CHRISTMAS GREETINGS
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Children find great
joy in things that are upside-down, inside out, and backwards, while these same things can make adults feel uncomfortable.
We want things put right, but what is “right?” God’s “right side up” includes, “blessed
are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth” (Matt. 5:5) and “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very
last, and the servant of all” (Matt. 9:35). Christmas is a time when we celebrate one of the most amazing of God’s
“right side ups.” The prophet Isaiah writes of Mary, “The virgin will be with child and will give birth
to a son, and they will call him Immanuel– which means, ‘God with us.’” (Matt. 1:23). Nothing ever
looked so upside-down. A virgin is pregnant. God is being born as a human baby to be “with us.” And He was born
in a stable with simple shepherds to welcome him. It may look upside down to the world, but God sent Jesus “who had no sin
to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Cor. 5:21). As our heavenly Father’s
children, we find great delight in His “right side up” and kneel with the shepherds and sing, “Joy to the
world, the Lord has come! Let earth receive her king!” Merry Christmas.
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Rev. John Mehl
LCMS World Mission
Asia Regional
Director
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PAPUA NEW
GUINEA ABLAZE!
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First Graduation for Hewa Students
The first graduation
of the Wanakipa Lutheran Primary School for Hewa students in the Southern Highlands Province of Papua New Guinea was held
on December 3, 2009. Twenty young men and one young woman graduated from Grade 6. This
is a remarkable achievement because of its remote location and the absence of roads, stores, and local governance.
The students themselves were instrumental in constructing their school building. Work on the project
began in 2002 with project assistance from LCMS World Relief and Porgera Joint Venture, and coordination by LCMS World Mission
staff. Many of these future graduates worked alongside LCMS missionary Anton Lutz in using a sawmill to
produce the lumber to build a double classroom school and housing for teachers, while also learning the needed carpentry skills
from LCMS WM volunteer Harry Steffans as they helped to construct the buildings. The school opened
in 2004 with one class of nearly 50 students enrolled in Grade 1. Because the Hewa children had never had
the opportunity to have a government recognized education, many of these first grade students were already teenagers and several
had children themselves. Mr Paul Watia, a teacher in the Gutnius Lutheran Church school system for more
than 20 years, was the founding teacher. For its second year of operation there was not a second teacher,
so Watia moved between the two classrooms teaching new Grade 1 students in one and the advancing Grade 2 students in the other.
By the third year, and still with only one teacher, the Wanakipa school board decided to move the students along to
grades 2 and 3, and the following year to grades 3 and 4. There were no new enrollments of students in
the earlier grades. Watia continued this pattern until today, 2009, when the initial students were in grade
six, ready to graduate as is the course in Papua New Guinea primary schools.
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World AIDS
Day Commemorated
In Wapenamanda District of Enga Province, Gutnius Lutheran Church (GLC) members
played key roles in activities commemorating World AIDS Day on Decmber 1. Mrs. Daphne Kapau, Mr. Rea Saiakali,
Mr. Win Kenobi and Mr. Pinamai Rakapani (all active GLC members), along with LCMS missionary Liz Neuf, each headed a team
to coordinate activities for the day in different areas of the district. The international goal for World
AIDS Day 2009 was to promote prevention, treatment, and care for those infected by HIV and AIDS. The Wapenamanda
District AIDS Committee focused on calling each person to responsibility in the AIDS complex. The activities
of the teams varied, with most including marches, informational speeches, and dramas. Pictured is the enthusiastic
2-mile march from Immanuel Lutheran Hospital to Wapenamanda.
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HONG KONG ABLAZE!
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LCHKS 60th
Anniversary Celebration
The Lutheran Church—Hong Kong Synod (LCHKS) celebrated Reformation Day
in an extraordinary way this year, as they commemorated the church body’s 60th anniversary at a special celebration
worship service on October 31. The anniversary celebration included a number of addresses from former and present leaders
in the LCHKS and a variety of musical choir performances from LCHKS churches and schools. LCMS World Mission
Regional Director Rev. John Mehl delivered a congratulatory address to the gathering on behalf of LCMS .
