June 2024 Update
Dear Amor y Esperanza family! I hope your summer has started in a healthy and joyful way, with the opportunity already to change the routine a bit and engage in some rest and recreation. For the kiddos and teachers continuing school a bit longer in Quito, we pray for stamina and a strong finish!
Immediately after graduation, my family spent two wonderful weeks on vacation in Japan - our first time to the Far East. While the food, hospitality and beauty of the country were such a pleasure to explore, I was constantly struck by the large number of temples and shrines scattered everywhere we went. As we learned more and more about the culture and customs, and how most of the locals go to one particular shrine for success in school and another for healing, etc., always feeling compelled to throw money in the offering bucket so their prayers will be heard, I was constantly struck with how blessed we as Christ followers are to have free and total access to our one God who rules and reigns forever. I am more thankful than ever that God hears our prayers, without any cost or barrier, and they are a sweet aroma to Him!
This month, please join me in praying for the two mission teams heading to Quito, and read on for a construction and fundraising update as well as a special request from the Love and Hope Foundation board.
Sincerely,
Rebekah Kern, LHF Board Member
The first half of the third floor construction is nearly complete! We stand in awe of how these plans came together and were approved so quickly, how attentive and hard-working the construction crew has been, how already new Christ-followers have been born through this process - and it is not finished yet! Thankful is not enough to describe the impact of the generous matching gift of $25,000 that we received last month to finish out the construction.
As of yesterday afternoon we remained about $10,000 away from our goal. Last night, several board members attended a Fundraiser Tennis Match organized by Whitefield's Ecuador Mission Team and spearheaded by recent graduates, Drew and Davis Saad, Drew and Zach Justice and Daniel Johnson, who will all be returning to Quito tomorrow with the school's mission team. The evening was a huge success with a solid turnout of supporters, a DJ, hearty concessions, fun challenges, awesome raffle prizes and of course, robust tennis. Please enjoy some photos from the event, that took us up and over our goal, thanks in part to an anonymous matching donor for the first $3,000 raised. We commend this team for their creativity and initiative in planning and executing a large and fruitful event!
None of this is a coincidence! Pancho and Pitty felt strongly that the Lord was leading them to move forward with this particular work crew and finish what they started. The Lord has blessed this construction process abundantly, to the point we are thrilled to announce:
WE HAVE MET OUR FUNDRAISING GOAL TO COMPLETE THE THIRD FLOOR!
Thank you to every person who has prayed and/or financially supported Amor Y Esperanza during this campaign to build the third floor. We cannot wait to see the completed space, housing the mission teams and local school children, all there by the Lord's design.
As a friend of Amor y Esperanza, you are important to us as a prayer partner as well as financial supporter. At this time, there is yet another way you might be able to serve - as a Love and Hope Foundation board member! There are a couple of vacant spots to fill, with the dominant requirement being a heart for Jesus and the spread of the gospel through the great work being done at Amor y Esperanza. More specifically, each of our three major teams - Donor Management/Communications, Finance and Development - could use some additional support. So, if you are interested in learning more about how you can get involved and help support LHF and AyE through your time and talent, please email Lee Martin at leewmartin@gmail.com. We would love to hear from you!
How can you partner with Amor y Esperanza?
Pray! Current needs are:
Lives transformed in the Carmen Bajo community and on the construction crew
Fruitful Pancho and Pitty visit to U.S. in August
Strong strategic planning for 2024-2025
That connections made during the summer mission trips remain meaningful
One-time giving is always appreciated and helpful, too! Make a gift here.