Note from Missionaries Kate and David

February 18, 2010

Dear Friends:

A couple of days ago our family boarded a plane from Boston to Buenos Aires and our two and half month home assignment came to an end. As we now reflect on what this time back in the United States has meant to us, the image of the medieval pilgrimage comes to mind. Medieval pilgrims usually set out toward a specific destination in light of a particular event. They traveled to be eyewitnesses of sacred events and places. They went seeking first-hand knowledge and experiences of a particular way God can "break into" human lives and transform us for God's own purposes. In our case the destination has been into the heart and hearths of your congregations and homes. The event has been the celebration of our shared faith in Christ and our connection through global mission.

As with the medieval tradition of showing hospitality to pilgrims and wayfarers -- who were warmed by the glowing embers of the hearths of inns and homes along the way -- you have so generously received us in your congregations and homes. You have welcomed us with potlucks replete with delicious food as we gathered around tables for joyful fellowship. We helped complete the circles around your Communion tables and joined our voices with yours in prayer and songs of thanksgiving and praise. We were privileged to be invited into the intimacy of many of your homes to swap stories over an evening cup of tea in your living room or a morning coffee at the kitchen table. We truly had the privilege of many delightful moments of fellowship during this time! Thank you!

Your hospitality has sustained us along the way and has strengthened us for our journey now back to our ministry in South America. Visiting your local missions and ministries has energized us with a renewed sense of passion and purpose. Like the pilgrims who returned to their ordinary lives with so many tales from afar, we return with all the richness of the life and faith stories that you have shared with us.

We also want to give a special thanks to our siblings and parents who helped to care for our children Emily and Matthew during much of the time we were visiting sponsoring congregations.

Tomorrow we leave for a camping retreat with the Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) volunteers who are serving in Argentina and Uruguay this year. It will be like the crossroads where the paths of several pilgrims meet as we share tales of our travels with them and hear their stories from these months that we have been away. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

In Christ,

Kate and David

Attached pictures:

One of several happy reunion moments with our children after being away visiting sponsoring congregations.