In 1949, LCMS missionaries set up a mission in Hong Kong to serve the local people, many of whom were refugees from mainland
China. God blessed this small mission and it has developed into the now thriving LCHKS, which consists of 37 congregations
and 8,700 members. New pastors are trained at the LCHKS’s own Concordia Seminary in Hong Kong. The church body
has developed a strong outreach to the local community through its many kindergartens, primary and secondary schools. The
LCHKS also reaches out to the community through its Hong Kong Lutheran Social Services, which provides many services, including
counseling, substance abuse rehabilitation, elderly care, youth centers, foster care, day care, and family life education.
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ALEA Revitalized
The Asia Lutheran
Educators Association (ALEA) board met in Hong Kong on November 28. The board had previously met in May of this year to determine
how to best move forward. At the May meeting, the board appointed Dr. Darrell Van Luchene to serve as temporary
Executive Director, and through his efforts and that of others, a number of projects and other processes were begun that the
board was happy to note and proceed on. A primary goal of ALEA is to facilitate the process of networking with the scores of Lutheran and
other interested schools in Asia for mutual support and cooperation. It also facilitates sharing resources, training, recruiting,
and other projects which are requested and approved. The current board is seeking to increase its number, find a permanent Executive
Director, and plan for an all-Asia conference sometime in the Fall of 2011 at Concordia International School Shanghai. Any
suggestions or other notes of interest are welcome and can be sent to:Dr. Darell Luchene dvan1946@yahoo.com or Rev. Ted Engelbrecht Ted.Engelbrecht@lcms.org .
Luther Speaks Chinese
Prof. Lei Yutian
(Director of World History Research Office & Director of China Luther Study Center at Guangzhou University) is one of
the co-editors for the Chinese Edition of Luther’s Works (CELW) project. He is working with two volume
editors, Rev. Dr. William Liao (Prof. of Church History and Systematic Theology at China Evangelical Seminary, in Taipei,
Taiwan) and Rev. Dr. Stephen Ip (Prof. of Systematic Theology at Concordia Theological Seminary, Hong Kong) on the project.
When the three met recently, Prof. Lei encouraged them by stating that, “ten years on, Luther is closer to speaking
Chinese today than ever before.” On November 28, 2009 these three men met in Shenzhen with Edward
Strohschein, Financial Officer for the project, and Rev. Carl Hanson to work on translation issues related to the project
and to discuss timetables for the coming three volumes (3, 4, and 5) of CELW. Volumes 1 and 2 were published in 2005
after six years of intense work. Volumes 3, 4, and 5 are scheduled to be published by
2011. This work involves translators from both Chinese scholars in China as well as those who live outside of China. As the project
breaks into new territory and spans a new decade, the need for Luther to speak to scholars in Chinese grows. Prof. Lei
noted that during the past four years there has been an ever growing interest in studying Luther among the academic world
in China. Coupled with the rise of China and its influence in the world today, Luther’s transformational thinking
is poised to make a critical impact at yet another formational moment in history.
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Martha Boss
Book Released
On December 8, The Hong Kong Lutheran Social Service of the Lutheran Church-Hong
Kong Synod (LCHKS) presented the newly-published book commemorating Deaconess Martha Boss (1913-1973). Martha Boss was a nurse,
deaconess, and missionary to China and Hong Kong starting in 1946. Over 40 authors contributed articles in Chinese and English
sharing the impact Martha Boss made on their life individually and on Hong Kong as a whole. Rev. Tony Lau, Chairman of the
LCHKS Social Service Committee, writes that “Martha sacrificed her life for God’s mission. She never asked for
compliments. Whenever there was opportunity to help, she never hesitated.” All the authors hope that this commemorative
book will inspire Christians in Hong Kong, China, the U.S. and around the world toward faithful social service and evangelical
proclamation of the Gospel. To request a copy of the Deaconess Martha Boss Commemorative Book, please contact Deaconess Carol
Halter at carolh@netfront.net. .
Teaching and Service with the Love of God
Hong Kong International School’s
(HKIS) longest serving high school teacher, Zella Talbot, has made a difference in the lives of countless students over the
years. She joined HKIS in 1983. “I was adamant that this would only be for a year at the time,”
she says. Yet twenty-six years on, Zella is still at HKIS! Over the past 13 years, she has also been involved with many service projects, in addition to starting the
Service on Saturday program at HKIS in 1996, which today has grown to 21 groups and over 350 students who participate
in service projects throughout Hong Kong. Zella, with her husband, fellow HKIS teacher Dr. Marty Schmidt, developed the Humanities in Action
course, which transformed the service ethos at the school by guiding students to be better people through teaching them the
joy of helping others through service. About 20 years ago, Zella started the first-ever service club at the high school called Interact.
