Dear Friends and Family,
Let me begin by apologizing for a form letter. I wish I had the time to write you personally. I very carefully hand-picked the individuals who are getting this letter- this letter is sent to those who have proven themselves through their sacrifice. You have been an encouragement to Phileena and me. Your prayers, encouragement, sacrifice, and support have lightened our load and enabled us to press on in times of hardship and trouble. For this we thank you.
Let me also apologize for such a long period of silence. I realize many of you haven't heard from us for quite some time now, please forgive us.
The silence has been unintentional. We've been on the go- speaking, preaching, and sharing our vision at retreats and conferences and with churches, schools, and colleges. We've also been busy with the transition in leadership here at WMF- so busy that we've spent many 12+ hour days in the office.
Though we've not been able to communicate this to you, we are truly grateful for your on-going financial and prayer support. Without you, we'd be unable to serve the poorest of the poor. God has blessed us through your sacrifice; and through His blessing to us, we've been able to be a source of blessing to the poor. From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you.
Hopefully you received a letter from Mark Nysewander (the chairman of our board of directors) detailing some of the changes here at WMF. The letter stated that I have been appointed to serve WMF as the Executive Director. That means Phileena and I will be living in the USA for a little longer than we had originally thought. It's not really what we wanted, nor is it what we planned, but we feel it's where God has us for the time being.
We are convinced that our calling is specifically to the poorest of the poor. Our prayers have been that God would be able to use us most effectively for that calling where He deems best. It seems that working out of the USA as director of the mission is where He would have us for this time.
We will still be making 2-3 trips a year to India to lead short-term teams and to reside at our Indian board meetings. I may even teach some missions at the Madras College of Evangelism on short-term contracts. So our new position in the mission isn't taking us away from India, rather it is giving us back to India and giving us back to the poor in a new capacity. As Executive Director I'll be able to do more preaching and writing on behalf of the mission and the poor, two personal areas of gifting that I've longed to develop.
Though our position and location has changed, we still need your continual support- both financially and prayerfully. We've taken on a bigger burden of responsibility, and your prayers for us are essential. Because the cost of living is higher here in the States than it would be in India, we'll be needing an additional $8,000 more a year in support.
Pray that God would grant me the wisdom and discernment to lead His movement among the poor. Pray that He would continue to provide the finances that Phileena and I will need to live here in the States. Pray for WORD MADE FLESH that God would continue to bless this movement and that our efforts would continue to bring healing and restoration among the poorest of the poor.
We promise to be better about keeping in touch with you. We'll do our best to get a prayer/update letter in your hands every 4-6 weeks. Please keep in touch with us and write or call when you're able. If there are any questions that you may have or if you'd like further clarification please call (1-800-CRY-4-KIDS) and talk to Phileena or me- we'd love to hear from you.
We need your support, now more than ever, so continue to pray for us and as you're able continue to follow through on your monthly financial support that will enable us to serve the poor.
Thank you for all you've done and all that you'll continue to do.
Take it slow, keep it simple and bless God.
Your servants,
Chris & Phileena Heuertz