Cameroon: A Diary

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Church of the Lutheran Brethren Vol 76, No.2 March 2009

It’s anniversary time—for me. Four years ago I began working on Faith & Fellowship. Hard to believe, I’m actually into my fifth season, doing something that I, for the most part, thoroughly enjoy. I say, “for the most part” because, as with any job, there are parts that aren’t enjoyable.

Like: Overly high expectations (mine, mostly).

Insufficient funds to meet high expectations.

Comment

Writers who agree to write, then fail to meet deadlines. Writers who don’t agree to write. Writers who send writings and they aren’t very good writers, and then they get (mildly) upset when they get edited. Hey! Even John Grisham gets edited!!

Now, if you think about it, that’s a pretty short list! I’m fairly certain you could make a much longer list of negative things for your job, eh? (I’m living closer to Canada now, did you notice?)

On the positive side I would include: The privilege of working alongside pastors, leaders, and staff who are committed to the call of Christ to get the good news out. Being in fairly regular contact with people involved in all kinds of ministries around the world. Working with people (Carol and Tim especially) who find ways to do things more effectively and at lower cost. (Did you know that when we went to full-color, glossy paper and upgraded graphic design we ended up paying less for the printing of our magazine? Amazing. And fun to tell people when they bring up the subject.)

For four years I’ve been working on this magazine with a particular format in mind: The first half is to contain “articles of faith.” The second half is, generally, news of, by and for the fellowship that is called the Church of the Lutheran Brethren. Faith & Fellowship.

Recently (last year) we increased our staff by 33% (okay, we added one guy, Tim, the Director of Communications). That increase in staffing, through the CLB President’s Office was important to our future work and success. If you read the staff list printed in most magazines you will see many names. In ours you will see three. Actually, we should probably have four— Cheryl Olsen is involved in writing for this magazine in almost every issue, for Women’s Ministries and other projects. This is a magazine staff which relies upon the input and good graces of many who share their thoughts, ideas, ministries, struggles, victories, needs, hopes and dreams in a variety of ways and from all around the world. I think Faith & Fellowship magazine is unique.

We do not have funding for reporters or for a lot of research. We get by on low subscription rates and a huge subsidy from the synod’s General Ministries; if we break even, we celebrate (but without a party, we can’t afford one). We give thanks for the privilege we have to be involved in the sharing of our faith and the faithfulness of God in the working of this fellowship.

So, I give you this edition of our magazine. If you are a regular reader you’ll notice some subtle changes which we hope are in line with past improvements. If you are reading us for the first time, welcome! To all: we invite your input, articles, comments, suggestions, corrections and additions. Of course, if you send something, you will get edited! J But you already know that,

Contents bstumbo@clba.org Bruce Stumbo, Editor of Faith & Fellowship, also serves as Lead Pastor at Bethel LBC in Grand Forks, North Dakota

FAITH & FELLOWSHIP Volume 76 - Number 2 Tim Mathiesen, Director of Communications Carol Dumonceaux, Graphic Design Bruce Stumbo, Editor

Cameroon........................................................... Page 3 CLB in Cameroon ............................................. Page 6 What is e3 Partners?........................................... Page 10 American Women in Africa............................... Page 12 Church/Synod News.......................................... Page 14 The Danger of Being Too Political.................... Page 15 10 Days in Takanosu.......................................... Page 16 Top Ten Reasons...Japan.................................... Page 17 Thoughts & Opinions......................................... Page 18 Faith & Fellowship Bookstore........................... Page 18 May We Recommend......................................... Page 19 Sent.................................................................... Page 20

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Cameroon: A Diary In rural Uganda,

just south of the equator, Matthew Rogness and thirty-three other North Americans on an interdenominational e3 mission trip worked door to door with teams of national layevangelists and translators. Nearby, we offered free eye-glasses, dental, and medical care in a makeshift clinic. Sharing testimonies and the gospel door-to-door to make disciples and help the nationals plant several new churches seemed to quicken our step. Watching strangers earnestly accept the gospel message seemed to take some of the fear out of this bare knuckles evangelism. Joy took its place and peace prevailed despite monumental setbacks and lurching schedule changes. Was this joy akin to how Jesus’ short-term missionaries felt in Luke 10?

