Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Easter 2012: Continuing the Celebration of the Resurrection


Dear Family and Friends:

On June 29th Margarita and I zip up our luggage, set Ana in her purple “baby-backpack,” and board a plane for Paraguay.  Our 16-month stay in the U.S. nears its conclusion.  We are excited to return to the mission field, and, at the same time, we know we will miss being close to our family and friends here. 

We appreciate everyone in Seattle, Los Angeles, Boston and New York who hosted us during our travels in March.  Margarita visited places she’d only seen in movies.   Ana met (and was generously spoiled by) many family members.  I shared about our mission work in different venues.  From now through our departure, we will remain in the Pacific Northwest.  We continue contacting potential supporters of our mission work with the goal to find 13 more people who can start giving $50 a month before May 31st.  While I spend four afternoons a week teaching Spanish to teenage girls, Margarita tries to keep Ana from climbing the furniture at home.  We also participate in a local ESL ministry as well as fill in as substitute Bible study teachers and guest speakers in local churches.  
During this final round of our time in the U.S., Margarita and I request your prayers for…

·         The conclusion of our time here and the transition to Paraguay.
·         Our U.S.-Paraguay residency and visa processes.
·         The necessary finances for the mission field.

Easter weekend for us was a refreshing time of celebrating Christ’s resurrection. A sermon drew my attention to how Matthew describes the disciples’ post-resurrection encounter with Christ: “When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted” (28: 17). Even some of Jesus’ closest followers succumbed to the skepticism that is ingrained in human nature. Interestingly enough, Jesus responds to their skepticism by commissioning them to “go and make disciples of all nations” (19). Jesus invites all people to be His followers, even those who doubt. He walks alongside them in their doubt, reasoning and explaining who He is.

Moreover, many of you who carry out Jesus’ commission do so locally. Others, like Margarita and I, serve thousands of miles away. Wherever Christ’s followers are and whatever our situations may be, we stand together in worship because all authority has been given to our Lord and because He leaves us with the promise: “I am with you always” (20).
Yours truly,

Ana, Margarita and Tim Revett