Even though she was tired and had not been able to nap on the flight, there was no trace of fatigue. There was a spring in her step; she was eager to begin experiencing Ecuador, and all that it held for her.
As she, David and Sarah walked to Customs to declare their reasons for coming to Ecuador she was overjoyed to tell the official that she was there to teach. Officials of the mission and the mission school as well as some of David’s friends met them at the airport. All were anxious to welcome David and Sarah back, and to meet the new teacher for the mission school.
Cate remembered her impressions of each. Dr. Patterson, the director of mission work was a likeable, gray-haired, godly man. Cate could tell immediately that he loved the Lord, the mission work and was grateful to have David back. Matthew Kennedy, the young, handsome director/headmaster of the mission school, was there. Cate knew that he and David were very good friends and that was why he had trusted David’s judgment in recommending her to teach at the mission school. Matthew greeted her warmly, and Cate marveled at how much he reminded her of David. She was sure that she would love working with him.
Matthew introduced Cate to Miss Janet. Janet Cook, a petite woman in her late forties, had taught at the mission school for twenty years, and was Matthew’s trusted right hand.
Cate also met Kim Davis, a blonde-haired, brown-eyed, attractive teacher, who’d been teaching at the mission school for the past five years. She and Cate were approximately the same age, and Cate would share a house with Kim and Miss Janet.
Cate also meet Mr. and Mrs. Garcia, who were in their late forties. Mrs. Garcia had worked at the mission school as the janitor and cook, but retired. She knew David and had known Jenny well. She came to offer her services as a housekeeper and cook to David, who gratefully accepted her offer.
Once the greetings were finished and the baggage retrieved, everyone headed to the mission van, except Mr. and Mrs. Garcia, who brought along the luggage in their truck.
As she stepped from the airport building, Cate was amazed by the beauty of the Ecuadorian night. Though it was the last day of July, the temperature was chilly, and spring-like. She saw the silhouettes of mountaintops in the distance against the night sky. They reminded her of Tahoe, where she had worked in the summers. However, she would soon find out how really different Ecuador was.
The little caravan made its way to Otavalo, a small town about thirty-five miles north of Quito, stopping only to drop off Dr. Patterson at his home in Quito. Otavalo was nestled in a valley surrounded by mountains. Cate knew the population numbered fewer than 30,000 and their main industry was textiles. The Otavalenos, the most highly developed modern tribe, were master artisans, who sold their wares at a Saturday market, a famous tourist attraction and one of the main sources of income for the surrounding area. She looked forward to meeting some of these wonderfully skilled and talented people.
As the van proceeded to its destination, Cate reveled in the beauty that God had bestowed upon the magnificent landscape within this part of the Andes. Cate realized that this place was very different from her home, or anywhere else, she had ever been.
Cate, you’re not in Kansas anymore
.
As they passed small villages along the way, she realized that the living standard was nothing she had ever experienced. Even though the American Way on which they were traveling was a well-paved highway, the streets of the villages they passed were unpaved. The houses and buildings were very simple; their builders constructing them from readily available, cheap materials. Simple as they were Cate found them beautiful. Everything she saw was beautiful; deep within her, she had the overwhelming feeling that everything was exactly as it should be, and in her heart she praised God for the opportunity that He had given her
.
Seven
After a two-hour drive through the mountains they arrived at Otavala, which had more paved streets than the villages before. There was a large square for the market, buildings that were more complex and beautifully ornate, a train station and bus service. However, Otavala was not their final destination. The mission school, David’s house and ministry, Cate’s new home and school were located in Peguche, a small village on the outskirts of Otavalo. The little caravan traveled until it arrived at the small village about ten minutes further down the road.
A crowd of local people waited at David’s home to greet David and Sarah, welcoming them home with much joy and love. A representative for the group delivered a brief speech expressing the group’s sympathy for the loss of Jenny and their tremendous love for, and memory of her. David and Sarah’s departure from Peguche had saddened the people of the village and they were overjoyed at their return.
