A letter from Sue and Ted Wright in Zambia
April 21, 2009
Dear Friends and Supporters,
For the last four years we have been walking alongside beloved partners in Christ.
When the telephone rang one cold night in 2005, inviting us to serve the church in Africa, we had no idea how many people we would meet nor how truly we would be blessed. It has been wonderful.
Now the end is in sight. We plan to leave the field in August, do interpretation through October and then conclude our mission service. To many of you this comes as a surprise, just like that first invitation. Life with God is full of surprises.
Why such a change? In one word: Family. We need to be closer together — a heartwarming thing to discover, but also demanding our commitment. We can’t keep straddling the Atlantic Ocean.
The Wrights have been PC(USA) mission co-workers since 2005. They’ll be ending their mission service in late 2009.
Let us emphasize, we are not dissatisfied in any way with the living conditions, nor with job responsibilities, nor with our African partners, nor with PC(USA) World Mission. There is nothing negative about this decision. It is purely positive: for the good of our family.
Of course, we share your concern that the work of partnership should carry on smoothly. To that end we pledge our full cooperation. We remember how it felt, being new.
Questions about future relationships in the region should go to our sending agency, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and/or to our chief supporting agency: The Outreach Foundation. Doug Welch is Africa area coordinator for PC(USA): Doug.Welch@pcusa.org. Rob Weingartner is executive director of TOF: rob@theoutreachfoundation.org. We know that Doug and Rob have been working together to ensure that regional liaison and project responsibilities will be effectively addressed after we go.
What’s next on our horizon? God only knows and isn’t telling. Much trust and patience required. But surely our Sovereign will put to advantage every insight and experience we have gained.
Meanwhile, from now through the middle of May we travel on our longest road trip ever. After that, Sue flies to New Jersey for our son’s graduation from seminary (thank you, frequent-flyer miles) while Ted drives to Lundazi (should be a flight, but …) followed by Northern Province (ditto). Starting in June, the American visitors arrive. Five groups in the space of two months!
So we covet your prayers — now more than ever — and thank you for continuing support. We don’t claim this work as our own. Instead, we have been honored to serve as its stewards. We could never have managed without you. Those who follow will need you as well. Until next time, keep on shining the light of Christ. His is the name we spread; his is the life we share. Christ is all.
Yours in the hope of resurrection joy,
Faithfully,
Ted and Sue
The 2009 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 43
