End of Summer : Changing Seasons

Here we are.  Leaving one season PAST, being in the PRESENT season, and seeing what lies ahead in the FUTURE season.  I don't recall a time where we, as a family, have been in the middle of so much transition.  Below are some thoughts about our transition through these seasons...

PAST: A Vision For Life (AVFL) | Summer Discipleship

AVFL has always been special to me.  God used it to change the direction of my life.  And again it was a privilege to be a part of this summer's group (21 students from 15-22 years of age), and seeing God change their lives.  He is faithful.  From classes to outreaches, from hail storms to long bus rides, from laughter to tears... all of these, and everything in-between, was time spent with some very special people and our amazing God.  

God grew in them.  God used them to points others to Him.  And their time here concluded with many of them making the decision to get baptized, having a renewed desire to live their lives for Him.

Please pray for the AVFLers.  Pray that they would continue to grow--letting go of the past, pressing on to what the Lord has ahead, and...

                    ...most importantly, they would fall more in love with Jesus.                                                   

PRESENT: Coming Soon... Baby :)

Megan's due date is fast approaching--September 2nd!  It's surreal to think that very soon we will have another addition to our growing family.  We are excited and thankful to be the parents of our baby girl.  

We've decided to name her... Sonya Marie Havelaar.  I'm already smiling...

Please pray for Megan and Sonya. Pray for healthy baby, and a quick recovery for mommy.

FUTURE: Semester & Beyond

I'm preparing for the upcoming semester at CCBCE.  This will be our last semester.  We love what we get to do.  To serve the Lord, and His people in this capacity has been an amazing blessing to our family.  That said, the only thing better would be the place where He is leading us.  

When we moved back to Hungary in 2009, we never believed this was our last "post".  This was a season that we would give ourselves to, until God called us to a new one.  In our next season will be serving in Awassa (Hawassa), Ethiopia.  We will be serving alongside the Ayele family, and serving the orphans at Ebenezer Grace Children's Home.  

In December, we will head back to the States to gather documents for our visa applications, get necessary immunizations, share about the orphanage ministry (see June updates), and strengthen relationships.  Lord-willing we would be leaving for Ethiopia in March 2013.  

In the upcoming months we will continue to share more regarding our future plans.  If you would like more specific information on our family, ministry plans, and the ministry in Ethiopia, please email us directly.

Please pray for the transition of handing over of responsibilities... that the Lord would continue to give wisdom to the leadership at CCBCE.  I'm so thankful for the privilege we've had to serve God's people in this capacity, and serve alongside some pretty amazing people.

Please pray for a fruit-filled semester... for lives to be impacted by Jesus.

Please pray for the ministry in Ethiopia.  Please pray for the Ayele Family.  
Please pray for a safe pregnancy/delivery for Rachel (having baby number five).
Please pray for the children at Ebenezer Grace Children's Home.
Please pray for God's continued leading in our lives as we take steps towards Ethiopia.

Thanks for your continued love, prayers, and support.

All the best in Jesus,

Shaun, Megan, Jude, and Sonya Havelaar