For the past
decade, Frank and Elizabeth Musick were the only personnel assigned
to the office. Samuel left to look after his own business full-time,
but continued to be contracted as accountant and consultant for
the Mission. After Frank's death in February 2003, Elizabeth served
as interim treasurer and assisted in the transition and closing
before her retirement and departure to the United States at the
end of October. I believe that my presence in Campinas during
2003 was providential.
Although the office has been closed, the Presbyterian Mission
of Brazil continues to exist. It is made up of the PC(USA) and
our two partner denominations, the Independent Presbyterian Church
of Brazil (IPIB) and the United Presbyterian Church (IPU). As
we were closing the office, we also were rewriting the by-laws
of the Presbyterian Mission of Brazil to accommodate our new situation
and new Brazilian laws. We could never have made it through this
time of transition without Samuel Kohn. I give thanks to God for
his gifts, friendship, and service.
Samuel probably knows Presbyterian missionaries in Brazil, their
work, and history—especially the financial and legal aspects—better
than any other person. His friendship, integrity, sense of humor,
dedication, and wise counsel have been foundational to the mission.
He is the first one to admit that it was time to close the office
and to celebrate the fruits and autonomy of Brazilian Presbyterianism.
Besides serving as accountant and consultant for the mission,
Samuel has trained several young Brazilians. One of them is another
extraordinary treasure, Rosana Bueno Quesada. She started working
for the mission in 1986 as a student at the age of 15 and completed
her college education at night. The mission family accompanied
her in her wedding to Wagner and in the birth of Mariane and Larissa.
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