I spy in the corner of our kitchen window on a chilly overcast afternoon on Friday, September 11, 2020...

Three of these items are related to international education

- My son’s spider plant from second grade four years ago!

- Christ the Redeemer nick-nack I bought for my wife somewhere up at that summit in Rio

- Small elephant that my daughter gifted the family from her pre-eighth grade, eleven day service-tourist trip to Ecuador

- A ‘Handmade in the Holy Land’ gift I gave to my wife that I picked up in the Christian Quarter of the Old City, Jerusalem

- Artsy cross given to one of the kids...either at birth or baptism from a family member

- A little figurine of a Saint...I think it’s the one that you bury in your front yard to help sell your house but I really have no idea

My son is 12 years old and in the 7th grade...he sent the following email message to his science teacher this afternoon!

Dear: Mr.xxxxxxx

Is there like a pamphlet for the Ecuador trip so that my parents can start looking at dates for the summer to see if it is possible for me to go.

Sincerely: Andres

Proud father!!!!

His science teacher (name X'd out for confidentiality) is one of the trip co-leaders for the middle school trip to Ecuador. My now 16 year old daughter went on this same trip in August 2015 just before the start of 8th grade and you can see two IHEC Blog posts about her trip here and here and she had the same science teacher and he also co-lead here trip to Ecuador!

My 13 year old daughter and meaningful travel in Ecuador with @GoAbroad

Back in August 2015 my wife and I sent our 13 year old daughter on an 11 day service learning trip to Ecuador through her middle school (see itinerary at bottom).  Needless to say she LOVED her experience and took a bunch of photos!  This past weekend I revisited her photos and have posted a select few I found of her in her GoAbroad gear (her shirt/my hat).  She clearly takes similar photos as her father! 

My 13 Year Old Daughter Left this Morning for an 11 Day Service Learning Trip to Ecuador through her Middle School