June 2021 Update
6/11/2021
Dear Friends of Amor y Esperanza,
Summer is heating up, and Father’s Day is just a few weeks away. As we prepare to celebrate earthly fathers and give them gifts—whether that be wrapped gifts or gifts of service or shared experience—let’s also remember the kinds of gifts our Heavenly Father longs to receive from us: love shown to Him and love shown to our neighbor, whether that be those in our immediate communities or those in need nearby and around the world.
The Zolas have an encouraging report from Carmen Bajo, Quito. 60% of their teachers are vaccinated so far, and twenty new students are registered to attend Amor y Esperanza next year, indicating that there is positive interest in the school in the community. They’re praying and hoping that they can increase enrollment to pre-pandemic projections for school in the new building with around 300 students. Many of the current students have been demonstrating spiritual hunger and some have even voluntarily been attending a discipleship program on Saturdays.
One encouraging Pancho and Pitty shared was about how God provided a new teacher to join their faculty. Another teacher recently accepted a new position at a public school, but the day before she gave her notice, a woman was walking in the neighborhood past the school and felt the Holy Spirit move within her, telling her to work there. She listened and walked into the office to hand in an application. After finding out about the first teacher’s impending departure, the school remembered this woman’s visit, got out her application, and after interviewing her they discovered she was even more qualified and passionate than the previous teacher they’d lost. God’s hand is in all things!
In terms of things you can be praying for, please pray for the new building, as it recently was flooded during heavy rains in Quito. Pray for quick repairs and avoidance of future damage. Please also pray for Ecuador at large, but especially the Carmen Bajo community, as Covid19 cases are still very high there, and vaccination rates are slow. Pray for good health, for increased vaccination distribution, and for comfort and deliverance from suffering. Thank you for keeping the Zolas, the school, and the students in your prayers.
The Board of the Love and Hope Foundation is continuing its Bridge the Gap campaign to offer financial support to Amor y Esperanza during this difficult time. As a refresher, this year, the Board has committed to “Bridge the Gap” for the families in Carmen Bajo who have been hit hardest financially by the pandemic in order to make it possible for children to return to school and receive the good news of Jesus. Currently, monthly giving to Amor y Esperanza sits at $3,700. The monthly need is $13,000. You can help to provide the $9,300 needed to cover the shortfall.
We, the board members, are breaking into teams to raise money for each of the remaining months of 2021. We believe we can make a big difference in the lives of our friends in Carmen Bajo by dividing and conquering. You will be receiving an email depending on when and how you or your child went to Ecuador in the past.
The June team includes parents and student of Whitefield EMT 2021 team, who have been working hard all year to support Amor y Esperanza through sales of biscuits, t-shirts and books!
The full list is below:
April – Parents and Students of Whitefield EMT 2016 to 2020
May – Past Whitefield EMT 2004 to 2009
June – Whitefield 2021 EMT (virtual mission trip)
July – Past Whitefield EMT 2010-2015
August – Christ Journey Coral Gables
September – Trinity 2021 EMT (virtual mission trip)
October – Parents of Whitefield EMT 2004 - 2015
November and December – Year End Campaign
Please consider donating to our fund for the month of June and talk to your family about how you could help our fundraising efforts. While we give so much to Amor y Esperanza when we go down on mission, we know that in reality, they have given so much more to us. Help us to thank and support our family in Christ.
Join us to Bridge the Gap financially so that Amor y Esperanza will be able to continue to transform lives for Jesus Christ in the community of Carmen Bajo, Ecuador!
The May Bridge the Gap team connected with past EMT members and generated new donations. THANK YOU so much for your generosity and faithfulness!
We are so thankful for you every day. Please stay in touch with us via social media and continue journeying with us in prayer.
In Christ,
The Board of Love and Hope Foundation
