April 2013
“Every breath we draw is a gift of God’s love, every moment of existence is a grace, for it brings with it immense graces from God. Gratitude therefore takes nothing for granted, is never unresponsive, is constantly awakening to new wonder and to praise of the goodness of God. For the grateful person knows that God is good, not by hearsay but by experience.
And that is what makes all the difference.”
Thomas Merton in Thoughts in Solitude
Dear Family & Friends,
In March I celebrated five-years serving with Word Made Flesh in Buenos Aires. As I reflect on these past five-years, “I am awakened to new wonder and praise for the goodness of God,” as the Merton quote shares above. I am grateful for family and friends who have partnered with me and accompanied me throughout my time here. I would not be here if it wasn’t for all your prayers, financial support and encouragement along the way. Gracias, Gracias!
It is hard to believe we are well into 2013. It was so good to see many of you in December and January when I was in California. It was a wonderful visit. Our family was all together for Christmas for the first time in four-years, which made for an extra sweet time. Now that I am back in Buenos Aires, I would like to share just a few updates and prayer requests for the new year.
1) Please pray for leadership transitions within the global WMF community. We have recently entered into a strategic partnership with a group called Mission Year (missionyear.org) who shares our incarnational passion and ethos. The focus of Mission Year has historically offered a one-year formation experience in U.S. cities for recent college graduates in the hope that they will be prepared for long-term community development. Bo White (WMF Interim Executive Director) and Leroy Barber (Mission Year President and WMF Board Member) are leading the process of exploration and discernment for all that is ahead for our communities. Please pray for all those involved in this process. I will keep you posted as things develop.
2) The new school year has begun here in the Southern Hemisphere. This month we will kick-off our after school tutoring program (Apoyo Escolar) in partnership with our local church. Please pray for us as we seek additional ways to better accompany these children and their families living in poverty in our neighborhood.
3) We have put a renewed focus on home visits with our friends who we first met at the Retiro train station. Since we no longer see many of these friends at Retiro because their life circumstances have changed, we are looking for other opportunities to maintain these relationships. Logistically, this can often be challenging as many live quite a ways away outside the city.
4) Finally, I would value your prayers as I continue on in my spiritual formation and direction study program. It has been a lot to take in and process, but I am grateful for how God is growing and forming me through it all.
With Deep Gratitude, david