howard's south america travels

 A once-familiar view, looking out over the valley from Gramado, where our girls were born and spent their early years. Que saudades!

The dining room certainly did not look like this during our time in Gramado!

Some of this year's Bible School students.

Claus Dietrich, mission coordinator and one of our former students! 

The TeachBeyond Global board and senior leadership team. Howard was busy with logistics and translating, on top of the usual meetings and visits.

The special installation service of our Brazilian National Director, Juçara (the rose among the thorns)!

The famous Christ-the-Redeemer statue overlooking Rio de Janeiro.

The Rio de Janeiro cathedral. 

"Co-posing", along with Juçara, with Tom Jobin, famous Brazilian composer on the beach he immortalized with his song.

Our president, George Durance, is also a very good - and dedicated - photographer.

So dedicated, he will go to great lengths to get just the right shot, inspiring his team, leading by example! 

Sunset in Rio.

In São Paulo, where Howard's navigation and translation skills were put to the test as he helped a colleague who came down with a serious infection and required hospitalization.

The waiting room.

The conditions and equipment were not at all indicative of the quality of the care given by these young and competent specialists, who left their patient smiling at the end!

A quick stop in Quito, Ecuador, visiting our colleague and cementing our partnership with this inspiring school that is transforming a poor neighborhood.

Our fantastic team at El Camino Academy in Bogotá, Colombia.  

Howard's suitcase has been to many different places. Here it is heading for a fishing village called Bocachica on an island off the coast of Cartagena.

The pastor's wife and son, guiding us around the village and showing us the property their church owns and where they may build their school.

The team engineer, coming down from Bogotá, donating his time to this much-needed project.

The property (above) and a water vendor (below). There is no potable water on the island. It is brought in from the mainland and sold on the island.

These beautiful children do not have much hope. The one school in the community - a public school - is completely inadequate. Illiteracy is high even among graduates, and the socio-economic conditions are not really improving. A Christi-centered school with strong academics, ESL, and Christian values represents a great Hope for islanders. We are doing what we can to help.

Supper at the pastor's home.
Howard said it was very good and I think the presentation is quite lovely!

Our team and hosts, Colombian missionaries working at great personal sacrifice to reach the islanders.

A quick stop in beautiful old Cartagena before heading back to Bogotá for final meetings with our team and school leadership, and then, what Howard always calls the best part of his trips - home! A total of 13 flights, 3 countries, 6 ministry stops, 8 beds, much progress and safe travels.
We are grateful.