Wednesday's Child--Juliana

Meet our sweet 7-year old Juliana.

Juliana has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy. And while her biological family loves her very much, they are not able to provide the care and therapy that she needs. Through the generosity of supporters like you, Casa de Fe is able to provide 24-hour care for Juliana as well as therapy five days a week.

For $45 a month, you can become Juliana's sponsor and directly help us to continue to provide for her care. Casa de Fe will keep you updated on her progress. If you would like to sponsor Juliana, please click over to the Casa de Fe Child Sponsorship page and follow the instructions for sponsoring a child.

Meet the Staff Monday--Rick & Rebekah

This week's Meet the Staff Monday features two of our EFL (English as a Foreign Language) teachers from Casa de Fe School. Meet Rick & Rebekah Estes.

Rebekah--

Q: How long have you been in Ecuador/worked at Casa de Fe?

A: I've been in Ecuador for 2 years, and have worked at Casa de Fe for 1.

Q: What did you do before you came here?

A: I was a foreign English teacher in Taiwan for 9 years, with a heavy dose of music, theatre, and kung fu on the side.

Q: Why did you come here?

A: I came here to become more acquainted with my husband's country of origin, and to take a little break to figure out what was next. Casa de Fe was next.

Q: What is your job/role at Casa de Fe?

A: I work full-time at the school.  I'm the supplies coordinator, administrative assistant, an English teacher, and the music/drama teacher.

Q: What is your favorite thing about Ecuador/your job?

A: My favorite thing about Ecuador is its biodiversity - more specifically how in just one little country, you can travel to snow-capped mountains, cloud forests, rain forests, and the beach.  I'm also so thankful for the opportunity to get to know my best friend better by seeing the country he grew up in.

For my job, I like seeing the third-graders take pride in their English introductions, I like leading morning brain gym aerobics, and I love seeing kids "get something" that they've had to work for.

Q: How can our readers pray for you?

A: Golly.  Fervently, I guess. ;o)  This job is hard.  I need wisdom, patience, persistence, and unfailing (sometimes tough) love.  And margin.  I need more margin.

Rick--

Q: How long have you been in Ecuador/worked at Casa de Fe?

A: I was born and grew up in Ecuador as a missionary kid.  I've been working at Casa de Fe for a year.

Q: What did you do before you came here?

A: I was a foreign English teacher for 8 years in Taiwan.

Q: Why did you come here?

A: I came back to see my parents and Ecuador after a long time away, and to show my wife Ecuador as she'd never been before.  I was a short-term volunteer at Casa de Fe during this time, and found out that they needed teachers, so here we are!

Q: What is your job/role at Casa de Fe?

A: I'm the vice principal, an English teacher, and the visual arts teacher at the on-site school. 

Q: What is your favorite thing about Ecuador/your job?

A: My favorite thing about Ecuador is being home again, and my favorite thing about my job is teaching kids English.  I also like catching wild animals and teaching the kids about them.

Q: How can our readers pray for you?

A: Two things: keeping the balance between empowering the Ecuadorian staff, but also sharing my experience; wisdom, patience, and unfailing love with kids and coworkers.

Fundraising Friday--Car Wash

Okay... am I the only geek that hears the song playing in my head every time I hear the words "car wash"?!




Silly songs aside, a car wash is a great and fairly easy fundraiser that our supporters can use to raise money for Casa de Fe. Step-by-step, here's how we've pulled off several successful car washes...

1. Recruit help. A carwash is NOT a one-man show. Recruit your family and friends to help.

2. Select a date, and secure a location. These two need to be done pretty-much simultaneously, especially if you are using someone else's property for your location.

In choosing a location, your own driveway will work fine IF... you have a lot of traffic on your street and IF... traffic can still flow smoothly. Your neighbors may not be very pleased if they can't get off their street on Saturday morning.

For choosing a date, weekdays can work okay, but Saturdays are probably best.

3. Collect your necessary tools. You'll need water hoses, buckets, carwash soap, carwash brushes and rags. You may also want to use glass cleaner on the windshield and lights.

