Meet the Staff--Matt & Christy

Meet the Hayes, Matt and Christy. After living all over the west and northwest portions of the US, Matt and Christy, along with their children, Libby and Loren, join us at Casa de Fe from their most recent home in Nampa, Idaho.  

How long have you lived in Ecuador/worked at Casa de Fe?

Christy lived in Quito for several years as a missionary kid while growing up. Our family has been working with Casa de Fe since June 2013. 

What did you do before you came here?

Matt: Before I worked at Casa de Fe, I had my own business.

Christy: I was in Executive Management for a large corporation.

Why did you come here?

Matt: I came to Casa de Fe as an act of obedience to God.  God's calling me into partnering with CdF was not "go to Casa de Fe" as many experience.  What God asked of me was "follow Me as far as I lead". The path He laid before me lead to Casa de Fe.

Christy: I came to Casa de Fe out of obedience to God calling me here. I am not fully certain on His plans for using me here, but I look forward to ever day and each opportunity to serve.

What is your job/role at Casa de Fe?

Matt: My official titles at Casa de Fe are Director of Finances and Director of Transportation.

Christy: I am Director of HR and Teams. I help with team planning, recruiting, hiring, missionary staff training, and publicity, among other things.

What is your favorite thing about Ecuador/your job at CdF?

Matt: The people at Casa de Fe are my favorite aspect of Casa de Fe.  I really enjoy developing relationships with the children and Ecuadorian staff.  I love long term relationship based ministry, but often in the past, I only had a chance to meet with people weekly. Here at Casa, I am able to build relationships daily with people.

Christy: My favorite thing here are the people. I love getting the chance to love the kids, staff, volunteers, groups, and the community here. I desire to show God's love to everyone I come into contact with.

What is your least favorite thing about Ecuador/your job at CdF?

Matt: There is never enough time/energy to do all the things I would like to do.  I do not like that here on the equator there is not a natural time reference.  The days are the same length year round, all four seasons are the same, the weather is basically always the same.  Other than the calendar, there is not a good time reference. Because of this, time seems to pass very quickly.

Christy: Not having a full service grocery store in Shell. I would like to do all my shopping at once. Or at least twice and not really the four stops it takes to shop here. I have to go to the store that carries all the household cleaning supplies, then I need to go to the vegetable and fruit market, then the butcher, and then when I don't have certain things, then I go to the local shop. Whew! Too much time, too much energy, and without a car, it can be a headache. One stop shopping sounds great!

How can our readers pray for you?

Matt: Please pray for the continued development of my relationship with the older boys here at Cdf.

Christy: Pray for my family. We are all continuing to learn Spanish in order to be more effective in our roles and in our relationships. Pray for my two children especially as they have had their entire world changed. 

Meet the Staff Monday--Kelcy

Kelcy served as a teacher here at Casa de Fe during the 2011/2012 school year. She has just returned from her home-state of Alaska for a long-term service commitment, and we are all excited to have her back!

How long have you lived in Ecuador/worked at Casa de Fe?

I lived and worked here at Casa de Fe for a year in 2011, went home for a year to finish school, and I moved back here in October 2013. 

What did you do before you came here?

Before coming to Casa de Fe, I was going to school full-time and working full-time at a restaurant in Anchorage. I was also volunteering in my local church.

Why did you decide to come here?

I felt called to be a missionary, especially in Latin America, so when my friend Alison started working at Casa de Fe, I decided to come visit. I fell in love with the kids and really loved the mission and vision that Casa de Fe has for the kids. I knew the Lord was at work here, and I wanted to be a part of it.

What is your job/role at Casa de Fe?

I run the Child Sponsorship Program. I assist the Donations Coordinator. I work in Child Development, which means I get to play with the kids. I also work in youth ministry with the older girls.

What is your favorite thing about Ecuador/your job at CdF?

