Unbuttoned and Leaving Shell - Part IV

The next day, we made our way to the Nate Saint School for the missionary children.  One more day of activities with them included games, Bible dramas, braceletes galore, baseball and
soccer games.

This part of our journey has really been a different experience for us.  In the past, we've interacted with individual missionary families but to get to interact with many at one time was super fun and inspirational!  Two things impressed us about these kids:  they spoke with Biblical authority and they were not impressed with themselves (although, they did impress us).  First, their Biblical knowledge was quite evident as we prepared the two dramas: Jesus Heals a Paralytic and The Good Samaritan.

They quickly volunteered for all the parts including artists who constructed the scene with chalk.  Once the stories were read, they took over and created the scenes...with authority.  How could they have done this unless with Biblical knowledge!  Secondly, they weren't impressed with their lifestyles, influences, surroundings or appointments.  Working with these kids was a lesson about life:  God first, everything else takes care care to fall into proper place.

It was time to leave Shell, but we'll never in our lifetime forget the people, places and experiences here. We have moved on now.  The Nazarene missionaries, Jon and Shirley Fischer, moved us to Quito on June 22 to complete our last week in Ecuador.  Our almost three months in Riobamba at the Nazarene School were enriching and rewarding.  We made friends there that we will always remember.  The faculty, staff, and students went to great lengths to accept us and make us feel comfortable.  The Nazarene School is shaping hearts and minds to know God and Serve  Him.  We feel privileged that our first assignment with Nazarene Mission Corps was to this school in Riobamba, Ecuador. 

We have learned so much more about God, community, and the value of church.   God has unbuttoned us, and we have learned a lot about ourselves, individually, and as a couple.  We want to stay unbuttoned and open to learn more. 

Where will our next steppingstone take us?  We don't know...but we are willing.

Keep Looking Up and we will, too. 
   Jim and Linda