4. Make signage. You can't have a successful carwash without posting signage to let people know you'll wash their cars! This is a great project for the kids. A few posterboards and markers are all you need. Be sure to post your price per car, or as we've done successfully, advertise "FREE Carwash--Donations Only!"

5. Show up on time and ready to wash cars! Be sure to tell your customers that you're raising money for Casa de Fe. Many will donate extra for such a cause. This is also a great opportunity to help spread the word about our Child Sponsorship Program. It could be as simple as handing out a flyer to each customer with information about Casa de Fe and the link to our Child Sponsorship page.

Carwashes can easily profit $500 or more! When your carwash is done, don't forget to mail your tax-deductible donation to CornerStone International, P.O. Box 192, Wilmore, KY 40390. Be sure to write "Casa de Fe" in the memo of your check.

And if you're in Canada, you can write your cheque to our Canadian sending agency, ACCI at: Adventive Cross Cultural Initiatives 89 Auriga, Nepean, ON K2E 7Z2 Canada.

So, do you have tips for holding a successful carwash?

Are you planning to hold a carwash to support Casa de Fe?

Leave us a comment, and tell us about it!

Wednesday's Child--Moises

Meet Moises. This adorable 3-year old needs a sponsor. Quiet, but 100% boy, this little guy is always pleasant.

Moises's story is a somewhat complicated one. Moises came to live at Casa de Fe when he was an infant. One of his brothers lives here as well; however, he has a few other siblings that still live with his mother.

At one point, Moises's mother claimed that he was not her child. Please pray that Moises would always know that he is a child of God, no matter what his earthly familial relationships are.

If you would like to help us provide care for Moises, you may become his sponsor for only $45/month. When you do, you will receive more information about him, and you will have the opportunity to build a relationship with him via email.

You can visit the Casa de Fe Child Sponsorship page to learn more about the sponsorship program.

Meet the Staff Monday--Summer Staff, Round 3!

ALSTON--
Where are you from? Brookhaven, Ms

How old are you? 19

How/when did you first come to Ecuador? Through my home church, Philadelphia Baptist Church, this past March

Why did you give up your summer to serve here at CdF? Because I felt it was where I was supposed to be and really wanted to be. I fell in love with Casa de Fe during my first visit, and I definitely felt the Lord calling me to come back.

What is your favorite thing about being summer staff? OR What has been the favorite thing about this summer? Not having to do construction, comic relief, getting to play and talk with the kids. Getting to sit and talk one on one is awesome for really getting to know that person. Each of the kids is amazing and getting to spend my summer with them was way more of a blessing to my life than anything else I could have done this summer.

What are your plans when you leave CdF this summer? I plan to spend a few weeks with family before going back to Mississippi College.


MOLLY--

Where are you from? I'm from Bismarck, North Dakota.

How old are you? 20

How/when did you first come to Ecuador? My first trip to Ecuador was this summer. I first heard about Casa de Fe when Patti Sue came to my college campus during my freshman year to talk to students about the foundation. I knew after hearing her talk that I needed to go volunteer at some point. My college takes a small group of students to Casa every spring break, but I knew that a week would not be long enough and that a summer would be better for me. After praying long and hard, I felt the Lord calling me to volunteer this summer.

Why did you give up your summer to serve here at Casa de Fe? I've had the desire to come to Casa de Fe for the past two years. I just wanted to serve where there was a need and love the kids like Jesus loves. Jesus clearly showed during his time on earth that he loved children and said we are to do the same. I'm just trying to do that the best way I know how!

What is your favorite thing about being summer staff? OR What has been the favorite thing about this summer? My favorite part of this summer was doing physical therapy with the children with special needs. Not only did I learn a ton, but I also grew so close to those children. My job did not allow me to get to know all of the kids at Casa de Fe, but I was able to spent large amounts of time with several of them and really get to know them personally. I was truly touched by the amount of joy they had and the unconditional love they showed me every day.

