May 2002

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Peace to you and greetings from Fortaleza in the name of Jesus! We are writing to let you know that we’ll be in the United States on “interpretation assignment” from July 10, 2002, to June 30, 2003.

"We would like to say what an honor and a privilege it has been for us to serve in Fortaleza, where our years have been immeasurably enriched by the kindness, the hospitality, and the depth of the faith life of the Brazilian Christians. Being able to share some of their stories gives us a sense of completing a circle—we get to report back to the church that commissioned us and share something of the wonders that God has done."
We’ve been very grateful for your support and your prayers during the last four and a half years and have enjoyed getting to know some of you long-distance via e-mail and letters. We’d love to come for a visit if you would consider inviting us

The best way to contact us is by e-mail. Please be patient with us. After June 18, we aren’t going to have access to our current e-mail. When we get our new e-mail address, it’ll be posted immediately on our Web page that the Worldwide Ministries Division maintains for us.

If you need to call, we can be reached most evenings. Remember that we’re one hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time.

You can reach us in Fortaleza until June 19. After June 22, we’ll be at my brother’s:

c/o: Juan Green
800 NW 22 Ave. # 3
Miami, Florida 33125
(305) 642-6983
(305) 637-9257
monchingreen@aol.com

After July 8 we’ll pack again and move to Decatur, GA. at:

Mission Haven
235 Inman Drive
Decatur, GA. 30030
(404) 378-0931

We will be traveling a good bit of time in the U.S., but we’ll be checking e-mail and calling in for messages frequently, so please leave messages for us at either location.

It won’t be possible to visit all the congregations that we’d like to during this interpretation assignment. If we can’t arrange a visit this time, then we’ll prioritize your area of the country when we are back in 2007.

We’ll make the schedule on a “first come, first served” basis. When you write us with a date, please let us know how you’d like us to share, that is, talk at a potluck supper, preach, meet with the mission committee, whatever. And it’s very helpful if you have a second choice for the date.

Though we are going to be available for a year, please remember that I am planning to work on a D.Min at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur.

A note on expenses

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) pays our salary while we are on interpretation assignment, so we do not expect any kind of an honorarium. But our travel expenses are not taken care of.

At the risk of extending a lengthy letter, we would like to say what an honor and a privilege it has been for us to serve in Fortaleza, where our years have been immeasurably enriched by the kindness, the hospitality, and the depth of the faith life of the Brazilian Christians. Being able to share some of their stories gives us a sense of completing a circle—we get to report back to the church that commissioned us and share something of the wonders that God has done.

Thank you very much for all that you have done for us. We can’t express to you how much we appreciate your letters, your prayers, and your financial support.

The Greens: Ricardo, Reyna, Kerry, Ashley and Richard