YL in Ecuador

Our last afternoon in Quito we had the privilege of connecting with Ivan, who is the National YL director for Ecuador. This was a bit out of the blue as we had emailed many months ago but were not expecting to connect as he was taking kids to camp in the southern part of the country during the week that we were in town. But late the night before our last day, his wife emailed and asked if we would be available as it happened that he was going to be in Quito (which is about 5 hours from their home).

We ended up connecting at a local mall and had a very blessed time. This was a large mall even by American standards and we actually walked into the very door he was waiting at - which we had no idea at all and we were actually dropped by our angry taxi-man a different door than we wanted. Truly incredible!

It was amazing to hear all that God is doing here in Ecuador as YL is only about 3 years old. Ivan saw a need to keep teens growing in their faith and he more or less self started YL without knowing anything about YL or that it even existed!  He even called it La Vida Joven and decorated his home, the meeting place for 'club' gatherings, with this name.  Later he learned that there was an actual organization called YoungLife and La Vida Joven, and connected with Dan Jessup (South America head YL guy who's a friend of a good friend) and was brought on staff with YL. His progress in Ecuador in 3 short years is nothing short of impressive, God is definitely at work through this young man and the vision he has to spread the Gospel to teens. Below is the email with a list of prayer requests from Ivan and a photo of a map with their vision.

Ivan Hahn, Ecuador YoungLife director

Hi Matt,

Glad that it worked out for Ivan to meet you and your family!  I've added you to the e-mail list so you can see our updates and it also has a link to my blog.  I am attaching a map of Ecuador.  The green markers indicate where we have established club/ministry (Cuenca, Shell, Puyo, Calderon, Quitumbe) and the yellow markers indicate potential places to begin based on contacts we have or as part of our goals for the next 5 years (Guayaquil, Galapagos Islands, Ambato, Esmeraldas, Mera, Santa Clara). 

One of our prayer requests would be for God to raise up leaders and adults who are willing to support and volunteer with Young Life in those potential areas.  We pray for wisdom and clarity to know God's plan and timing.  Pray for our leaders as they impact the lives of teenagers.  Pray for the 63 campers who recently made a decision to follow Christ at camp, to grow in their faith and find a Christian community of believers (church) to connect to.  Pray for our financial needs, both personally and for the ministry.  As YL continues to grow and expand so do our financial needs.  Please pray for the thousands of teenagers in Ecuador who still need to hear the message of hope. 

Thank you!

Rachel and Ivan 

 

to subscribe:

http://younglife.us3.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=e21e7e913eadd143ff3576ca7&id=690513d35a

YoungLife in Guatemala!!

On Tuesday night we got together with the director of YoungLife from Guatemala City. He and his wife drove to meet us and we were able to have dinner together. It was a real treat for us as we went to a nice restaurant (big change for us- boys psyched!) and being able to chat with another couple felt much like home (despite language barrier). 

Turns out they are in a bit of a cross roads as starting YL in Guatemala has been difficult. Our timing was amazing as I believe we truly blessed each other. Below there is a list of prayer requests and they would appreciate being lifted up around the world as we told them we know our YL crew would be honored to do so. 

Brief background is that they led Nicuraga YL with about 80 staff and 300 volunteers. They were asked to start YL in Guatemala and have now been here 17 months, only to lose three staff members in the last few months due to conflicts with the mission. They have two kids, live in a new country and have no community to speak of. You can imagine the difficulty. Here is a translated version, thanks to a bi-lingual buddy, on their prayer requests... 

Thank you, thank you for (agreeing) to spend a separate and special time to pray for my family.  Oh how we really need prayers.

My wife and I have had difficult conversations and we ask ourselves several things.  Does she feel that God did or did not confirm this calling?  Another question was ‘Do you feel that our leadership has decreased or diminished?    With everything, it feels like we’re starting anew, like we just graduated and now it is time to start a first day (of the next) class.  We have been here 1 year and 5 months already and there are (days) where we cannot see the (light at the end of the tunnel).  Her health has not been very good as it relates to food, she has been robbed twice and the last time the (lady of the house likely means person who takes care of the house) stole her wedding rings, we had to fire her but could not recover the rings.  Sad.

I pray every moment I can and I ask myself what is the next step.  What should I do Jesus?  Sometimes I don’t know, I hope to find an open door, but for now I can’t even see the door (no hope).

We have made the decision (implied by coming here) to leave behind those who we love and who love us, in exchange for (pursuing) those who do not love us.  This is without a doubt, the same decision Jesus made.

Prayers:

1.       For my wife, that she may find peace amid many questions

2.       My children, I have been thinking and praying to find them a place to study English or music twice a week in the afternoons

3.       For me, that Jesus may show me the way and the next steps

4.       Sandra and Aury are the only 2 staff in this country and it is possible that they won’t be here in 2 months

5.       For my back pain, stress, lesion, I don’t know I’ve had 4 years with this pain

6.       I have received an invitation from a neighbor in the community to climb a volcano, I believe (hope) is in August, it is crazy but I have nothing planned for August

7.       To find friends in the community we live in

8.       For the ‘Recuerdo’ (Remember) club, the ‘Vida Jovenes” (Young Life) clube and the ‘Kaminal’ club

9.       For our possible trip to Nicaragua in October to visit family and friends

10.   That Jesus may give me passion for music as I have abandoned the guitar (quit playing)

In an additional email they asked us to pray for the following people:

1- Hector Sandoval

2- Estela Ambrosio 

3- Sandra Ambrosio.

4- Annette Aguilar. 

Have it dear friends! We know you will.