When we originally accepted the call to come to Ecuador, returning to begin seminary was not what we had in mind after our year of volunteer service. Last August, however, just a few weeks before we left to come to Ecuador, Ian received an unexpected, though very clear, call into pastoral ministry. As we discussed as a couple what this would mean for us, both of us were led to the conclusion that Ian should attend seminary in preparation to fulfill this call. We had actually just visited Asbury a few days prior to Ian receiving this call; at that time, Ian was investigating their Ph.D. in Biblical Studies program. The funny thing was, as we left that campus visit I (Ian) specifically remember turning to Hillary and saying, "I'm not sure I'd pursue a Ph.D. here, but if I were someone looking to pursue a Masters of Divinity seminary degree this is certainly the place I would do it." 
As the Lord led us through a series of confirmations when we were considering our move to Ecuador, he also led us through a series of confirmations concerning Ian's call and our decision to move to Wilmore, KY in order to attend seminary. This sense of confirmation has only grown even as we've been on the mission field here in Ecuador, and the Lord made his intentions for us very clear just a couple of months back when Ian was interviewed for and received a full-tuition scholarship to attend Asbury. The scholarship even includes a small stipend to cover some of the cost of our housing--a brand new 2-bedroom townhome that the seminary has set aside specifically for us. We're not sure how else we could have made it happen without this financial support, so we give thanks to the Lord for his clear call and provision.So, as we return to the States at the end of July, after this final NILI semester comes to a close, we'll be packing up all our stuff (still all stashed in a bedroom in Ian's parents' home) into a moving truck and heading to a very small town (about 3,000 people) in central Kentucky to begin a very different kind of chapter of life than the one we're currently living. We're very excited, as are our parents--both sets living only about 3.5 hrs. away from Wilmore. The community at Asbury truly seems to be a beautiful one, and we look forward to forming new relationships with the neighbors in our community who come from some 30 different countries, growing fruits and veggies in the community garden there, and finding new ways to more deeply plug into the ministry of the church.
Pray for us as we pass through the culture shock that most certainly comes with any move back to one's homeland after a year abroad, but especially as we transition from a Spanish-speaking, South American city of 2 million to a predominately white, English-speaking small, rural Kentucky town of 3,000. :-) We have done our best to follow our Lord and Master, Jesus, as a couple these past 5 years of marriage (June 21st is our anniversary!), and doing so has always proved exciting, interesting, if not also often unexpected. As our time in Ecuador wraps up, we are preparing to follow him into this next exciting chapter. Thank you all for your prayers and support!
