|
April 2002
Dear Friends,
I greet you from Pasadena, California, where I arrived safely
almost two weeks ago to pursue my studies at Fuller Theological
Seminary’s School of World Mission. Without your prayer,
encouragement, and financial support, I would not be here. It
is truly God’s time for this, both for me personally and
vocationally, and for the Amistad ministry. The journey over the
past year—and especially during the last six months—has
been an incredible manifestation of God’s in action.
As most of you know, the Amistad board of directors made a bold
move in December, deciding to close down Amistad Presbyterian
Center and end the medical and educational programs directed from
it in favor of fully dedicating its resources to support of the
local congregations of Piedras Negras and Acuña as they
minister to their communities with the verbal and demonstrated
gospel message. While the quickness of the decision has caught
many by surprise, including those of us in Piedras Negras, we
know God is at work reshaping Amistad to be even more effective
in its ministry to the communities of Piedras Negras and Acuña
and the Presbyterian churches of both nations.
This change in the Amistad program also opened the door for my
Mexican co-worker, Juvenal, to spend more time attending to visiting
mission teams and the congregations that receive them. This way,
the local congregations take on greater responsibility for their
guests and visiting teams truly experience the hospitality of
their Mexican brothers and sisters in absence of the U.S. missionary.
Another neat opportunity that the Lord opened up was for the Mission
Team Workshops I facilitated at both the Uno en el Espíritu
and Fuente de Vida churches prior to leaving. They were wonderful
times for Amistad staff and the members of the congregations to
evaluate past experiences with U.S. mission teams and begin to
prepare for this new stage in the mission team program.
The Lord also brought Marty (Hutton) Quirarte back to Piedras
Negras so that the work of the U.S. office would continue smoothly
while I’m on study leave. Through the generous support of
congregations and individuals across the country, the Lord provided
the financial means necessary for me to continue my education
while remaining on staff with the Worldwide Ministries Division.
During this time of economic crisis for the PC(USA), I am especially
grateful for that support. Thank you to each of you who have continued,
or even increased, your support for the global mission of our
denomination. Your gifts keep missionaries like me in the field,
supporting our international partners in the ministries God has
called us to do together.
Finally, I want to give testimony to God’s provision for
me here in Pasadena. The desire of my heart was to live on campus
(for community and financial reasons). The campus housing department,
however, told me there was no room for me. But the peace of God
was in my heart and I knew He would provide. As I traveled across
the country in route to California, I felt moved to pray more
intensely and more specifically for what I needed and God spoke
to my heart with assurance that when I arrived on campus, an apartment
would be awaiting me.
I drove into Pasadena and straight to the campus housing office.
And what do you believe they told me? The day before, a Japanese
student arrived with his wife, ready to move into apartment #233.
However, the housing folks had not known he was married and the
apartment was too small for them. They shifted things around and
were able to accommodate the couple in another place. This, however,
opened #233 for someone else. Someone like me, when I arrived
the next morning!
I have been particularly blessed by the ongoing worship opportunities
on campus, with chapel services three times a week. My courses
are proving to be absolutely fascinating; both educational and
applicable to our work on the border. What I am most appreciative
of is that all class assignments are designed to help us directly
apply what we learn to our ministry contexts. I am worshiping
three times a week on campus and on Sundays with the Hogar Cristiano
Fellowship at Pasadena Presbyterian Church. They even have several
outreach programs to the children and adults of the neighborhood
which I may very well assist with if time allows. It helps me
deal with my "withdrawal" from my family and friends
in Mexico.
Since last writing to you, I have also been blessed by visits
by friends, a long-awaited trip to Big Bend National Park, my
brother Will’s marriage to Anne Marie Terrell in Lincoln,
Nebraska, in February (and seeing so many family members!), and
participating in the February meeting of the Presbyterian Border
Ministry Council. What a wonderful time of fellowship and sharing
we had with others in ministry along the border. Indeed, what
a blessing it is to be part of such an amazing endeavor—truly
binational Christian ministry!
I will be here through the end of March 2003 when I, Lord willing,
will return to Amistad with a renewed mind, body, and spirit and
lots of new ideas for our ministry together on the border. I would
appreciate your prayers in the meantime.
The Lord is Risen! He is risen indeed! May God’s joy be
yours as we await His Glorious Return!
Your Sister,
Susie
The 2002 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 248
|