Today, Interact is still going strong. Its flagship event, the HKIS Fashion Show, has raised millions of Hong Kong dollars
for different charitable endeavors and will celebrate its 11th Anniversary this school year.
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American
Fun Fair
On November 13 the “American Fun Fair” was hosted at Ma Chan Duen
Hey Memorial College (MCDH), one of the secondary schools operated by the Lutheran Church—Hong Kong Synod (LCHKS). The
event was a part of the International Interface program at MCDH which brings short-term teams from America to work with students. To make the fair
more authentically American, 20 Americans helped with the event. The Americans included a short-term team from Immanual Lutheran
Church in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, members from the Church of All Nations in Hong Kong and LCMS World Mission missionaries.
The fair included 13 themed booths designed to help demonstrate that MCDH is a “quality Christian school with
excellence in English education.” The booth themes included American states, American football, English conversation,
the Fruits of the Spirit, Gospel crafts and a booth with a variety of traditional American foods.The event organizers, including leaders in the LCHKS and teachers and students from MCDH, estimated
an attendance of 400 people. Visitors included students from five area schools as well as members from the local neighborhood
around MCDH.
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CHINA ABLAZE!
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CISS Interim
Groups Impact China
Interim is a weeklong, annual academic course for
all High School students at Concordia International School Shanghai (CISS) designed to develop communication and leadership
skills, self-reliance and compassion. In 2009, four of the 14 Interim courses included Yunnan Education Project (YEP) sites.
YEP, CISS’s flagship service program, was started in 2002 to help children and families in impoverished areas of China.
YEP works in conjunction with the Concordia Welfare & Education Foundation (CWEF), a nonprofit based in Hong Kong that
strives to improve the livelihoods of impoverished rural communities in Asia. In Lincang Prefecture, Yunnan province, hundreds of villages
are in need of clean drinking water. Since 2002, YEP has financed 20 clean water projects in Shaungjiang, with six serving
as water project Interim sites. When a YEP water project is begun, villagers pay a small sum into the cost
of the infrastructure. As individuals work on the project, they are also paid for their work. CISS water project Interim courses
provide additional physical labor in digging trenches, laying pipe, and installing water meters. One of the initial efforts of YEP
was to provide elementary school scholarships to students in rural areas. Four years ago, the Chinese government began to
provide elementary students—both boys and girls—tuition-free education through grade six. YEP has continued its
scholarship program, shifting its focus to providing aid for middle and high school age students. The desire to educate extends beyond
scholarships to the classroom, and providing assistance in education remains a primary way that CISS students are able to
serve through Interim. During the 2009 Interim, CISS students offered oral English practice and English-learning methodology
to Grade 7-8 middle school students in Zhaotong City. Over the years, YEP has expanded to provinces beyond Yunnan. This year, students
encountered opportunities to serve in the earthquake-ravaged province of Sichuan, through teaching various subjects in English
to the middle school students.
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Texas Team Serves
in China
At the end of October a group of 18 men from three congregations in Texas joined
with 10 members of Church of All Nations (CAN) in Hong Kong to serve together in southern China with the Concordia Welfare
and Education Foundation. The group funded a drinking water project for a village area with two schools whose old water system
left them dry for several months every year. The group shared their joy in service as redeemed children of God by digging
extensive trenches and laying piping for the water system. In addition, they taught hygiene lessons at the local primary and
middle schools. CAN members had visited the area previously and donated some bright new school uniforms for primary school
children in other schools in the county.
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.KOREA ABLAZE!
