February 17, 2005

My dear Friends and Colleagues,

I have had the privilege of working in ministry and mission with the Presbyterian Hunger Program for 14 years. I have worked with many wonderful, dedicated individuals, congregations, and presbyteries who have taken to heart Jesus' mandate, "Feed My sheep.” I have come to truly understand that the mission and ministry of the PHP is one of many ways that God's people are carrying out God's mission. As many of you know, I have not been shy about lifting up the opportunities to be a part of mission through the PHP. I believe that, along with "decently and in order," somewhere on my frame there is also a tattoo of the 800 number—(800) 334-0434—and the five agenda areas of the PHP.

While I was working as a Hunger Action Enabler (HAE) for Peaks Presbytery I feel God was preparing me for this new part of my faith journey. In God's infinite wisdom God knew that as a "narrow-minded, pushy broad" I would have to be led carefully yet firmly to where I would be called to go next.

My path intersecting with our Haitian brothers and sisters came through my work as an HAE. As a reluctant dragon, I was led to Haiti for the first time. Once there, I knew I wanted to return again and again. The years went by and there seemed no clear path for a role of a more direct ministry until last summer. I had been contemplating a leave of absence or some way to concentrate on acquiring Creole language skills. I wanted to be more present when I was in Haiti by being able to share the language spoken by my sisters and brothers. One day, while in conversation with personnel in the office of Ecumenical Partnership of the PC(USA), I shared that desire, and a path was presented. After several minutes of light-headed giddiness, in my heart I felt and heard a "yes" to God. I began that day to follow the process to apply for the mission co-worker position of Haiti Partnership Facilitator for the PC(USA).

I had often wondered what people meant when they said they felt or heard a call to mission. I think for me, that call may be best described as a sense of calm. I feel as if I am leaning into a life that God has been preparing me for quite some time.

The application process, period of discernment and all the other "decently and in order" things that Presbyterians do took several months. In December 2004, the appointment opportunity was presented, I accepted and the General Assembly Council concurred with the recommendation from the Worldwide Ministries office. It is amazing how many people are involved in a placement process.

After an intense two-week orientation period in Louisville with other newly appointed mission personnel, I came back to Lynchburg, Virginia, to begin my three-year appointment as a U.S.-based mission co-worker. My friends from the orientation process went off to exotic places around the world: Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Russia, Africa, Central America, and Mexico. Having U.S.-based mission personnel working with PC(USA) folks and ecumenical partners is a rather new mission model for the PC(USA). I laugh and say that while my new friends went to the far corners of the world I stayed in the mission field of the United States and began the joy of working with PC(USA) churches. It is rather like herding cats. My work will include traveling to Haiti and working with our partner, the Episcopal Diocese of Haiti, as well as being a supportive colleague of our mission personnel living and working in Haiti.

God's mission as it is being carried out around the world by the PCUSA needs to be lifted and celebrated. Please take to time to read the January/February 2005 issue of Presbyterians Today. The articles are timely; "Partnerships - Mission's Growing Edge" and "How will you know when God calls?"

So what does all this mean? Well, it is my way of telling you what has been happening in my life and giving a testimony to the wonderful gifts and opportunities to serve that God has provided. My office space continues to be here at the Presbytery of the Peaks. I may wear a different hat but my heart is still in the same place.

In Christ's service,
Pix Mahler