Missionary Woman!

September 2, 2006

Dear Friends and Family,

What an adventure these past few weeks have been! It's still hard to believe that I'm finally here, settled into my little apartment in Shell, Ecuador. God has been so faithful to his word: "Behold, I am with you always."

I began my trip in Quito with some good friends of my family, German and Becky Rhon. They were wonderful hosts and really made my first week in Ecuador an easy adjustment. They took me shopping, so I could get some items not available in Shell and helped me get some important paperwork taken care of while I was there. We also spent one afternoon at a place called TeleferiQo. It's an amusement park, touristy place high up in the mountains. I was able to see most of the city of Quito from the top and got some great pictures!

Tinguraugua, an active volcano here in Ecuador, has been giving us problems! The mission board I am with has asked that none of us travel to or through Banos, a town about an hour from here, because of the problems with the volcano. The road through Banos just happens to be the shortest of two ways out of Shell. So many are having to travel the Tena road, also known to us as the "long" way.

School started this week, and it's been wonderful getting to know my students. They are hilarious (as most kids are) and definitely keep my on my toes (even though there's only four!). Our theme for the school this year is "Build Up"- 1 Thessalonians 5:11. "Encourage one another, and build up one another, just as you are doing." My students have completely grasped onto this concept and have been doing a great job of encouraging everyone, especially me.

I want to thank everyone for your continued financial and prayer support. It's been exciting to get e-mails from so many of you. A huge encouragement! I just wanted to share some ways you can pray and praise for me:

• Praise that God gave me safety in my travels - despite an erupting volcano!
• Pray for my adjustments to the language and culture.
• Praise God for the wonderful missionary community He's brought me to. They've been a huge help and encouragement.
• Pray for my adjustments to teaching at a new school under different circumstances than I'm used to.
• Praise for the internet - it"s been wonderful staying in touch with my friends and family!
• Pray for Robby's (one of my students) family. His mother has severe allergies and is not able to live in Shell right now. Robby is living here in Shell with his dad, and his sister is living in Quito with her mom until they are finished with some medical treatments.
• Praise/pray for continued financial support.

Love,

Beth