I realize that this prayer letter is LONG overdue. I apologize for not sending more detailed letters out recently! I have been in contact through e-mails, but haven't sent out an actual letter in a while. For the past few months, everything has been very much up in the air with my work here in Ecuador, as well as with my return this next school year. I wanted to wait until I had some details set in stone before I sent out anymore information.

Let me start by saying that God is awesome! These past few months have brought me closer to Him in more ways than I ever could have imagined. It has been physically and emotionally exhausting for me many times since returning from Christmas break. But, without God stretching me in the ways He has, I never would have experienced Him in such specific ways. I can do nothing but thank and praise Him for just allowing me to be broken and used by Him. "I admit I once lived by rumors of you; now I have it all firsthand - from my own eyes and ears!" (Job 42:5)

You all have received e-mails and many of you probably received a prayer letter in the mail with the recent changes of my return next year. I will be returning as a volunteer with HCJB, which means while I am still associated with the mission (for work and visa purposes), my finances will no longer be handled through them. My finances are now all being routed through my home church, Crew Community Church.

This past spring has been a flurry of activity and I've been busier than ever! Amidst all the business, I had several people visit me. It was fun to spend time with family and friends and to share with them my everyday life down here. I did a lot of traveling and had a great time showing off the country!

School has, of course, been very busy, and getting busier as the year winds down. It's still hard to believe that there are only two weeks of school left! My students have been busy practicing for an "American Heritage Night" in which they performed many traditional patriotic songs. The entire school did a great job preparing with lines, songs, and even playing recorders! It was a great learning experience for them, as well, because most of the students were not born or did not grow up in the United States.

I am still heavily involved in Spotlight, the English program/class on Thursday nights here in Shell. Although our numbers have been dwindling lately, there are still a few that faithfully come every week. I was just talking with another volunteer the other day and commenting on how exciting it is to see how our students have improved in their English. It's always rewarding to see improvements over a long period of time when the week-to-week doesn't give a true picture of learning.

Please continue to keep me in your prayers throughout the next few weeks, as well as over this summer. I will be arriving in West Virginia on June 14^th and plan to return to Ecuador sometime in mid-August. Below are some specific ways you can pray/praise for me over the next couple months.

Praise: God's constant presence, even when I don't always "feel" Him.

Prayer: Safety in traveling. I'm leaving Ecuador June 13^th, arriving in Charleston, WV the next afternoon.

Praise: Friends and family who were able to visit me!

Prayer: Wisdom for decisions on my part, as well as the school board, on what grades to place me in for teaching this fall.

Praise: The amazing friends God's blessed me with here in Shell!

Prayer: Financial support for my return to teach another year.