What are your plans when you leave Casa de Fe  this summer? I am spending the rest of my summer relaxing at a lake cabin with my family. I have also enjoyed spending time with my two newborn nieces! I will soon be back at school at Concordia College in Minnesota, where I'm majoring in biology and desire to become a physical therapist.

XANDER--
Where are you from? Shoreview, Minnesota.

How old are you? 19.

How/when did you first come to Ecuador? This summer was my first time in Ecuador and in South America.

Why did you give up your summer to serve here at Casa de Fe? It doesn't feel like giving up anything at all, but rather like God allowed me to have such a blessed experience. I spent a month of this summer down in Shell and the time flew by. I had no connection to Casa de Fe before this summer, but falling in love with the organization and the kids (at least in my opinion) is inevitable no matter how much time you spend there.

What is your favorite thing about being summer staff? OR What has been the favorite thing about this summer? Getting to know the Ecuadorian staff at Casa de Fe was an unexpected blessing. It also helped me learn Spanish, of which I know little to none. Being teased mercilessly when I struggled was a great motivator. (I did deserve it, though; there was one instance when I tried to ask if the kids could play foosball outside and accidentally asked if they could play with matches instead.) But my favorite thing about the summer is definitely seeing the individual personality of each kid. All of the children at Casa de Fe have a work ethic and eagerness to learn that amazed me every day.

What are your plans when you leave CdF this summer? To come back again. Also to get ready for my sophomore year at Wheaton College.

 

Fundraising Friday--Buy a Book!

That's right. By buying a book, you can support the work of Casa de Fe. But you can't buy just any book. No. When you buy THIS book,

100% of the profits are donated to Casa de Fe.

Author and Casa de Fe supporter, Christie Pettus, wrote this book about her family's first experience visiting and serving in Ecuador. Since that first trip two years ago, the Pettuses have organized and brought a team made up of a group of their friends for another mission trip to Casa de Fe.

From the book:

What would compel our young family of four to step way outside of our comfort zone and board a plane to Ecuador to spend a week hanging out with a group of orphans? God’s voice. This is our story about hearing God’s call, pushing aside fear to listen, and allowing an unplanned experience to change our family forever.

 

This e-book is available for immediate download on Amazon Kindle as well as Nook. At only $8.39, you can support orphans and be inspired by a great true story.

Wednesday's Child--Alondra

This week's featured child is Alondra. Alondra is the younger sister of Talia and Abigail. Abandoned by their mother, they have lived together at Casa de Fe since 2009.

Alondra is a bright, energetic young lady. She enjoys school and is helpful around Casa de Fe.

 

If you would like to help us provide care for Alondra, you may become her sponsor for only $45/month. When you do, you will receive more information about her, and you will have the opportunity to build a relationship with her via email.

You can visit the Casa de Fe Child Sponsorship page to learn more about the sponsorship program.

Meet the Staff Monday--Summer Staff Round 2!

Yesterday, our last five summer staff left Shell heading back to the US. The rest of us here at Casa de Fe are sad to see them go; yet, we are glad to have shared part of the summer with them, and we are excited to see what the Lord has in store for them.

Abbie--

Where are you from? That's a hard question for a missionary kid to answer! I was born in Chicago, where my parents are from, but we moved to Shell, Ecuador when I was two. At the age of twelve we moved to Tennessee. I consider both Shell, Ecuador and Newport, TN home.

How old are you? 18

How/when did you first come to Ecuador? My first time in Shell I was just a few months old. My parents came down as working visitors and then moved here more permanently when I was two.

Why did you give up your summer to serve here at Casa de Fe? I have visited Casa de Fe twice as the member of a work team after moving back to the States. I realized that second time that coming for just a week just wasn't enough. I wanted time to get to know the kids and more fully experience living in Shell again. Coming for a week just wasn't going to cut it anymore. I didn't want to just know a few of the kids' names and give them quick hugs, I wanted the opportunity to make them part of my life. I am so humbled that each and every day I get the opportunity to just be with them--whether that's tutoring, working on craft projects, playing games, or just cuddling while watching a movie.

