March 2022 Update

3/30/22

Dear Friends of Amor y Esperanza, 

March is a transitional time: spring is slowly thawing the wintry world (in the northern hemisphere, anyway, as our friends in Ecuador might remind us!), and we are slowly moving through Lent, bridging Christmastide and Epiphany with Easter. Many schools in the States and in Ecuador are still transitioning - adjusting and re-adjusting - to the new normal in a world where COVID-19 still affects our daily lives, and perhaps most especially daily life at schools. But we’re thankful that so many schools are back in person and that students and teachers can be together, learning and worshiping. Amor y Esperanza has been readjusting to in-person classes, and, as you’ll read more about below, we are so thankful that it has been going well. Transitions can be challenging, but as Pancho reminded us in this month’s board meeting, there is wisdom, power, and strength in the body of Christ, and we know that no matter what kind of transitions we are working through, we are not alone. All things are possible through Christ. As we transition from Lent into Easter, may we remember that God turns darkness into light.

SCHOOL UPDATE: 

At this month’s board meeting for Love and Hope Foundation, Pancho and Pitty shared the wonderful news that their lunch program is back! We wanted to thank you again for the contribution you made to the end of year campaign. Your generosity allowed us to fully fund the needed “finishing touches” to the kitchen so that they could start providing a hot, healthy lunch and a snack for all the students and the teachers. They have a new large oven, tables and chairs, and were able to hire a couple of women from the community to help with preparing the food. 

One of the students told Pancho that when she comes to school every day, she feels like she is coming to a palace! After being home for more than 18 months, the students are very glad to finally be fully back at school.

In addition to the lunch program and other previously announced improvements, recently the school has put up an electric security fence surrounding the property which has increased the safety and security of everyone at school. We knew you would be pleased to see what a direct and amazing impact your donation is having!

The student population has increased in the last couple of months to around 250, with 35 new students already registered for next year. People in the community are hearing about the school! 

PRAYER REQUESTS:

Please pray for the continued health and safety of the students, teachers, and families at Amor y Esperanza as well as for continued progress with needed updates and constructions underway at the school. Please pray that the municipality would grant the school a permit that is required for additional construction on the property. You can praise God that a tax the school thought it would have to pay was not required by the municipality, which is great news, especially as they may need some of those funds to allocate towards the property permit. We are also thankful to God for changing the hearts of so many students at the school, as Pancho and Pitty shared that many students whose hearts were hard towards God at the beginning of the year have softened and turned to Him. These students are participating in worship each morning and sharing how they have come to see God as real and as part of their lives. Glory to God!

SPONSORSHIPS: 

There is a perennial need at Amor y Esperanza to have more sponsors: this is where someone will donate a monthly amount to cover a child’s school expenses or to cover a teacher’s salary at AyE. $60 a month helps one family afford monthly tuition, and $500 a month covers the current base salary for a teacher. There are lots of ways to give to AyE, but if you feel led to sponsor or to make any other kind of financial contribution, you can explore these options on the Love and Hope Foundation’s giving page: https://loveandhopefoundation.me/give

We’re so grateful for your support, both through prayers as well as donations, and we are also grateful to continue in our partnerships with you all in this new year. 

Please stay in touch with us via social media (Instagram: @loveandhope_foundation and Facebook: @Love and Hope Foundation U.S.) and continue journeying with us in prayer.  

In Christ, 
The Board of Love and Hope Foundation