Don and Elizabeth Sendek Newsletter Jun 11, 2008

And now, children, stay with Christ. Live deeply in Christ. Then we'll be ready for him when he appears, ready to receive him with open arms, with no cause for red-faced guilt or lame excuses when he arrives.

1 John 2:28 (The Message)

A joyful greeting to friends,

How wonderful to have finished the first academic semester of 2008, and to say that I have sent in my grades on time as tomorrow is the limit. Now tomorrow I begin travels to visit students who are in their practical ministry year. I will see one in Bucaramanga this weekend and then two in Bogota and one in Tunja next weekend and beyond. This is before Elizabeth and I travel to S. California on July 2 for a ten-day visit with my mother. We will get back in time to organize for the next semester.

Elizabeth is finishing her first year as vice rector/dean of the seminary, and all reports are excellent. She works well with the rector and communicates well with the professors, staff and students. People feel that communication channels are open and that they are listened to. They might not always like the answers, but they feel heard. Continue to pray for Elizabeth's health so that she can continue to serve. They have been several weekends when only long bed rest made her ready for Monday. Her herniated disc continues to be a part of the problem. I must say that she loves the work and has a great team who help her.

This semester was busy, with one of the surprises in my ministry—I finished 35 years with Latin America Mission in March. God has been faithful during these years. The doctors only find things wrong with my health that are accountable to my age, in fact, "for your age, you are doing well". Have any of you heard that one?

This semester has had its amount of both happiness and sadness that one can expect from living closely with a community. Most recently we had three deaths, the father's of two students and the wife of a professor. This reminds each of us that we are limited and must do the good work we are called to do while we can. We also celebrate births and birthdays. My 65th is just around the corner. I guess one of the big things to do will be to sign up for U. S. health insurance, as the mission signs us off. We have wonderful health coverage in Colombia, so I am not sure what this will mean for me.

Weather that has given many much to talk about has also been adverse here. We have had rain, and then more rain. Our dry months never came, and many people are flooded in Colombia and roads have been washed out or covered with rock and mudslides. Just last night, the street in front of the seminary was filled with mud and rocks coming down from further uphill. Traffic was stopped, and cars were pushed around if they were foolish enough to enter the torrent. Motorcycles did not have a chance. Our side of the city was worst hit, and some of the normally tranquil creeks knocked down houses and destroyed belongings. Parents were panicked as they tried to get their children from the school on the corner down from us. The mix of water, mud and rock went through the school and knocked down a wall. They finish class at 7:15, so it was dark. We see news reports of the central United States and know that we are not the only ones to be suffering in these days. At least we do not face tornados.

Our Moms are getting older. Mrs. Paba seems even more frail and Mrs. Sendek has had two visits into the hospital and is now in a rehab situation. She is sounding stronger when we talk by telephone, but she seems to suggest that they are REALLY pushing her with the exercises. She has not done enough in the past weeks, so I am sure her body is resisting. We look forward to being with her in early July. We see Mrs. Paba in a week when we are in Bogota.

Thank you for praying faithfully for the seminary and us. For seminary and students money remains a critical problem with cutbacks being forced on everyone. Health is also a constant prayer request. Again, I know that some who read this may also be facing similar issues. So we will pray for each other. May we always be able to see His presence and have His peace when difficulty comes.

In Christ,

Don and Elizabeth Sendek

Continuing in Service with Latin America Mission at the Biblical Seminary of Colombia.