March 8, 2009

Our month in mission

Since our last letter we have been in a wonderful whirlwind of activity. As we began the preparations for our return to the Democratic Republic of Congo, we were excited to be able to enjoy another wonderful Christmas with our kids and grand-kids.  Soon after Christmas the closure of my surgical practice here in Yuma, Arizona, became official, and as my clinical responsibilities ended our return to mission service became much more real.

The first step in this process was to go through the PC(USA) mission orientation. As is customary for the winter orientation process, this orientation was held at the Scarboro Mission in Scarborough, Ontario (in Toronto, Canada). The orientation program was organized and lead by Alice Schuda of the Canadian Churches forum for Global Ministries and we Presbyterians were also assisted in the process by Jo Ella Holman and Ben Albers from the PC(USA) staff. This was a very busy, intense, challenging two weeks of preparation for mission. There was an additional follow up orientation at the PC(USA) headquarters in Louisville. We were very impressed that all the staff of World Mission have a real passion for mission.

Although it was wonderful to enjoy snow and some very cold weather for a change, it was complicated by the fact that we did not have any of our luggage for the first week of the program!  Fortunately Gwenda was able to get a pair of left-over snow boots from a clothes closet for the homeless and we were able to borrow some gloves and a pair of boots (for John’s big feet) from Alice’s husband. We also learned how to get along with very little—good preparation for the mission field! Although we were all stretched, often beyond our comfort zone, it was a wonderful time of preparation and worship with others preparing for mission service.

Twenty-two of us went through the orientation. We represented five different Protestant denominations from the United States and Canada. Of this group, 12 were new mission workers with the PC(USA).  We were very impressed by all the new appointees in the PC(USA) group. They included ordained clergy, development workers, medical personnel, and others going to facilitate mission teams. They are going out into “all the world”—to Ethiopia, Peru, Mexico, Kenya, Costa Rica, South Africa/Lesotho, and of course Gwenda and I to the DR Congo. They are really a great bunch of folks that we should all be very excited to have as new PC(USA) mission workers. Remember to keep all of us in your prayers.

Gwenda and I were concerned about what we would do with our house when we return to the DR Congo, but in a real answer to our prayers, a young couple from our church in Yuma decided to rent our home! Praise the Lord!

As I write this, Gwenda and I are on a flight to the town of Jonquiere in the province of Quebec, Canada. We will be doing a month of French language refresher and then after being back to our home church in Yuma for a commissioning, we will finally leave for the DR Congo on about April 22. Please keep us in your prayers, particularly for language learning, and that all our preparations for our return to Congo will go well.

Grace and Peace,

John and Gwenda