The generosity of the village’s people deeply moved David, and his friends. Finally, he choked out the words, “Thank you friends. May God richly bless you for your generosity and love.”
Because she was more attuned to his feelings than she wanted to admit, and knew how deeply the generosity of these people had moved David, Cate found herself fighting back tears. She breathed a quick prayer that God would help her not to cry. She didn’t want to intrude with what was going on between David, his friends and the town’s people.
Sarah had fallen asleep in Cate’s lap during the trip from Quito. When the group arrived at David’s house and the people were waiting to greet David, Matthew had taken her into his arms to allow Cate to get out of the van. Sarah, who was a deep sleeper, continued to sleep during the speech. When she awoke and realized where she was, she automatically cried out, “Mommy! Mommy! Where are you, Mommy?” Immediately, every eye was on David, who moved toward his daughter.
As he gently took her into his arms, Sarah, rubbed her eyes and continued, “Daddy, isn’t mommy here?”
“No, Sarah, Mommy’s not here.”
“But, Mommy was here.” Sarah had a look of remembering on her face.
“Yes, she was here, but she’s in heaven now.”
Understanding flooded Sarah’s face, “That’s right. Mommy’s in heaven now.”
Seeing the look of sadness on her daddy’s face, Sarah apologized, “I’m sorry Daddy. I thought Mommy was here, but I know that Mommy’s in heaven. I miss Mommy, Daddy.”
“I know, Baby. I miss her too.”
The joy that everyone had felt now turned to sadness. They could not help but feel that they were intruding upon a very personal moment between father and daughter. One by one they quietly said their goodbyes and excused themselves.
Matthew and his entourage continued on to the house Cate would occupy with Janet and Kim. Matthew and Mr. Garcia carried Cate’s bags into her room. It was a simple house, but adequate for Cate’s needs. Miss Janet and Kim had shared the responsibilities of cleaning, cooking and taking care of the house. They also shared the expenses involved in providing food and other necessities. Cate assured them that she was quite willing to share in all these things.
After a quick tour, Cate and Kim returned to the living room where Miss Janet had provided refreshments. Miss Janet and Matthew were talking about the upcoming school term and included them in the conversation.
“Miss Jones,” Matthew began.
“Mr. Kennedy, please, call me Cate.”
“I will, but only if you will call me Matthew.
Mr. Kennedy
is my father,” he answered.
“Okay.”
“Cate, I understand that you taught third grade for four years, but haven’t taught for the past year,” Matthew said.
“That’s correct.”
“May I ask why you didn’t teach last year?” Matthew continued.
“You may,” Cate nodded and smiled, “At the end of my fourth year at the elementary school I resigned in anticipation of teaching at a mission school in Mexico. When that didn’t materialize, my job at the elementary school was no longer available, and neither was any other teaching job around Kansas City. After much prayer and advice from people I trusted, I took a part-time job at a preschool and began seminary.”
“May I ask why you wanted a job at the mission school in Mexico?” Matthew asked.
“I wanted to teach in a mission school because I felt that was what God wanted me to do. I applied for the job in Mexico because I was being obedient to God’s call. I was accepted, but the mission organization had financial problems, and had to withdraw their offer of employment.”
Throughout Matthew’s inquiries, Miss Janet and Kim sat quietly, listening with interest to each question and answer. Cate seemed to read an expression of approval upon their faces as she answered each question.
“What age groups did you work with at the pre-school?”
“I worked with three and four year olds mainly, but also some five year olds who had not yet entered school.”
“Did you teach things like colors, shapes, alphabet, numbers and things like that?” Matthew continued.
“Yes, I did. I also taught some reading.”
“Reading! You taught reading to three and four year olds?” Miss Janet exclaimed.
“Yes, I taught them very simple reading: vowel sounds, phonics, simple sight words and such.”
“And, they learned that?” Kim inquired.
Cate nodded, proud of her accomplishment, “Most did well.”
Miss Janet smiled in amazement and nodded to Matthew.
“Cate, how would you like to teach kindergarten at the mission school?” Matthew asked.
“Kindergarten, I thought I’d be teaching third grade.”
