Prayer Requests: May 2013

I would love if you'd continue praying for me...

1. For the rest of my support to come in. I am currently 40% supported and am waiting for approximately $2,800 which would cover the rest of my expenses for this trip. Total support would cover airfare, the internship cost, transportation, food, an internship credit through Northwestern College and additional expenses including passport renewal and international insurance. I trust in the Lord to provide for me financially and know that He already has provided through donations from friends and families.

2. For my team members and I as we read the devotional Before You Go by Hempling. That they may be eager to embrace the culture of Shell, Ecuador.

3. For strength as we prepare mentally, spiritually and physically for this trip.

4. For clear and effective communication before and during the trip.

5. For peace for my family and me as I pack, say goodbye and travel to Ecuador.

Two Weeks To Shell!

It has been such a wonderful opportunity so far to support raise for this summer! I appreciate all of the generosity and encouragement that I have received from my friends and family. I am currently at 40.0% of my support goal of $4,800. So far it has been sweet to receive encouraging notes, uplifting phone calls and prayers from you all.

I have begun to get increasingly excited as I talk with more people about this trip! Even though I am a little anxious about it, I am resolving to trust in the Lord through my weaknesses and to serve with the intention of sharing the Gospel. I have started packing some clothes, medications, reading materials and other nick-nacks for the upcoming adventure. I have already renewed my passport and taken care of some of the logistics that go into traveling outside of the country.

I would be overjoyed if you’d continue to pray for me and my team as we prepare for our departure! Please check out the “Prayer Requests” tab on the left side for more specific details.

Bendiciones,
Riva

Before the Journey

I am finally sitting in the comfort of my own home.  I just finished finals on May 16th, left Northwestern for the summer and was able to come home to River Falls and Baldwin, WI, where my parents live.  Being done with school for a while and having a summer to “rest” is wonderful.  I have already enjoyed a day of kayaking down the Kinni River in River Falls, the tulips growing around my mom’s house, frisbee with my dad and the delight of home-cooked meals.  I am finally able to fully invest time into preparing for my adventure to Ecuador.

I am preparing for the trip by reading a couple books.  Our supervisors for the trip recommended that we read two books, Foreign to Familiar by Lanier and A Daily Devotional: Before You Go by Hempling.  These books have been very helpful so far for me to understand some of the cultural shock that occurs when traveling outside of the United States and also the preparation that is needed to best serve people in another country.  I also have sent out all of my support letters in the mail to many of friends and family.

One update that I have recently been notified of concerning support raising is that HCJB Global will match dollar for dollar donations up to $600 from now until the end of the day on May 28th.  Thank you for all of your support thus far!  I look forward to keeping you all posted on more of my preparation for Ecuador!

Prayer Requests: May 2013

I could not do this without your prayers...

1.  Continue to pray for my team and I as we support raise. That people may desire to support us through prayer and financial support.

2.  For my team as we prepare for this summer and all of its challenges through the language, cultural differences and new environment.

3.  For safety as we fly to Quito, Ecuador. I will be flying from Minneapolis to Quito alone and then will be meeting my team in Quito.

4.  For the hospital staff and HCJB Global staff as they prepare for us this summer.

5.  For our team relationships and dynamic and the people that we will be building relationships while we are there. 

Job Description: What will I be doing?

My work assignment will be in Hospital Vozandes-Shell in the outpatient clinic, the emergency department and on the inpatient unit, assisting and observing the doctors with in- and out-patient care.

This will probably entail being present in outpatient appointments, participating in rounds on in-patients, observing and assisting as appropriate in the emergency room, possibly observing in surgery, and conversing with patients to assess physical, emotional, and spiritual needs and anything else that the staff feels you are capable of assisting with.

I will be working with national employees and missionary staff at the hospital. 

Hola!

Hi! My name is Riva and I am currently a junior at Northwestern College in St. Paul, MN. I am majoring in Biology and minoring in Spanish and Biblical Studies. I have always had a heart for missions. I have been to Kentucky twice, Mexico twice, India and South Carolina all for mission trips in the past, and I will now be going to Ecuador for another mission opportunity. I love to serve other people especially through caring for their spiritual and physical needs. Therefore, I am very excited to have the opportunity to go to Shell, Ecuador to serve this summer.

I am apart of a group of seven people, four girls and three guys, who will be going to Shell this summer to serve. Three of us girls, Raquel, Anna and I, will be working in Hospital Vozandes del Oriente. Three of the guys, David, Kevin and Mark, are interested in engineering and will be working on clean water projects in Shell. The final girl, Kathryn, will be working on business and community development. I am excited to be serving with my team this summer especially since our roles and job descriptions are so different.

This blog is for all of my family members and friends who are interested in hearing about my summer away from home in Shell, Ecuador as I participate in HCJB Global’s ENGAGE Summer Internship and work in Hospital Vozandes del Oriente. I am so excited to partner with you all and know that this summer will be a wonderful adventure.