This Week

Well, since I last wrote you a lot has happened. First of all, I found a place to live. It is in the right neighborhood, the price is excellent, and the size is just right. A perfect find. I am living with one of the teachers from the Alliance Academy until the end of the semester when he goes back to the US. For those of you who know him, it's Dave Tieszen. I am just about settled in; all I need yet is a desk so I can really get set up work-wise.
Last week I had several meetings with people, including a big one with a group called Summit Adventure. We are working on a partnership with them that is quite exciting. The details are still being worked on so I won't include any specifics on that just yet.
One of Youth World's big partners is called Leader Mundial (World Leader). Their general purpose is to find business people in North America, who have the financial means, but ministry isn't necessarily their strong point. They get partnered one-on-one with a local from some other country who is the "visionary". This person has an idea for ministry but not the means to pull it off. It is more than just money though. These partners mentor each other, pray for each other, and hold each other accountable. And about once a year, they get together at a summit and go through trainings together; seminars, team building... Last week the summit was here at the camp I used to intern at (El Refugio) and I was out there for a couple days photographing it. Some of the countries represented were Russia, South Africa, Malawi, Chile, Peru, Ecuador, and the Philippines.
This week, there are a few things going on. At the Alliance Academy, there is Spiritual Emphasis Week, where there is a guest speaker and Chapel every day. Please be praying for the students, that they would be impacted, and that the impact would change them for more than just a week or two. Please pray for the speaker, Mike Forrest, as he prepares his talks and connects with the students.
Finally, probably Tuesday night, I will start a trip out to the jungle. It will involve a couple of buses and then a canoe ride to get in to the Huaorani. There is a full time missionary out there and Chet and I are going out to support him in what he needs to get done. We are also building relationships with the people there. This is one of the places our Adventure teams will be going. Please pray for our travels, for safety. Pray that we'd have a meaningful time out with the Huaorani.
Thank you all for your backing. We are all in this together!