I love the people of Ecuador. They are very friendly, and I love the laid back lifestyle. It helps that the scenery is beautiful and there is just so much culture here. I love the variety of jobs I get to do. I feel like I get to see many aspects of the ministry.

What is your least favorite thing about Ecuador/your job at Casa de Fe?

My least favorite thing about Ecuador is probably the rainy season, it's pretty brutal! Also, they don't sell Cheez-its. 

How can our readers pray for you?

Pray that I would be able to find rest. Life gets pretty crazy here, and it's easy to say 'yes' to everything. I want to make sure I have time to spend with the Lord. Also, as I learn more about the kids and their stories, it's easy for me to get really angry at the parents so pray that I would learn to love the parents of our kids, and that we would have the opportunity and grace to share the love of Jesus with them.

To learn even more about Kelcy's adventures in Ecuador, visit her blog--Kelcy in Ecuador!

Meet the Staff Monday--the Becks!

If you haven't been to Casa de Fe lately, you may not recognize some of these newer faces. The Becks joined us at the end of the summer after spending six months in Quito for language school. Both originally from Georgia, Kyle and April--along with their daughters, Mary Kellen and Vivi Kate--have committed two years to serve at Casa de Fe.

 How long have you lived in Ecuador/worked at Casa de Fe?

We have lived in Ecuador since February, and have worked at CdF since August. 

What did you do before you came here?

Kyle was attending seminary in Louisville, Ky. and April was working at Kosair Children’s Hospital in the Emergency Department. 

Why did you come here?

We came here due to the Lord’s call in our lives to serve and minister based on the gifts He has bestowed on us. 

What is your job/role at Casa de Fe?

Kyle - Pastor/Chaplain    April - Nurse

What is your favorite thing about Ecuador/your job at CdF?

Our favorite thing about Ecuador is the people.  And our favorite thing about CdF is the relationships with the kids. 

How can our readers pray for you?

Pray for wisdom, patience, and obedience to the Lord’s calling.

 

Meet the Staff--Cheralyn/Charito

Meet Cheralyn, also known by her Spanish name, Charito. She's been faithfully serving Casa de Fe since 2009, sometimes here in Ecuador, but mostly from her home in Ontario, Canada. About her homeland, Cheralyn says, "Contrary to what many people I've met here believe, Canada is not part of the United States; we are a different country, haha. Yes, I speak some French. No, I didn't usually ride a polar bear to school."

How long have you lived in Ecuador/worked at Casa de Fe?

I came in August 2009 with a small team from my church in Belleville, ON. We were only here for a week, but I knew I had to come back. I worked here for the next three summers and then I was here again from January - April of this year. I returned (again!) a few weeks ago and will be here until the end of this December.  

What did you do before you came here?

Currently, my time is divided between being here as CDF staff and being in Ottawa, ON as a student at the University of Ottawa. I'm studying International Development & Globalization. My program has a CO-OP option and they've allowed me to do my co-op placements here at Casa de Fe. How great is that?! 

Why did you come here?

At the beginning it was a combination of really wanting to be part of these kids' lives and feeling very strongly that God had something(s) for me here. More recently, I've begun to see how those have become the same thing. 

What is your job/role at Casa de Fe?

I saved this question to answer last, because I really didn't know how to answer it. The first few times I was here, I spent most of my time organizing and leading activities for the kids within the summer schedule. I've taught a variety of "classes" over the years, facilitated teams' times with the kids, tutored kids in a number of subjects to get them ready for the upcoming school year, helped out with some administrative stuff and I've even done some construction. Somehow I've been accumulating more and more responsibility, so more recently I've helped out with various aspects of coordinating and hosting our work teams. During the summer of 2012, I spent months researching the possibility of developing a child sponsorship program for CDF and was able to launch our program in April. I'm currently managing that and some of our web-presence. I think the sponsorship program and communications work are officially my main jobs, but I'm also involved with CDF merchandise, writing grant proposals, and other fundraising initiatives. Unofficially, I have been known to carry children across raging waters and capture runaway toddlers during naptime. 

