Danica Marie, 'Dani' for short, is a twelve-year-old girl who lives in Shell, Ecuador. She was born in Zimbabwe and lived there for six years. Then she and her family moved to California and lived there for two and a half years before they moved to Shell.

     Dani has three brothers: Tyler, 17; Trevor, 14; and Kyle who is ten. Her father, Fred Schmidt, was an MK (missionary kid) in Ecuador for a few years and is now a pilot in Shell. Her mother, Desi, gives piano lessons and often directs our Christmas plays.

     Danica spends her time playing piano, swimming, reading, crosstiching, roller-blading, and hanging out with her friends.

     Dani wakes up at 5:50 on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays to run. Then she eats breakfast and at 8:00 she runs the 100 meters from her house to the Nate Saint Memorial School.

     On Mondays, Danica and the other 35 students walk to the Library/ computer center/ meeting area for chapel. We sing songs and listen to a short message from one of the teachers. She then throws herself into her work with enthusiasm.  When the lunch bell rings she either goes home and eats or brings a sack lunch to school. Then she goes back to school after lunch break and is in school until 3:30.

     Friday nights, Danica walks over to our school library for the 7th through 9th grade youth group. Our praise band, which consists of three guitarists and one drummer, plays along with us in some songs. Then a leader or kid leads us in a Bible study.

     Danica enjoys her life as a missionary kid in Shell, Ecuador.