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August 2001
No ray of sunshine is ever lost,
but the green which it awakens
into exisence needs time to sprout,
and it is not always granted
for the sower to see the harvest.
All work that is worth anything
is done in faith.
Albert Schweitzer
Dear Friends,
After four months of church visits combined with time for family
and friends, we are back in El Salvador to begin a new term of
service. We find that the work in Colima has been advancing and
has taken on new challenging directions in our absence. This week
we will be involved with Alfalit’s Colima team to evaluate
the ongoing work and set priorities for the next three years.
We ask for your prayers for this strategy-setting time so that
the work that continues be work of empowerment and transformation
for the Alfalit team and the people of Colima.
Our home assignment period of six months (two months at the beginning
of the year plus the last four months) took us into many church
communities in seven states. There is much interest in the community
development work in Colima and the promise it holds. We are grateful
for the prayers and support from so many of you.
As we think back on these last few months, we are amazed to recall
all the people, the enthusiasm for mission in solidarity with
the poor, Julie’s experience on the ordination committee
at the Presbyterian Church’s General Assembly as a missionary
advisory delegate, and my work with the global issues committee
that resulted in the Assembly’s passing a resolution urging
all congregations to purchase fairly traded and organic sugar
and coffee. We think back on the wonderful times with family and
friends camping in the Rocky Mountains, fishing at Estes Park
with Damian, at a cabin in Oregon and one in Maine! Of hiking
through the Smith Rock area of Oregon and soaking in hot springs
in New Mexico! Just a couple of weeks ago we were with our daughter
Simone and her partner Darien at their marriage ceremony in a
forest cathedral at Calloway Gardens in Georgia! We renewed friendships
with several friends we had not seen for 30 years and attended
a reunion of an intentional community that Bob was a part of and
which disbanded in 1970. We have worshipped with members of delegations
that have been here to El Salvador and with other mission personnel
from around the world that gathered for a sharing conference in
Louisville, Kentucky.
Here in El Salvador we have discovered that Alfalit has begun
the task of rebuilding hundreds of earthquake-damaged houses with
the "sweat equity" of the families that will live in
them. Funds for this important work come from your churches in
the U.S. which are collaborating for maximum efficiency. Colima
has been the site of various youth encampments and delegation
visits while we were gone. A brochure will soon be distributed
at strategic sites around the country promoting Colima as an ideal
family outing destination with forest trails, a restored lake
(now with thousands of migratory birds and other wildlife and
50,000 tilapia fish), a restored hacienda with meeting areas and
dormitories, a refreshing swimming pool, two beautiful soccer
fields, horse riding, etc! You can visit Colima’s newly published
Web site at www.coach2k.com/colima and make your reservation.
Check it out!
There is much underway. Many challenges. Exciting possibilities
and learnings. We look forward to seeing many of you here who
are planning to come and visit us and support the kin-dom building
work in El Salvador. Until then, keep in touch,
In faith,
Julie and Bob
The 2001 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 240
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