As we teachers wrap up grading for first semester, we are reminded that the days and weeks go quickly and June will be here in the blink of an eye. It’s time to start working on the Ecuador checklist! Below are some items you will want to get working on, if you have not already:
Immunizations
- Hep A and Hep B shots: Highly, highly recommended but not necessary to enter the country. There have been hep A incidences with the local people; none so far with teams but we will take the Foggs’ advice and stay away from swimming in the local rivers.
- Yellow Fever Vaccination: Highly recommended but not necessary to enter the country. Since students will be getting Hep A and B, the Foggs recommend getting this done as well.
- ** Have students staple the yellow immunization card into their passport, it is easy to access that way if someone were to ask.
- Note about other immunizations: Malaria and Dengue Fever are NOT prevalent where we are going. The health department may say something about shots or pills but they are not necessary. The students will not be in any location where they will be exposed to these ailments.
Packing List: If you want to get started on some shopping, the Foggs recommend that students pack:
- Grubby clothes for painting (jeans, T-shirts, longer shorts - meaning 2 inches above the knee or less). Stay away from tank tops.
- A nicer outfit for church, but jeans are fine to wear there too
- A one piece suit or tankini for a possible visit to the waterfall or T-shirt and shorts that can get wet
- Footwear is whatever is comfortable for walking and working in (flip flops, tennis shoes...)
- Water bottle
- Sunscreen
- Bug spray
- Sunglasses
- Hats, to shade the sun or keep paint out of hair
- Rain jacket or poncho is helpful too
- Spanish/English Bible (or download the two versions to your iPod Touch, phone, iPad, etc...use You Version or Bible Gateway may have that option, too)
Friday, April 19: $750 check written to Holland Christian Schools
Friday, May 17: $700 check written to Holland Christian Schools and $400 written to HCJB Global (donations to HCJB Global are tax-deductible)
Team-building Dates: (students and chaperones)
Thursday, February 21, 7:00pm - view and discuss film: End of the Spear
Thursday, May 2 at 7:00pm - learn more about Ecuador, discuss issues surrounding cultural sensitivity, and any last minute details
**Students have also organized monthly lunch dates at school in order to get to know each other. We are blessed to see that they are so eager to build a community together!
Prayer: Please continue to be in prayer for the students going on this trip. Pray that God will prepare them for the work that He will do while in Ecuador. Pray that God will challenge them, give them a heart for the people of Ecuador, and a desire to get involved in God’s meaningful work around the world. Also pray for the people we’ll be in contact with. Pray that the Holy Spirit will go before us.
As always, please do not hesitate to contact either of us if you have questions. If we are not able to answer your questions, we’ll contact the Foggs and get back to you :)
Thank you,
Andrea Schuitema and Amanda Cisneros
