| Humanly speaking, we do not know
Jack, and he does not know us, but his letter was a touchable
sign of our communion in Christ. This communion in Christ made
possible the miracle of the gathering of people working side by
side and caring for those who need Christ’s love in different
places in the world. Among other things, Jack shared in his letter
his prayerful support and companionship with us in our ministry
in El Salvador. He mentioned also how dreadful and discouraging
the international developments are, especially in Iraq, Afghanistan
and the Middle East. For us, coming from the context of El Salvador,
war and violence are not the means for resolving the crucial problems
amongst people and nations. Many people’s lives around us
are becoming so vulnerable every day. Therefore, the most transcendental
battlefield is our witnessing and regarding God’s love for
the inhuman conditions of living in many countries, including
the United States. The current world panorama offers no hope unless
people touched by God’s love become aware of their calling
to bear testimony of hope in Christ. Gloria and I have embraced
the dream of this hope with the certainty that in God’s
name the worldwide ministries of the PC(USA) can make a meaningful
difference in many countries, including the United States.
Our breaking news
Andres has accepted a new position as pastor and Coordinator
for Development of Hispanic Ministry in Grace Presbytery, Synod
of the Sun, in Dallas, Texas. We are very happy and excited about
this calling, but at the same time we realize that there will
be many challenges. This calling gives us the opportunity to continue
to serve the PC(USA) there in its endeavor to reach out through
Grace Presbytery to the thousands of Latino immigrants who live
there and those who continue to come.
Gloria and I are leaving the Worldwide Ministries Division after
17 years of service in mission abroad, but it does not mean that
we are breaking away. Instead, we are extending to the Hispanic
people the world mission of our national church. The driving force
of this new venture is a missionary one. For Gloria and me, it
is a call to evangelism in the way of Jesus Christ. It is a call
to join the presbytery in its engagement in witnessing God’s
love and sharing God’s passion for salvation in the multicultural
milieu of Texas. The development of the full potential of this
ministry relies on the power of God’s Holy Spirit, the commitment
and obedience of the entire PC(USA) to this call. As we are preparing
ourselves for this new chapter in our lives, we ask for your prayers
so that God may guide us and sustain us. Pray that our new ministry
be a means to strengthen the body of Jesus Christ and to honor
the name of our God.
Your servants in Christ,
Andres and Gloria Garcia
The 2003 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, page
243
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