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News for Friends, Family, and Partners January 16, 2007 Dear Praying Friends, Thank you so much for your faithful prayers for us! They truly sustain us, and we would not be able to be here without your prayers. Many of you know that we have both suffered from health difficulties. Mike has struggled with back pain, which hit a high (or low!) point sometime in February. We are very thankful to report that he is much better, and is able to function! For a while, he could not sit, stand, or change positions without significant pain. On the other hand, Robin was suffering with several bouts of stomach/intestinal problems. After several weeks, many medical tests, and several different antibiotics, she finally began to recover. At this point we are both feeling well- which is good because ministry responsibilities and opportunities have taken off like a rocket! Please keep praying that God would sustain us in this very busy time. Where to start? We are so excited that our ministry is taking off! First, we have started a new savings and loan ministry group at La Gracia church, where we attend. We are very encouraged that the group has identified a vision for ministry which has the primary goal of helping one another, and reaching out to others. They will be making their first savings deposits on Saturday evening. Please pray for the Grace Help Group. In addition, there are a few families who come to the church from far in the south of the city. It takes them about 2 hours to get to the church. They are from poorer families, and would really benefit from a financial ministry. We have visited with them in their neighborhood, and they are also interested in beginning a group. Please pray for Timothy, Isabel, and Hilda as they invite friends and neighbors to participate. They especially appreciate the Bible Study aspect of the groups. In addition to work with Hispanic Ecuadorians, we are also working with Quichua churches. Beginning on April 12, we will be helping to teach reading in Quichua. We are beginning a beginners class which we think will take about 3-4 months. Please pray that the church would be willing to provide helpers for the class. We really desire to equip folks to be able to repeat the class at another time. At this same church, we will begin a small business development class entitled, “Plan a Successful Business Giving Glory to God.” We are thankful to Freedom from Hunger, and the Chalmer’s Center for access to good materials. Pray for Robin as she translates the materials, and pray for both of us as we present the materials. This class begins on April 16, and will last for 11 weeks. In addition, at this same church, we are trying to help with a savings and loan cooperative which was started about 8 years ago. They are experiencing some great difficulties, and have requested help. Please pray for great wisdom as we provide counsel, and try to help them develop an effective system of rules. In many ways, there has been a real breach of trust between the board and the members. Pray that the board will be willing to do what is necessary to begin to restore trust in the system, for the good of the church, and to the glory of God. In May, we will be helping to host a music festival presented by a Quichua church here called Sembradores de Cristo (Christ’s planters). They have asked us to present a workshop on Christian money management. Pray for us as we plan for this workshop. We want to bring in issues of stewardship of both time and money. We have access to good materials, so we ask that you would pray for wisdom! In March we hosted MTWs Advanced Medical Leadership Training, which trains medical professionals in how to lead short term medical missions teams all over the world. There were eight instructors, and 18 “students”. We learned a lot, and enjoyed our time with the group. As part of the training, we arranged for two clinics, one in a rural Quichua church outside the city, and the other in an urban Hispanic church. The visiting doctors mentioned that they saw great spiritual darkness and poverty here. Please pray for us, our team, and other Christian ministries here, as we seek to bring the light of the gospel to those wandering in spiritual darkness. Even within the church we see incredible needs. Pray that God would give opportunity, and open the eyes of those with whom we work. On the family front, Whitney and Waverly had a good time playing basketball. Being good support players, they got playing time in most games. Last weekend was the end of season tournament, and happily both the guys and girls teams won their tournament. We were very appreciative of the good coaching, and strong emphasis on character. What a blessing! Please pray for William and Amanda, and all of Amanda’s family. Her mom, Ellen, has been struggling with cancer for a year and a half or so. Will and Amanda have been able to go to Chicago to visit with her a number of times over the last few months, for which we are all thankful. At this point hospice is coming in to help, and she is receiving palliative care. Please pray for all involved; the situation is very difficult for all. Please also pray for Wendy as she finishes her semester. She is very excited that this summer she will be going to Guadalajara, Mexico for 5 weeks, as part of a university exchange. She is still in need of some summer work before and after the exchange. Please pray that God continues to provide for her. We are thankful for your partnership with us here in Quito. We are finding many opportunities for ministry. Please let us know how you are doing, and how we can pray for you. Blessings, Mike and Robin McMahan
Write us at: Mike and Robin McMahan
Email: Vonage phone: 770-573-0586
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April 6, 2007 |