December 2002

Dear Friends and Family,

In November, we were in Galveston for a meeting of the Presbytery of New Covenant. I (John) try to attend at least occasionally when we are on the U.S. I have discovered that the fall meeting is the best one to attend. That is not the time for voting on controversial issues, but rather focusing on personnel matters, such as handing over leadership and honoring retirees. At these times, it is great to see the larger ministerial community come together to honor and support each other. Perhaps people here take these functions for granted, but I appreciate them because I know that so many of our missionaries are working without any large body of colleagues with whom to gather on a regular basis. Their support comes long distance via prayer, e-mail, phone call, and letter.

One way we find out what is happening is to look at their letters, and we can do that easily on the computer. So can you. Check out the mission connections Web site, www.pcusa.org/missionconnections and read their letters. Then, perhaps you might want to drop someone a note of encouragement or offer a prayer on their behalf.

In our September letter, we mentioned the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the arrival of the gospel in the southwest of Ethiopia that took place in July. This celebration brought together Christians from many different peoples in that area and some of the retired missionaries who have worked there. It was a marvelous testimony to both the faithful service of the early missionaries and the faithful witness of the believers who have continued to spread the good news, even through a period of persecution. Over 3,000 people gathered for a full day of worship and celebration at the site of the synod offices. We are sorry that we were not able to attend but have marveled at the reports from friends who did. One of the great things was to hear of the different peoples gathering to worship God together, each praising God in their own language. It is truly an example of Christ breaking down the dividing walls between people, as they have not always respected each another prior to finding their unity in Christ. As Harold Kurtz bears witness, "The Holy Spirit is out of control in southwest Ethiopia." The gospel is reaching new people and new peoples, though there is much work still to be done.

It was also the graduation of the second class from the one-year certificate course at the Charles Haspels Bible School. This class included both men and women who will return to their congregations to provide new leadership. This is so important as there are not enough trained leaders already, and the church continues to grow. The third class has already begun, and we invite your prayers for both the students and staff of the Bible school.

Some of you may be wondering what we will be doing, as we've come through ten months of our year of missionary-in-residence. So are we. We are still working out the next steps in our journey of following Christ. Our hearts are still in Africa and we are working out the timing and place of our hope for return. We ask for your prayers as we continue this process. We hope within the next month to be able to share with you what we are doing next year.

We pray that each one of you finds many things to be grateful for in this holiday season. Most of all, we are grateful for the love God has shown is in Jesus whose birth is celebrated this month.

P.S. The photos here are courtesy of Caroline Kurtz-Rasmussen

Blessings,

John and Anne Wheeler-Waddell