Excitement is high in our home as we get ready for a trip to Peru in July. Thanks to the generous help of Dave's parents, we'll have a reunion in the Amazon jungle with Dave's dad's clan, as well as visit Macchu Pichu in the mountains. To prepare, we've been learning about the Incas and how their vast empire was connected by roads.
Tambos were way stations where travelers were housed and fed, and also served as storehouses for times of need.
I'd like to make a sign for our door reading
Tambo Saavedra, since this school year has been one of intense hospitality. We've lived out the truth of Proverbs 11:24-25*, gaining so much and finding refreshment in our
tambo.
On average,
Tambo Saavedra has visitors twice a week, and in this nomadic community, we still feel we barely scratch the surface in offering refuge.
Tambo Saavedra hosts lots of Dave's students, a weekly tribe of moms, assorted children whose parents need a respite, many school colleagues (including one at whose Quito wedding Dave will officiate in July), as well as a potpourri of travelers from our international church.
 |
| Our last family hangout with our dear friend, Sarah |
The vision of
Tambo Saavedra can be summed up in Matthew 25:35-36, "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me." A sweet German friend of ours wrote about these verses, "Wow!! Thank you sooo much for showing me the love of Christ in all these acts!!! I'm glad the nakedness and prison ones never happened, but we could add, 'For I was in tears and you gave me a hug, I was sad and you listened to me.' Thank you for blessing me and so many other people. I will miss you!"
And we thank YOU for helping us keep our
tambo open!
JOY IN NEW BEGINNINGS
 |
| Baptism Sunday |
A visitor to Tambo Saavedra who brought immense joy to our family this year is Sarah, the Iranian Alliance Academy International (AAI) graduate we mentioned in our last update. Dave had the great joy of baptizing her on her last Sunday in Ecuador. Please keep her and her mother in your prayers as they get settled in the Netherlands and as Sarah explores school and ministry options for her future.
KEEPING ON KEEPING ON
 |
Beth wraps her 3rd year teaching with Entre Nosotras,
the mom's group at AAI |
 |
| Luke celebrates his birthday with friends |
 |
Moms from the play group Beth hosts,
ready to send kids in search of Easter eggs |
 |
| Visiting in our yard, post-egg hunt |
 |
Celebrating Abuela's birthday
(Dave made the lemon cheesecake) |
 |
Ready to cheer on Ecuador in their
World Cup game on Father's Day |
 |
| Sweet Aaron graduates from kindergarten |
*
Bonus: This wonderful speech from Tim Keller (on Money in Proverbs) has deeply impacted our approach to hospitality as a part of a generous life. The whole talk is great, but if your time is limited, start watching at 28:05.