What is your favorite thing about being summer staff? OR What has been the favorite thing about this summer? Once again, the kids. It was such an awesome feeling when they began to greet me excitedly in the morning by name, or when they began to ask how soon they could go up to the school for their class or reading time with the other summer volunteers and me. It's truly humbling how much they enjoy the simple activities we prepare for them, and great motivation to keep giving everything we have to make the summer fun!

What are your plans when you leave CdF this summer? After completing eight weeks at Casa, I'll be spending some time at home with family before heading back to Wheaton College (IL) where I'm studying International Relations and Spanish.



Bailey-- 

Where are you from? Jacksonville, Florida

How old are you? 20

How/when did you first come to Ecuador? I first came as a junior in highschool, in 2010. My dad knew Patti Sue and knew that I had a heart for kids so he brought me along with a small team from my church who was working on the Multi-Use Building and making a short video for Casa de Fe. When we first came, CdF was still in the old space. Getting to be a part of the building process and seeing it completed was truly amazing.
Why did you give up your summer to serve here at CdF? After my first two trips to CdF, I realized that coming for a week just wasn't long enough. I wanted more time with the kids, building relationships and serving however I could. My heart was broken for Ecuador not only the first time I came, but every time that I have returned since then. Basically, nothing made more sense than coming back and serving for a month this summer; I just knew this was where God was calling me.

What is your favorite thing about being summer staff? OR What has been the favorite thing about this summer?

Is it too cliche to say the kids?

My heart melts every morning as I walk through the doors and see those sweet faces turn to look at me with bright eyes and smiles. I want to be a teacher so, for me, what better way could I spend my days than hanging out with kids?

Plus, how cool is it to be spending a summer living on the edge of the jungle?!

What are your plans when you leave CdF this summer? I am an education major at University of Florida, so I am going home to complete my final two years of college. BUT, I hope to be back as much as possible throughout those two years.


So, the common theme from these two ladies? ONE WEEK IS NOT ENOUGH! How about you? Are you considering a trip to Casa de Fe? A week may not be enough, but it is a good place to start. We'd love to have you be a part of what the Lord is doing here in the lives of these kids.

For more information on volunteering whether a few days, few months or few years, drop an email to Christy (Christy (at) lacasadefe.org) and Tandy (tandy (at) lacasadefe.org).

Fundraising Friday--Food!

When we were preparing to make the move to Ecuador, we knew it would cost money. Fortunately, we had lots of friends jump in with ideas for fundraising and many offered their talents and services.

One friend owns a catering truck. She offered to prepare chicken plates for us to sell. Our only expense was buying the food. She did all the work of prepping and cooking the food. We decided on a date, set a menu and price, and went to work selling plate lunches. We also had friends that helped sell in their circles of influence.

We sold 425 plate lunches! In fact, we could have sold even more if we would have had them. Four hundred twenty-five was the maximum capacity of my friend's roaster. We sold each plate for $7, and our total profit for the day was nearly $2000!


The plates included a chicken leg quarter, baked beans, cole slaw and a yeast roll.

 

Now, how can you apply what we did to raising money for Casa de Fe? Simple. Gather your friends, plan a menu, set a price, pre-sell the meals, cook and deliver. Depending on where you live and what your menu is, you could sell plates for $6-$12 each.

 

Here are some meal ideas:

Spaghetti plates: spaghetti w/ meat sauce, salad, green beans, bread

Red beans & rice plates: red beans w/ sausage, rice, green beans, salad, bread

Chicken plates (like we sold): chicken leg quarter, cole slaw, baked beans, bread

Burger plates: hamburger on bun, French fries or potato chips, baked beans

Chicken spaghetti plates: Chicken spaghetti, salad, green beans, roll

 

You could also add a dessert to each plate. Just remember to adjust your price accordingly.

 

Another idea:

Having spent about 15 years in student ministry, we've done a few fundraisers. One of the easiest and most successful fundraisers we've ever done were serving food on Sundays after church. This could just as easily be coordinated by a Sunday school class, small group or just a few Casa de Fe supporters within the church.

