A letter from Bill Yoder in Thailand
May 4, 2007
Chiang Mai
Dear Friends and Family:
Bill Yoder during Thai New Year at the Mcgilvary Seminary, April 15, 2007.
The time is coming up for my final home assignment under the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). I will be in the States from August 2 through November 14. The PC(USA) has designated October as “Mission Challenge ‘07” and have asked me to help with that. So during October, I shall be under contract to “Mission Challenge ’07.” I will spend one week each in four presbyteries during October: Wabash Valley and Whitewater Valley in Indiana and Salem and Coastal Carolina in North Carolina.
That will keep me busy from October 2 to November 4, but I’d be delighted to visit your church before or after that period. If any of you are interested in having me visit, please contact the Petersons immediately. The days will fill up as soon as these letters begin to arrive. Two and a half months is not a long time. So, please, take me quite seriously about the need for speed is you are interested in having me speak.
Contact:
Mr. and Mrs. Harry M. Peterson, Jr. (Top and Jane)
1005 Bonnie Brae, 2E
River Forest, Illinois 60305
Phone and Fax: (708) 209-1739
( Top and Jane do not have email.)
Communion at McGilvary, March 2007.
I retire from being Dean of McGilvary on May 31, 2007. I have just been notified that the Board of Trustees of Payap University will confer the honor of “Dean Emeritus” on me at the retirement dinner planned by Payap University and the Church of Christ in Thailand for June 9, 2007. I will continue to help the seminary and even to teach, but on my own schedule. I plan to write a lot—both for the seminary and for myself. I have already begun work on “A Christian Theology for Thailand,” which will be written in Thai and English and, hopefully, if I can find the funding, published.
I will retire from the PC(USA) on December 31, 2007, but I will continue on for at least two years as a volunteer serving as area liaison for mainland Southeast Asia. The liaison position can be easily handled on a volunteer basis. Any expenses incurred carrying out my duties will be reimbursed from Louisville. Sounds like a good arrangement for both the PC(USA) and for me.
It is time for this change to take place. I have served in Thailand for 44 years, ever since my home church, Christ Presbyterian in Canton, Ohio, sent me out as a special termer in July 1963. It has been a long, adventurous, and blessed journey. God has been with me throughout. I am very, very grateful.
Sixty-sixth birthday for me, 52 for Banchong.
We are graduating our first class of 12 students in the international master of divinity program this year. I feel a tremendous sense of accomplishment in getting this program on its way and successful. I had the entire program, 34 students, at my house for dinner last evening. They will be going to their home countries for the summer. It was an emotional evening as they all realize I will not be their dean when they return, or when they receive their diplomas. These young people will be a tremendous asset to the churches of their home countries and to the church worldwide. We thank all of you for the part you have played in seeing these students and the regular curricula Thai students through to success by your prayers and your contributions. It has been my privilege to serve them and to serve you these past 44 years as a missionary in the church of Jesus Christ.
As I have said before, I will continue to be involved. If you would like to continue helping me carry on with all my many mission activities, you can certainly do so, but no longer through the PC(USA). You will need to send any contributions for scholarships, or other aspects of the work I will continue to do, to me personally, or through:
Christ Presbyterian Church
530 Tuscarawas Street West
Canton, Ohio 44702
Phone: (330) 456-8113
Big family news: Dr. Banchong Chompoowong was elected vice-moderator of the Church of Christ in Thailand in October 2006.
Thank you for your love and support throughout.
Sincerely yours,
William J. Yoder
The 2007 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 119
