by Grace Knor as referenced in Winter 2012

Grace finally meets with her sponsor child, Joseline

Hello. My name is Grace Knor and I am fourteen years old. I have just returned home from a two and a half month stay in Ecuador. I stayed with my Uncle Fred and Aunt Arlene and my cousin Erin. Before I went on this trip, I did a series of fundraisers to raise money for Word & Deed. All the money that I raised went to the children in the sponsorship projects in Quininde, Ecuador. The kids there had no Bibles, so I raised enough money to buy Bibles for all the children in Cesar Proano and also for the children that will be in the Malecon project which is just starting; both projects support 100 children each. I stayed in Ecuador for just under three months and took part in a number of children's programs, including two Vacation Bible Schools. I was privileged to see many beautiful places and make a number of friends. It was such a great experience for me! I received weekly instruction from a Spanish tutor, learned much about the Ecuadorian culture and saw the trusting faith of God's people there through their difficult circumstances. I was also able to visit the sponsorship child that I have through Word & Deed in Quininde and see how she lives. This was a fantastic trip that I will never forget. I hope you will be able to experience a mission trip sometime too. A special 'thank-you' to the Jonkmans for their hospitality as well as to all those who generously supported the fundraisers enabling us to give the Word of God to the children in Ecuador. Que Dios les bendiga! (May God bless you!)

Grace Knor is the 14 year old niece of Fred & Arlene Jonkman. She is in Grade 10 and is homeschooled. In her spare time, she loves to quilt, bake and play sports (especially soccer).