Dear family,
The last couple of months since we made the decision to join the Word Made Flesh community in Buenos Aires have been, as you can imagine, characterized by a variety of juxtaposed emotions. Our exuberance over our calling is contrasted by painful awareness of the separation from family and friends that awaits us; our deep trust of God's guidance and provision is challenged by the temptation to fear and grasp desperately at control of our circumstances. Again and again we have returned to the throne of our Lord in surrender, and an undercurrent of peace and passion courses through our beings; our calling to tend to the wounds of His heart through serving among the street children in Argentina remains steadfast.
We have come to realize through this process, our sincere need for the support, prayers and edification of the rest of the Body of Christ. Recently, in reading Henri Nouwen's book Can You Drink the Cup?, we were both stirred by his beautiful illustration of the community of the Body of Christ. In Nouwen's words:
"Community is like a large mosaic. Each little piece seems so insignificant. One piece is bright red, another cold blue or dull green, another warm purple, another sharp yellow, another shining gold…Some look valuable, others worthless…As individual stones, we can do little with them except to compare them and judge their beauty and value. When, however, all these little stones are brought together in one big mosaic portraying the face of Christ, who would ever question the importance of any one of them? If one of them, even the least spectacular one, is missing, the face is incomplete. Together in the one mosaic, each little stone is indispensable and makes a unique contribution to the glory of God." (Nouwen, p. 64).
How exciting it is to know that we are a fellowship of people who together make God visible in the world. During this time of preparation for our work among street children, we are even more poignantly aware of our interdependence upon one other in our collective mission to make Christ's name famous; and we are petitioning, with thanksgiving for your friendship, that you might be the force of His power and love behind us as we move forward to be His hands in a dark corner of the world. Would you consider joining us in whatever way He may stir in you to do so?
As we invite you to consider your stone in the mosaic, we extend this opening to any of you that sense a calling to participate in God's kingdom through this particular venue, trusting that He will reveal that to you. The opportunities for involvement are great: (1) First, we, and the Argentine field in general, are in need of intercessory prayer. We covet prayers for the provision, protection and edification of our family, as well as prayers that the chains of bondage will be broken in the lives of the street children–that they will no longer live under the tyranny of the Evil One. (2) Second, this work will also require committed financial support. Our family, specifically, will need to operate on an income of $3,000/month to pay for living expenses, international travel, health insurance and expenses, and language acquisition studies. Our current discernment of the Lord's plan for us is to leave the United States in January of 2008. Word Made Flesh requests that a modest portion of this income be raised prior to our departure. If you have been called to provide financial support, either one time gifts (which can be delineated on the response card) or continual support through automated deductions are welcome. Authorization forms for automated deductions are available at www.wordmadeflesh.com under the "Support" sub-category (the website is a great resource for other information concerning the mission, as well). (3) Finally, we would love to extend the opportunity to anyone who so desires to be intimately involved with this ministry to come visit the Buenos Aires field…to walk alongside the youth of the street, to know their stories, to be the arms of Christ that hold them.
We carry you all in our hearts and feel deep gratitude for your investment in our lives.
Two of His stones,
Jeremiah and Jennifer Dean