July 17, 2005

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 6: 25 and 34

Dear Friends, Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As Juan and I and Laura and Camila prepare to return to Buenos Aires, we feel the anguish of moving, of transition, of leaving friends and neighbors, and also the joy of returning to the mission field to embrace those whom we are working and serving with. It is hard not to worry in this time of transition but we must say that we have appreciated every sign of love, every hand that reached out to us, and every prayer lifted to the Lord on our behalf and that of the people of Argentina. During this year of furlough we have reacquainted ourselves with some of the dreams and visions of PC(USA) congregations in the United States. We have shared fellowship with you, gotten to know how you work within your communities of faith, shared the joy of worship, and encouraged you to pursue the work that God has initiated in your midst. The invitation to engage even more fully in the mission locally and overseas is with you and the invitation to join us in the mission field in Argentina is before you. “Nuestra casa es su casa” (“Our home is your home”), and this is wholeheartedly said.

We are extremely happy that a group from First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem and the Catasauqua Presbyterian Church is going to join us in Buenos Aires for a 10-day mission experience in October. Join us too in the “deep south!”

This coming Saturday July 23, 2005, we return to Argentina for another year of mission there. We will welcome a group of seven young adults to serve with us and our partners in Argentina and Uruguay. We look forward to a time of discipleship, prayer and work with them and our very diverse partners.

Juan and I will also be working with the Evangelical Methodist Church of Argentina in Greater Buenos Aires. The church is growing in its awareness of the need for a more wholistic approach to mission to reach the very poor on the outskirts of Buenos Aires, and the church is joyfully responding to this call. We will help train and prepare their local leaders for this mission and walk with them in the mysterious but rewarding paths that the Lord will have for all of us. We may participate in new church development and social justice issues, but in any event we expect to learn from those whom we serve.

We ask for your prayers and financial support for our denomination’s mission work. For churches that wish to support our ministry through Directed Mission Support (which is part of Basic Mission Support), our number is D506607. Churches must fill out a pledge form, which can be downloaded here.

The pledge form can also be found in this year’s (or next year’s) DMS book, which can be obtained gratis from the Presbyterian Distribution Center at (800) 524-2612. For more information about the DMS process, call Judy Pearson at (888) 728-7228 x5654 or Jacqui Lovett at (888) 728-7228 x5650.

For those of you who have supported us, we thank you tremendously.

Please keep all of us in your prayers! Our address and email are correct on our home page.

We will cherish your continued prayers especially for Manuela as she prepares for her last ordination exam, which will take place on August 26, 2005. Two weeks ago, Manuela was accepted by Lehigh Presbytery as being ready for a call, pending this last exam. This year she completed her master of divinity degree.

God is good. God is very good. We claim his goodness and are also grateful for your faithfulness to us and to the ministry in Argentina. Through your prayers and financial support you allow us to serve in the Lord’s name. Thank you!

Much love from your brother and sisters in Christ,

Juan, Manuela, Laura, and Camila Kauer

The 2005 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p.40