Some quick highlights from this month:
-Renewed my passport! :) 
-Met up with some other North American women in Quito
-Found a doctor/clinic, then lost that doctor/clinic, now (fingers crossed) found a new doctor/clinic
-Still struggling to have consistent internet in our new home :(
-Painted (ok, well Ivan painted) the nursery
-Found a local dentist
-Travelled back and forth from Shell, 3 weekends in a row!

I've been reading through the Old Testament and found myself in 1 Chronicles this past month.  After chapters of names, I wondered if I was supposed to be having some inspiration because we still have not decided on any names for our baby boy.  Let's just say, no names really stood out to me.... But what did stand out to me came in chapter 22, as David is talking about his desire to build a temple for the Lord.  He was told a very clear "NO" from God but given the hope that his son, Solomon, would carry out that vision.  In response to that, he doesn't just wait around, but prepares as much as he can for the temple to be built without him.  He stockpiled materials, prepared detailed plans, listed names of workers, and then handed it all over to Solomon.  As we await the birth of our son, we think and talk a lot about what we need to do to prepare and how can we be good parents?  Just as David set things up for his son, to help him carry out what the Lord called him to do, what should we be doing to prepare our child for his future? 

"Obey and study every last one of the commandments of your God so that you can make the most of living in this good land and pass it on intact to your children, insuring a good future." 1 Chronicles 28:8 (MSG)

As David prayed, I also pray, "...give my son an uncluttered and focused heart so that he can obey what you command, live by your directions and counsel..." 1 Chronicles 29:19 (MSG)

30 weeks!

This idea of preparing and the passing of the baton also speaks to me in the area of ministry.  We have big goals and big dreams for Young Life in Ecuador.  Like David, we want to charge full speed ahead and do big things, but yet, we must also be quick to listen in our spirit to God's voice and hear him when he says "NO" or "not yet".  This year, I will not be going to the outreach camp in August (obviously, my hands are going to be full...with a new baby).  It is one of the biggest events that we do in YL and my role for the last few years has been to run the work crew and work through the behind-the-scenes details.  It is a strange feeling to know that I will not be there this year and someone else will be filling that role.  It's a big task and while I could just say "Good luck!" to whoever will be in that position, I am challenged by David's example to put as much into place as I can before I pass it on.  A huge blessing this year for camp will be a team from the states coming to serve on the work crew.  I am reminded that God always provides and He knows our needs better than we do. 

P.S. We are registered at Target, if you are interested in sending a small gift to help us welcome baby!  Please have any gifts sent to my "home" address in VA, by July 14th at the latest.  E-mail me with any questions at rhahn606@gmail.com

May 2017 Newsletter