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39th Regular
General Assembly of Lutheran Church in Korea
After the first Protestant missionary
venture on Korean soil by German Lutheran missionary Rev. Karl Guetzlaff in 1832, the Lutheran Church in Korea (LCK) began
with the commission of three missionaries by the LCMS in 1958. In 2009, LCK looks back on 51 years of mission. From October
8-9 of this year, LCK held its 39th Regular General Assembly. At this year’s General Assembly, Church President Hyun-Sub Um and Church
Vice President Rev. Hyun-Gil Lang were both re-elected. In addition, the new board of directors and the
executive committee, along with auditors, were elected as well. Celebrating the 51st year of mission, this
year the LCK makes the first step towards the centennial of Lutheran mission in Korea. The main issues at LCK’s General
Assembly were the reports about the construction of the new Luther Building (5 underground floors, 24 above ground floors),
the commemorative event on occasion of the 50th anniversary of Lutheran Mission in Korea in October 2008, the ILC Convention
in August 2009, and mission cooperation with Lutheran Churches in the U.S., Japan, and Germany. The main projects planned for 2010
include a thanksgiving worship service for the 40th anniversary of the foundation of LCK, a ceremony for the completion of
the new Luther building expected in July 2010, the continued foundation of new congregations, the reorganization of the General
Assembly office, and the planned extension of overseas mission cooperation. Affiliated organizations also reported
on their activities. The Lutheran Hour reported on the celebration of the 50th anniversary of its radio
mission; Bethel Series reported the concentration of its efforts in the development of its Children’s Education Seminar,
the propagation of its Faith Development Seminar, and its e-learning Worship Seminar course; and Concordia Publishing House
stressed its plan to increase website services through its internet bookstore.
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Visitors
to the Lutheran Church in Korea’s Office
On September 16, 2009, a delegation
consisted of 12 members from the Council of the Evangelical Church in Germany, led by Presiding Bishop Dr. Wolfgang Huber,
visited the LCK Church Office. LCK President Um introduced the LCK’s history and mission to the guests. During the exchange,
also attended by other guests like German pastor Norbert Schmitz and missionary Malte Rhinow and the press, issues such as
relations between North and South Korea and possible contributions of the LCK for a reform of Protestantism in South Korea
were discussed. In the evening, the LCK hosted a dinner for the guests. On September 28, Rev. Carl Hanson, LCMS World Mission
Area Facilitator for East Asia, visited the LCK for talks with LCK President Um regarding future development of mission work.
Rev. Patrick O’Neal, LCMS World Mission Strategic Mission Developer for North Asia also participated in the meeting.
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Korea Luther Study Society Holds 2009 Reformation Day Lecture
With the
financial support from Luther University (LTU) and the Lutheran Church in Korea, the Korea Luther Study Society held its 2009
Reformation Day Martin Luther Lecture. On October 29 and 30, Prof. Dr. Timothy J. Wengert of the Lutheran Theological Seminary
at Philadelphia gave three different lectures— one for Lutheran pastors about “Luther on the Lord's Prayer in
the Large Catechism”, one for students of the graduate school of theology at LTU on “A Third Use of the Law: The
First and the Second Uses Applied to Believers”, and the main Luther Lecture of Korea Luther Society on “Philipp
Melanchthon: Theologian at the Center between Martin Luther and John Calvin.”
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LCK Holds
Annual Thanksgiving Worship
On November 25, Lutheran Church in Korea (LCK) President Um, missionaries, and
employees of the LCK headquarters held their annual thanksgiving worship service. The majority of Korean churches hold their
thanksgiving worship service during November, usually on the third Sunday in November.
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Worship
Service Marks Construction Milestone
On November 27, 2009, the Lutheran Church in Korea (LCK) held a worship service
marking the completion of the first phase of construction on the new Luther Building located in Jamsil, southeastern Seoul.
Some 150 pastors and lay members of the LCK attended the worship service, including LCK President Hyun-Sub Um and newly
elected President of Luther University, Dr. Hae-Chul Kim. During the ceremony, a metal plaque with the words of the Aaronic
benediction, which will be attached to the top steel beam, was consecrated; the construction company gave a report about the
construction; and words of greetings and congratulatory speeches were given. At the time of the worship service about 60%
of the total construction work was completed, and the building is expected to be finished by July 2010. It is the tallest
building ever built by a Korean church, and at its entrance, for the first time in Korean history, a statue of Martin Luther
will be erected.
