The Charlie White Ecuador Scholarship!

I am still living on the excitement of our first Ecuador 2011 meeting that occurred this past Monday night at Forest Park Church!  We had tons of people in attendance and at the end of the night more than 100 people had made the commitment to be on board our 10^th Summer Outreach Trip from Elizabeth City, NC, to Guayaquil, Ecuador.  That is immensely humbling for Scott and me as our prayer when we began this adventure Ten years ago was a faith filled goal of 5 people, including us.  5 to 105:  WOW!

One of the special moments from this past Monday night was the announcement of the recipients of the Charlie White Scholarship.  For the past several years we have awarded a scholarship to one adult and one student and we had plans to do the same for 2011.  However, on August 20, 2010, Charlie White walked from this life on to his eternal life, after suffering an accident.  Last year was the first Ecuador experience for Charlie and Holly and they were forever changed, both individually and as a couple.  Charlie filmed last year’s trip for us, capturing so much of the excitement and passion that Scott and I feel for Ecuador and the beautiful people who live there.  He also caught the special moments that we share with one another as we are immersed in a world where the theme of the week is, “It’s not about me!”  After all the footage was compacted we ended with the most incredible piece of media to bring back to FPC – one that encompasses why we do what we do!  So, to honor Charlie and his beautiful wife, Holly, this year’s scholarship and everyone from here forward will be named after him.  It was beautiful – really, really hard but really, really beautiful!  The recipients were Dustin Williams: Student and Jamie Judge: Adult.  Dustin and Jamie, as well as, their families are immensely grateful for this honor!

I want to close with these words from Charlie’s blog, written on August 7, 2010, after he experienced Ecuador for the very first time:

“I'm finally going to attempt to describe the experiences that I was a part of in Ecuador. It has taken almost 3 weeks to unpack this experience. The most amazing thing is that I am still experiencing Ecuador now and it's not over so this writing is only valid in the moment. The trip to Ecuador was a wonderful revival for my soul and my mind. Away from all of our worldly distractions like phones, email, work, and chores at home I was able to focus on God and people. I saw beauty in people that I haven't seen before. When we get rid of distractions and work together for God and that's all you have to think about awesome things happen. It was a time for building relationships with God, the people of Ecuador, and our team. I can't say that Holly and I have ever experienced a week like this. It was a revival for our relationship as well. I saw so much new beauty in my wife. She showed God given strength, compassion for others, and an all trusting faith. She is my superhero.

I know that I am not there and I know that things are different here in our country but honestly I can see parts of my everyday life that are now suddenly filled with a supernatural beauty that didn't exist before Ecuador. Before the trip I was always on a mission to complete the task at hand and get to the next task. Now I see my tasks as being only part of the mission. The tasks are methods used by God to put us where He needs us so that we can be a part of something so much bigger and if we are only open to it we can experience some great moments. It's not about the work, it's about His work. Don't get me wrong I have not become lazy, I still work hard and do all I can to get the job done but I am more likely to pay attention to the people that have been placed around me because there is a reason that we have all been brought together in a particular moment in time even if I never know what it is I want to be sure that I keep my eyes on Him and not miss His purpose even in the smallest things.

To some people I'm sure this all sounds like I drank some kind of Kool Aid and even a year ago I would have said the same thing. Well I'll just let you know it ain't Kool Aid it's the milk shakes.”

I love you Charlie Watt White, Jr. and I’m taking good care of your sweet Holly!

Until next time,

Lana