Christmas...in the Summer!?

Well, we are adjusting to South Africa more and more each day. After 2 months, it is beginning to feel like home. Christmas in the summer, I am not sure, will ever feel normal though! Just the other day, we all chose names (to buy Christmas gifts) within our family and it was so neat to see the love my children had for their siblings. Isaac wanted Canon's name so badly and praise the Lord (with no cheating from mom or dad!) he got his brother's name. He was so excited to be able to buy his "best friend" a gift. Even still, Canon got Isaac's name! Daddy was blessed to buy for Evan (ha, ha!) and the rest were equally satisfied. They have all been doing chores for money and spent their own money to buy the gifts. I pray that as they grow, they will continue to love and cherish one another. I am challenged each and everyday...some days I am victorious, some days a failure. But, I praise God for each and every little breath of these children. Please pray for our children as they continue to grow...that they would grow strong and faithful in the Lord, that they would be protected from the enemy's attack and stand firm in their beliefs.

Kyle is away on his second trip since we have been here in SA. We miss him when he is gone and we always look forward to his return. His new position here is more of a support role and has been an adjustment for him, but he is doing well with the new challenges. Please continue to pray for his wisdom as he makes important decisions.

The kids are continuing in their homeschooling. They play a lot with other kids in the neighborhood and they have been blessed with other MK friends. Our team will have a Christmas party soon and we will celebrate Christmas with a family from our team. God has richly blessed us and we are humbly thankful.

Merry Christmas to each of you and may God's love touch your hearts, may He richly bless you with spiritual blessings, may your walk with Him continue to be close ...blessings.
In His Mercy,
Maya McLane

Hold Firm!!

"Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess, for we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are - yet without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Hebrews 4:14-16

I remember these verses vividly, as I sat in one of my first precept classes taught by my mother-in-law. We were studying Hebrews and as a new believer, I will have to admit, that the power of these verses were still very hidden to me. I could understand the truth of our great high priest and the way he could sympathize with our weaknesses. But, now I am seeing more clearly the meaning of "hold firmly to the faith we profess." Are we holding firm??? We must hold firm, no matter how long we have been serving our Lord, He will always have a fresh and new bit of truth for us. So, let US hold firm and approach the throne of grace with confidence. Mercy...grace...help. It's all there.

"The marks of a man of faith...are battle scars."

As I continue working through the book of John, I unintentionally skipped ahead to John 21...but was glad I did. In these passages, Simon Peter is in the spotlight. I dearly love Peter; always have! I love his passion, his confidence...he always seems to have something to say, doesn't he??!!
Here, Peter says, "I am going out to fish." I can only imagine that he said it with some emotion! The grief of denying Jesus three times, no doubt, weighed heavy on his heart. He had to think. He had to fish. Fishing - he knew. So, there he is trying to clear his head when His Lord appears once again. Peter was not the one who saw Him first,(maybe because he was so filled with anguish and own thoughts)yet when he heard "It is the Lord!" he wraps his outer garment around himself and jumps into the water!!! His need to be with the Savior was great.
After eating and just spending time together, Jesus asks Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?" I'm sure that Peter quickly responded with, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." With that Jesus replies "Feed my lambs." (If you haven't read this chapter lately, it is worth reading!)
Jesus asks two more times and I can only imagine that Peter begins to hesitate in his answers...maybe he fights back the tears...It says, "Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time."

"Feed my sheep...feed my sheep. Follow me...follow me." We don't always know where God is going to lead us - for Peter, it was a death which would glorify (v19) God. Nonetheless, Peter's love for Jesus (I think) was far greater here than it had ever been. As it says in Acts 10 "Then Peter began to speak: I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who hear Him and do what is right...He (Jesus) commanded us to preach...to testify."
So, like Peter, we must continue on preaching and testifying. We must continue on telling people in every nation the saving grace of Christ. What the end has for each of us, is not our concern...but following Him today IS!

Adjusting to life in South Africa

Well, our family is approaching the 1 month mark here in South Africa and we are beginning to feel that it is home. We are still waiting on our boxes to arrive from Ukraine with most of our things...so that will definitely help in our transition. Who knows how long it will take for them to actually arrive in our home! We are juggling sleeping arrangements with the kids, now. We originally had the two older boys in one room, the two younger boys in another room and Anna Katharine was cuddled into an empty corridor. The area was near our living room (lounge) and there was not a door there. She was happy, but it cut out the usage of that space when we had guests. We have decided to try the younger boys in bunk beds and Anna Katharine squeezed in there. So far, the boys are loving the bunk beds and Anna Katharine is hating sleeping in her brother's room!! Oh well, she'll have to get used to it...for a time! Then we will readjust as she gets older.

Evan is a great little companion, but he still needs some work in potty training! I thought we had that taken care of, but I see that it is not going to be that easy. He is still a young dog and takes some time. He likes to pull on my foot when he wants to play, he is a finicky eater and he needs lots of running!! So, I have another child to look after! Life is good! Kyle is beginning to get a lot of information cultivated for his new position here. He will soon be going to training and that will also help.