Within three years, it seems the Lord had cleared the way for a Church of the Lutheran Brethren team to visit Cameroon to help plant two more new churches in Jesus’ name. In preparing for the journey, I witnessed the hand of God persevere with us in this direction despite severe personal health problems, airline failures, escalating costs, and last minute visa hitches. Five months prior to departure I suffered a crushing wrist injury requiring a four and a half hour surgical repair. Then, five weeks before leaving an emergency aneurysm repair in my groin was complicated by life-threatening blood loss. Prolonged recovery from both illnesses kept me from much of the preparation for leading this trip. In addition to her own duties as co-leader, almost all my leadership responsibilities fell to my wife, Trisch. Yet God was faithful and His love steadfast in supplying our every need, demonstrating repeatedly that He required none of our strength, intellect, training, experience, or possessions – only the willingness of ordinary people. - Noel Johnson 4

Day One: Arriving in Ndjamena, Chad

Day Three: Arriving in Garoua, Cameroon

Last night we loaded 21 Americans, and a handful of locals, into a travel bus. Our luggage was loaded on top of the bus, possibly 5 feet high, and it stretched as far as the bus would allow.

We were driving through Ndjamena, Chad and it was extremely dark. The city looked like a scene from a postapocalyptic movie and, in most places the city looked abandoned. In the darkness you could see silhouettes of Africans sleeping next to broken down walls; many people were sleeping on the side of the road. I’m guessing that is the only home they have.

I heard in the audio book of Paul Theroux’s Dark Star Safari that “safari” simply means “journey.” As we travel from Maroua to Garoua, looking out at the beautiful Cameroon savanna on a beautiful sunwashed day, I think again about this safari we’re on together.

In some places fires were burning, and they would give light to the surrounding activity. In many places there would be a small group of people hovered around the fire talking. I was curiously gazing at all of the people and sights that we passed. A group of men shifted their attention from one another to the passing bus of foreigners. I could feel their stares, as our bus passed by, and Pastor Randy Paulson asked “What does God think when He looks down on this city?” I knew the answer, but I couldn’t respond; I was too choked up. After a few moments of silence Pastor Randy answered, “He sees a city with people that He loves.” Yes, Lord! When you see Ndjamena you see a harvest, you see a mission. The very mission that cost you your life!

- Lars Coleman

Day Two: Crossing the border into Cameroon When the bus rolled over the Logone River Bridge into Kousseri, Cameroon, the border authorities required registration of the bus and each of the passengers. The bus driver parked on the far left side of the road, and throngs of people, motorcycles, and overloaded trucks swarmed around us while we waited for the important paperwork.

With no air conditioning, we hoped for a breeze through the windows. As the temperature rose inside the bus, our pink skin glistened and we wet our mouths with lukewarm bottled water from the Welcome Center. We waited.

We were a group of strangers in an uncomfortable place so I suggested it may be time to pray together. We prayed. Then Pastor Randy Mortenson quoted Psalm 91: He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

As he recited the Living Word, I heard God’s provision and protection for us in a personal way. God knew we were fragile beings in this heat, but He also knew the comfort and coolness provided in Scripture. The temperature in the bus probably didn’t fall, but we were invigorated and encouraged as many in the group shared favorite scriptures which ministered to our souls and sweating bodies.

There’s already something about this place, even the African terrain, which gets into me. It’s not just another landscape. It’s Africa. My church, Ebenezer LB Church in Mayville, North Dakota, has sent me on this safari. A word I’d never connected to myself before is “apostle.” Not with a capital A, but simply as “one being sent.” I’m suddenly aware of this sending, this sending of me by my church to reach out with the Gospel to the people of Garoua.

