December 1, 2010
Dear loved ones,
It is incredible to think that a little over a year ago Adriana and I each began a deliberate process of reflecting and envisioning what receiving sabbatical would look like for each of us and as a family. We are so thankful for friends and colleagues who have helped us think through the details of our sabbatical plans and encouraged us in many ways. After much and slowly building anticipation we are now on the threshold of this time of ceasing from the rhythms and mindset of productivity that have characterized our lives for the past 12 years of ministry. By the time you read this we will have begun a 6 week transition process of delegating our responsibilities of Field Directors and Regional Coordinators to a couple of coworkers. If you think of it please pray for Brian Langley (Peru Field Director) and David Bayne (Argentina Field Staff) who have graciously agreed to take on the majority of our Regional Coordinator and Field Director responsibilities, respectively. Adriana and I are confident that they will carry these responsibilities with great effectiveness.
Our sabbatical officially begins January 1, 2011 and will extend through September 1, 2011. As Adriana mentioned in our previous prayer letter we will be in the United States for the first two months of sabbatical. During this time we look forward to seeing many of you in southern California as well as embarking upon the “2011 First-Ever-Forcatto Family-California/Oregon-Road-Trip” in early February! We return to Buenos Aires on March 3. In March the school year begins for Cora, Amani and me! I will continue studying at ISEDET Theological University and plan on taking two courses next semester. During sabbatical I also plan on beginning a small urban garden project called “upside-down gardening” at home with the girls. Hopefully we’ll be able to plant, watch grow and eventually eat different herbs and vegetables such as tomatoes and lettuce from our garden. Adriana would like to begin guitar lessons and dedicate a significant amount of time cultivating her wonderful and creative writing skills. There are also a couple of provinces that we would like to explore and visit as a family. This will take some creative planning since the girls will be in school but nothing that a long holiday weekend can’t help solve. Hopefully, this has given you an even better understanding and picture of just some of our hopes and desires for sabbatical.
Since this will be our last prayer letter before we receive sabbatical, we want to remind you that you’ll not be receiving a monthly prayer letter from us until after our sabbatical. It is with great joy and hope filled expectation that we enter into this gift and season of sabbatical. We truly need your prayers as we open up our lives to receive all that God has for us during sabbatical. Go back and read through this prayer letter and previous ones as you think of ways to pray for us. Pray as God’s Spirit leads you. We thank you now for loving us so tenderly and faithfully. May God prepare your hearts during this season of Advent to receive and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the love of God made flesh among humanity.
Love,
Walter