August 2025 Newsletter
REGISTER NOW FOR KILOMETERS FOR QUITO
Make plans to join us in Atlanta for this year's newly revamped KM4Q event! As our second largest annual fundraiser, KM4Q supports Amor y Esperanza by pouring into their teacher salaries. Scroll down to take in a powerful video message from some AyE teachers. What better way to support Christ-centered learning in Quito than to contribute to the wages of these beloved educators?
What is different?
This year our annual fundraiser will look a little different! We have organized two Fun Runs to raise $50,000 for Amor y Esperanza, so mark your calendar:
Whitefield Academy – Saturday, August 16th at 4 PM
Trinity Anglican – Tuesday, August 19th at 5 PM
How can I help?
For every 25 registrations, $5,000 in Milestone Donations will be "unlocked" - up to the first 100 registrations! That is $20,000 of support that our community needs to "unlock" through registrations. Our first milestone has already been reached - THANK YOU to our early registrants! Adult registration is $100 and student registration is $25, all fully tax deductible, and includes an awesome T-shirt. Even if you cannot attend either event, you can still help us reach our goal by donating toward KM4Q at the link above. These donations and registration fees go toward meeting our $50,000 KM4Q goal, so we encourage as many supporters as possible to sign up! What are you waiting for?!
Is there a bonus?
We are excited that Pancho, Pitty, Maria Victoria and Danny will be at both events, casting vision for the next school year and sharing how God has used your generosity to impact so many lives. They look forward to seeing many Ecuador Mission Trip alums and future attendees. As an additional bonus, there will be raffle prizes up for grabs at the Whitefield event! Hope to see you at KM4Q!
AyE TEACHERS REFRESHED AT RETREAT WITH TRINITY EDUCATORS!
In July, after a short break and period of quiet once all the students finished their school year, a group of Trinity adults traveled to Quito to host a retreat for the AyE staff. By all accounts this was a refreshing blessing for everyone, with beautiful bonds formed over shared experiences. Some rose early to help the kitchen ladies prepare breakfast for the AyE teachers, selflessly serving those who serve the students all year long. Meredith Schoppe, an Atlanta-based speech therapist, shares her perspective about this retreat:
"Recently I was given the chance to travel with a group of educators and translators to attend Amor y Esperanza’s teacher retreat. Our role on the trip was to participate in the trainings, bond with the staff members, and to provide some continuing education on topics such as teacher engagement, positive behavior support strategies and working in the classroom with children who have endured trauma. It was an amazing experience to grow both spiritually and professionally.
What struck me the most about the staff at Amor y Esperanza is their deep love for the gospel and each other. They worshipped emphatically, and praised God for the opportunity to do His work at school. They also stood with each in the joy of singing, hugging each other through hardships shared and even standing in the baptismal pools to provide support for those getting baptized for the first time.
It was also such a gift to share the continuing education with them. They were an amazing audience-taking notes throughout the session, and asking clarifying questions throughout. At the end of our time, we stood together in prayer and they called us brothers and sisters and blessed our work in the year to come. This trip provided a much needed reframe on how I approach my work and interaction with my coworkers. It challenges me to draw from a deeper source, and not fall into familiar habits of cynicism and petty complaints. I think a lesson we can all take from Amor y Esperanza is the need to draw joy from the work that the Holy Spirit has called us to.”
ZOLA FAMILY VISIT IN AUGUST
We are thrilled to have Pancho, Pitty, Maria Victoria and Danny in the U.S. this month! In addition to joining the KM4Q events, they will be visiting various churches, schools and LHF supporters during their time here. If you would like to personally connect with them while they are here, please drop us a note and we will do our best to make it happen!
STAY UP TO DATE
Please check out our Instagram and/or Facebook accounts and give us a like or follow - it's a great way to support LHF and AyE as well as stay up to date on the latest happenings! Reach out to us via email with any questions!
HOW CAN YOU PARTNER WITH AMOR Y ESPERANZA?
Pray! Current needs are:
Safe and fruitful visit to U.S. for Zola family
Holy Spirit will guide the number of and particular students He wants to enroll at AyE this year
Transformed lives in the Carmen Bajo community
Against spiritual warfare at school and in the community
Staff and students' health, safety and growth
One-time giving is always appreciated and helpful, too! Make a gift here.
Interested in serving on a LHF committee? Please reach out to lhf.quito@gmail.com.