A letter from Katie Griffin in Argentina
June 1, 2009
Buenos Aires
Dear Sisters and Bothers in Christ,
Planning interpretation assignments is the hardest part of my work. I must depend on the solidarity and enthusiasm of Presbyterians in the States who want to hear more about the long-term collaboration of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) around the world. I need to hear from you in order to plan interpretation assignments effectively. Part of my commitment to serve as a mission co-worker with the PC(USA) is to tell about my work in Presbyterian churches.
I spend about six months of every three-year term of service in the States. I’d like to be busy during that time speaking to women’s groups, youth groups, mission committees, sessions, potluck dinners and in Sunday worship services. I’d also be delighted to speak at Presbytery meetings and with committees of a presbytery that are interested in mission work around the world.
Since my time in the States doing speaking takes me away from my family, I’d really like to make the time count while I’m here. It doesn’t matter if you’re supporting my work financially. It only matters that you’d like to hear about God’s work around the world and would be willing to host me and share me with other congregations nearby.
It looks like I will be in the States in the second half of 2010. In the meantime, there will be some exciting possibilities for churches to hear stories from my colleagues in mission around the world. You and your congregation can be a part of the story.
Forty PC(USA) mission personnel will visit hundreds of congregations across the United States this fall to tell how God is at work around the world. World Mission Challenge, a reprise of a similar event in 2007, will be held September 25–October 18, 2009. Learn more at the Mission Challenge Web site or by calling Ellen Dozier at (888) 728-7228, x5916.
World Mission Challenge will conclude with World Mission Celebration, a large gathering for Presbyterians who care deeply about mission. The event will be held October 22–24 in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel and the adjoining Duke Energy Center. Learn more at the Mission Celebration Web site or by calling Lis Valle at (888) 728-7228 x5279.
World Mission Challenge ’09 (WMC) is the successor to Mission Challenge ’07. So far, WMC has 145 presbyteries signed up to participate. For a list of the participating presbyteries and the mission speakers, see the Mission Challenge Web page.
I would also like to address the question of basic mission support, that is, undesignated contributions that support the PC(USA)’s mission both at home and abroad. I can tell you how some of that money is spent. For example, Presbyterian World Mission lent me $5,000 at 0 percent interest in order to help exchange my old, very broken down car for a new one. Thank you for that help! Interest rates on car loans here in Argentina are about 36 percent, which makes a relatively inexpensive car cost a fortune!
A more dramatic example of how basic mission support is used is that money is to evacuate mission workers from dangerous situations. PC(USA) mission co-workers Daniell and Elizabeth Turk in Madagascar had to be moved quickly to South Africa because of a military coup in Madagascar that was putting the PC(USA)’s partner church in danger of persecution. Your support also helped keep leaders of the Malagasy church out of danger.
If you’d like to hear more stories about how your money is helping people around the world, encourage your congregation to be a part of Mission Challenge 2009. Please also let me know by the end of this year if your congregation or presbytery is interested in hosting me to speak at events in the life of your church.
A brief update on prayer requests that I sent in my last letter:
The community service center that my husband had been dreaming building at the church where he serves has taken off remarkably well! The church is able to offer computer classes and a course in hair cutting that grants a a license to practice upon completion of the course. These two activities will provide our neighbors with important job skills. We are also now providing services by accredited professionals in massage therapy, podiatry, psychological counseling, nursing and dental mechanics. Thank you for your prayers in support of this effort!
I close with this message from my 2-and-a-half-year-old son, Brian:
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May God be with you and keep you in Shalom,
Katie Griffin
The 2009 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 299
