Report from Pre-Field Orientation

We didn't know what to expect when we found out we had to go to Springfield, Missouri for two whole weeks in June for Missionary training, also known as Pre-Field Orientation (PFO). All we knew was, this was required, and we had to be there from day one, even if it meant our kids would have to miss the last three days of school.

Here is a picture of "Team Ecuador". The Axtells will be working with us in Quito, and the Hendons will be working in the jungle planting churches.

Having read an advance copy of the class schedule before we went out, we knew this was not going to be any kinds of vacation. Every day was taken up with a full schedule of classes, from 9 in the morning until 8 PM during the first week. The second week was somewhat easier - no classes after dinner. Our kids, Shari and Katie, also had a full schedule that sometimes took them off-campus to go caving (very muddy), take an airplane ride (a little scary), and during the second week, five days and four nights camping in the woods (more on this later!).

While many of the academic buildings on the campus of Evangel University were shiny and new, most of the dormitories were not. Karen and I had one room and the kids had another, with a bathroom in between. The rooms were clean but sparse and small, and the mattresses were clearly unbiblical. But, hey, we're here on a mission. We can handle anything, with God's grace.

The first two days, Saturday and Sunday, were uneventful. When we hit the first Monday, though, we were in full college-like activities. Our days were spent in classes large and small, sometimes with all 200 Missionary Associates and Missionary candidates, and other times in smaller groups. The topics were very practical - how to deal with finances while in another country, fundraising, legal issues, technology support, health care, and so on, mixed in with theology classes and cultural training.

We soon got to know many other missionaries. On the first day we were assigned seats with two other couples. One couple, from Tennessee, was going to work in Quito, Ecuador with the same missionary we are. Another couple, from Alabama, was going to work in the jungle with the daughter of our missionary. We immediate bonded and became known as Team Ecuador.

It was wonderful being amidst so many friendly people. Missionaries by nature are outgoing and helpful. We were one of only two or three couples without a car; several folks offered us their car keys if we ever needed to run an errand. Evenings were spent in the common area of the dorm, talking to others, playing games, or watching movies. Laptop computers were plentiful, and we spent time looking at each others photos from missions trips or comparing newsletters and web sites.

Soon we were in a routine. Meal, class, meal , class, then rest, recreation, and bedtime. This was a well-organized operation and it showed. Everything was planned out carefully, and we had enough free time in the evening to relax.

Our kids, Shari (13) and Katie (10) were off at boot camp all day. The Assemblies of God MK (Missionary Kid) program is highly structured and highly regarded for its depth of training. The goal of boot camp is two-fold: to help the kids establish their identity as Missionary Kids (not kids of missionaries, but missionaries who are kids), and to prepare them for the range of cultural differences they will encounter in the field. The kids had to try different foods, such as squid and crawdaddies (with shell and heads still attached). Some kids were holding a prayer session and were interrupted by a gang of "police authority", to prepare them for conditions of oppression in some countries. There was worship every evening that by all accounts was very powerful. Many kids stayed at the altar long past dismissal.

The second week of boot camp for the kids was spent at MuKappa, a campsite in the woods about 20 minutes from campus. The kids had to sleep in hammocks strung from trees, dig their latrine, and had a very short list of what they could bring in - no deodorant or shampoo. They bathed in the river. We were sure our kids would be miserable, but on a midweek visit to the camp, we found them in good spirits and actually enjoying the experience.

The second week for the adults was spent in a whirlwind, intensive Bible study of missiology, which is the theology of missions. Our teacher was Joe Castleberry, and old friend of the church and the leader of the Ecuador trip in 2002. We spent four hours a day with Joe, and then four hours in meetings with missionaries and staff from the Latin America/Caribbean area.

We were reunited with our children on the last Friday. The next big event was graduation for the Boot Camp Missionary Associate MK's, followed that night by a commissioning service for the adults. This was a grand ceremony in the Evangel University chapel, which is a magnificent space. Shari and Katie joined us on stage as we received our certificates.

We will always remember fondly our time in Springfield. We made friends with people from all over the country, heading out to locations across the globe. We felt we had joined a new church family. We keep in contact with other members of Team Ecuador, and our kids have kept in contact with the friends they have made. This was our first major step towards becoming Missionary Associates. God used the experience to affirm our call. We are excited missions in general and our call in particular. More exciting times lay ahead, I am sure.

Joe

Missions Update

We officially kicked of our itineration on Sunday, May 22 at Monmouth Worship Center, our home church. Karen and I had a great time giving our presentation. We met with the Monmouth Worship Center Missions Committee and gave them a full update on our call and our needs. We are so blessed to be members of this church.