And something else, which maybe they didn’t know. Something we sensed God leading us toward. Something about simply responding to God, and going, and seeing.

It’s all part of the spiritual safari. And I’m not going alone. Yes, there are others on the bus with me, but there are also all those who sent us. An apostle is very aware of his sender; and of his Sender.

After two days of plane travel and another two days in a bus, I am tired when we finally reach Garoua. This will be our harvest field for the next few days. We will need God’s strength.

We rest and trust in the support of our Sender.

Living in Washington, I don’t normally seek shade, but I certainly learned to treasure “the rest in the shadow of the Almighty” as we rode in the bus and later wandered in the scorching neighborhoods of Garoua.

Meeting President Goyek and a number of other pastors and dignitaries feels like a dream realized overlapping with another dream just begun. A band of young people plays music and sings and sways and claps in front of President Goyek’s house all afternoon long. Soon, together with our newlymet Cameroonian brothers and sisters, we will embark on a journey together through the dusty roads of Garoua. This is Africa. This is what it means to be an apostle of Jesus Christ.

- Janet Tangen

- Randy Mortenson

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Day Four: Sunday Worship

CLB in Cameroon Our first missionaries to Africa, Berge and Herborg Revne, left the United States in 1918. It was not until 1923, however, that our missionaries were given official approval to begin mission work in Cameroon and Chad. Dozens of Lutheran Brethren missionaries have served in Cameroon over the years and at one point in our history there were more missionaries in Cameroon than on the other three fields combined. The Church of the Lutheran Brethren of North America has committed a lot of people and resources to the ministry in Cameroon over the years.

The Cameroon Church became the independent Church of the Lutheran Brethren of Cameroon in the early 1960’s when political independence encouraged the same for all indigenous groups in the country.

In 1992 the North American and Cameroonian Churches signed an integration document that effectively closed the “mission” as a formal entity and brought all ministries under the Cameroonian Church. Five years later, in 1997, the last missionaries from our Church in North America left Cameroon.

Our relationship to the Church of the Lutheran Brethren of Cameroon is one of sister Church to sister Church. We are fully independent of each other. Where we share vision we seek to partner together. For instance, we have a shared vision of reaching unreached Muslims for Jesus Christ. We have partnered to train and send their missionaries to Muslims. We share a vision for training the next generation of pastors, missionaries, teachers and leaders and so we continue to partner to train these people in targeted and significant ways. We continue to pray for and encourage the Church in Cameroon as they work to be the Church that is sent into the villages, towns and cities of their region of Cameroon.

Another area where we share a common vision is in the sending and receiving of short-term mission teams to plant churches. For several years, we have been seeking an avenue whereby we could address the needs of our congregations in North America that includes sending members on short-term mission teams to a Lutheran Brethren ministry field.

What you will read through the pages of this issue will describe how God worked through a team of 20 of your fellow members and friends of our Church in North America in partnership with our brothers and sisters in Cameroon to reach their neighbors with the gospel of Jesus Christ and to plant a church in two neighborhoods.

On Sunday morning, far down a deeply rutted and narrow alley, we attended the first of two scheduled church services. The Aviation Church stands on an impeccably kept lot and is plain but tastefully decorated and spacious, holding possibly 800.

The second service was at Yelwa Church (built by missionary Roy Erickson) and is considerably larger. The grounds are spacious and the building was constructed in the form of a cross. This building served, that day, a packed crowd of around 1,200.

In both churches, we were ushered in, warmly welcomed and placed in positions at the front of the church, observing first an explosion of color and dynamic, rhythmic singing. The parishioners, all in their colorful native Sunday best, were already in the midst of worship—a smiling, swaying, dancing crowd with a worship team playing drums, guitars and a keyboard. The atmosphere of worship, even though the lyrics were not understood by us, was profoundly moving. At predetermined times entire sections of the church would stand and provide the “special” music.

