It has been an eventful month and a half! We were not really planning on it, but Robin had laser eye surgery in January to correct her distance vision and astigmatism. The surgery went well, but the recovery and adjustment time has been longer than we anticipated. She is doing really well now, although her close and middle vision are not quite stabilized. Reading is still quite uncomfortable unless the print is large. Please pray for continued recovery.

A few days after Robin’s surgery, Mike began to experience severe lower back pain. We saw a back specialist, and eventually she hospitalized him in order to give him IV meds, and to provide inpatient physical therapy. He has a herniated disk, but we have been advised that surgery is not indicated. He continues to have physical therapy several times a week, and soon they will send him to start swimming. This problem severely limited ministry for a couple of weeks, but we are now back to work. Please pray that Mike’s back continues to improve, and that physical therapy and exercise will help prevent future problems.

In the midst of these difficulties we are thankful for God’s people here in Quito. Both North American families and Ecuadorian families have ministered to us, and helped to care for us. It was really fun to tell a friend from church that she had been God’s answer to prayer for us.

As many of you know, we are doing Christian stewardship workshops. Currently, we are in the middle of three workshops with three different churches. Between the three churches there are about 40 participants. At a recent class, a man said that they live in a third world country, and they do not really make that much money. We were able to answer that while we understand this to be true, each one of us, whether we have much or we have little, has a responsibility to administer our resources well and for the glory of God. He could see the wisdom in this counsel. Please pray for our Ecuadorian brothers and sisters as they work through God-honoring administration of their resources. In these workshops, people are coming to see that planning and saving are activities which honor God. We believe that several savings groups could develop as a result of these workshops.

Last Thursday, Joel and Barrie Chappeau arrived here in Quito to intern with us for the next 3-4 months. They are from St. Louis, and are considering what God may have for them long-term. Please pray for us as we mentor them; please pray for them as they study Spanish, work along-side us, and build relationships with Ecuadorians. We are excited to have them with us!

Barrie and Joel with members of the San Pablo Stewardship class

Our health challenges have created other challenges with regard to ministry goals for the next few months. Please pray for wisdom in choosing our ministry involvements. Pray for wisdom in the following desires: a trip to Guayaquil to meet with the saving and loan group that began four years ago, as well as encourage some other folks; 2-3 more stewardship workshops; completion of Biblical integration of a money management course for small business owners, and a pilot program using this material; training of 2-3 team members to use all the materials we have taught. Our time-table has had to be adjusted, and we need wisdom to know our limits.

Again, thank you for your prayers for us. Please let us know how we can pray for you. Also, please let us know what is going on with you, as we sometimes feel out of touch.

In His Service,

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