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492nd Reformation Anniversary Worship
The Lutheran Church
in Korea (LCK) held a joint Reformation Worship Service at Luther University on October 25 commemorating the 492nd Anniversary
of the Reformation with approximately 400 people attending. In his sermon, LCK President Um stated that the three mottos of
the Reformation “Sola fide,” “Sola gratia,” and “Sola scriptura” can be captured in the
single catchphrase “solus Christus” or “only through Christ.” He stressed that we can receive God’s
grace through faith in Jesus Christ and free of charge. President Um also emphasized that the Reformation means believers
living in this world, with its worldly values and its serious problems of secularization, have to follow the values of Jesus
Christ and work according to God’s will. An offering was collected for Luther University.
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Former LTU
President Receives Award
Retired LCMS missionaries to Korea, George and Joan Riemer were honored for their
missionary service with the Aeterna Moliri (Builders for Eternity) Award of Concordia University at Saint Paul, MN. President
Robert Holst stated, “The faculty of Concordia University, St. Paul, has chosen to honor George and Joan Riemer with
the Aeterna Moliri Award for their work as pioneer missionaries in South Korea, spending decades planting the Gospel, mentoring
and nurturing new Christians, and helping to build a dynamic church in Korea.” The award was conferred during
a worship service in the Graebner Memorial Chapel of Concordia University on October 30, 2009. Since their retirement, the
Riemers continue to support Luther University (LTU) and the Lutheran Church in Korea.
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.MACAU ABLAZE!
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Celebrating
10 Years
On December 13, Concordia English Center celebrated 10 years as a registered
educational institution in Macau. Over 50 current and former students and staff attended an afternoon of reminiscing, fellowship
and thanking God for what He has done through the English center. In these 10 years, the missionaries and staff at the center
have changed several times, but each time the baton is handed to the next group and the ministry of sharing God’s love
with the people of Macau and China goes on. Praise God for his faithfulness!
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LWML Waldon
Team
In October, Macau was visited by a team of four women from Texas. They worked
with the Concordia English Center (CEC) and St. Paul’s Lutheran church to lead a free English Bible camp for eight evenings,
teach students to make American crafts, and connect with local Chinese people. Six Macanese people who did not know about
the English Center joined the English Bible camp, and several are still attending free classes.
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CEC Thanks
its Volunteers
Thank you to short-term volunteers Carsten Bjornstad and Laura Davis, who served
at the Macau Concordia English Center (CEC) during September and October. New team
member and volunteer Elaine Mills has also since joined the team.
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INDONESIA ABLAZE!
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New TABLE
Ministry
After much prayer & thought, Tom and Debi Going have begun a new outreach
to mothers of Sekola Pelita Harapan (SPH, or “School of Light and Hope”) in Cikarang, an hour from Jakarta. TABLE
(Talk About the Bible, Learn English) is being offered in the Going’s home for the many mothers whose children attend
SPH but do not understand what their children learn at school in chapel and religion class. They attend their children’s
assemblies and programs and hear about God, but lack the basic framework on which to hang what they hear. Their
children ask them questions about social or moral lessons they learned at school, about religious holidays, and even about
the basics of Christianity, yet they do not know how to answer. At TABLE, these mothers have an opportunity to hear the specific
Bible stories before their children hear them at school and are free to ask questions and learn the basic ideas of Christianity
in a comfortable environment. Those attending the morning TABLE class have been varied and interesting. There are ladies from India,
Korea, Japan, Indonesia, and Vietnam that have joined so far. For more information, please contact Tom and Debi Going at going-forth@hotmail.com. .
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JAPAN ABLAZE!
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LTU Celebrates
100 Years
It was with great joy and prayers for God’s continued guidance that Japan
Lutheran College/Japan Lutheran Theological Seminary marked its 100th anniversary this past September. Though the festivities
have been going on over the course of this entire year, the anniversary culminated in a public ceremony at the Mitaka City
Civic Hall and worship service at Japan Lutheran College Chapel on September 23rd, followed by a second worship service of
thanksgiving that featured a combined vocal and hand bell concert performance by Urawa Lutheran School, Holy Hope School,
and the Japan Lutheran College (affiliated schools of the Japan Lutheran Church) on October 3rd. An estimated 700 people,
including students, faculty, local Lutheran church members, and overseas guests, attended the worship service on the 23rd,
and over 600, including parents of Urawa and Holy Hope School children, attended the service of thanksgiving on October 3rd.
