The Journey Into Greater Trust

Many of you have asked what I will be doing while in Manta and that is a great question! The short answer is: I really don't know. Back in January, I contacted my friends Rich and Lisa Brown who live in Ecuador and oversee mucho ministries in South America. I explained I would have about five weeks free and asked if they could use an extra hand. They said "of course!" They asked me where I wanted to jump in and I told them- wherever they felt was the biggest area of need and where I would be a good fit. They quickly responded by asking me to pray about helping them with a new orphanage they opened this past spring. The Eason family (please check out their blog: Eason Blog) is still going through a very steep learning/cultural adjustment curve and could use an extra pair of adult hands to help with the five kiddos (possibly more by the time I arrive) at the orphanage. They also loved the idea of using art to help enhance the drab facilities (I am planning on painting some murals). 

So in less than a month (June 27- Aug. 3) I will be descending on Manta, with less of a set agenda and more an attitude of leaning into God and trusting that he is going to work through me (and you) in a way that is fruitful for his Kingdom purposes. I admit that having an agenda satisfies my need for control and pride of feeling useful/important while serving (an oxymoron). However, the Lord has been thankfully teaching me a lot about trusting in him and his sovereignty in the midst of my circumstances. Below is a quote from Henri Nouwen that has been rocking my heart and I hope encourages you:

"The root choice is to trust at all times that God is with you and will give you what you most need...God says to you, 'I love you, I am with you, I want to see you come closer to me and experience the joy and peace of my presence. I want to give you a new heart and a new spirit. I want you to speak with my mouth, see my eyes, hear with my ears, touch with my hands. All that is mine is yours. Just trust me and let me be your God.'" -Henri Nouwen, from his book: The Inner Voice of Love

Prayer Request:

• The Eason's have asked for prayer: "We are currently working to get a recently hired (last week) staff set up and trained. We are working to get through the files of the kids. We have the rest of this month to get everything correct before our government inspection. Pray that we can get everything done and get things running correctly here. Pray that God will continue to give us the strength we need."
• Pray that I create space for God each day and live in total dependence- so He is able to abide in me and produce fruit.
• Pray for fruitful work and relationships while in Manta.
• Pray for God to work in mighty ways and for amazing testimonies!
• Praise!- I have less than $300 left until total support has been raised for the trip. THANK YOU SO MUCH for those of you that were able to financially give. If you would like to donate towards this mission, please click here: Donate

The Manta Mission Low Down:

I hope that this post finds you well!  I am writing to tell you about an exciting opportunity that God has brought my way.  I have spent the past year living in Austin, TX and working as an art teacher at an elementary school. Many of you that know me know the Lord has continually placed a desire on my heart to serve those less fortunate overseas- specifically children and youth. Therefore, as summer draws near, I have been praying for God to direct my steps and show me how to use the time off- in a way that would be useful and glorifying to Him and the kingdom.

My friends, Rich and Lisa Brown, are missionaries and country directors in Peru, Ecuador and Columbia. They are connected with the Christian Missionary Alliance and also started a ministry called Inca Link International- that has the mission of reaching the 300 million youth of South America with the love of Christ through evangelism and discipleship, training leaders, connecting people, and compassion ministries. They are devoted to helping the least of these. The Tesoros (or “treasures”) ministry of Inca Link focuses specifically on providing safe, loving, Christ-filled homes to children in need and preparing them for their future as adults. I have the opportunity to serve as a missions intern under this ministry. I am incredibly excited to support the family and children of Inca Link’s newest orphanage in Manta, Ecuador through helping the full-time missionary family, working with the children and helping to bring color and life to the older buildings through art and murals!

We are all missionaries & kingdom workers in every sphere of influence where God has placed us. Therefore, I am asking for your help- as we are all part of one body working for Christ, in this short term venture. Most importantly, I am asking you to partner with me in prayer.  I ask that you would pray for me as I prepare to leave and while I’m in Ecuador – for safety and health, that the Lord would use me to bless the people of Ecuador and for God’s grace and peace as I adjust to a new culture and language, and that my heart would be open to what God wants to teach me this summer.  I covet your prayers during this time of preparation and service; would you be willing to commit to pray for me?

I also need to raise support for the trip.  I need to raise $1,500 for the little over a month I will be serving, to help pay for things like airfare, room and board, and transportation in the country.  If you would like to partner with me financially, you can do so online at https://incalink.donortools.com/my/funds/60392-INTERN-Erin-McElroy-2014 or incalink.org- under the tab donations.  All donations are tax deductible. If you would like to receive updates on my time in Ecuador or updated prayer requests throughout the summer, please let me know and provide me with your email address.

Thank you for your consideration of these requests.  Your support and encouragement mean so much to me!  Dios te bendiga!  (God bless you!)

Erin