What is your favorite thing about Ecuador/your job at CdF?

I have way too many favorite things. 

My favorite things about Ecuador include (but are not limited to): the mountains, the price and variety of fresh produce, street food, artisans' markets, wild flowers, special teas and spices, the music, and sometimes the rain.

I have even more favorite things about working at Casa, but especially since I hardly work directly with the kids anymore, I've come to count the few interactions I do get with them as even more precious... whether it be a serious conversation over dinner, or a quick hug on the way to my office, or a silly face from across the room, the simple (and sweet) interactions with the kids bring me lots of joy. Finally, as I sit with the kids to draw pictures or write letters to their sponsors, it is delightful to see the way their eyes light up as they internalize how much they are loved by so many people. This is when I will be spending most of my time with the kids from now on, and I'm very much looking forward to it!

I also adore the staff. I love getting to know the tias, the teachers, and the maestros. And I love figuring out how to do life with the ever-changing community of American staff as well. I love them a lot.

What is your least favorite thing about Ecuador/your job at CdF?

There really aren't too many things I don't like about Ecuador. I hate red tape when it comes to anything official, I strongly dislike both the privileges and the disadvantages of being white, and sometimes I hate the rain. Oh, and I'm not particularly fond of rats either. 

I really love my job. I think the hardest thing about working here is watching kids struggle with their pasts and/or being separated from their biological families. I also dislike a common assumption that working somewhere like this is just fun and games because the kids are beautiful and so eager to love and be loved. It's hard to find a balance between highlighting the hard realities we face here and living out of a place of hope that God will do great things. That said, despite everything, it's been worth every single drop of blood, sweat and tears.  

How can our readers pray for you?

Sometimes working here is really hard. Sometimes it seems like things are constantly changing with very little time to process the last thing while preparing for the next. God has been teaching me a lot about finding rest and peace in Him in the middle of everything. That's something I always still appreciate prayer for, though. Sometimes it's also really hard to deal with the brokenness I see here while dealing with my own. My desire is that God will be able to use my story to encourage people and point to Him. I would also appreciate prayer that I would continue to find hope and grace in Jesus as I try to trust him to restore the brokenness as he brings his Kingdom here. I want to live vulnerably, lead fearlessly, and love fiercely - that is my prayer.

What is your time commitment to CdF?

I have to be back in Ottawa to start classes again in January, so I will be leaving right after Christmas. I'm hesitant say much more than that for now, but... I wouldn't be surprised if I end up here as long-term staff. We'll see where and to what God invites me next! 

Meet the Staff Monday--Cory & Asia

Cory grew up in Georgia and Asia in Missouri. These two met at college in Georgia and married in 2012. They have dedicated the 2013-14 school year to serving here at Casa de Fe.

From Cory--

How long have you lived in Ecuador and/or worked at Casa de Fe?
We have been here since early August 2013.

What did you do before you came here?
I graduated college in December of 2012 and substituted in schools around our area. I coached baseball at the local high school.

Why did you come here?

I came here because I felt an overwhelming peace of God's presence in my life about being here. I had never been out of the country for anything before, so it was a stretch for me. In the end, God really laid it on my heart to leave our comfort zone and be open to his plan--no matter where He might take me.

What is your job/role at Casa de Fe?
My job is teaching PE to all of the school-aged children, and the other half of the day is helping out with construction.

What is your favorite thing about Ecuador/your job at Casa de Fe?
My favorite thing about Ecuador is the slow pace of life, and the opportunities that come up for great conversation and community to begin. In the States, I felt like I was so fast-paced that I missed so many opportunities to pour into people's lives and vice versa.

My favorite thing about Casa de Fe is getting to do PE with the kids and staying active with them. Sometimes I think I must be doing something wrong, or I have the wrong job; because, I get to play games with the kids every day, and I love it!

