January 2000

Dear Friends,

Our last letter described packing our bags as we were getting ready to leave Honduras for our six-month interpretation assignment. By the time you read this letter we will have unpacked our bags back in Honduras, after being reappointed to our assignment with the Christian Commission for Development and part-time with Heifer Project International. We have traveled to many churches, to three conferences, and we have been able to visit our daughters as they began their freshman year in college. We have been able to fulfill our two principal objectives—interpreting our work in Honduras and tending our own flock, as our daughters have made the transition into
the college social/academic atmosphere. For all of us it has been a year of transitions as we adjust to the absence of two beloved family members.

Mission, Mission, Mission

During this time of being away from our mission field we have sought to interpret our work there in a meaningful way. Our reflections have led us to focus on three aspects of mission work in general we think are especially important as they relate to our presence in Honduras.

One aspect that we like to share is the importance of the receiving part of mission. So often we think of mission as giving—giving things
or ideas. While giving can be important, obviously, receiving also can be important and necessary as we move into a new era of mission
focused more on mutuality and equality. By receiving, we allow others to act, and this builds up their own self-esteem, based on the
concept of equality.

Equally important is the idea of teaming. Not only should we be thinking of teaching but we should be ready to listen and learn from others. In our last letter I cited an example of this with a devotional reading from the community of El Limon—how the strength of the community was based on Matthew 10:24-25 and the whole concept of equality and unity. It was a group of campesinos who considered themselves successful, though in the eyes of the world they would be seen as the poor. And they were ministering to me.

Lastly, we would stress the importance of being called both physically and figuratively—mission as a creative and dynamic process. We need to walk with the people and respond in the form most adequately determined at different times. The type of accompaniment that we do may change according to needs or specific requests or the particular abilities of the people we are with. In this way, our mission work takes on a wonderful significance as part of our mutual encounter with others, with God, and with ourselves.

We would like to share this simple message. At this writing, it is Advent, and the temptation of looking back and forward is too great to resist as you read this in January of the year 2000.

A Simple Wish

"Jubilee tells us it is a time of renewal, of pardon and of liberty, And days turn to months, and years to eternity. Let us move on from the material things which be, Pry open our hearts and fill them with glee. For surely there is so much that we could give, And for which the baby Jesus really did live."

Support

Churches wishing to support us through the Directed Mission Support (DMS) should fill out a pledge and send it to the Mission Funding Office. Our DMS number is 507280. Those wishing to support the work of CCD can do it by sending donations to the Extra Commitment Opportunity (ECO) account number E345002. If you’d like a free copy of either the ECO or the DMS book, call the Presbyterian Distribution Service at (800) 524-2612 and ask for PDS#68700-00-050 (for DMS book) or PDS#68700-00-085 (for ECO book).

Wishing you a wonderful New Year,

Tim and Gloria Wheeler

email: twheeler@hpi.sdnhon.org.hn

The 2000 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, page 238