April 2, 2007

Dear Friends,

There is a deep unity that binds Presbyterians. Concern and support of global mission has been a common denominator in the churches we have visited from California to Massachusetts, from Minneapolis to Atlanta. As we have shared with “garden variety” Presbyterians, we have been encouraged in their desire to see global mission in the PC(USA) not only maintained but extended.

We recognize that this willingness to increase support for global mission doesn’t come easy for our churches, who care for the needy, the infirm, the homeless and the hungry. They send teams to rebuild shattered cities and shattered lives, sharing the good news of Jesus Christ in word and deed. Certainly they could cry “enough is enough!” Yet, with every church we have visited we have been impressed with their understanding that global mission is part and parcel of what it means to be Presbyterian so as to fulfill our unique calling in God’s work of redemption.

Nurturing relationship with Presbyterian churches has been our task and privilege over the last few months. While visiting churches we have spoken of the great legacy of Presbyterian global mission and its ongoing relevance to the vibrant and growing churches at home and abroad. It demands that we strengthen our personal and prayerful connection between churches and missionaries for it is by personal connection that all Presbyterians share in the incredible work that is being done globally. In Georgia and South Carolina we visited congregations that have faithfully supported us through the years. We also visited churches that have had no personal connection with Presbyterian missionaries for years. In Middle Tennessee, we were encouraged by efforts to connect every church in the presbytery with at least one global missionary.

In Boston we visited our old friend and fellow worker in Southeast Asia, Robert Perkins, who now pastors Newton Presbyterian Church in Boston. Rob’s church is a global church with members from Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Their excitement and sacrificial commitment to global mission work was inspiring. Rob also introduced us to Pastor Rob John of Newburyport, one of the oldest Presbyterian churches in the United States. Tom was taken on a tour of the church that led from the steeple with its church bell cast by Paul Revere, to the sanctuary where legendary George Whitfield preached, and ended up in the basement where Whitfield’s bones lie. Surely in the increasing global mission awareness in churches young and old one can see Ezekiel’s prophesy fulfilled: “the sovereign Lord says to these bones: Look, I am about to infuse breath into you and you will live.”

Ties that bind often span generations. Former Presbyterian missionaries to China and India, Tom’s Uncle Earle and Aunt Berneita Harvey introduced us to the Presbyterian Church of West Covina. The pastor is the son of Presbyterian missionaries in Guatemala who were commissioned with Earle and Berneita and whose father was a classmate of Earle’s in seminary.

In March, Paul and Joe joined us for spring break, and we visited Virginia, taking time to see Colonial Williamsburg, historic Jamestown, and the site of the battle of Yorktown. Joe is now finishing up his sophomore year at Davidson and Paul his freshman year at Wheaton. Both are applying for summer jobs that provide housing since we will be returning to Singapore in June. Emma has begun warming up for spring soccer in Durham and working hard to keep up with her studies. It doesn’t seem we’ve been here that long, but already we are beginning the process of wrapping things up here in the United States.

We wish to extend our thanks to all the churches, pastors, and faithful church members who have made our stay and visitation so enjoyable and fruitful. We thank you for your support and prayers and look forward to that time that God allows us to come and visit again to share with you what God is doing in global mission.

Blessings

Tom for Judy, Joe, Paul and Emma

The 2007 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 123