December 3, 2007

Dear Friends,

It has been a while since you heard from us. During the last two months we were back home, sort of, if you could count most of the United States as home. During all of October, Kathy and I took part in “Mission Challenge ’07.”  Some of you may have met us or one of the other 46 missionaries crisscrossing the country during the month, telling you about our work around the world.

Kathy was in eastern Ohio, western Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. I went to California, southern Idaho, and eastern Oregon. Kathy spoke 52 times and I spoke 24. Some of the churches had never had a missionary visit them before. At each location our hosts made us feel welcome, and we were well taken care of. We were touched and encouraged by the level of interest and support. Thank you all. This was my first time in Hollywood, Oregon, and Idaho, and I couldn't get enough of the scenery. Both of us will have to atone for all the potlucks we enjoyed during the month.

In November we got to spend some time with our six children and seven grandchildren. Liam, our seventh, was born October 30, 2007. We also met good friends and visited with our home congregation in Cincinnati. With so many to visit, we heard complaints of not spending enough time with anyone. We agree!

During our visit home, the United Nations launched the international standards for psychosocial care in emergencies. Kathy went to the U.N. in New York and to Washington, D.C., to represent Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and the international office (ACT International) at these events. It was quite an honor!

I'm returning to Hungary on December 3. Kathy has to make quick trips to Nicaragua and Mexico to respond to emergencies, and so she will join me December 19.  We will spend Christmas in Budapest, then get back to work.

Merry Christmas, and the Lord’s blessings to all of you for the coming year.

Kathy and Joe Angi

The 2007 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 180