in August, we had a group come down from Pennsylvania, to help in our church's vacation Bibel school. So much went on that week. What blessings.

We had at least one of the teens from the U.S., go to each group with one of my family to help, and translate since none of them spoke Spanish. They lent a hand in crafts, games, songs, snacks, etc. I loved seeing that even through a language barrior, God used them to spread His love. Just actions is enough to share what is in your heart, and this was displayed to me throughout the week.

At the VBS, about 100-200 kids attended each day. It was great to see the Lord working in each of their hearts when they were listening to a Bible story, or even just watching what we did. Almost all of them didn't know Christ walking into the VBS the first day, but almost all that didn't know, walked out knowing what Jesus Christ did for them.

Jungle Trip!

A few weeks ago, my older brother, Jordan, and I got the chance to go to the jungle. A missions trip group came to help in the comunity and run a Vacation Bible School in a town called, Tena. We were invited by a lady in my parent's Bible study, to go and help this group by translating.

It was an absolutly amazing experience...we did so much! Not only did we help translating, but we got to go on the activities with the group. There was a boat trip, and an animal reserve tour. Those were fun things but, my favorite was the oportunity to go to Jim Elliot's house and even meet some of the Indians that had killed them many yars earlier, but now are born-again Christians serving our Lord in the comunities were they live.

The enitire trip was a great experience. Seeing the Lord work through the group, and also in them was a beautiful thing. His power is amazing. I will continue to pray for Christ to work in the lives of these teens, even aas they are in their hometowns.

Bible Study.

Recently we have been getting into many Bible studies. My mom goes to one on Monday with ladies and helps with one on Tuesday with another group of ladies. My Mom and Dad teach one on Wednesday with a group of couples. We also lead one on Fridays with several families. It is going great so far. Each member of my family has a part, and it is helping us to learn more Spanish.

I have been playing guitar for the beginning part of the study and it has been a great blessing for me. I was taught by a lady that is a good friend of ours here in Ecuador and she also comes to our Bible study. I am so glad that God has given me opportunities to play music for Him!

My Lord has been showing Himself in many ways. Unsaved people are learning about Him, baby Christians are growing in His love, and Christians are learning as well as teaching and helping.

Last week, my family and I went to Otavalo, a town about 2 hours away from where we live. We had been invited to go and translate for a group of teenagers from Georgia. They had come to Ecuador on a Missions trip to share the love of Christ to those who need Him here. I was so blessed to help out by translating what they wanted to say about God. I met many new friends, and I had an amazing time there. I saw many young children, as well as teenagers and adults, accept Jesus Christ into their heart. It was an unforgettable experience to be there with all of them. We ran Vacation Bible Schools, went to churches, and presented in schools. The team from Georgia did many dramas, puppet performances, and also learned and sang some songs in Spanish.

This experience was humbling for them and for me as well. I am always amazed at the mighty hand of God and what He is doing in each Christian's life.

Mi fiesta de 15---My 15th birthday party

My birthday is the14th of February...yes, go ahead and say, "aaaAAwwWWWww!" I am a Valentines baby, and I love it! So, every time I tell people when my birthday is, the awws come out.

This year I turned 15 and in Latin America, 15 is the big birthday instead of 16 like in the U.S.A. Girls turning 15 have a big fancy party with tons of friends and it usually goes all through the night. They call this a, "Quinceñera". This being the tradition, we decided to have a semi traditional 15th party. It was fancy like a normal one, but we had some more American activities. It also didn't go all through the night. My dress was purple, because that is my favorite color, and the decorations were purple too. About 20 friends came and had a great time playing games, eating snacks, talking, and just enjoying being together.

My party was a great way to build a stronger friendship with those who came. I hope to be able to become even better friends with each one of them. God has blessed both my family and me in the area of contacts and relationships with Ecuadorians.

2010 Blessings, friends, and banana bread.

In this new year of 2010 God has shown my family and me so many great things. The opportunities of sharing God's love with the people around us have come one after another. My parents have been involved in many new Bible studies with couples, ladies, neighbors, and friends. I have also been able to be in one of the Bible studies with our land lord and his wife.

We have also been able to enjoy time with a family that lives a few houses down from us. My mom had become good friends with the mom of that family, my little brother, Lukas, has made friends with her son, and my older sister Bethany and I have become friends with her daughter who is my age. her daughter is into ballet and we were able to attend her school's Christmas presentation of The Nutcracker. She introduced us to her friend when we went to another ballet together, and I have also become good friends with her. We have also had the opportunity to have their family over to bake banana bread. Our friendship with them just keeps growing as we shore the love of God with them.

Christmas wreath ministry

This Christmas, our first Christmas in Ecuador, we decided to do something for our neighbors, and other people we have met. We made Christmas wreaths out of cereal, marshmallows, food coloring, sprinkles, and some other sweet ingredients. We placed each wreath on a red plastic plate, and placed a small candle in the center. We ended up making more than 40 of the delicious treats, which we gave to Ecuadorian friends near us. A card was made by my dad, with a candle on the front and the inside said that JESUS IS THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD! We have already met more people from giving them out. Our church family also enjoyed them when we gave them out at a church banquet that my Dad spoke at. I praise God for the new contacts, and friends we have made from this small Christmas gift!

Missionary Kid in Ecuador

My name is Amanda, and I'm a missionary to Ecuador at the age of 14. Even though it isn't the place I grew up, or the place where most of my friends live I wouldn't trade living here for anything. I love the culture, the language, the food, the people, and most of all, the fact that God sent me here for a bigger reason than just living in Ecuador.