“I thought so too, until I talked to David and the head of the pre-school and found out what you had been able to accomplish with your pre-school students.”
“Teach kindergarten?”
Maybe this is one of my callings?
“Yes, I would like that.”
“Cate, I want to make sure that you understand that kindergarten here will not be like kindergarten in America. Some of your students will be older than five, and some younger,” Matthew cautioned.
“Really?”
“As a mission school we try to provide not only a traditional education, but a service for the people of the area. We take students as early as possible to help the parents with childcare issues and we take students who are older, but have been unable to attend school for whatever reason. The government is unable to provide schools in all areas and even then, our school tends to be better than the government schools. We actually have people move to the area, or travel a long way so that their children can attend our school. These people greatly value education. They particularly value the ability to read. Many value Christian education. They want their children steeped in the teachings of Christianity as well as traditional education. We are very pleased that the Lord has put us here to be used in these people’s lives,” Matthew paused and smiled at Cate, “and we are glad that He sent you to us. We’re hopeful that you will be a very valuable asset to help us to minister to the needs and expectations of these people.”
“Wow, I don’t know what to say, I feel so very humbled by the opportunity that God, and you, are giving me. I promise you that with God’s help I’ll do my very best.”
“I know you will. You came very highly recommended,” Matthew added.
“Yeah, David’s opinion carries a lot of weight around here,” Kim chimed in.
“How long have you known David?” Miss Janet inquired.
“About eight years.”
“David was youth minister at your father’s church. Wasn’t he?” Matthew asked.
“Yes, he was.”
“So, your father’s a pastor,” Miss Janet stated.
“Yes, he is.”
“How long has he been a pastor?”
“He’s been a pastor for about thirty-five years. He’s been at his present church for twenty-seven years.”
“So, your father has been a pastor all of your life,” Kim reflected.
“That’s right.”
“Mine too,” Kim added.
“Your dad’s a pastor also?” Cate asked.
“Yep.”
“Mine too,” Matthew added.
Cate looked at Miss Janet expecting to hear her say, ‘Mine too’. However, Miss Janet said, “My father was a farmer all of his life, until he died last year.”
“I’m sorry about your father,” Cate gently touched Janet’s arm.
“Thank you.”
“Well, Cate, I know you must be tired from your flight. It’s getting late; I guess I should be going.” Matthew rose, “But there’s just one more thing. We’re having a reception in your honor tomorrow night around six at the school. We thought it would give the other staff, parents, students, and interested parties an opportunity to meet our new teacher from Kansas.”
“A reception in my honor, that’s very nice.” Cate blushed, “Thank you.”
“You’re most welcome. However, I can’t take credit for the idea. Janet and Kim were the brains behind it, and now that I have met you, I believe that it’s one of the best ideas that they’ve had in a while.” Matthew paused, and before Cate could respond, he continued, “I don’t believe that Job would mind if I paraphrase a little. ‘I had heard of you with my ear, but now I see you for myself and I am amazed.’ Yes, I’m certain that the reception in your honor is a wonderful idea.”
“Thank you all very much.” Cate was embarrassed by Matthew’s obvious interest in her.
“I’ll look forward to seeing you tomorrow night at the reception.” Matthew exited after a reluctant goodbye.
Kim watched with a grin as Miss Janet showed him out, and giggled with glee once he was out the door. “Well, Miss Jones, it seems that in your short time here that you’ve made a conquest,” Kim’s face held a broad smile and a twinkle in her eye.
“Trust me.” Cate held up her hand, “I am
not
interested in making any conquests. I’m here to teach.”
“Evidently, you could teach me a thing or two.” Kim looked to the door where Matthew left. “I’ve been here for five years and Matthew has
never
looked at me like he looked at you from the moment you got off the plane.”
“Yeah,” Cate rolled her eyes, “right,”
“She
is
right, my dear. Matthew does appear to be rather smitten with you,” Janet agreed.
“Smitten with me?”
“Yes, indeed.” Janet arched her eyebrows, “I suspect that we shall have a very interesting school year.”