Math Teachers Retire

 

June 21,20

Keith and RuthAnn Morris have served as volunteer Math teachers at the International Alliance Academy in Quito Ecuador for the past 9 years and greatly impacted the lives of their students. Their service also saved the Church of the Nazarene tens of thousands of dollars because Nazarene missionary kids received a huge discount because of their work.Morris

They will be returning, early Monday morning, June 22 to the USA and settling in the Fort Myers area where they were teachers for 33 1/2 years before moving to Quito.

Upon arrival, they are going to quarantine themselves in a nice quiet place and continue teaching to finish out the school year, travel around to visit family, spend a week or so hiking on the Appalachian Trail, and then they will look for a house and get settled into a new life. 

When asked, Morris' said they will miss many things about the students.  This is what they shared, "The thing that struck us most when we started working at the school here was having students who wanted to learn.  We would get to the school around 6 a.m. (even when we lived at the seminary) and have students show up to get extra help.  We would stay after to work with students because they wanted the extra help.  We loved working with these students!  When Keith was telling the students that it was time for us to be closer to our grandchildren, one of his students said, "But Mr. Morris, you have 14 and 15-year-olds here who need you!"  The spiritual discussions and life discussions we have been able to have with our students here have been priceless.  We may have impacted lives around us, but these students and fellow workers have impacted us to a great extent.  We now have friends all over the world! 

Keith had an extremely touching experience that happened this week. One of his former students just graduated from dental school.  She contacted Keith to schedule a teeth cleaning.  She refused to let him pay for it and instead gave him a gift.  She and her dad who owns the dental office refused payment because they said they loved him and wanted to do this for him.  We taught in the states for 33 1/2 years.  Rarely if ever did students or parents ever thank us for the hours we put in to help their children.  Here, they don't stop thanking you and want to keep in contact with you." 

In conclusion, the Morris would like to say.  

"We are going to greatly miss the beautiful people and country. But, starting last summer, God kept nudging us with sermons, devotionals and messages about how important it was for us to be in the lives of our grandkids and children.  Every time we started thinking maybe one more year, another message or devotional would remind us that our children and grandchildren need us.  It is painful to say good bye, but it is also exciting to have the opportunity to spend more time with family.

We have greatly appreciated the kind words and prayers of our fellow missionaries here in South America.  Our prayers are with you, that God would open new doors and opportunities to minister to the people in this beautiful part of the world.  May God protect you and keep you safe as you continue to minister."

Please be in prayer for Keith and RuthAnn as they settle into retirement.