Sylvia and I have known Américo and Kathy for over 35 years.  I know that it doesn’t seem possible as young as we are.  In Ecuador, Sylvia taught one of their sons in kindergarten.  I don’t remember if that’s what started our friendship, or if it was something else.  I do know that they have been among our closest friends ever since those days.

After Sylvia and I returned to the US, we remained in contact with the Saavedras.  We’ve had the pleasure of being with them several times over the intervening years.  They have been visiting churches and supporters in west Michigan.  That’s why we are enjoying one of their visits today.

I’m writing this on Tuesday afternoon, just before their scheduled arrival.  After this goes in the queue, the computer goes off for a couple of days.  (Okay, you can believe that if you want to–or not.)

Here’s a little about our special friends:

Américo was born in Orellana, Peru, and spent most of his growing-up years in Yarinacocha, Peru.  As a young boy, he was influenced by the Wycliffe missionary community whose members encouraged him to pursue a Christian education and missionary service. Américo is a graduate of Moody Bible Institute, Trinity College and Wheaton Grad School.

Kathy (Pfeiffer) was born in Chicago, IL and grew up in Palos Heights, IL.  From the time she was very young, listening to missionary stories placed the desire in her heart to be a missionary. After graduating from Wheaton College, she went to Yarinacocha, Peru to teach Wycliffe Bible Translators’ children at their main center.  It was there that Kathy met, and subsequently married, Américo.  In addition to graduating from Wheaton College, Kathy received her M.A. from Azusa Pacific University.

Américo and Kathy are members of HCJB Global, a ministry serving around the globe via media, healthcare and educational ministries. The Saavedras have had more than 35 years of missionary experience in Latin America.

In 1992, Américo had the joy of assembling a pastoral training and leadership development team called APOYO (a Spanish word for “support”).   Since its inception, Américo has been the Executive Director and Kathy the Administrative Assistant. To date, APOYO has held leadership training conferences and workshops in numerous Spanish-speaking countries for the purpose of encouraging and equipping the thousands of pastoral leaders emerging throughout Latin America.

The Saavedras have three married children and eleven grandchildren, with one more little boy on the way–making an even dozen!

I wish you could all stop by and meet them.  They are wonderful folks.