December 2007
Englewood, Florida

Dear Friends,

Our stay here in the States is drawing slowly but surely to a close. My family and I are looking forward to getting back to Argentina to the work and the people that we left there.

Although Noelia has enjoyed her preschool class and teachers here, made many new friends, and learned an impressive amount of English, she still often asks for her teacher and friends in Argentina. My husband Daniel has spent hours learning more about and practicing the piano from lessons downloaded from the Internet, but he misses worshipping with his congregation in Argentina. I also look forward to getting back to the joy of teaching and the companionship and moral support of my colleagues in Argentina. Baby Brian smiles no matter where he is!

Our time here in the States has been mostly full of hope for the future of Presbyterian World Mission. I will share some highlights with you, ask for your prayers for these highlights, and invite you to correspond with me if you want more details on any of them.

Most of my stay has been in southwest Florida this time, since my parents have recently relocated to this area. Since the presbytery here does not yet know me well, I have had few chances to do mission interpretation, yet the people and churches I have met are deeply committed to advancing the work of Presbyterian World Mission.

My stay in the area that is home for my heart (the Cayuga-Syracuse Presbytery) was way too short. However, I had a wonderful time reconnecting with people there for a week during Mission Challenge ’07 in October. I also sensed strongly that the folks in small churches and larger churches alike yearn to hear about and be a part of God’s mission in the world through Presbyterian World Mission. I think if I had been able to stay the whole month of October, I would have been able to meet with and be encouraged by many, many more people and churches in that area. What a blessing you are to me!

I have begun conversations with some friends and supporters on how they might come and visit the work that I am doing in theological education in Argentina. The University Institute (ISEDET) would be a great place to receive people who want to spend a week in Buenos Aires learning about the hopes and challenges of Protestant churches in Latin America.

In all, more than in previous visits to the States for interpretation assignments, I have sensed this year that new hopes and renewed desires are dawning in general across the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) for increasing awareness and participation in the long-term mission commitments of the PC(USA). I know that the staff of the World Mission program area of the General Assembly Council is working hard to help churches learn new ways to develop relationships with mission co-workers and get involved in God’s mission in and around our world.

In this time of preparation for a New Year, may we all actively seek and foster new glimmers of hope as God’s Holy Spirit brings Christians from near and far together in Christ’s mission. May we continually seek ways to encourage each other, even as we seek to be obedient in different languages and distant places. Our bond in Christ is the strongest bond that exists. I thank God for each of you and wish God’s richest blessings for you in the midst of the hopes and struggles of 2008.

Yours in Christ’s love and service,

Katie Griffin

The 2007 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 39