Saavedra Stories: REACH BEYOND

Reach Beyond! It's not a new and improved toothbrush... it's the new name of our mission. HCJB Global started in 1931 as a radio station in Ecuador and the radio call letters eventually became the name of the mission. But as HCJB Global partnered more and more with people around the world, a name was sought that would resonate not just in Latin America, but beyond. Our mission's new name, Reach Beyond, reflects the vision to "employ every resource, talent and ounce of energy God gives us to shine the light of his grace into the darkest recesses of the planet." (Read more from the new mission manifesto here)

God invites us all to go beyond our comfort zones to help, to learn, and to share the life-transforming love of Jesus. Reach Beyond continues the work in media and health care which has been the distinctive of our mission's history. And we Saavedras will continue serving in Quito, in the community of the Alliance Academy International (AAI) - which has its own updated logo! Here we can support the children of Reach Beyond missionaries, as we all "work relentlessly for the day when a gaze around the expanse of heaven reveals thousands worshiping at Jesus' feet because of the mission He gave us for this moment in eternity," (from the Reach Beyond manifesto). Thank you for reaching beyond - alongside of us!

ALLIANCE ACADEMY IMPACT

Beyond the blessing of supporting Reach Beyond missionaries, we are privileged to reach out to many other families through the AAI. Two recent stories:

First, an Ecuadorian mom of a kindergarten student just told me that her son is the reason she has come to God. "He constantly asked us to pray with him and to read to him from the Bible before bed and eventually that drew us back to God." The impact of this boy's Christian teachers keeps rippling outward into his whole family!

The first AAI grad of 2014 with some of her mentors

Second, we have to enjoyed getting to know a lovely Iranian student who came to AAI this year as she awaited a refugee visa from the European Union. When "Sarah" arrived at AAI, in her own words, she felt lost, scared, and uncertain about the future. But just a few days ago, she stood before the whole high school at her early graduation ceremony (her visa was granted and she leaves for Holland shortly) and delivered a speech that left us in tears. "I am a different person now than when I came here... You showed me that I was not alone... that He was with me." She referenced a verse that Dave shared with her as being a great comfort. Zephaniah 3:17:

The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save.

He will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love,

he will exult over you with loud singing.

PRAYERS FOR PROTECTION

We are thankful that God protects us in all circumstances and we pray that even if we are victims of crime, God will make those experiences count somehow for his kingdom. There has been a noticeable uptick in crime in our neighborhood in the last few months, and we ask that you please keep up your valuable prayers for us!

I (Beth) experienced an attempted robbery while driving my car at the end of the year, and four of our neighbors have been victimized in separate incidents lately. This leads us to believe our area is being targeted. The police have been very helpful and supportive, but have yet to apprehend the criminals. The laws here hold minimal consequences for minor theft (under $500), so there is little deterrent for such illicit activities.

These events have reminded us to pray more diligently for police officers whenever we see them and especially to intercede for our neighbors (and fellow AAI colleagues) who are young, single women. Please pray that God keeps our eyes open to other ways we can turn this situation to His purposes and glory!

KICKING OFF 2014 IN PICTURES