August 2003

Dear Friends,

But I trust in you, O Lord;
I say, “You are my God.”
My times are in your hand...
Psalm 31:14-15

As we write this letter, we are in the midst of a too-regular occupation—moving! In recent days we have had the opportunity to meet with fellow mission co-workers at the annual Missionary Sharing Conference here in Louisville. A theme around which we shared was that of “transitions,” which are often a regular part of life in mission and ministry. In the midst of transition, change and moving into a new and unfolding future, we have a tremendous sense that our times are indeed in God’s hand.

God’s hand in the past

Closing out a year and a half assignment in the Mission Personnel Care Office of the PC(USA)’s Worldwide Ministries Division, we have been amazed to realize we have actually been back in the United States for over three years! It wasn’t anybody’s “plan,” but God guided us six to twelve months at a time to be here for this period, and what a blessing it has been. We have missed Africa and have continually been seeking God’s direction for our return, but it has been good to be near family for this extended period just now.

After several years of compromised health, but a no-compromising spirit, my (Anne’s) mother passed away in May. I had been out to spend a week with my parents in California mid-April during which we had a treasured day together over at Mom’s beloved coast. Mom was weak but rallying and so the call in May came as an unwelcome surprise. But God knew and God’s hand had rested upon us, extending our time here on this continent for this time.

We have enjoyed and been challenged to give some beginning “face” to the missionary-in-residence position for pastoral care here in Louisville. We have continued to struggle with how best to serve and pastorally support personnel whom we rarely, if ever, meet, but have enjoyed the contact via email and phone conversations, face-to-face sharing with small groups at orientation and sharing conferences, and sending a monthly pastoral letter of spiritual encouragement to the 300 long-term mission personnel working cross-culturally through the PC(USA) in almost 80 countries.

In times of increasing tension around the world and constraining budgets close at home, offering encouragement and spiritual support to those serving in mission is key at the national level and perhaps more importantly at the congregational and personal level.

God’s hand in the present

Once again we are constricting ourselves into boxes and trunks, giving away some clothes and books, wondering when again we will live with our furniture. In many ways, there is the pull to stay put in a place that has been a blessing of a home and a quiet renewing space here in Louisville. But God’s hand is pushing and coaxing and inviting us to move on in this present day. By the end of August we will have put things in storage in Houston, spent some time with John’s family there, moved on to California where after some time with Anne’s family, we will settle temporarily in Pasadena. We are taking a three-month leave of absence to devote time to working on our doctor of ministry papers and final projects. Our hope is that the final projects will be helpful to the PC(USA), offering spiritual reflections and disciplines for cross-cultural workers and those who work with them.

Our address for September 2003 through the end of the year at least will be:

784 Santa Barbara Street
Pasadena, CA 91101
Email: annejohnet@earthlink.net

God’s hand in the future

Since the beginning of this year, we (and PC(USA)) have been in contact with the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus exploring the possibility of our return to Ethiopia in 2004. At this writing, we are awaiting final word, but we are hoping to return to be involved in teaching with the Ethiopian Graduate School of Theology in Addis Ababa, combined with part-time involvement with the Bible school in Gatcheb and perhaps some of the other Bible schools that Mekane Yesus synods are operating. We have been praying about this since we met with the director of the graduate school in spring of 2001 during our visit to Ethiopia.

We had not intended to be in the United States for this length of time, but God’s hand has been at work guiding, giving peace, and working to prepare the way ahead. A familiar saying states, "God is rarely early but God is never late." We may often be frustrated and questioning of God’s timing, but in retrospect, it always becomes so very clear that the God who sees much more than we do or can, the God whose hand is upon our times and life, the God who always combines power and love, is at work in the best ways.

We are grateful for the support, love, and prayers of many friends and family and continue to treasure our connection with you. We look forward in our next letter of sharing in greater detail about the Ethiopian Graduate School of Theology and our partnership in ministry with the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus.

Gratefully,

Anne & John Wheeler-Waddell

The 2003 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p.149