Cayambe Volcano on the equator

 

Dear Praying Friends,

 

“Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  I Thessalonians 5:18

 

Have you thought much on these verses?  They use the words “always,” “without ceasing,” and “everything.”  We are finding them a bit difficult, and are thankful for your prayers for us, and for our growth in Christ.  At the very least, we are growing in our ability to thank God, even for our poor responses to difficulties, because they serve to remind us of our DAILY (and hourly and momentary) need for the grace we find in Christ and His sacrifice for us.

 

Thank you for praying for Robin’s health issues.  In our last update, we asked for prayer for her endoscopy, which did reveal reflux, a type of gastritis, and a benign growth in the stomach.  In addition, her doctor diagnosed spastic colon, and prescribed several medicines.  She has also had other health issues, such as a bad respiratory infection, and the diagnosis of mild asthma.  We are very thankful that she is much, much better.

 

We are coming to the end of our current Planning a Better Business for the Glory of God classes.  We have enjoyed the two groups of students, and a deepening relationship with two independent churches (Evangelical Church of Atacucho and Evangelical Church of Comite del Pueblo) where we taught.  This past Sunday, we attended the church in Comite del Pueblo to award certificates to the participants.  We anticipate teaching a stewardship class in that church in January.  Please pray that God continues opening the door in both churches for new savings and loan groups. 

 

In addition to the micro-finance and discipleship ministries that we lead, our team offers other key ministries that we are excited to share with our Ecuadorian church partners.  Two of these are MINTS- Miami International Theological Seminary, and a great chronological Sunday School program, originally developed in reformed churches in Canada.  Pray for Mike as he shares these two programs with the pastors at Atacucho and Comite del Pueblo over lunch next week.

Women from our business class in Atacucho making guaype (rag balls)

 

Give thanks that God is opening doors of ministry for us all the time!  In the last two weeks, we have been asked to teach Christian stewardship to low income Ecuadorians, to participate in a Christian community development course offered by Wheaton College, and to participate in the financial training of Ecuadorian missionaries going into all parts of the world. 

 

Another new ministry opportunity is coming up in January.  Joel and Barry Chappeau from St. Louis, MO will join us for four months as interns in mid- to late-January.  Please pray for them as they raise their support and seek God’s longer-term leading in their lives.  Please pray for us as we mentor and care for them, and as we share our vision for holistic ministry with them.  We look forward to a growing time for both of our families.

 

You may be asking yourself (as we have been) how all these ministry opportunities fit together.  Our team’s vision is “By God’s grace and in direct partnership with the national church we seek to promote a church planting movement of healthy, Christ-centered, reformed churches among the Quichua and Spanish-speaking peoples of Ecuador.”  We and our fellow team members see our ministry as a great fit since our whole ministry aims to help churches (and individuals) become more healthy and self-sufficient through holistic word and deed programs.

 

We are so thankful that our God is faithful!  He has provided all of our needed monthly support.  At the same time, we trust He will be faithful to provide for the short fall we are experiencing due to some unexpected and unanticipated team expenses.  We are in need of some “one time” support to bring our account balance up.  In addition, because the Ecuadorian government has decided to tax tuition, we will see increase in school costs of at least 12% for the remainder of the school year.  Would you consider being part of God’s provision to cover this need?  Thank you in advance, for your generous giving.

 

This fall has been great for Whitney and Waverly at Alliance Academy.  They continue to enjoy their classes, friendships and extra-curricular activities.  In addition, all of us are looking forward to the Christmas holidays, when Wendy, William and Amanda will join us from December 24 through January 1.  Whitney and Waverly are thinking of this as their “last” Christmas in Ecuador (I hope not!), and we think this may be the last time we have all of our children together in Ecuador for a long time.  Pray with us for a wonderful family time together, as we remember the birth of our Savior.  We pray that each of you will enjoy time with your families this Christmas season.

  

Mike and Robin on Mount Pichincha overlooking Quito                   Whitney and Waverly having a good time at home

 

 

Blessings in Jesus,

 

Mike and Robin McMahan

Write us at: Mike and Robin McMahan

            c/o MEIPA

            Casilla 17-08-8403

            Quito, Ecuador

 

Email: Mike- mmcmahan@mtwsa.org

          Robin- robin.mcmahan@gmail.com

 

Vonage phone: 770-573-0586