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World Mission News

as reported by Herb Tretzen

Focus Ministry

A few week ago a the Coffee House, we got to meet two young Japanese ladies who had heard about Focus through one of their friends. Apparently they were so impressed by their friend's testimony about Focus, they wanted to check it out for themselves. However, they believed that the Coffee House was for students only and felt real uncomfortable about being there. You see, these two young ladies were visiting teachers who were student-teaching at one of the local schools. They were not sure if they would be welcome at the Coffee House. They felt uneasy giving us their contact information (the same thing that we ask of every visitor to the Coffee House). After some persuasion, we got the information from them and welcomed them into our fellowship.

Later that evening, while we were getting ready for our evening meal, I saw the two of them and asked how they were doing. Both of them responded with big smiles and were glad that they came and were welcomed by our fellowship. Jesus did not turn anyone away from his fellowship, I we will rarely turn anyone away from our fellowship.

I always find it amazing how the testimony of Christian fellowship encourages others to be part of that fellowship. These two young ladies, as well as other international students, who visit us, have a safe place to go on Friday evenings and join us in Christian fellowship. I continue to pray for these people that their pleasant visit allows them to accept Jesus into their hearts and lives.

Fan into Flame

In today's economic climate, many people and congregations are having problems making ends meet regarding missions. In order to pay the bills in the local churches, funding for missions is often cut back. While reviewing some of the emails from LCMS missions, I came across some good news regarding the "Fan into Flame" campaign and wanted to share this with you.

As of May 31, 2010, more than $56 million has been pledged to support new mission initiatives through the Fan into Flame campaign. Of that total, over $28 million has been received in cash for distributions to Jerusalem (congregational outreach), Judea (district outreach), Samaria (national outreach), and the ends of the earth (international outreach). Praise God for the generosity of his people to support this bold venture to reach millions with the Gospel around the world.

Good News from Kenya!

Dr. Mike and Cindy Rodewald serve the Lord in South Africa-Mike as the regional director of Africa and Cindy as a volunteer coordinator. "Recently, in Kenya, Mike had the opportunity to share his faith with individuals that had come to an eye clinic set up by a LCMS short-term mission team. After talking with one young man, Mike asked him about his struggles. The man was quiet for a moment. Then he said 'I'm a drunkard.' As a brother in Christ, Mike felt privileged to pray for and encourage this man about God's care, love and healing and introduce him to the local pastor. As 1 Peter 5:10 reminds us, we all suffer in this world, but through the God of all grace we are assured of his restoration! We are blessed to have and to share this hope!"

Good News from Uganda!

Vicar Shauen and Krista Trump share the following good news from Uganda: "The Lutheran Church Mission in Uganda (LCMU) is about 15 years old and they've never before had as many pastors as they have right now. As we were preparing to go to Uganda for the first time, the church had only one ordained pastor. By the time we arrived in Uganda a year and a half ago, the church was served by two ordained pastors and three brand-new vicars. Today, the LCMU has five ordained Ugandan pastors and five vicars. And next month, five additional vicars will be returning from Seminary. It's a great time for the ministerial staff from across the country to start meeting together for mutual encouragement, to raise and address opportunities and challenges in the church, and to advise the LCMU Board of Directors on issues of ministry and theology.

"So, on April 9, with great joy, the LCMU convened its first ever Ministerial Conference. In attendance were four of the five ordained pastors, four of the five current vicars, and the two missionaries-Rev. Jacob Gillard and Shauen. Rev. Gillard hosted the conference at his home in Kampala. The conversation over the course of the two-day conference ranged from the assignments of the new vicars arriving next month to the strengthening of church records collected from each region, to the care and support of pastors who work in the remote parts of Uganda and are able to come together in fellowship with other pastors only a few times a year.

"Praise the Lord for the workers He has brought up in this land-and for their first ever Ministerial Conference. May this mark the beginning of a new era in the Lutheran Church Mission in Uganda."

Good News from Slovakia!

DCE David and Radka Fiala share the following good news from Slovakia: "A few of us who lead the mothers' group at our church decided to make care packages for moms who come to our group (about 10) and for those moms who we wanted to invite to come because they're inactive or have not been to church since they baptized their little ones. This means that currently, there are four of us who are out and about, visiting about 40-plus other moms personally and delivering care packages! The packages included a 'Satin Hands' set, which was a gift from a Mary Kay lady in the United States (praise the Lord for her generosity in providing 50 of these sets), a 2010 calendar (a gift from the local church), and a monthly magazine, which just started to be published by the Lutheran Church in Slovakia and is simply a great witness (we give praise to the Lord for this initiative as well!). The magazines were also a gift from an LWML group who sends us their offerings.

"Do you see how the Lord provides for His ministries in every way? When I brought the packages for the 10 moms, they were thrilled and these gifts are an amazing ministry to them. I told them the whole story about how the packages even made it to Slovakia, our home, to the church, and then into their hands. They heard the story, and felt loved and cared about. What else could I (Radka) ask for?

"The moms love the fellowship we have when we meet in our group, and they were so thrilled about taking the packages for other moms who live in their neighborhoods and inviting them to church! They shared they have never done anything like this, and one mom, who was very hesitant about making these visits, has now become our greatest advocate and has been working so hard to get everything lined up so we can deliver these packages as soon as possible. A few days ago, she shared with me, 'I know this is the Lord working in me-He's calling me to do this.' It is amazing to see their faith and allow them to take this step to go out and invite others they don't even know. They understand the value of being there for one another.

"We waited for springtime because now it should be easier for the moms and their children to get to church. When it was cold or freezing, they didn't have a good way of getting to church so they couldn't come to our meetings. None of the moms who do come to our meetings drive themselves. They have to use public transportation or walk or we have to arrange for someone to pick them up.

"This is very different than what I am used to where I get in my car and go where I want to go. I now pick up one of the moms and her little boy on my way to church so they can be a part of the group. The mom can't stop thanking me each and every time as if I were giving her gold or silver, but I know, 'Lord, you are more precious than silver, Lord, you are more costly than gold, Lord, you are more beautiful than diamonds, and nothing I desire compares to you,' and I give thanks for His provision and His work in the hearts and lives of these women! Please pray for all of the moms who will be going out to share the love we all have for them and especially the love that Christ has shown to all of them when He died and rose again!"

Prayers

We ask prayers for the following:

In the Name of Christ,

Herb Tretzen