What is your least favorite thing about Ecuador/your job at Casa de Fe?
My least favorite thing about Ecuador is not knowing the language of the people very well. That's also my least favorite thing about my job at Casa de Fe. I feel like I could have so many good relationships, but the language barrier is a struggle.

How can our readers pray for you?
You can pray that while we are here that we won't just be gearing our time towards training the kids to be "good students", but rather have them understand that we love them and desire for them to be able to succeed later on in life.
Readers can also pray for our marriage, that in difficult times we will not only lean on each other, but that we would rely on God to encourage and strengthen us.


From Asia--

How long have you lived in Ecuador and/or worked at Casa de Fe?

We moved to Ecuador August 11th of this year.

What did you do before you came here?

I taught self-contained special education.

Why did you come here?

I came to Casa two summers ago while in college. I was majoring in special education and wanted to see what a special needs orphanage/home looked like and if it was the direction I thought God was leading me to long-term with the passion he had given to me for children with disabilities. I was never able to shake the deep way that God imprinted each face at Casa on my heart. We came because we love to love on others. My favorite quote/life motto is "The place God calls you to is where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet." We know here that our gladness and the needs in Ecuador, specifically at CdF, meet and we feel privileged that God is using us.

What is your job/role at Casa de Fe?

I am currently working in a marketing role in the mornings and teaching and working with the special needs kids in the afternoons.

What is your favorite thing about Ecuador/your job at CdF?

I love knowing that every ounce of knowledge that these kids soak up, whether it's learning English or simply learning to sign yes or no, will empower them. They have the potential to be anything they want to be and to be here even for a moment in their lives is such an awesome experience. 

What is your least favorite thing about Ecuador/your job at CdF?

I wish I knew more Spanish! I took sign language as my foreign language in college and as much as I love it, it's not getting me very far in Ecuador!

How can our readers pray for you?

Pray that we would continually be challenged everyday - as a couple, as friends, as workers, as Christians. Not only to be challenged, but to work through the challenges and grow each day.

Meet the Staff Monday--Renee

Meet our Occupational Therapist, Renee. When her husband was called to serve on the mission field here in Shell, Renee didn't waste any time finding her place of service at Casa de Fe. All the way from the shores of Lake Michigan, this family is committed to serve for as long as the Lord will use them here. 

1. How long have you lived in Ecuador/worked at Casa de Fe?  2 years in Ecuador and at Casa de Fe

2. What did you do before you came here? Studied Spanish for a year in Costa Rica and prior to that worked part time as an Occupational Therapist and full time as mom.

3. Why did you come here? My husband and I felt the Lord leading us to return to Shell after a one month trip in May of 2009. We did not know the plans He had for us - just that we were to return. Although we serve with separate ministries we know that this is our home for now.

4. What is your job/role at Casa de Fe? I work part-time as an Occupational Therapist, which means I get to "play" with the little ones who need a little extra help fitting in with normally developing children.

5. What is your favorite thing about Ecuador/your job at CdF? Absolutely love the kids at CdF. I can't imagine not being a part of their lives and sharing in their triumphs.

6. What is your least favorite thing about Ecuador/your job at CdF? My least favorite thing (and I'm pretty sure this has been mentioned multiple times already) about Ecuador is the number of people who cut in line or push their way in front of you when you are waiting to check out your groceries or ask a question.  My least favorite part of my job is watching the little ones grieve when they are separated from their families.

7. How can our readers pray for you? Pray that I and my family would come to know and love the Lord better each day.

Meet the Staff Monday--Jeff & Steph

This week's featured staff members are Jeff and Stephanie. These Bama fans are originally from Mississippi and have already fulfilled 15 months of their original 2-year commitment to Casa de Fe. Married for 19 years, they are parents to Jesse (16), Abi (9, almost 10), Ana Claire (7) and Ainsleigh Grace (4).

Jeff--

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

A: We moved here on May 19, 2012. 

Q: What did you do before you came here?

A: By trade, I was a plumber for nearly 20 years. By calling, I had been a youth pastor for about 13 years.

