Advent 2008

She laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.
- Luke 2.7-8

Dear Partners in Christ’s service,

As we begin another reflective journey to the manger in Bethlehem, we remember that the Christ-child, like many people in our world, had no place to lay his head. Evidently, Mary and Joseph had no friends there. I rejoice to see that the shepherds came. The simple workers in the field received the good news from God. They came as friends to the stable. The One who was born in that solitary manger in the Middle East now is our Friend and the One who gives us many precious friends across all human boundaries.

Friends in Cuba

In October I represented the PC(USA) at a meeting of seminaries from Latin America. The invitation came from the Evangelical Seminary of Matanzas (SET) in Cuba, a long-time partner and friend of the PC(USA). SET is in a lovely setting, perched high in the midst of a tropical paradise overlooking the city of Matanzas and the bay. They planned and hosted a marvelous meeting. The highlight was time with my dear friends in Cuba and Latin America. Ofelia Ortega is one of the most competent, energetic, creative, and friendly women I have ever known. A former rector of SET, vice-president for Latin America and the Caribbean of the World Council Churches, and a representative in the Cuban Legislature, Ofelia is above all a dear friend.

Sherron, Ofelia Ortega, José Duque.

I first met José Duque at a meeting in Brazil where I was speaking. He was representing the Ecumenical Theological Education arm of the World Council of Churches, as he also did at this meeting in Cuba. It was so good to chat with this professor of missiology, who teaches at the Latin American Biblical University (UBL) in Costa Rica. I still remember one thing he told me in that encounter: “As long as North Americans think mission is simply giving and Latin Americans think it is simply receiving, we will never understand God’s mission.”  He shared with me his excitement about moving with his wife Elsa Tamez to Medellin, Colombia, next year. There he will put into practice his vision for local mission and work with leaders. He also shared his anxiety in returning to his native Colombia after being away for decades. What a gift to have friends like Ofelia and Duque.

Friends reflect, fellowship, and worship together in Cuba

A week with my old and new friends in Cuba was a blessing. A group of students came up to me to say how much they like using my book The Teaching Church in Spanish as a text. I was so happy to meet face-to-face with the professor of Christian Education, Nelson Davila, with whom I have often communicated by e-mail. And it was also a joy to meet and compare notes and bibliographies with Daniel Montoya, the professor of mission who is married to Ofelia.

My friends Carlos Camps, Milciades Púa, and Helis Barraza gathered for this picture in the chapel after the closing worship service. Carlos was the rector of SET who received me when I first visited Matanzas ten years ago. He is a delightful person. He is a professor of systematic theology and pastor of the Central Presbyterian Church in Matanzas. He gave me his recent book of sermons entitled Prophets of Hope. What inspiration and challenge I receive from this friend.

Carlos Camps, Sherron, Milciades Púa, Helis Barraza.

Melciades and Helis are from the Reformed University (RU) in Barranquilla, Colombia, and are leaders in the Presbyterian Church of Colombia. Melciades is director of the program of Theology of Reformed University. He did a year of studies at McCormick Seminary and now is working on a partnership between McCormick and the RU. He invited me to come teach a course in Barranquilla next year. Melciades gave the sermon at the closing worship.

Helis is the administrator of the RU and of the American School (K-12) in Barranquilla, with over 2000 students. He is one of the vice-presidents of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches. I was in his lovely home in Barranquilla before the 150th anniversary celebration of the Presbyterian Church of Colombia in 2006. His daughters are very active in their local congregation. My Latin American friends are a gift for which I thank God!

I cannot forget my dear Cuban friend, Raquel Cardona. I also met her ten years ago in Cuba and we have corresponded since then. I went early and stayed in the Luyanó Presbyterian Church in Havana, where she is an elder. She is also very active in liturgy and women´s work and serves groups as a translator. Together we enjoyed a beautiful concert there on Saturday night. Then she invited me to teach her Sunday school class and to have lunch with her family afterwards. What a special treat!

Pray for my friends and for me. In your Christmas celebrations, focus on our greatest friend and all the friends we have in Christ.

Your friend,

Sherron George

The 2008 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 255