Precious Family and Friends,
Thinking back, it is hard to pick a place to start. Let’s start by turning back time to the end of May, when we loaded up our boxes and our family, for the move to Florida. When we arrived in the Sunshine State it was blazing hot and to be honest, we were pretty tired. Then while we were taking a break, the “Teen Missions Cavalry” showed up to help us unload the big and heavy stuff. We were so thankful for the twenty or so people who helped us get the job done quickly. Praise the Lord!
Our tent site
Now we were off to Teen Missions to begin preparation for the arrival of our team. Which way do we go and what do we do first??? We were pretty clueless. The great thing is that what we lacked, God provided. He set us up with a wonderful and very energetic assistant leader named Allie. She was amazing and she kept Jorge and I out of trouble and pretty well organized.
The day quickly came for our team members to start arriving. Wow! twenty kids and parents with lots of questions arrived in waves. The fun had officially begun. “Go get a wheelbarrow”. “Keep all your stuff off the ground”. “Help your team mate”. “Don’t let your wheelbarrow stop moving under the Big Top”. “Walk single file to the right”. “Stay together as a team”. “Hustle up”. “Whoop Whoop – Rowdy..Ecuador count off”. These were just some of the things said over and over again that day.
Ecuador team being silly
Over the next two weeks we got into our groove learning lots in our classes and enjoying our worship rallies at night. Our team was blessed seven out of fourteen days to get the “Piggy Award”. For those of you who do not know what that is….let’s just say we had a challenging time keeping ourselves and our stuff picked up. So each night at rally, Jorge, Allie K. and I would wait to see if we got to kiss the pig and if the kids would receive the blessing of cleaning the bathrooms yet again. However on the last possible night our team managed to win the “Cleanliness Award”.
Working on the road outside of the base
After two weeks of Boot Camp we were ready to head to Ecuador. We arrived in Ecuador without any mishaps, ready to get started on our projects. While we were there our group worked hard, played hard and served the Lord well. We worked on many different projects such as replaced the roof on several buildings, repaired or replaced fencing, lots of concrete work, widened the road outside of the base, worked on the septic tank and fertilized a field.
Evangelism presentation at the park in Latacunga
We enjoyed the times we went into Latacunga to a park and shared the love of Christ with the local parents and children through song and puppets. We also had the privilege of sharing in the local churches on Sunday mornings.
Before we knew it, we were back at the base in Florida finishing up our Debrief time and our kids were headed home. What a blessing the summer had been for our whole family. This summer is over and we are already getting excited about what next summer will hold. We are blessed to already know that we will be leading the Scottland Preteen team. Registration is open so sign up early! We would love to have the opportunity to spend the summer serving the Lord alongside your child.
The kids are now in their new schools and Jorge and I are working at the base learning the ropes. We are blessed to be serving in this ministry. It is only by God’s goodness and grace and by your faithfulness through financial and prayer support that we are here. Jorge and I ask that you would pray and ask God how He would have you come alongside us in this ministry. 
We are blessed to be His hands and feet; to go where He leads. Always remember that you can’t out give God, He will always top your blessing. Thank you for loving and supporting us, we are so grateful for the sacrifices you are making that enable us to be here.
Jorge, Allie, Timothoy, Austin, Isabella Valldeperas
http://valldeperasfamily.blogspot.com