 

We always got the event and date approved by church leadership and then began to promote it within the church. Those helping to coordinate the event shared the responsibility for preparing the food. On the day of the event, everyone brought their food to the kitchen/fellowship hall. Coordinators also shared the serving responsibilities. Church members were invited to enjoy their meal in the fellowship hall or take a plate (or 2) to go after the morning service.

We never set a price for these meals. We only asked those eating to consider donating what they would have spent on a Sunday meal at a restaurant. We have always been pleased with the funds raised.

 

At the same time, this would be another great way to help promote our child sponsorship program and bring the work of Casa de Fe to the attention of your entire church body.

Don't forget--once your fundraiser is over, mail your tax-deductible donation to CornerStone International, P.O. Box 192, Wilmore, KY 40390. Be sure to write "Casa de Fe" in the memo of your check.

And if you're in Canada, you can write your cheque to our Canadian sending agency, ACCI at: Adventive Cross Cultural Initiatives 89 Auriga, Nepean, ON K2E 7Z2 Canada.

 

 

How about you? Have you sold food as a fundraiser before? Would you consider holding a fundraiser like we've mentioned here to help feed the kids at Casa de Fe? Share with us in the comments below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling meals is probably one of the easiest and most guaranteed to be a success fundraisers that anyone can do, because EVERYONE eats. And when you offer to deliver lunch to a person's place of work, it's really hard to say no. ;)

 

 

 



 



Wednesday's Child--Abigail

The middle sister of a sibling group of three, Abigail is twelve years old. She has lived at Casa de Fe for the past four years. Before coming here, Abi and her two sisters lived with their father. Their mother had abandoned the family and her older sister, Talia, was cooking, cleaning and "mothering" her younger sisters.

Abigail is a very bright and talented young lady. She loves to draw in her spare time. You can help give Abigail a bright future by becoming her sponsor today.

If you would like to help us provide care for Abigail, you may become her sponsor for only $45/month. When you do, you will receive more information about Abi, and you will have the opportunity to build a relationship with her via email.

You can visit the Casa de Fe Child Sponsorship page to learn more about the sponsorship program.

Meet the (Summer) Staff Monday--Jess, Joel & Mike

A vital part of our Casa de Fe staff that is often overlooked is our summer staff. These guys are usually college students that give anywhere from 2-8 weeks of their summer to run a day camp type program for the CdF kids.

This year, we had a total of nine summer staffers from all over the United States. This week I'll introduce you to three of them. You'll meet the other six over the next two weeks.

First up, Jess--

 

How old are you and where are you from? 20 years old from Centerville, OH

 

How and when did you first come to Ecuador? I came the first time in the summer of 2009 and I've come every summer since anywhere from 6 to 12 weeks.

 

Why did you give up your summer to serve here at Casa de Fe? I started serving for CdF when I was 16 years old. The kids here showed me what real love and real support was, and what it really meant to serve the Lord. I came as an agnostic raised in a Jewish home and left that summer as a Christian. These kids one-by-one changed my entire life, and I couldn't imagine not coming back every summer to see them, serve them, work with them, and love them. All I wanted was what everyone wants - to make a difference. The kids at CdF showed me that I could.

 

What is your favorite thing about being summer staff? I honestly think my favorite part is just every minute that I get with the kids. I couldn't ask for a better way to spend my summer, every summer, for the last 5 years.

 

What are your plans after Summer 2013 at Casa de Fe? Once back in the States I start the school year up as a pre-med student majoring in Microbiology and Anthropological Sciences. I also work as a Resident Advisor for Ohio State University and work in the Traumatic Brain Injury Network at OSU Medical Center.

 

Followed by Jess's brother, Joel--

 

How old are you and where are you from? I'm 25 as of today (Aug 5th). This is my first birthday in the last 3 years that wasn't in Shell. I'm originally from Dayton, OH.

