4th grade class from Laipo school
Happy Easter! Happy Spring! Oh Happy Day!!
We hope you have had a joyful beginning of the new year. It seems that every new year flies by faster than the last. It is only April and so much has happened since our last newsletter. In January we were gearing up for our February Boot Camp and our Team Leader Seminar. We were also preparing the base for the arrival of the Calderon family. Benjamin, Anita and Kadisha. Ben is funny, Anita is so sweet and Kadisha is adorable! We really enjoyed getting to know them and helping them to get settled into their new home. Both Ben and Anita went through the Teen Missions BMW in Honduras and they have lots of wonderful ideas for the Ecuador base. It will be exciting to watch God use them there at the base. Shortly after their arrival we stormed into Boot Camp mode. Though the actual number of team members was low, we had an amazing time in the Lord. The young people that came to Boot Camp were such a blessing to work alongside. During the project we were able to build a bridge over the creek that the children cross to come to Teen Missions every week. Now, the 50-75 children that make a very long hard trek to the base, will be able to do it more safely. The team also spent a week at the base doing a (soccer) football camp for the area children. It was a lot of fun to watch the leaders and Benjamin out in the courtyard playing with the kids. Allie had the privilege of being “Mrs. Piggy”, everywhere she went around the base you could hear the kids saying “Piggy, Piggy, Piggy” and she had to respond “Oink, Oink, Oink!”. She couldn’t sneak up on someone if she tried. It was quite funny. The second week of the team project they were at our church in Latacunga where they did another soccer/evangelism camp. Then, on week three, they were at yet another church in Latacunga where they helped to put a roof over their youth area. What an amazing group of young people.
Soccer camp at the Ecuador base
During the time the team was out on project, our friend Lindy Smith came to Ecuador to help us pack our things. Lindy came bearing many gifts for the base, what a blessing! Thank you, thank you, thank you, to all the people who helped gather the stuff for Lindy to bring! May God bless you for your willingness to give. We had a wonderful time showing her around and introducing her to some of the students who had met her husband “Mr. Curtis”. They thought it was funny that both of them had come to Ecuador, but not together. While she was there we had the fourth grade class from the school in Laipo visit the base. The teacher asked if we could talk to the children about morals and God! Wow! That was amazing, because when she went to her boss to make sure it was okay that she bring the children they said, “NO! Those people at Teen Missions are Christians and we are Catholic”. She looked right at them and said, “They are helping the children, what are you doing for them?”. She then proceeded to bring them to the base and we had a wonderful time in the Lord. To God be the glory! We are so thankful to have been part of the breakthrough allowing ministry to take place on that mountain. God is so good to us and we are so grateful for our 14 months in Ecuador. It was very difficult, yet exciting to be able to “pass the baton” of ministry leadership to Ben and Anita. We know that God sent them and that they are going to do a wonderful job at the base. Ben loves animals and every time he went anywhere we would wonder what kind of animal he would haul back up that hill in the van. During our camp debrief the team went to the Cotopaxi Volcano. Ben went with them and he came home with an alpaca! We named him Snowball, since that day was the first time Ben had ever seen snow. The funny part was that he put it in the van with the 15 leaders and team members! Imagine riding in a van with an alpaca. There will never be a dull moment with Ben around!
The day after debrief ended we flew back to the states with the song lyrics “Where you go, I’ll go. Where you stay, I’ll stay. Where you move, I’ll move. I will follow you.” playing through our heads. The last year was a challenging year that was filled with so many blessings.
Rafael the llama
It was difficult to leave Ecuador, but we were needed back at the base in Florida. When we landed in Orlando boy did it feel HOT!!! We quickly unpacked and began our car hunt and by day five Allie was ready to pull her hair out. Then the beautiful e-mail came through from our friend April saying, “Did you get my Facebook message? My parents are selling their car, let me know if you want it!”. We know her parents and they live only an hour and a half away from us…can we just say that God is Amazing!!! We went the next day to pick up our purple PT Cruiser! So, how many people do you know who go buy a car and come home with a microwave, golf clubs and a table saw? Now that is a deal! Thank you Ron and Judy! God is so good to us. We were able to get right in the car the next morning and head north to see family and friends. In Tennessee and Kentucky we were able to see Allie’s mom, brother, sister and their families and in Georgia we got to welcome the newest addition to our family, Anabella Grace Tineo! Our fourth grandchild! Congratulations Nicole, Abraham and Sammy! We were also able to attend the wedding of the year, Ashlyn Davenport to Joshua Murphy. It was really nice of them to throw a party so we could come and see all our friends. We had an amazing time! Allie didn’t stop talking the whole time we were there. 
We were also able to attend Easter service at Oak Hill Baptist Church, our home church. What a great day it was! He IS Risen!
So the big question that everyone is asking is “What’s next?”. Well, that’s easy…..Boot Camp! We just put up the Big Top yesterday! It was our first time ever being part of that event. It is amazing how God uses volunteers from churches, who give up their spring break to accomplish great and mighty things. We are so grateful for their help! After all the Boot Camps and Debrief, Jorge will be working in the computer department and Allie will be homeschooling the kids as well as working at the base 20 hours per week. The rest is up to the Lord! Our family theme song is “I will follow you!”.
Upcoming Events: #1 As you can see, we have a lot to tell and many pictures to share. We will be hosting a “Ecuadorian Night” in Georgia in late August – early September. We will be serving dinner and sharing more details of our adventure in Ecuador.
#2 We need your help! As faith-supported missionaries we need your support. We also realize that times are hard and money is tight. So we are asking you to join us for a “Get Hungry for Missions” fundraiser! It will be a fabulously fun event! You can be God’s hands and feet. We know that God is going to provide for all our needs and we are looking forward to watching Him use you and the Get Hungry for Missions Fundraiser to do it. Please feel free to e-mail us any of your questions. Smartscents1@ yahoo.com or [email protected] .
Thank you for loving us! We are so grateful for your friendship and your love. Please let us know, through e-mail, how we can pray for you and your family. We love each one of you and we praise God for you.
Keeping our eyes on the SON!
Jorge and Allie
Prayer Requests: – Austin and Isabella’s schooling – Support and fundraisers