Chino Valley Community Church

Dear family and friends,

In June I have the exciting opportunity to go to Ecuador on a short term missions trip with Free Wheelchair Mission.  I will be going with my mom and a group from our church (Chino Valley Community) to distribute wheelchairs to the physically disabled poor in Ecuador.  As many of you know, my mom has been to Ecuador before, and I am looking forward to going with her this time.  We leave on the night of my 14th birthday, June 22!!   We will be in Ecuador June 23 - July 3.

Going to Ecuador is really special to me because my grandma lived there as a missionary kid until she was thirteen.  She has told me stories of her life in Ecuador. She told me about ordinary life in boarding school, about meeting Nate Saint (a missionary who was killed with four others by a primitive tribe), and what it was like to visit the United States during segregation. My grandma even crawled under a volcano that erupted when she had later moved back to the US. I am really amazed that I have the chance to visit my grandma’s old home.                                                

While we are in Ecuador, we will be making and distributing wheelchairs to people who could not afford their own. Some are adults who have been disabled since birth.  Since they have never walked they are often a heavy burden to those who carry them and some have even had to crawl to get around.  The wheelchairs give them a greater sense of independence and mobility, and is often an even greater help to the people who care for them.  Others are children.  I hope that these wheelchairs will give them a better chance in the world.

In order to bring these wheelchairs to the Ecuadorian people, I need your help.  First and foremost, please pray for me and my mom.  We will be visiting the capital, Quito, but also some more remote areas.  Please pray for safety and for us to share God’s love in the most effective way.  Secondly, we need financial support.  We need to raise $2000 each.  I am asking that you please be part of this outreach.

We will be sure to take pictures of the great work God has us doing and we will share with you by email.

Love, Carissa

Hello!

I am thrilled to be sharing this experience with my oldest daughter.  I am very blessed to have been a part of Free Wheelchair Mission in the past and I even wrote in a letter two years ago that I would love to bring my girls with me when they were ready.  I am excited to work alongside Carissa as we show the people of Ecuador that God loves them and give them the gift of mobility! I have seen lives transformed by such a simple gift as a wheelchair.

My dad, Carl Somers, recently had 5 surgeries involving a hip replacement.  He is working hard to gain back his strength, but is recovering slowly and at times has the need of a wheelchair and a walker.  Access to these devices was never an issue.  He simply got them because he needed them.  Yet the poor in many parts of the world can only dream of such help.  I am humbled knowing how privileged my family is and recognizing the overwhelming struggles others face.

Growing up with my grandparents’ and my mother’s passion for Ecuador and its people, and now experiencing firsthand with my dad the privilege of having access to a wheelchair, I am incredibly expectant to return to Ecuador with Free Wheelchair Mission.  (And even more so to be going with Carissa!)  Please be a part of this with us!  As Carissa said, we need your prayers and financial support. I can’t wait to share with you how God used you and this team to change lives!

Love, Trina

If you wish to partner financially with us, here are two options:

1. Click on the "Give Now" the right and donate with a debit or credit card.

2.  OR, you can make your check payable to “Chino Valley Community Church” and send to Chino Valley Community Church (attn: Ann Deleon) 14601 Peyton Dr. Chino Hills, CA 91709.  Please attach a post-it indicating "Van Steenwyks- Ecuador" 

Either way, contributions to our project are tax deductible, charitable gifts, and CVCC will send a statement for tax purposes after our fundraising is complete.


You are SO very important to us, and I thank you for considering being a part of our team. If you have any questions, we'd love the opportunity to tell you more about the trip.  Give usa call or send an email!

909-393-2929, tvansteenwyk@verizon.net