A Future with Hope

A Letter from Betsey and Eric Moe, preparing to serve in Guatemala

September 2020

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For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. – Jeremiah 29:11

Dear Friends,

We’ve been thinking a lot about plans lately—how fragile they are, how quickly plans can change. Eric and I were commissioned in February to serve as mission co-workers in Guatemala. But we’re still here in Spokane, and we don’t know how long we will be here; travel restrictions are in place for mission personnel through the end of the year, and the Guatemala City airport is still closed. It has certainly been a challenge to live without firm plans.

During the exile, when Jeremiah spoke his prophetic word, God’s people were living in the midst of major disruption. Making plans seemed futile. Somewhat unexpectedly, God called them to love their neighbors, build houses, sow seeds, and invest in relationships in Babylon during this time of uncertainty. In short, rather than putting their lives in exile on hold, they were invited to be creative and committed to peacemaking in the midst of the disruption. Eric and I find ourselves in a similar situation. And it’s not so bad—especially knowing that we have supporters and prayer partners like you.

Here are the two main ways we are practicing creativity and hope in this strange, “exilic-like” time:

Second, we are thrilled to be working already with our mission partners at CEDEPCA. In our last newsletter, we talked about a new idea we were about to try called “Virtual Journeys.” Once a month, the Intercultural Encounters team planned to host a 90-minute program using Zoom to explore a different topic related to life in Guatemala: Immigration, Women, Education, Religion, and Spirituality. We would use a mix of live speakers, music, breakout rooms, videos, and slides, weaving each session together with live footage of Guatemalan streets and highways. We have now hosted three Virtual Journeys with participants from all over the United States, Canada, and Central America. Our amazing colleagues do the production and promotion at CEDEPCA in Guatemala—who are all working out of their own homes.

My role is to help develop the script, and Eric’s role is to be the Zoom host. It is a miracle to see new connections and understandings coming to life—connections that may not have been made apart from the necessity to stay at home. You can read more about CEDEPCA’s Virtual Journey program in this Presbyterian News Service article. But the very best way to learn more about it is to participate! Email me (Betsey) if you are interested, and I will send you the registration link.

Eric and I are clinging to the hope that while our plans have shifted, God’s good plans for redemption and life through Jesus Christ have not been and will not be thwarted. God is still God, God is good, and we will continue to live into God’s plans by following Christ as best we can day by day.

We would not be so hopeful if it weren’t for YOU! When you come alongside us on our journey —by following our story and entering into it by praying for us and contributing financially—you make it clear that God has plans to give this whole world a future with hope. Thank you for your partnership.

Betsey and Eric