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.

Smile...

It is never a dull moment with little Matthias--his energy like Noah, Gabby and Julianna always keeps us going!

Here the kids are enjoying a little makeshift fun in the yard before we depart for church at Ringa on a Sunday morning.

 

Students at Atemo Bible College

 It has been quite a while since my last post. Here are my students at ABC. We are nearing the end of the term which leaves us with one left of their two years of training. It has been great preparing these men to serve the ELCK. This term I am teaching the Pastoral Epistles (1 & 2 Timothy and Titus) and Revelation.

  This next week Gene White and his wife will be here from Oregon to teach a two day seminary on Evanglism and Worship. Gene is from the CLCC (Confessional Lutherans for Christ's Commission). We will be glad to receive them for their first visit to Kenya. Karibu!

Blessed Epiphany

We are well and give thanks for the blessing of this day. Today we commemorate the coming of the Magi to visit the Christ Child. Here again the Lord draws Gentiles from afar to see the Christ ever reminding us that it is God's work to bring us to him and create faith in the heart. Be blessed this Epiphany!

Matthias seems to like the garbage can in the pantry--thus he got a garbage can with a pop open lid (not this one) for his Christmas present--it holds his toys--not garbage!