A Substantial Shortfall

A letter from Bernie and Farsijana Adeney-Risakotta serving in Indonesia

May 6, 2015

Dear Family, Friends and Colleagues,

The best thing about the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the PC(USA), is its worldwide mission.

Every few years we get to attend a “sharing conference,” where PC(USA) mission co-workers gather to learn about what their fellow co-workers are doing around the world.  I am always amazed at the richness of this group.  These are salt-of-the-world people: deeply committed to Christ, highly educated, sincere, competent, spiritual, intelligent, sacrificial and loving.  They are doctors, scientists, professors, farmers, pastors, teachers, artists, lawyers, administrators, activists and engineers.  Some work in very difficult and dangerous conditions to bring hope, healing, peace and justice to their neighbors.  The work they are doing throughout the world is Good News.  It is amazing grace.  I am so thankful for them.

The work of PC(USA) World Mission transcends all the differences that exist in the church.  Whether they are liberal, conservative, progressive, evangelical, establishment, radical, or all of the above (!), mission co-workers are motivated by loving service to God and to the world.  They are worth more than all the church buildings in the PC(USA). They are bringing life and peace to the world.

Recently I heard the sad news that there is a substantial shortfall in financial support for long-term mission co-workers.  Some are being called back to the U.S.A. because there is not enough money to support them.  This is shocking. As Joni Mitchell sang: “Don’t it always seem to go, That you don’t know what you’ve got, Till it’s gone…”

However, it is not gone yet and by the mercy of God, the mission of the church will not be gone, but instead increase.  In crisis there is an opportunity for new birth. I’m writing to invite you to support PC(USA) World Mission in your prayers and with your gifts.  It doesn’t matter if you are a Presbyterian or even a Christian.  A gift from you will help continue the work of sharing good news, overcoming poverty, and joining in efforts to build peace and reconciliation among all people.  My experience is that giving doesn’t hurt me.  Instead it gives me life and makes me a part of those I support. There is no gift that is too small or too large.

If you would like to give to PC(USA) World Mission online, please go to:  Make a gift to World Mission.  If you would prefer to give directly for our support, please go to:  https://www.presbyterianmission.org/donate/make-a-gift/gift-info/E200303/  (or use the “Give” link below).  You can also give by sending a check made out to Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) with E200303 in the memo line.  Send it to:

Presbyterian Church (USA)
Individual Remittance Processing
P.O. Box 643700
Pittsburgh, PA 16264-3700

Thank you for supporting us and the work of reconciliation around the world.

Warm regards,
Bernie and Farsijana Adeney-Risakotta

P.S.  Please feel free to share this letter with your networks.

The 2015 Presbyterian Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 239