A "Winter" day in Georgia

It has been many months since our return to the U.S. Now I serve a congregation in Georgia, not the country, but the State of Georgia. There is some culture shock going from the Pacific Northwest to Albany, Georgia. But I will say the hospitality is much better down south!

We are settled in a home and trying to get a routine in life, we are almost there, but Kenya sometimes calls back to us. The people, the country, the friends we made and whom we miss. God knows when we and if we shall return after all Odthiambo was born there.

For now I serve as a parish pastor, such is my call and my joy to preach and teach the Word and administer the sacraments in accord with the Scriptures and Confessions.

Home...

Juliannia on her bike at last!

We are home now. I sit and await a call to the parish. Yesterday we traveled from Nairobi, to London, to Dallas/Ft. Worth and at last Portland. 23 hours in the air and 14 hours in layovers. Thanks be to God for our safe landing. We will be residing in Portland, Oregon until I receive a call to the parish. Thanks to all who have supported us these last two years!

Saying Good-Bye

These last few weeks have been a time to say goodbye to those going home. We have a few more weeks before we go. Jacob and Hannah (next to Stefanie in the back row) went home to Finland two weeks ago. They have been serving here in Kenya since February facilitating a water project at ABC and at the Mission Station. Tim and Megan Dooms (to my right) go home tomorrow. They came in August and have been working with Diakonia Compassionate Ministry and have been sent by LCMS International Mission. Ingrid (in front of me) has just begun her three years and is from Finland. Rut (holding Matthias) has been here for 20 years and comes from Finland. Kerstin (behind Gabriella) is from Sweden and has served for about 10 years and spends part time in Atemo and part time near Kericho.

I had a little helper one day. We were filling a big ditch that was left over from the water project at the mission station. A huge lament went up by Matthias when we had to return the wheel barrel.

The days are drawing to a close for our time here in Kenya. We leave July 27th for Portland. Please keep our travels in your prayers. We have four different flights, two layovers of 5 plus hours and about 20 hours in the plane.

We are truly thankful for all who have supported us in serving here in Kenya. Home will be in Portland until I receive a call to the parish. Please keep our travels, arrival and a call in your prayers. But while we wait little Matthias will be able to use Grandpa's wheel barrel back home as we help out around the house to fix-up those things needing repair at grandpa Bud's.

Peace in Jesus--

Commemoration of St. Cyril of Alexandria
Defender of Orthodox doctrine, the Trinity and primary source for Lutheran Confessional writings.

Graduation of Diploma in Theology 8 from Neema Lutheran College--Matongo Lutheran Theological College 2nd June 2012.

Indeed it was a great day for the graduates, staff, students and family as 7 graduated having completed their Diploma in Theology. It is a four year program of pastoral formation.  This is why we are here to train pastors for the ELCK and it is a joy to see them graduate and head out to the congregations of the ELCK.

Showing off their creations from a science project

Matthias and Julianna

A rainbow from our window at home...God's promise to Noah

 It has been awhile since I have updated the blog. So here are a few shots of the kids and a promising rainbow.

For those interested, I have declined the call from Montana and still await a call to a parish back in the states. We come home the end of July.

New Library

At Matongo we are in the midst of a Library expansion. Above is the photo from about a week ago as they are digging out for the foundation. This expansion will double the size of the library, add a computer lab (donations?) and some office space. Above the library the expansion will double the size of the current chapel. We give thanks to God for the continued support of MLTC so that pastors can be trained for the ELCK.