Please continue to think of us and our safety here and how we can be used by Him. Also, a dear family, who has been such a blessing to us here...just found out today that their son died of a massive seizure. It has been a very heart-breaking day.

For His Glory?

For His Glory?

For some time now, I have been signing my emails, my letters, my notes “For His Glory.” I even once wrote a testimony of why...ultimately, because our desire IS for His glory-we serve to glorify our Lord.

Recently, here in Africa, I went to send an email and as I signed it...I couldn't write “For His Glory” from the heart. Why??? Was it because I no longer serve for His glory? Absolutely not. Was it because I don't seek to glorify my Father?? No. Of coarse not.
It was just that the words I so confidently signed at the end of my emails were replaced with this... “In His mercy.”

I think it comes through growth in my spiritual life. When you leave the comforts of home (the US) in the beginning, you are vibrant, fresh, a “new missionary!!” If you have ever been on a short-term mission trip or done some type of evangelical ministry (like Backyard Bible Club, VBS) you know that feeling of excitement! “Okay, God, I am ready to serve YOU- For your glory...let's do it!!” With such passion and confidence you burst out of the starting gate, running full speed ahead....screaming all along, “for His glory, for His glory!” And it is great!!! You run the race well!!

Then what.

Well, that fire and passion, that excitement is priceless, necessary and by all means beneficial.
But, I realized that something in that “For His Glory” might just involve me. Something I am able to do for Him. I am seeing that through our move to Africa, God is changing me, transforming me, moving me once again to a deeper walk with Him. “For His glory” is changed to “In His mercy” I serve. I don't serve out of any confidence, but out of PURE adoration and love for my God who calls me once again...now, to Africa. It is only, only by His divine love for me that I can possibly serve Him. It is only in Him that I can leave a country I loved (Ukraine) and be used by Him at all. I find it hard to believe that He calls us into a relationship with Him...and I find it even harder to believe that He continues to call us into a deeper relationship with Him. Praise God.

I still serve my Lord and Savior...that He might be glorified in me, but it is only through His mercy that I am privileged to serve Him at all. As John puts it (I am now studying the book of John), “the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.”

In His Mercy,
Maya McLane

Photos: Anna Katharine puckering up for a kiss, Canon standing behind the many gates that secure our house, the kids in the yard, inside our new house in Africa

Of ALL the nations...

"And Jesus came and spoke to them (disciples), saying...Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28:16,18,19

These verses take on a whole new meaning. When our family was called to missions a few years back, we read and understood what it meant to "Go". Now, after 5 years on the mission field, we are seeing another facet of this familiar verse. "Go" is not a one time event. It is not to just one nation, one nationality...it means just being obedient and to "Go" no matter where, no matter how many times, and no matter when.

God has once again called us to "Go", as we make our move from Ukraine to Africa. I will have to say, that this move is more difficult for me (Maya) than the move from America. For many reasons including the fact that I may never see many of these beautiful faces again! Leaving the United States left me with a feeling of..."I will see you in a couple of years, but I will see you again (Lord willing!)". Leaving Ukraine doesn't give me that same kind of hope. It may just be that I don't return here and my good byes will be until glory. That kind of good bye cuts a little deeper.

We never dreamed of going to Africa, actually we were adamant about NOT going to Africa 5 years ago, but God makes His plan and purpose clear in His timing. We thank Him for His faithfulness in our lives as we step into the next chapter of our journey with Him.

Rock Climbing!

Rock Climbing...Have you tried it?

Let me have the liberty of quoting from a book I've been reading recently. The book is by Max Lucado and it is called, A Gentle Thunder: Hearing God through the Storm

"A simulated rock climb...I gave it a go...The first half of the trip I did well. About midway, however, I began to get tired...with twenty feet left to go, I honestly began to wonder if I would make it...I gave serious thought to telling the guide just to pull me up the rest of the way. My fingers were sore, and my legs were starting to tremble...(yet I heard) "Come on...you can make it!"
So, I gave it all I had. But all I had was not enough. My feet slipped, my hands slipped, and down I fell. I fell hard. But I didn't fall far. My guide had a firm hold on the rope. Because he was alert and because he was strong, my tumble lasted only a couple of seconds. I bounced and swung in the harness, suspended in midair. Everyone watching let out a sigh, and I gulped and resumed the climb.

Guess what I did when I made it to the top? Do you think I boasted? Do you think I bragged about conquering the wall? No way. I looked down at the one who kept me from falling. "Thanks, pal." I told him...I said thanks to the one who held me."


As we continue with our climb, our climb through life...a spiritual climb-we can remember that it is HE who holds us, sustains us and keeps us from falling.

Another Birthday...Scotland turns 5!