 

How and when did you first come to Ecuador?  I first came in the summer of 2010 with my younger sister Jessica and my cousin Eva. I still have a hard time figuring out exactly how we ended up in Shell. Jessica mentioned it to me first as a joke, and then it somehow became reality. I had no clue where I was going, what I would be doing, or what I was getting myself into.

 

Why did you give up your summer to serve here at CdF? I came to Shell for the fourth time in the summer of 2013, for a short 3-4 week trip. I had earlier accepted an offer to serve for 27-months with the Peace Corps in Kenya and immediately made plans to visit CdF one more time before heading off. I couldn't imagine leaving for so long without visiting the Tias, Maestros, children, and community.

 

What is your favorite thing about being summer staff? OR What has been the favorite thing about this summer? Too many things to list, the entire community is friendly, welcoming, and peaceful. I love spending my days laughing and playing with the children, or taking the older boys fishing. I am always surprised at the new connections and relationships built each time I come to visit, it's a completely different experience (yet the same) each time.

 

What are your plans when you leave CdF this summer? I am currently living in a small village in Kenya and will be here for next 2 years working with the community as a US Peace Corps Volunteer. I would never have ended up where I am now without the influence of CdF.  (P.S. - Tandy writes excellent recommendation letters!)

 

And finally, Mike--

 

How old are you and where are you from? I am 21 years old, from a small town just outside of Fargo, North Dakota. I currently live in Moorhead, Minnesota (which is just across the river from Fargo) where I am going to be a senior at Concordia College.

 

How and when did you first come to Ecuador? I first came to Ecuador on a short term team a year ago over spring break through my college led by Dr. Bob Brunsvold.

 

Why did you give up your summer to serve here at Casa de Fe? I had a very impactful first visit to Casa de Fe, so I felt a strong calling to return for a longer period of time to build stronger relationships in Shell, to help a cause that was near to my heart, and to further strengthen my faith.

 

What is you favorite thing about being summer staff? OR What has been your favorite thing about this summer? I had so many great experiences this summer, but if I had to pick one it would be all the time I spent with Martin. We started a bond during the school year when we’d walk up the hill every morning together, and our friendship was solidified during gym class when I’d hold him in my arms so we could jump rope together like all the other kids. Since the first time we jumped rope we became very close and were blessed to be paired together for a number of other activities throughout the rest of the summer.

 

What are your plans when you leave CdF this summer? I was at Casa for seven weeks, which sadly finished up two weeks ago. I am now volunteering at Clinica San Lorenzo which is a clinic in a different part of Ecuador. I will be here until I have to return to the States to finish school.

 

Thanks for reading about our Summer Staff. Please pray for these three as they have already finished their time at Casa de Fe this summer and are pursuing God's will for them in other locations around the globe. Feel free to leave some encouraging words for them in the comments section below.

 

Fundraising Friday--Yard Sale!

Yard sale, garage sale, tag sale, whatever you call it, this fundraiser is a win-win.

Summer is the perfect season for yard sales, and you know it's a perfect time to clean out the garage, attic, closet or wherever it is that you stash your stuff.

Are your kids complaining that they're bored? Get them excited about raising funds for Casa de Fe, and then put them to work cleaning out the garage. See? WIN-WIN!

Why stop with just a yard sale? Let the kids sell lemonade and/or donuts to your customers as well.

And don't forget to post a sign that you're raising money for Casa de Fe. Many people are happy to give extra cash donations when they find out you are raising money for a non-profit. For more tips on making  your yard sale a success, check out these tips from the Money Saving Mom.

Once your yard sale is over, don't forget to mail your tax-deductible donation to CornerStone International, P.O. Box 192, Wilmore, KY 40390. Be sure to write "Casa de Fe" in the memo of your check.

And if you're in Canada, you can write your cheque to our Canadian sending agency, ACCI at: Adventive Cross Cultural Initiatives 89 Auriga, Nepean, ON K2E 7Z2 Canada.

Earnings 

Earnings

 

Do you have fundraiser ideas? We'd love to hear them. Share them below in the comments.

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