Underway

Things are going quickly.

Rebecca and I are both underway with our projects, and the time is racing. Rebecca started by helping design a logo for one of the child sponsor missions that the Jonkman's are involved in. While she was working on that, I was revising some old forms for the same mission to streamline the paperwork, so that the workers can spend more time with the chi

ldren and less time with data entr

y.

The progression of the logo...

Rebecca has also been planning the first few ESL lessons for the classes that she will be leading. The schedule is for a start in early November, with two classes a week at the church, focusing on improving pronunciation.

I've also been assigned to help build three websites, and I'm sure each mission will get a full blog in the future. The first site will be for the San Lucas Mission. This project is focused on improving the living conditions for children living in a poor area approximately four hours from Quito. Because of the prevalence of broken families, these children are often relied upon by their families to work and bring in an income. Expenses in Ecuador aren't too much lower than what we're used to in Canada, and considering minimum wage here is $240 a month, there is little opportunity for children in poorer areas to have proper nutrition and education. That's where San Lucas Mission comes in, where individuals can sponsor children to have nutritious meals, medical care, and increased emphasis on education. Rebecca and I will be visiting this ministry in late November to see first hand the influence this program is having in the community.

In other news, Jesse is sleeping through the night, Ecuador is beautiful, and we're thoroughly enjoying being here.

We would also ask you to pray for us:

Pray that our health would return to us - Rebecca and I were both feeling ill due to the different food here.

Pray that the ESL classes would draw in unchurched people from the neighbourhood - we've sent out flyers to advertise, and now we need to trust that God will bring in people who need to hear the Gospel

Pray for the workers helping with the San Lucas Mission - there are very tough family situations and heart breaking stories with the children involved in this ministry, and the workers are the hands and feet of Christ to these families. Pray for strength for them, that they may bring hope to the hopeless.

More updates coming soon.

Love,

The Harskamps

Arrived and Adjusting

We have safely arrived in Quito, landing a little past midnight on Friday after about an hour delay with our flight from Huston. The Jonkman's have been extremely hospitable to us, making us feel at home right away in their house. I (James) have been feeling a little under the weather, firstly with a headache due to the altitude, and finally culminating into a 15 hour trek in bed which saw me hot, chilled, sweating, and most of all sleeping. This morning? Feeling great. An important thing too, as church starts at 9:30 and goes until around 1, unless there's elder and deacon nominations - then it goes to about 1:30. The church starts with an hour bible study, followed by fellowship, and finishing with a worship service. The ladies kiss you on the cheek, the men firmly shake your hand, and everyone is extremely welcoming. Rebecca has done quite well with communicating with the congregation, while I've mastered the nod-smile, followed by "no habla Espanol", brutally pronounced. Some of the people speak English, and they've been gracious enough to talk to me. I've already been recruited to join the 9 am - 3 pm worship practice on Saturday because somebody sniffed out my guitar talent.

Arelene and Rebecca walking through the neighbourhood

Our first day here (Friday) was pretty relaxed. Jesse was a bit squirrely, and I had some pretty bad headaches due to the high altitude. Fred took us through parts of Quito on our way to play some basketball at the seminary. The city is beautiful, and just like John Denver said, it's in the mountains. The roads curve with the rolling landscape, and the drivers seems to follow the gravity. As our short drive revealed, there is no right of way or official lanes that the locals abide by. However, with Fred at the helm, we felt safe, despite being able to reach out the window and touch a car next to us for most of the drive.

First South American bath time

We arrived at the basketball court, and found a mix of church people and seminary students dressed in the finest athletic gear. Not intending to play (the altitude would be too much for me, right?), I was dressed in a slick pair of khakis, beautifully accented by a pair of black dress shoes. Needless to say, I was probably the best dressed MVP that day. Kidding aside, playing was a lot of fun, and a good way to get acquainted with some of the church.

Almost watching daddy play basketball

The Jonkman's have booked our first two days to just relax and adjust, which we appreciate. When we start with our projects, we promise to give more exciting updates.

Love,

James, Rebecca, and Jesse