Reflections and News

Yes, we are still alive. And as we come to the end of the year, we reflect on the changes that have happened to our family.

We started out the year with Keilah in kindergarten and our family looking forward to a year similar to the prior ones. Then came Spring when HCJB Global asked us to fill the position being vacated in Information Systems in Shell, Ecuador. We hadn't really had this in our plans. God is funny like that. He doesn't always work in the way we plan. As it says in Proverbs 16:9, We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.

We didn't plan to leave Quito. We had signed up to work with HCJB for the long haul. We had bought into a townhouse in Quito to start getting some equity rather than just paying rent. We had.... We had.... But God had some other things in mind.

In May we made the decision to follow what HCJB Global had asked of us and started planning the transition to Shell. (But God, what about the townhouse?) We started looking for someone to rent our place in Quito, but it was always too far away from the mission area (5km) or too small or.... After we had accepted the positions, the job description changed. (But God, this isn't what we had thought we were getting into.) Steve went down a couple of times to start learning the position from the one who was leaving the mission, but he was always busy with other things and didn't have time to show Steve the ropes very much. (But God, how am I going to handle this without much orientation?)

In July, we had some friends (the Stevens--Bill, Tammy, Emma, Grace, Jake, and Holly) come down to visit us before the actual move and we spent some time showing them around the ministry in Quito and some sites in the Sierra region of Ecuador. Because Tammy was pregnant, they took it easy some days and then helped us pack up our stuff. (Thanks, God, for providing them to help us move.) We moved down to Shell and on the way out of Quito, the car we had borrowed didn't want to start and Tammy didn't feel well. (What's going on, God? Is this the right thing? a really bad start? Satan trying to make it rough on us?) We finally got to Shell and things into the house and that night Tammy had a miscarriage. We called the hospital (about 200 meters away from the house) when Tammy passed out and they were able to assist her and get her well. (Thanks, God, for the timing of this to have her cared for so well and so quickly with us being right behind the hospital.)

After the Stevens left, Steve had the first two weeks of August to learn what was necessary before the prior missionary left the position. In September, we had the 50th Anniversary celebration for the Shell hospital back to back with the Annual Members' Meeting for all HCJB Global missionaries and training for the new hospital system. On the first of October, the hospital changed the whole software system used to run the hospital. And then, from the middle of November through the middle of December, Steve was put in as Administrator in charge of the hospital when the Administrator (who only took the position in July) left Shell for a month.

At the end of October, we found an Ecuadorian family to rent our townhouse. (Thank you God for once again providing for us according to your time.)

We were finally able to take some time off and relax as a family the last two weeks of December and will be returning to our responsibilities on January fifth. We were able to spend time visiting Steve's folks as we met them in Mexico for Christmas week and have been with Pauli's family these past couple of days. We will pass the new year in Shell with probably a few of Pauli's family visiting us there.

It has been a bit of a trail by fire for us here with the hospital software transition being a perfect study on how not to do a transition. But, we can see how we were needed here with all that is going on. Pauli has been doing a great job as the manager of the Guest House putting more effort into making it a pleasant place to stay rather than just scheduling guests and receiving the money. Steve has been able to help the administration as the hospital tries to get back on track with the new software system. (Thank you God for your strength through these past few months.)

The kids have adapted well to Shell and to their schools. They love the freedom to run outside and play with their friends.

I'm sure there is news that we have forgotten, but as we reflect on these past few months we want to especially thank you for your prayers even while we haven't kept everyone completely up-to-date with the news on the website and through other means.

May God provide each of you a time to reflect on his blessings and mercies that he has shown you this past year as we all look forward to the new year.

Steve, Pauli, Keilah, Kendra, & Kyle

Our new address:
Hospital Vozandes de Oriente
Attn. Steve and Pauli McCracken
Shell, Pastaza, ECUADOR