Dear Family and Friends,

Our many apologies for having been out of touch for so long. We do have three very good reasons: kids, work, and kids! We seem to dealing better with the kids now (or they with us) and have a better grip on our work, so will hopefully be able to keep in better contact with you from now on.

Venezuela

The situation here has been conflictive, to say the least. The country is profoundly polarized into two radically tempestuous camps, one pro-Chavez the other anti-Chavez.

Chavez, during his presidency, has succeeded in pushing through a new, more just and equitable constitution, which gives women, minorities, and the poor added voice and power. Until recently, had managed to effect some control in maintaining international oil prices high enough to insure an adequate flow of resources into this oil-dependent economy. He guided through a new education bill with a fairly high level of consensus among interested parties and ramrodded through a new land reform bill with hardly any consensus. He has developed and nurtured a national network of popular action committees.

On the other hand, he has accomplished little if anything in controlling rampant corruption. He has failed to streamline and increase the efficiency of the huge government bureaucracy and has seemingly taken few steps to diversify the petroleum-dependent economy.

Worst of all, he has proven to possess very little sense of diplomacy, thus alienating the Catholic Church, the press, the banking and commercial sectors, and the international community. The latter is quite concerned by the deepening of relationships between Chavez and leaders of international communities that are not democratic. Protests and demonstrations have increased. Just recently several mid-level military officers have publicly denounced his administration.

Unfortunately, both sides continue to fuel the division rather than looking for ways to heal it. We are deeply concerned and sorrowed that this country, with so many resources and such a wonderful passion for freedom and liberty, currently finds itself so fractious. Please keep the leaders and the people of this country in your prayers.

The Seminary

At the end of last year a long held dream became reality. The Ecumenical Institute for Graduate Studies (IEES) was created. The institute’s members consist of the Presbyterian, Lutheran, and Anglican churches along with the Presbyterian Elementary and Secondary School (Colegio Americano) and Ecumenical Action (a social action group).

At this point, two programs are functioning—the seminary and the lay training school. Eventually a program of secular studies will be added. Presently, we have 20 seminary students and approximately 37 students in the lay training program. Carlos has been named the administrative dean and the added duties are keeping him busy. Both of us have also been teaching. Continue to prayer for this endeavor as the institute seeks to become academically accredited and financially stable.

The Jubilee Center

Last year we received three mission teams. Miami Shores Presbyterian Church and Hope for the Handicapped came with nine team members from February 14 to 17, bringing with them prostheses for eight outpatients with whom they worked individually. First Presbyterian Church of Douglasville, Georgia, brought a medical/construction team of 22 members from February 17 to 25 and organized a medical campaign that attended over 1000 medical patients and 100 dental patients. The group also helped with maintenance at the Center. First Presbyterian Church of Charlotte, North Carolina, came from June 14 to 23 with 20 team members, began construction on the caretakers’ apartment, and finished the new entrance to the Center. They also brought supplies for a local school for physically and mentally impaired children and led children’s programs in three local churches. We will be receiving from March 16 to 24 the medical/construction team from Douglasville, Georgia, for the third consecutive year.

The whole Jubilee Center project has moved along very slowly this year because funds have been trickling in and also because both of us were so heavily involved in the creation of the seminary last year that we were not able to dedicate the amount of time we should have to the project. This year, Deborah will probably take a break from teaching and dedicate all her time to the Center and the Good Shepherd Church.

Other News

Last November Carlos attended a mission conference in Guatemala. The focus was on security issues and he brought back lots of good information. He also enjoyed seeing lots of friends that we have not seen in a while. In late January Carlos was appointed interim minister for the small mission congregation in Valencia, Venezuela, a two-hour drive from where we live.

Deborah has thoroughly enjoyed pastoring the Good Shepherd Church on a part-time basis. She will continue doing so this next year. In January five new members were confirmed and in March another confirmation class will begin with about five more persons.

Our Family

On February 14, Valentine’s Day, we celebrated one and a half years together as a family. Sadly, the courts have not yet finalized the adoption. The latest is that our case is going to be transferred from the courts in Caracas to the courts in the capital of the state in which we live. So far this transfer has not happened. Due to this situation we have negotiated an extension in our current term of service for one year. This means that we will not be stateside now until June of 2003, so if anyone wants to come visit or bring a mission team this next year, we will be here.

In January our house became a hospital. Jodimar had her tonsils removed and her adenoids operated on January 15. On the 30th Carlos had surgery done on his nasal passages in order to eliminate an obstruction and remove a cyst in his sinuses. Jodimar has recovered well, but Carlos continues to fight an infection that developed after the surgery. Please keep him in your prayers.

Thanks to the many of you who have continued to contact us despite our lack of response and for all the many prayers that have been lifted up on our behalf and the Venezuelan church’s behalf. We continue to pray for all of you as our country struggles to deal with the events that have unfolded since September 11. We know when we finally return things will be much different, but we hope all the changes will be for the benefit of our country, its citizens, and the world in general.

May God’s blessing rain down on you, your families, and your ministries now and forever.

Hasta luego,

Deborah and Carlos

The 2002 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 264