Following the death of my wife’s 94-year-old father, it fell to me to sort through his office for important papers and files containing family history. Hugh Steven had spent seven decades of his life as a photojournalist and biographer for Wycliffe Bible Translators. Having authored more than 30 books, his files were extensive. My job was overwhelming, to say the least. But my task was fascinating as well.

In a folder labeled “correspondence,” I came upon a typed letter addressed to my father-in-law in1978. What initially grabbed my attention was the return address of the letter. The correspondent was from Seattle and my in-laws lived in Southern California. The two-page missive on law office letterhead included a color photograph.

As I read the letter, written four years before I became part of the family, I was intrigued by what it contained. The letter made reference to the fact that Hugh had met this couple in Lima, Peru. Based on the content of the communication, I learned that my father-in-law had made a good impression on the young attorney and his wife. There was hope that their paths would cross again in the near future.

I could tell from what I read that my father-in-law, ever willing to share his faith, expressed curiosity in the couple’s spiritual quest. Upon meeting in Peru, the topic of conversation among the trio had apparently focused on his career as a missionary. I attempted to read between the lines as I pondered the letter. Hugh was apparently hoping to challenge his new friends with the benefits of a lifestyle governed by the values of Biblical Christianity. To that end, upon returning home to California, he sent them a copy of his most recently published book.

The couple acknowledged receipt of Hugh’s gift in their letter. They were grateful for this tangible expression of friendship, but admitted to only skimming the book before sharing it with a family member who was more religious than they. In defense of their own worldview, the couple signed-off with a description of their love for each other and their love of life as illustrated by the enclosed photograph. It pictured them in a joyful embrace grasping cocktails.

Although I found no evidence that my father-in-law had ever responded to the young attorney, the file in which I found his letter was revealing. It included a rough draft of a reply along with several pages of notes making a case for thoughtful faith. It appeared to me that Hugh was quite taken with this chance meeting in South America and was wanting to encourage them to know more of the God whose world they so enjoyed.

When I returned home to Seattle from my in-laws, I decided to try and locate the couple who sent Hugh the letter 47 years ago. Were they still living? Were they still living in Seattle? Were they still engaged in a spiritual trek? I located a phone number associated with a related law firm and left a message. Within a week the letter’s author called me.

I asked the lawyer, now eighty-nine, if he remembered meeting Hugh in Lima. He did not. I described the letter he had written that Hugh had saved in a file. I told him that my discovery of the forgotten letter is what prompted my voicemail. I conveyed news of my father-in-law’s recent passing. He told me that his wife had died a decade ago. He also confessed that he was still on a spiritual quest. He asked if I would be willing to send him the letter. I told him it would be my joy.

A few days later I mailed the letter along with the photo of him and his late wife. I took the liberty of enclosing a copy of Hugh’s recently published memoirs as well. In a personalized note, I suggested that what my wife’s father would have said (had he eventually replied five-decades ago) is likely contained in his reflections of life and faith.

As you can see, it fell to me to finally answer that lawyer’s letter. My hope is that when it (and hopefully the memoir) is read, a sacred memory will be recalled and that the spiritual journey acknowledged in our phone visit will continue.

Guest columnist Greg Asimakoupoulos is a former chaplain at Covenant Living at the Shores in Mercer Island.