A letter from Katie Griffin serving in Argentina
July 30, 2014 - Delayed PLans
The human mind plans the way,
but the LORD directs the steps.
—Prov. 16:9
Dear friends,
In my last newsletter I had promised periodical updates on my Interpretation Assignment. We were making arrangements to travel to the States in mid-July. We had found a place to live, a car, and had contacted the school district to figure out how to integrate our children in the U.S. school system, specifically in Decatur, Ga. We had even found a former student of mine to stay at our home here and take care of our dogs. The one detail that we could not control has put a monkey wrench in our plans. The U.S. government has been very slow in processing the forms we have been sending in for my husband’s visa.
We had thought the visa application process would take about 9 months, but it seems that it takes 14 or 15 months. We started the process last October, and we are now hoping that we will have the visa by Christmas. We are applying for an immigrant visa so that my husband can apply to come under appointment with Presbyterian World Mission as part of a mission co-worker team appointment with me. If we can work this plan out, it will make my work here in Argentina easier, and it will make travelling to the States for an Interpretation Assignment easier. Nevertheless, I continue to keep the above Proverb near at hand, at heart, in mind….
Since the children finish their current school year the first week of December, we will travel as soon as they have finished. We will then figure out how to integrate them into the Decatur schools halfway through the school year there.
We have a number of challenges before us, in the meantime. In the last two months I have been able to get through about three-fourths of the first draft of my thesis. My goal at the moment is to finish the complete draft by the end of August. While my advisor is reviewing the draft in September I will be working intensively on putting together my itineration schedule. To this end I will write my regular quarterly newsletter, and I will also be communicating directly with as many of you as possible. I can be available for up to four or five speaking engagements a week, not just on Sundays, so please think of different groups with whom I might share. For this to happen I need your help! So, look forward to hearing from me in September!
For the moment I am scheduled to speak at the February meeting of the Charleston-Atlantic Presbytery, and I am programming a visit to western Pennsylvania at the end of April. I have a standing invitation from the Presbytery of the Northwest Coast, which I am hoping to combine with a visit to Inland Northwest Presbytery, but these details still need to be settled and confirmed. I continue to pray that God will open the way for me to visit my home Presbytery of Cayuga-Syracuse, to visit churches in Peace River Presbytery, and as many churches as possible in the Synod of Living Waters and in the Synod of the South Atlantic. My base location at Mission Haven in Decatur, Georgia, is ideal for visiting extensively in these two synods.
I would like to extend a huge thank you to Presbyterian Women, whose support makes the ministry of Mission Haven possible. I would love to visit groups of Presbyterian Women to tell about the faith of women in Argentina. I would also love to visit youth groups of college and high school students to share about the joys and challenges of seminary students in South America.
Please send me physical addresses, as I need to have more on my mailing list in order to ensure the mailing of my printed newsletters. You can communicate with me at kathleen_m_griffin@yahoo.com.ar.
I look forward to communicating directly with many of you in September. May God continue to guide you into the peace that surpasses all understanding!
Katie
The 2014 Presbyterian Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 63
Read more about Katie Griffin’s ministry
Write to Katie Griffin
Individuals: Give online to E200350for Katie Griffin’s sending and support
Congregations: Give toD506384 for Katie Griffin’s sending and support
