December 6, 2005
Holiday greetings from Rome!
As December 25th draws closer, we find our hearts turned towards
the greatest gift of all—not that of Christmas presents,
but His Christmas presence. At this time of year, we remember
with grateful hearts your friendship, support, and love, which
is shown to us in so many ways! And we pray that this season finds
you celebrating with those you love, surrounded in the warmth
of His presence, wonderful fellowship and, of course, great food!
2005 has escaped in a blur for us! One of the changes in our
communications began in February with transferring over to emailed
newsletters, which we hope you have been receiving. If you are
not, please be sure and let us know! We will add you to our address
list. We still will continue sending hard copies three times per
year from PC(USA) headquarters. You can find copies of the hard
copy and email newsletters on our
home page at PC(USA)’s Mission Connections site.
In our newsletters we have endeavored to speak not only to the
issues of interfaith dialogue but also immigrant and Confronti
programs as well.
We are so pleased to have been a part of the many programs Confronti
has produced this year, many of which focused on hosting groups
(both adult and youth) from Israel and Palestine. As in the past,
participants have a chance to share their experiences, difficulties,
and hopes for a better future together. The most recent group
used the medium of music and involved teens from 12 to 17 years
old. Each participant was given music to practice, and when they
arrived, they put together a beautiful concert of musical coexistence
in just two days! Between practicing the pieces, they shared personal
information, which was a well-received mode for understanding
the Israeli and Palestinian stories and a good way to spread hope
for a peaceful solution to an ongoing crisis that invades every
avenue of their lives. Their message is living proof that within
every adversity there lies a slumbering possibility.
Our present term of service with PC(USA) will be ending in February,
and for some time now we have prayed and considered what direction
God’s path might take for us, whether in Italy or in another
direction. At times we have felt a bit like Albert Einstein when
he was traveling on a train in Germany. When the conductor entered
the car validating tickets, he approached Einstein to ask for
his ticket. Known for his absent-mindedness, Einstein immediately
began searching every pocket for his ticket, and the conductor,
who had immediately recognized the famous scientist, told him
not to worry about the ticket, as he knew who Einstein was. But
Einstein continued his frantic search as the conductor moved on
to other passengers and their tickets. As he was about to leave
the car, he glanced back to find Einstein burrowing into the contents
of his suitcases, still searching for the ticket. The conductor
tried one more time to assure him, saying, “Really sir,
it’s not necessary for you to go through so much trouble
to find your ticket. I know who you are.” To this Einstein
retorted, “Yes, I too know who I am, but I don’t know
where it is that I am going!” We have often wondered that
ourselves this past year!
Throughout our service with Confronti, our many experiences with
Israel and Palestine have touched our hearts and deepened our
desire to become involved with those suffering the effects of
this conflict. While some have warned that we must be careful
what we pray for (as it just might be granted!) we are excited
to share with you that we will be moving to Jerusalem by March
1, 2006! We will be working with the PC(USA)’s Joining Hands
Against Hunger program. The Palestinian coalition is called Joining
Hands for Justice, which lobbies for an end to the occupation
that at its root is creating the hunger issue (just one of the
many negative aspects of oppression). We seek your continuing
prayers and support in this upcoming time of transition!
2006 will also bring a new addition to our family, as Travis,
Jaime, and Reed will be adding a new baby! Despite all the modern
techniques to know whether it is a boy or girl, the family has
elected to be surprised, so we will share with you in March about
this blessed event! Travis’ work has taken on a new dimension
this year, as he began work with USlegal, Inc. doing what he loves
most as a Web developer. Jaime has been with the state auditor’s
office, doing a great job researching and writing for them as
a performance auditor. And Reed is growing up far too quickly!
He’ll be almost 3 by the time his new baby brother or sister
is born.
Will and Malia are the proud new owners of their first house
in Simi Valley! They settled in last June and are really enjoying
the space and comforts of home ownership! Will continued his expansion
of Web development knowledge this year, completing his masters,
and working with Market Scan development, while Malia is enjoying
her second year teaching fourth grade.
Please let us hear from you! We are anxious to keep in touch,
to double one another’s joys, and divide our concerns.
Finally, in the words of Oren Arnold, here is a perfect Christmas
list for a season of giving His presence:
To your enemy, forgiveness.
To an opponent, tolerance.
To a friend, your heart.
To a customer, service.
To all, charity.
To every child, a good example.
To yourself, respect.
Christmas joys be with you
Terry and Michele Finseth
The 2006 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p.
185 |