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Fall Business
Meeting & Retreat
LCMS World Mission missionaries serving in Japan met in Tokyo for the annual
fall business meeting and retreat. Currently, nine LCMS missionaries are serving with the Volunteer Youth Ministry (VYM) program,
a joint ministry between the Japan Lutheran Church and LCMS. Following the time to share joys and challenges of serving at
different sites across Tokyo and Niigata (north Japan), the missionaries were able to travel to the lake region at the foot
of Mt Fuji. It was a time for spiritual refreshment and physical relaxation, welcome reprieves from the busyness of life in
Japan.
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VYM Welcomes New Missionaries
The Volunteer Youth
Ministry (VYM) program, a joint ministry between the Japan Lutheran Church and LCMS, recently was blessed with the arrival
of two new missionaries: Peter Pfaff of Texas and James Rush II of Michigan. Peter is a recent graduate of Concordia University
- Texas and is in the middle of a five month orientation for language and culture adaptation. James is a graduate of Concordia
University - Wisconsin and responded to a short-term ministry position in Japan after just having returned to the U.S. after
two years in Taiwan and two years in Vietnam with LCMS.
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Thanksgiving in Japan
Thanksgiving for
the Tokyo area English schools was held at Suginami Seishin (Holy Truth) Lutheran Church. 43 students and friends came from
all over the Tokyo area to celebrate. After dinner, the adults played a Thanksgiving version of Jeopardy
while the kids read a Thanksgiving book, made Indian feather head bands, and enjoyed a turkey hunt.
God truly blessed the event as old relationships were nurtured and new relationships were begun. Nozomi (Hope) Lutheran Church and
English School also held a Thanksgiving potluck to intentionally welcome students and friends to a family-style traditional
dinner on November 21. As a result of prayer and planning, more than 40 people—aged from toddlers
to grandparents—came for fun, fellowship, and food. The evening started with a skit where church president
Ichida Kuniji and short term English teacher James Rush acted out the first Thanksgiving. Prayers were said, dinner was served
and “Thanksgiving testimonies” were shared.
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THAILAND ABLAZE!
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Urban Outreach Camp
Every year LCMS
World Mission in Thailand hosts an urban youth camp for children living in the Bang Na slum area of Bangkok. For these children,
this camp is one of the most significant events of their year. For two days and one night they stay at
a retreat center in the countryside that provides a safe zone for them to have fun and play with their friends.
During this time they have a clean place to sleep, plenty of food to eat, and several adult leaders who are ready to
provide them with a smile or hug whenever they need it. Most important of all, they come to learn about Christ and His love
for them. The two days this year were filled with songs, games, bible studies, devotions, skits, and crafts— all pointing
to Christ and our relationship with Him. The 30 children in attendance learned about Zaccheus and how Jesus sought a relationship
with Him. They also learned how God sees His children and loves them. The team of adults included missionaries from LCMS World
Mission, staff from Concordia Welfare and Education Foundation—Thailand, a pastor from the Thailand Concordia Lutheran
Church and volunteers and staff from the Concordia Daycare and Community Center in Bang Na.
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New Church
Dedication
A new church was recently dedicated in the Akha Village of Doi Sa Ngo in Chiang
Rai province, northern Thailand. The village is located on top of a hill in the Golden Triangle which offers
spectacular views of the neighboring countries of Burma and Laos. People came from as far as the United States to be a part
of this celebration. The event brought together Lutheran partners from all over Thailand, including members from
Concordia Welfare and Education Foundation—Thailand, Hmong International Mission, Thailand Concordia Lutheran
Church, LCMS World Mission, and Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. Seven pastors participated in the dedication of the newly built church building and set it apart as a place of worship
for the people of Doi Sa Ngo. The service also included the consecration of Pastor Chomwee as Deacon of the congregation pending
his completion of a Lutheran colloquy and anticipated ordaination into the Lutheran church. Over 75 men, women and children attended
this special event. Every seat was occupied and all the standing room was filled leaving some to look in windows or even stand
outside. In the service they were all able to hear of the hope that Christ gives to them and their families. From now on,
this new church will be their spiritual home, where they can be fed God’s Word and share in fellowship with one another.
Pray for this new ministry as it grows and asks for prayers of thanksgiving as the Lord continues to bring light to Thailand!