Q: Why did you come here?

A: My son, Jesse, and I came on a short-term team in March 2011. I saw what God was doing here, and I saw that Casa de Fe needed help. I began to pray on the plane ride home for God to make a way for my family to move here if this was what He was calling us to.

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

A: Maintenance Manager and Team Project Leader. 
As Maintenance Manager, it is my responsibility to keep all of the buildings and appliances maintained in the four buildings on Casa de Fe property. I also help with maintenance at our Casa de Fe missionary staff homes when needed. 
As Team Project Leader, I work with short-term mission teams. I make sure everyone is assigned appropriate tasks for their skills and abilities in an effort to make the most impact for their short time here.

Q: What is your favorite thing about Ecuador/your job?
A: I love the weather, even the rainy days. I love the kids. I love people, our Ecuadorian and missionary staff as well those that travel here on teams.

Q: What is your least favorite thing about Ecuador/your job?
A: About Ecuador: The inconvenience of not being able to get all that I need at one store. And some things have to wait until a team can bring them.
About my job: Again, the inconvenience. It's frustrating to not have the tools or parts that I need to complete a task. I am thankful for the teams that help us by bringing tools and parts when we ask for them.

Q: How can our readers pray for you?
A: Pray that I would always yield my will for His will. Pray that I would reflect Christ in all that I say and do.

Steph--

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

A: We moved on Ainsleigh's 3rd birthday, May 19, 2012.

Q: What did you do before you came here?

A: I had done lots of things. My main job had always been 'Mommy', but I had also owned a couple of businesses through the years including a daycare and a consignment shop. In the year or so before we moved to Ecuador, I was a full-time stay-at-home mom to our children and foster-mom to a total of 8 foster children (not all at the same time). Looking back, I can see clearly now how God used all of those experiences to prepare me for my work here.

Q: Why did you come here?

A: Jeff and Jesse came to Casa de Fe on a short-term team in March 2011. Jeff came home ready to pack up and go, but I wasn't so sure. Jeff was praying for my heart to change, and eventually the Lord turned my heart toward Casa de Fe. I began to pray that if this was the Lord's will for us that God would break Jeff's heart for this place and have him lead us here as a family. That is exactly what happened.

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

A: Donations Coordinator. I communicate with teams and individuals that are planning to travel here about items needed for the foundation. I receive those items, organize their storage and distribute them to the proper departments as needed. I manage the children's wardrobes, and have just spent the past month fitting everyone for school uniforms and school shoes.

Last year, I taught an Enlish-as-a-Second-Language class every day at Casa de Fe school. This year, I will be a substitute teacher for the English classes when needed.

Q: What is your favorite thing about Ecuador/your job?
A: About Ecuador: I like the weather, and the people are generally very friendly. The landscape is breathtaking as well, a constant reminder of a Wonderful Creator God.
About my job: I love seeing smiling faces when I give a new child a wardrobe and she realizes it belongs to her. I love being a part--even a small part--of something so much bigger than myself.

Q: What is your least favorite thing about Ecuador/your job?
A: About Ecuador: I don't mind walking, but the terrain, even the city streets here in Shell, are pretty rough. I also don't like that I can't order things online and have them delivered to my door. Spoiled, I know...
About my job: I am a bit of a perfectionist and often feel that I don't do my job well enough. (If you saw my work space right now, you might agree!) Also, my work space is on the 3rd floor of the Multi-Use Building, so it gets very hot up there. I try to keep a positive attitude by calling it "my sauna"!

Q: How can our readers pray for you?
A: Pray that I will hunger and thirst for Him above all else. It's so easy to get caught up in "working" for the Lord and neglect being still before Him, worshiping Him, enjoying fellowship with Him and being fed from His Word. Pray that I will love like Jesus--with grace and mercy and sacrificially when necessary.

You can read more about the Freemans' experiences in Ecuador at their family blog Life with these Kids.

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.

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.

 

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).

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.