We can’t sleep at night.
We have a lot on our minds: Reverse culture shock, deputation travel, weekly speaking engagements, and trying to discern where God might be leading us next.
But it’s probably just the coffee. Three or four cups of it before bedtime. That’s what is keeping us awake.
But wait. We’re getting ahead of ourselves.
Since we last wrote, we have been busy traveling, visiting, and speaking at American Baptist churches and events throughout Colorado, Wyoming, and eastern Utah. This has given us many wonderful opportunities to share the work that we were a part of in the Bahamas and, likewise, has allowed us to get better acquainted with the many individuals and churches that have actively supported our ministry over the years. During the next six weeks, we look forward to visiting American Baptist congregations in Denver, Pueblo, Fowler, Rocky Ford, and Greeley.
When not traveling, we have been volunteering with the refugee ministry sponsored by our home church here in Denver. Two nights each week, we join a group of volunteers at an apartment complex in Aurora where we provide homework tutoring to the children, teach English to their parents, and help families navigate the many complexities and nuances of daily American life that most of us take for granted. Once the kids have completed their homework and the parents have finished studying English, we’ll often take time to visit several different families in their homes. While these visits have proven to be great opportunities to build relationships, and get acquainted with the diversity of cultures represented (Iraqi, Somali, Nepali, Karen, and Chin), the downside is that they often involve a cup of coffee or two at each stop, snacks and, on occasion, a full meal. We have been greatly blessed by the hospitality of many of the refugee families but it has also been the cause of many sleepless nights.
In our last letter, we asked for prayer as we work with our area director to explore options for reassignment. At this point, we have narrowed down our choices to two options. We will officially be on home assignment through next March but hope to have made a decision by the end of the fall so that we will have adequate time to prepare for the transition into whatever our next chapter of ministry turns out to be. Please continue to lift us up in prayer during the final stages of this decision making process.
2009 World Mission Offering
We would like to remind you that August, September, and October are the months in which our sending agency, American Baptist International Ministries (IM), conducts its annual World Mission Offering (WMO) in order to finance its overseas ministries. Typically, remissions from the WMO account for approximately 25% of IM’s operation budget. Hence, we are highly dependent on the financial support provided by faithful American Baptist supporters and friends such as you in order to finance the ministries that we and our colleagues have been commissioned to carry out.
We strongly encourage you to consider giving generously to the 2009 World Mission Offering in one of the following ways:
1. If you attend an American Baptist Church, the best way that you can support us is by giving to your church's collection of the annual World Mission Offering. Most American Baptist Churches take this offering in September or October. If your church does not normally promote this offering, we would encourage you to talk with your pastor about the possibility of adding the World Mission Offering to your church’s schedule.
2. If you are not a member of an American Baptist Church, or you prefer to make a direct contribution to our ministry, then send your gift to the following address.
2009 World Mission Offering
American Baptist International Ministries
PO Box 851
Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851
Enclose a note that indicates your contribution is “For the support of Daniel and Estela Schweissing in the Bahamas.” Once your tax-deductible gift has been processed, you will receive a thank you note and receipt in the mail.
3. Direct contributions to our ministry can also be made online at: http://www.internationalministries.org/missionaries/95
Just use the “Donate Now!” box beneath our photo.
If you would like more information about the World Mission Offering or need materials to help promote this important activity in your church, please check out IM’s World Mission Offering webpage at: http://www.worldmissionoffering.org/
THANK YOU!
As always, we greatly appreciate your continued prayers and financial support, both of which make our ministry possible.
Serving Christ,
Daniel and Estela Schweissing