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INDIA ABLAZE!
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Lutheran
Liturgy Training
Dr. Linda Borecki from Medford, Oregon, was sent to India at the request of the
India Evangelical Lutheran Church to give training in Lutheran liturgy. Dr. Brorecki spent three weeks at Concordia Seminary,
Nagercoil, especially focusing on the 27 last-year students, who will soon be going on their 3-year probation period in church
planting. Dr. Borecki did the same for the previous set of students who are now ordained and serving in congregations. She
provides them information on the theology of the Lutheran liturgy, as well as practical training in conducting and chanting
the order of service. Dr. Timothy Quill and Dr. Detlev Schulz from Concordia Seminary, Ft. Wayne, also provided such training for
these students in May during their summer break. Dr. Quill and Dr. Schulz will be returning in January to continue the training.
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Bible Curriculum
in India
Beth and Dave Hoeppner, retired teachers from Hong Kong International School,
have volunteered to serve as Education Consultants in India for the next three years. They have taken as their major
focus developing a coordinated curriculum of Bible instruction for the 82 schools of the India Evangelical Lutheran Church
(IELC), including training in teaching methodologies. The Thousands of students in the IELC schools and their families
and communities are a major focus in IELC’s commitment to reach 25 million as a partner in LCMS World Missions’
Ablaze! movement.
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PHILIPPINES ABLAZE!
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LCP Holds
National Pastors Conference
The Lutheran Church in the Philippines (LCP) held its first national Pastors Conference from December 7-12 at Christ
Our Savior Lutheran Church in Matina, Davao City, Mindanao. Twenty-four ordained ministers participated and guest speakers
included Rev. Dr. Jose Fuliga and Rev. Dr. Bob McAmis. Reports from pastors and district presidents were encouraging as there
has been an increase in the number of baptisms and confirmations. There are also 40 new Ablaze!
mission stations, which leaders hope will become official congregations in 2-3 years. At these new mission
stations, much of the work is being accomplished through the participation and work of lay people. As such, one district has
decided that each congregation train a minimum of two laymen every year to meet the growing needs of the church.
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La Trinidad
Lutheran Church is Ablaze!
The La Trinidad Lutheran Church is located at the heart of the Municipality of
La Trinidad, about six kilometers from Baguio City. The pastor, Rev. Denver Dagano, has been serving this church for the past
11 months. The laymen of the congregation are very active and involved in proclaiming the Gospel. They have four mission stations.
A Reformation service was held on October 25 at which Rev. James Cerdenola, president of the Lutheran Church in the
Philippines spoke. It was at this service that 31 people were confirmed and 15 children were baptized.
There were about 300 people who attended the Reformation service. The church was so full that some
had to remain outside the church and look in the windows to participate.
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TAIWAN ABLAZE!
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CMS Teachers Perform “The Rag Man”
This fall, Americans
teachers at Concordia Middle School (CMS) in Min Hsiung, Taiwan performed “The Rag Man,” a non-verbal skit about
Jesus, on two different occasions. The first performance was at Glory Lutheran Church and saw over 100
people in attendance. The event was put together for people who lost their homes or had severe damage from
the typhoon that hit Taiwan this past August. It is part of on-going outreach by Glory Church to the people
in the community. The second performance of “The Rag Man” was at the CMS Senior High Chapel Service.
Every Friday at CMS, students from 8-12th grade can voluntarily attend chapel in the morning. American
teachers lead the High Schoolers in songs, Bible reading, and skits. It was a wonderful opportunity to
share the message with the students at the school.
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CMS Students Raise Disaster Relief FundsSeptember and October were both months where typhoons, earthquakes, and tsunamis caused devastation
throughout parts of Southeast Asia. Concordia Middle School (CMS) and Concordia English Language Academy were able to give
back to local communities. Teachers at both schools started a fundraiser for LCMS Human Care and World Relief. Students and
teachers donated to the cause and, for every $100 NT (US$3) given, the donor received a raffle ticket for a baked good. All
in all, over US$1,100 was raised!
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VIETNAM ABLAZE!
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Approval
Process Moves Forward for Concordia - Hanoi
Work continues with the Vietnamese
government to receive approval for Concordia International School in Hanoi to open for the 2010-2011 school year.