Well, it has been 5 years that we have been in Ukraine...I (Maya) was pregnant with Scotland as we boarded the plane to Ukraine and here we still are! We were excited to be able to celebrate his birthday. He had an all out Pirate Party! We played Pin the "X"on the map, Captain Hook's Lost Rings, and Pirate Trivia. We also had a Treasure Hunt and made Oceans in a bottle! I think that Scotland really enjoyed his day and it was made complete with all his friends!! We praise God always, for the relationships and friendships He gives us...For His Glory!!!!!!

Camp Days 2009

As summer continues, so do camps!! This is some of our busiest times and some of our most rewarding...being able to see and hear about people coming to know our Lord as their Savior is exciting! Kyle was able to be at Grapevine's youth camp and Maya with the kids got a few days in during the family camp. The weather was great, the teams working with our Ukrainian leaders were great...God is great! I (Maya) wished that I had more time to spend with the people there, but it was a blessing to be able to watch and see the kids playing games and doing crafts. Here are a few pictures from the family camp.

Greece 2009

"Jesus called his disciples to him and said, "I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way." Matthew 15:32

God looks for opportunities to show that He is the only God who saves. Did the disciples really believe and understand His (Jesus) willingness to feed and TAKE CARE of the multitude? Do we really understand and believe in God's willingness to take care of us? Put your faith in His mercy...in His compassion.


These words and many others were spoken at our recent Annual Meeting held in Greece this year. With hundreds of other missionaries from many different countries, we worshipped together. It was a blessing. Most of all, it was a blessing for our children. They need their missionary family. They have so many "aunts and uncles" and people who understand and relate to them at these meetings. M Kids are special and they need other M.Kids to bond with. Thank you for your support...thank you for giving to Lottie Moon. Many think that a "meeting" is a waste of missionary funds, but oh...if you could have been there. It is NOT a waste. It spurs us on. It uplifts and challenges us to continue as God has called us. It gives our children a bond...a family, a better understanding of God's calling on their lives. It is a beautiful time of worship with others who know and understand our lives....it is not a waste...and we thank YOU for your gifts that enable us to have this meeting. We thank YOU for your giving to the cooperative program, your giving to missionaries all across the world....thank you. We hope that one day, if you haven't already, you will be able to experience and see first hand the joy of serving as a missionary on a short-term or long-term basis. Come help with these meetings!! Just log on to the IMB website http://going.imb.org/volunteers/Step_1/Search.asp and ask how you can be a part of a volunteer team that helps do VBS for missionaries...I'm sure there is information on that there. Again, thank you.

Prayerfully...

How Can You Pray???


1. Pray for the children of our church...that God's Word would be instilled in them in such a way that they would grow to serve Him faithfully.




2. Pray for our team...that God would move us to be in such a right relationship with HIM that we would be ever so attentive to His plan for our ministries.

3. Pray for missionary wives...that we would serve our husbands well...encouraging them, supporting them, loving them. Pray for K. (in the middle) who has recently given birth to her 3rd child. Pray that we will have wisdom in raising our children in another culture.

Eli turns 3!!!!

Eli recently turned 3 and he did not miss out on his birthday celebration. People that hang out with us may know that I have "pet"names for all my children. For me, it is a way of expressing how special and unique God created them to be and how special they are to me! Eli loves being "lollipop"and his birthday party was all about lollipops! Anna Katharine didn't miss out on her taste of a great big colorful swirl of sweet!

"Lolly" loved his lollipop cake!

Of coarse, all his friends were there!!! We praise God for the blessing of Eli...he IS so sweet and may his life be a sweet aroma for God!!!

Just when I had seen enough snow...

Just when I had seen enough snow, it snowed...again!! We are anxious to see some spring days, but each time the weather would warm up a bit, it would quickly turn back to freezing cold. Recently, I woke up and looked outside to find swirling, large flakes of snow blowing like crazy outside. It was beautiful, but I was ready to see the sun shining brightly. As I watched the snow and sat there on the sofa, early that morning, these thoughts emerged. Later, Canon woke up early and sat with me discussing the snow and his words inspired me as I wrote in my journal...
"the snow swirling wildly...something like faith- it is the very essence of our existence. We stand in the midst of it...it must flow around us (in us), engulf us, consume us in such a way that there is no escaping it...yet, to grasp it with our hands is impossible. For, the very moment that we grasp it in our hands, it is the very moment we take faith from being what it is, to being self-reliance. It turns what confidence we have in walking with God, to a place where we think we can do it alone...the snow cannot be grasped by the hand-for to do so would not be God-but man...

Isaac Turns Seven!!

Isaac was counting down the days to HIS birthday celebration and I think it met his expectations...we had a WEBKINZ party complete with all the animals. We had Chef Gazpacho's egg relay, trivia and a Gem hunt. Isaac "custom order" his blue, carrot cake (funny, because he really doesn't like vegetables!!) with a favorite dog on top. It was a great day and we are rejoicing in the life God has given Isaac. Our prayer is that he would "grow in stature and in favor with the Lord and men." (I Samuel 2:26)