Don and Elizabeth Sendek Newsletter Aug 7, 2004

Praise the Lord, we made it home safely, and during the travels of the past two months were overjoyed by God's provision as we saw new sights, visited with friends and had wonderful weather. We laugh saying that we only had two hard rains, and one of those was a summer storm during the night while we were snug in our beds, and the other was a morning when we had planned to stay inside anyway. Actually, this July 2 was cold enough that our hosts built a fire in the stove to take off the chill as we wrapped in blankets and drank tea, looking out on the Swiss farmland around the home where we were guests. How we thank each family that accepted us with their love, sharing generously so that we could enjoy the best of Europe. This was Don's first time in Europe so everything was new. I joyed with each treat to my senses, visually seeing things I had only read about, smelling, tasting, touching and hearing each experience. Fortunately, we walked enough that I only gained back about four pounds of the eighteen I had lost before the trip, although I tasted many foods.

I will not tell you all the details, although I would enjoy doing it, but as planned we were a week in London and then by train (including the tunnel under the sea to France) to Germany, Austria, Switzerland and back via Paris to London. Flights separated us as Elizabeth returned to Colombia. She had the beginnings of a cold and ended up in bed most of the week that Don went to see his mother in California. The plans to look at other living arrangements for Mom did not happen as she said that she had been out of the hospital for three months and felt that she was well enough to care for herself in her apartment. I accepted this as a decision that would be hard to change and enjoyed the time with Mom, taking her to three doctors appointments, shopping for groceries and personal needs and getting her out to eat with Chinese, American buffet and California Mexican food adding to the enjoyment of the occasions together.

Now in Colombia, I did visit a student in Bucaramanga and will travel to Cartagena next weekend to visit another. Elizabeth will travel with me this time, and we will have the opportunity to see members of the Latin America Mission family in that city and many of the friends from our years of ministry with university students. We plan to be together with over forty to celebrate my sixty-first birthday. I wish you could all be there. We return and after two days, I will travel with the new rector of the seminary and the academic vice rector to a meeting in Quito, Ecuador.

Both of these men are new in their present position. The seminary celebrated a wonderful installation for Dr. Manuel Reaño on July 27. Four of the past rectors (of a total of seven) were present, representing sixty years of ministry in Medellin, preparing ministers and leaders for the church in Colombia and other countries of Latin America. Dr. Milton Acosta officially became the academic vice rector on August 1. Pray for these two men as they take their positions and steer the seminary in the coming years.

The week of July 26-30 was interesting as we began with the welcome dinner for all students on the 26th, and then we had the special seminar on Augustine and how he has affected the Protestant church, ending with a wonderful morning of prayer on the 30th. The fourth year students led this time of prayer. The faculty and administrative staff left in the afternoon for a two day retreat. We shared together the theme of communication and gave the new leadership much to think about as the organization grows and communication becomes more difficult.

This past Tuesday, the classes for the second semester of academic year 2004 began. Elizabeth is teaching two classes: one on the writing of John and the other for graduate students in Colossians. I will be spending my time as chaplain, helping with scholarships and visits and communication with students in practical ministry. It seems to be enough.

I trust that you have had a good summer, with vacation periods to rest and see friends and family. Thank you for taking time to write and for your prayers for our travels and continuing ministry. God keeps on showing us His love and grace, and He uses you as you faithfully share with us. May He return the blessings to each one.

In Christ,

Don and Elizabeth Sendek