There was quite a bit of debate this year on whether or not I would go to camp.  

In all the years of the big outreach camp, I have only missed two.  The very first one, in 2012, which took place before we were married and I was in the states.  Then in 2017, when Benjamin was born just a few weeks before camp.  Every other year, I have been part of (and often leading) work crew.  However, as my role has shifted to support the region and not just one country, I have been challenged to step away from direct participation in Ecuador to allow for my vision to include all the countries I serve.  

A week before camp, we decided that I would attend camp, so that I could walk alongside the new administrator in this big event and also to aid in the adult engagement.  We had several adult guests invited this year, Ivan and I would focus on them, instead of campers.  I secretly felt relief to be going, because it's hard for me to imagine NOT being at camp.  On the final night of camp, Ivan came to our room and said, "They can do it without us."  It was said both with contentment and sadness.  Is this the feeling parents have when their children are grown and living on their own?  (Parents of college-aged kids, how are you doing?). For the last few years, Ivan has been working hard to train his leaders and prepare them to take on greater roles within Ecuador.  It's a funny thing, because in a sense our goal is to work ourselves out of our jobs.  We are so proud of the team that has come together here.  Their leadership, their vision and their ability to carry out the ministry.  My husband, forever the visionary, doesn't pause but a moment before dreaming even bigger dreams and assessing what the next big obstacle is to be tackled.  

My dreams are a bit more modest and the next big obstacle after camp for me is catching up on laundry.  I am printing off curriculum for homeschool, envisioning a fresh school year full of joyful learning (maybe I do have big dreams after all...haha!).  I am looking at my calendar being filled up with potential.  Every zoom call represents ideas and dreams for kids to be reached around South America.  Just as I sift through educational material and decide what I want to focus our homeschool time and energy on, I also seek God's wisdom on where to focus within my job.  

In September, I will continue to support national directors in the area of adult engagement, stewardship and fundraising practices.  During October, Ivan will be away for a week at a leadership event in the Dominican Republic and then I have a trip in November for the annual Women's retreat for Ex-pats serving in the Latin American Division of YL.  Due to all our travel over the last year, I did not attend the women's retreat but I am really looking forward to going this year.  If you would like to help towards my travel and retreat costs, please send me a private message!  

Finally using my cast iron skillet! Worth the weight in my luggage!

Fresh blueberry muffins, devoured in minutes.

Back to school shopping for the teacher! Love me some new notebooks!

Olympic Spirit (Bicycle and boxing gloves part of the decoration)

A boy and a frog

September Ministry Update