Dear Family and Friends,

The days are hurtling by. Charles and I are returning soon to Egypt for my second term as a PC(USA) mission co-worker assigned to CEOSS, the Coptic Evangelical Organization for Social Services. My last day here at Presbyterian Center in Louisville is July 12. After spending time in Iowa and Rhode Island, we will leave for Cairo on August 14.

I have been incredibly blessed in this year in the United States. Working at the Presbyterian Center has been an invaluable experience for me—the varied morning prayer service that centers me for the work day; the caring commitment of my colleagues in Worldwide Ministries despite the struggles of downsizing; the spiritual and intellectual demands of working for peace in the Middle East in such a tumultuous time in our battered world. I have been uplifted by the welcoming gracious hospitality of churches where I have spoken about the faithfulness of Christians in Egypt. I have felt the presence of the Holy Spirit in worship with the church community who adopted me for the year. Somehow all of these have converged to confirm my call back to the Middle East for another four years.

I have just returned from the 214th General Assembly of the PC(USA) which I had the privilege of attending as Mission Advisory Delegate serving on the National Affairs Committee. All in all, it was both an exhausting and an exhilarating experience: long hours; demanding work; wonderful worship; meals and programs for a plethora of groups related to PC(USA). I was happy to connect with groups/programs of the church representing: mission, women, and Middle East perspectives. I found it helpful to experience first hand the polity of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) as it interconnects with the folks at the Presbyterian Center. Sometimes the business aspects were tedious. But mostly I was impressed with the very democratic Presbyterian process and with the results it achieved.

Charles was blessed this year with a very welcoming school. This included a principal who uses a lot of humor to relate to the students and an experienced, loving teacher who Charles respects. Charles says he wants to be a scientist, and he takes his studies seriously. Based on his report cards and my conversations with the teacher, he had quite a good year academically. His biggest struggle was in finding playmates. The sports leagues he participated in turned out to be his best way of making friends.

In February when the winter Olympics were underway, and each classroom at school chose a country, Charles’s class chose Egypt. Despite Egypt’s track record in winter sports(!), Charles was thrilled by this affirmation, and he got to march into assembly carrying the Egyptian flag. At the teacher’s invitation, I spent part of a day in his class, sharing about Egypt and our life and experiences there. We all had a great time.

Many of you may be aware of the current shortage of funds to support mission work of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). This year 34 returning mission personnel will not be replaced in the field because of lack of funds.

It was heart warming to see the overwhelming support for mission at the General Assembly. Ninety-seven percent of commissioners voted in favor of a resolution to raise $40 million over five years from targeted major donors. The funds will be used to support international mission personnel and new church development. In the long term we certainly have reason to be hopeful and thankful.

In the short term, please remember that your congregation’s Basic Mission Support, often called "unified" or "unrestricted" giving, is essential for the support of mission workers. Some churches choose to direct some of their Basic Mission Support through Directed Mission Support (DMS). Should your church wish to contribute to my salary support in this way, direct the funds to DMS project #D506149. You will need to complete the pledge form in the DMS catalog (PDS# 68700-02-050) available free of charge from Presbyterian Distribution Service at 1-800-524-2612.

Charles and I found re-entry to the United States last year a little bit tough. Charles especially had a hard time with the complete change of routine and environment. We ask for your prayers as we prepare to leave the U.S. and as we return to Egypt. In this way, we count on you for the peace and energy we will need to meet all the changes.

Thank you for all your love and support.

In Christ,

Nancy and Charles