The Great Exodus

Well, here we are in July already and it seems like there has been a great exodus around here. Within HCJB here in Quito, several have left as the print shop is closing down and the photography department is moving to Colorado Springs. In the Information Systems department, one employee's position was transferred to another department, one employee left HCJB over the employee situation, and one employee transferred to take the position of supervisor of a different department. Also, one missionary left our department to take a job in the States to better afford the schooling of his kids as they start to graduate and go to college, another has left for about 10 months for his Home Ministry Assignment (HMA or furlough), and another has taken the position of Global IT Director while the Director is on HMA.
Not only is it happening at HCJB, but with our extended family here, too. Pauli's mother got the opportunity to visit the States for the summer to visit relatives and see something of the States. One of Pauli's sister's also went to the States for the summer and another nephew too. The nephew is trying to better his English to see if he can enter into a Student Exchange program for the following year. Another nephew went to Germany for the summer on an exchange program with his High School and his sister just left for Germany to see about entering college there. Lastly, I think, a niece is going to Spain for a couple of weeks.
To counter this, a couple of high school student and a college student have come to help out in the Information Systems department for the summer and Steve's parents will be coming to visit for three weeks.
On another note, it seems that evil can touch us anywhere. Many times we think how things are more dangerous down here with the instability of the government or the Colombian guerrilla fighters, or the muggings or robberies, but we were shocked and saddened last week when we found out that one of the staff in our International Headquarters was murdered in the parking lot outside the office in Colorado Springs. A couple of days later, we find out that Pauli's mother's house where a sister and her kids are living was robbed here in Quito in the afternoon or evening.
Thanks for your prayers for us at this time. Steve and the others in Information Systems (ISD) are keeping up pretty well with the work. Pauli has been a great help for the family as they have been preparing for traveling and such. Pray that the people see Jesus through us and not just Steve and Pauli.
The situation is the same for the opportunity for the car. It will probably be ready "mañana". Please continue to pray for this.
It is also about the same with the employee situation here. While most employees are supporting the new association leadership, there are a few that are on the side of the old leadership. The Labor Minister himself is more on the side of the old leadership, but those within the Labor Ministry more on the side of the new leadership. The new leadership has brought a lawsuit against the Labor Ministry for some of its actions. Please pray for God to be glorified, the situation to be resolved quickly, and that being and doing right can win over politics.
On a family note, Kendra is sick right now with a fever and cough. Keilah has a rash that is probably some allergy. Please pray for their health and that the rest of the family stays healthy. Kyle is doing well and has his two front lower teeth coming in. Pauli has her birthday tomorrow. Steve is trying to get some things done around the house in his free time now that the rainy season is over and things are drying out. Please do pray about the car as many things would be facilitated with a vehicle.
Thanks for reading (& praying)!