Real Life Impact

Hello and blessed day to you all!

MISSION AND FUNDING UPDATE

It’s time for an update and overhaul of the ministry page. Thank you for your patience as I’ve been learning for myself how to navigate the system here and preparing this newsletter.

I’ve stayed pretty quiet these past 6 months as I focused on figuring out this new stage of life and how to move forward with the work we’ve been doing here for the past 10 years (10 years for me, 20+ if you count the time Miguel spent here on the mission field before his passing). It’s still a work in progress, but I know all too well how God uses those who feel not quite fully prepared… yet another beautiful opportunity to lean completely on Him. ❤️

First, an update on the MISSION:

I am currently working on the logistics to offer free English classes as an ongoing project in my little village. Several of the kids have already expressed interest. Since I live close to an area with a lot of tourism, having some knowledge of English can open up opportunities for employment… Many businesses depend on bilingual employees to serve the yearly influx of tourists.

I am also hoping to fund a small year-end food basket campaign for 10-15 families. Honestly, I’d love to do more, and we’ll make it happen for however many families you guys will cover. For those who don’t know, year-end can be especially difficult for some families in the area because it’s the end of the “low season.” Come December, business will have been slow for 6 months in a row due to less favorable weather and lack of tourists. My little team and I will pack and deliver bags loaded with daily staples and a few nice extras for holiday meals. We’ll need $50 per basket and ANY amount you send will help. I’ll begin a separate fundraiser for this particular project because it will require more frequent updates, but in the meantime, please do feel free to donate here with a note that the donation is for food baskets. 

Next up… FUNDING (spoiler… I need URGENT help here!):

Friends, I’m really struggling with funding. In the past 6 months since Miguel passed away, I’ve lost about 3/4 of my monthly support, and I’m not really making ends meet at this point. I urgently need to raise at least $500 more in ongoing monthly support. Any amount is helpful! 

💡 Where Your Donations Go... 

🏠  Basic Living Expenses - $1000 / month

  •  This covers very basic food, clothing, transportation, utilities, insurance, out-of-pocket medical care (my epilepsy medications alone cost about $225 per month), and household expenses. 

🚕  Travel for Ministry & Medical Needs – $100 / month

  •  Serving in rural areas means relying on public transit, taxis, and long-haul buses to get where we need to go and to get where people have needs.

🍲  Food Basket Program – $50 / per basket 

  •  Aside from the separate year-end campaign, I would like to keep this project ongoing to assist families in need as we encounter them.

📖  Bibles, faith-based study materials, and English class materials – $50 / month

  •  I often encounter families in need of a Bible; specific study materials vary and are provided on an as-needed basis; English class materials will be an ongoing expense.

🚨  Emergency Medical Needs – Varies

•  From urgent transport to basic medicines for those we serve — needs arise suddenly and frequently enough such that I’ve always kept this as an important item in the mission budget. There’s really never enough in this account to do everything I’d love to do. I’ve always considered $100 / month to be a bare minimum here. I could easily go through much more if the resources were available.

And finally, here’s how you can pray:

Please take a moment now to join me in prayer for:

• For general health and safety. Kate and I do our best to take proper care of ourselves, eat right, and stay active. Regarding safety, the last few years have seen an uptick in violence, theft, and insecurity in Ecuador. We try not to travel alone and to stay secure when we’re out and at home. But your prayers in this area are greatly appreciated.

• For the ministry work in the communities of the Southern Inland Coastal Regions of Ecuador.

• That the Word of God would prevail in our midst.

• For specific personal health challenges - epilepsy, allergies, and pain management.

Thank you for walking with me in faith and in action!

With much love,

Lauren