Next on the agenda is pre-field orientation in Springfield, Mo. We will be living on the campus of Evangel University, co-located with the Assemblies of God headquarters. The kids will be going off on their own for a few days to learn more about their roles as MKs (missionary kids).

Thank you for your prayers and financial support. God has been so good to us.

Itineration schedule:

Sunday, September 18, First Assembly of God, Freehold, NJ, 6:30 PM.

Joe and Karen

Greetings to our family and friends!

We write to you with news of great change and opportunity for the Hewes family. Karen and Joe, hearing God’s call, have entered into missionary work with the Assemblies of God World Missions. We have accepted an assignment for missionary work in Quito, Ecuador. Joe will be using his 20-plus years of experience in television production and management to help build a Spanish-language, family-friendly television network called Unsión TV. Karen will be working with Unsión as well, and seek opportunities to work with children in Ecuador.

Unsión Television International will be based in Quito, Ecuador. Right now, Unsión consists of one television station. We will be working to establish Unsión as a television network delivered by satellite to North, Central, and South America. Unsión’s goal is to change lives by promoting the gospel message, and by providing spiritual and social counseling by telephone and the internet. In the first quarter of 2005, Unsión logged over 1,500 commitments to Christ.
Here are answers to some of the questions you are probably asking:

· While we have been hearing God whisper to us for more than two years, His call became clear in the past year. We want to devote ourselves completely to doing His work. Karen hopes to become involved in some aspect of children’s ministry.

· We have signed up for a one-year commitment, but we expect to stay longer.

· We will likely sell our house in Marlboro (although we are considering renting it out), as well as most of our possessions, since we will not bring much with us. Precious heirlooms and some furniture will remain in storage.

· Shari and Katie will be coming with us. They are reluctant to leave their friends, but are excited about opportunities for ministry in Ecuador. It is our hope that this experience will benefit the entire family. There is an English-language school in Quito they will attend.

· We do not know the language yet, but Karen has signed up for a Spanish class at the local community college beginning in the fall. Joe will take Spanish lessons at a language school in the city starting this summer. We will continue language lessons in Quito.

· This is not a paid position. All missionary associates are required to raise their own funds for living and travel expenses before going out into the field.

· We will not leave for Ecuador until our funds are raised. We have no idea how long this will take, but our pastor says it usually takes about a year.

We are writing to tell you of this great news, and also to ask you for your support. Most importantly, we ask you for your prayer support.

Certainly not everyone feels a call to go out into the missions field, but this is an opportunity for you to support those who do. We must raise a sizable sum of money, in the form of a lump-sum cash budget and a monthly pledge budget in order to support our family in Ecuador. It is especially difficult to raise the monthly pledge budget.

We hope that, as family and friends, our mission will be near and dear to you and that you prayerfully consider supporting us. This is an opportunity for you to partner with us to make a positive impact in the world. Our local church, family, and friends will make up the bulk of our financial support. Knowing that those we know and love are supporting us will make the journey to Ecuador that much more fulfilling. This is a partnership.

Please pray for us, and please consider partnering with us financially. There are several ways you can give:

· You can send a check made out to Assemblies of God World Missions. Make sure you put our account number on the check (2940526). A short note along with the check, designating the gift to our account number, would be helpful. The address is Assemblies of God World Missions, 1445 N. Boonville Ave., Springfield, MO 65802. They will send you a receipt;

· You can make the check out to Joe Hewes, send it to us, and we will send you a receipt;

· If you can support us with a monthly pledge, please contact us and we will send you the form to fill out.

Your pledge, in any amount, would be most appreciated. No donation is too small or unimportant. No matter how you choose to give, your gift is tax-deductible.

Karen and I have always found it hard to ask for money, but we believe that this is one good reason to do just that. We are confident in our call and our mission; we are excited about the opportunities ahead; we are grateful to those who can support us in prayer and in giving.

Please contact us if you have any questions. We would love to hear from you. You can follow our mission activities at our new website: www.hewesfamily.org.

Thank you and God bless you.

Welcome to the Hewes family web log!

Hello! And welcome to the Hewes Family news blog.

Blog is a word that is made up of Web and Log - Blog. It's all the rage these days, especially among those much younger than we are.

Here you will find news about our family as we travel the road to Ecuador. Please feel free to comment.

And as always, we ask for your prayers and financial support. Please pray for us as we work to raise funds for our year in Ecuador. Please pray for the safety of our family. Please pray for Unsion TV as God continues to bless it.

If you are moved to help us financially please contact us for information about giving.