Many positive steps have been accomplished and there are a few more needed to reach final approval. Concordia
– Hanoi is planning to open preschool through fifth grade in the first year of operation. Concordia –
Hanoi is searching for members to serve on the founding faculty and staff. If you are interested in serving
at Concordia International School please contact Steve Winkelman at Steve.Winkelman@lcms.org. .
“Shaping”
Relationships in Vietnam
During a recent trip to renew their visas, LCMS long-term volunteers Betsy Karkan
and Sarah Longmire from Thailand visited fellow volunteer, Amanda Runey, in Vietnam. As part of their visit, Amanda planned
a trip to Bat Trang, a local ceramic village, with her first year students at Hanoi University of Technology. Native English
speakers drew a crowd of nearly forty students eager to practice English as well as buy gifts for friends and family. For
students who grew up in the villages, this was their first time riding the public buses in addition to traveling outside the
city center. The trip began with a hectic and lengthy bus trip, opening up opportunities for the three girls to foster relationships
with their travel companions. The generosity of the Vietnamese people shone brightly as students who struggle to pay for tuition
insisted on paying the bus fare and buying small gifts for the visitors. Upon arriving in Bat Trang, students and LCMS volunteers
gathered around pottery wheels, forming bowls, laughing, chatting, and making a huge mess! Like many Asian countries, there
is high importance placed on relationships in Vietnam. During this trip, Betsy, Sarah, and Amanda were able to establish a
foundation for a relationship with the students. As a result, the students felt confident asking deeper, more personal questions,
such as why Sarah, Amanda, and Betsy are working with LCMS in their respective countries. The volunteers were able to share
their personal stories along with the reason for the Hope they have. Ideally, these relationships, conversations, and encounters
will spark interest and curiosity that will encourage these students to explore this Hope they have heard about.
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NIN
Founder Prof. Tu Giay Passes Away
On November 13, the LCMS World Mission Vietnam team was saddened by the news
that Prof. Tu Giay had died. Professor Giay, founder of the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), was instrumental
in the early stages of LCMS WM engagement in Vietnam. In the early 1990s he invited LCMS WM to work with the NIN to
implement nutrition projects in rural villages of Vietnam. Through this partnership, LCMS WM and NIN have implemented scores
of projects in Vietnam, and the partnership continues to this day. In fact, Prof. Giay’s son, Dr. Tu Ngu, is the
current project manager for all joint LCMS WM and NIN projects. Prof. Giay will be greatly missed,
a fact attested to by the 1,500 people who attended his funeral. LCMS WM thanks God for this man whose legacy will continue
through the partnership of LCMS WM and NIN. Please pray for Prof. Giay’s family in this difficult time.
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SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR CONTRIBUTORS
Ms. Adelina Balunsat
(database administrator)
Rev. Dr. Jonathan Blanke (Japan)
Rev. James Cerdenola
(Philippines)
Rev. J.P. Cima (Vietnam)
Ms. Emilie
Dubert (Taiwan)
Rev. Ted Engelbrecht (East Asia)
Ms. Debi Going (Indonesia)
Ms. Betsy Karkan (Thailand)
Ms. Megan Kindaid (Hong
Kong)
Rev. Carl Hanson (East Asia)
Rev. Dr. Herbert Hoefer (India & Sri
Lanka)
Rev. Kyungman Hong (Korea)
Mr. Joshua Lange (Hong Kong)
Ms. Julie Lutz (Papua New Guinea)
Mr. James Manning (Hong
Kong)
Rev. John Mehl (Hong Kong)
Rev. Patrick O’Neal (Korea)
Rev. Malte Rhinow (Korea)
Ms. Amanda Runey (Vietnam)
Mr. James Rush (Japan)
Ms. Iantha Scheiwe
(Hong Kong)
Rev. Joel Scheiwe (Hong Kong)
Ms. Karin Semler (China)
Ms. Jenae Siebarth
(Japan)
Mr. Ed Strohschein (newsletter coordinator)
Ms. Heidi Tannarat (newsletter design)
Ms. Mary Eddy U (Macau)
Mr. Matt Wasmund (Taiwan)
Mr. Steve Winkelman
(Vietnam)
Mr. Mark Wolfram (Taiwan)