In the second church, a wedding was also a part of the service and a highlight was Pastor Goyek calling on Lars Coleman to bless the union. The sermon was delivered in both churches

by Rev. Randy Mortenson, interpreted by native speakers. There were tears in our group coming from the realization that the Body of Christ transcends all nationalities and the joy in which we were participating had everything to do with “Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven”. We experienced for a short time the dynamic of the answer to that universal prayer.

- Tim Nordtvedt

Matthew Rogness Executive Director Lutheran Brethren World Missions

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Day Five: First day of door-to-door visits I’m so glad that Pastor Goyek explained things in a way that hadn’t occurred to me. Today was our first day of evangelism and it went a little different than I thought it should. We didn’t actually go to any homes until midafternoon, but now I can see the reason why.

The first part of our day felt like it consisted of mostly driving around or waiting. We drove back and forth from the hotel to Pastor Goyek’s and to the Aviation Church a few different times.

We waited at the hotel; we waited at Pastor Goyek’s; and we waited at church. This morning, while we were waiting at church to be matched up with our Cameroonian evangelists/ translators, most of us played with the kids that were around.

“Hallelu, hallelu, hallelu, hallelujah.

Praise ye the Lord” is a little more difficult with the language barrier, but it was great to watch the kids’ joy-filled faces and it turned out to be a fun way to wait!

Once we finally got the chance to go door-to-door with our team, Tim, Etienne, Joel and I went to a few different homes and shared the gospel.

It was amazing to see that people were very open to hearing about Jesus and were interested in the new church that was being planted. I wish I knew if they were already believers or if this were the first time they had heard the Good News, but I guess I need to remember that it’s God’s work, not mine.

Day Six: Second day of door-to-door visits I was blessed to have Susan Ellenwood from Edmonton, Alberta as my teammate.

She shared during our morning group devotions from John 21, the story of the disciples coming in and meeting Jesus after their evening of fishing. “They fished all night, but they caught no fish…” As Jesus watched from the shore, He tells them, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some” (v. 6). So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish. Susan continued to share how the passage says there were 153 fish caught that day. She then questioned, why 153? Would 154 have broken the nets or 152 mean the nets would not have been fully utilized? She ended by saying God gives us exactly what we need. Our team was Hiway, Anna, Augustine, and YaYa. Our “translators” didn’t speak much English, but God didn’t need them to. They knew the gospel story.

Some of the people we met that day did not want to hear our message. Others listened, but didn’t want to accept the gift for themselves. We met a mother and child at one of the last huts we visited. As we shared the salvation story, we said what we wanted and pointed at the pictures on our Evangecubes. Our translators then said something that represented what we had pointed at. Upon hearing the story, the mother wanted to know how she could receive salvation. After we prayed with her, her husband came home, walking in with one of our other translators. He too had accepted Jesus for the first time as our translator talked with him while we were talking with his wife! God gave us exactly what we needed in our group. We were expecting translators, but instead He gave us evangelists!

- Jeff Langness

The good thing that Pastor Goyek said tonight is that it was critical for us to be almost “paraded” around town. Not that we need to be an attraction for people, but that it’s important for people to know we’re here so when we come knocking on doors, they’re prepared for us. Of course! Why didn’t I think of that?

- Kari Swanson

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Day Seven: Last day in Garoua.Tent meeting

Day Eight: A day at the Market in Maroua

Day Nine: Arriving back in Ndjamena, Chad

“I home go you.” Through broken English Evelyn finally expressed her sentiments so I understood what she had been laboring to tell me. It was our last night together and we were at the tent meeting celebrating the new church plant. As I was hit with the gravity of Evelyn’s request, my feelings of inadequacy and powerlessness were overwhelming. The mother in me wanted desperately to take her home and fight any obstacle in our way with the certainty that nothing could stop us.

Woo – Hoo!! I love the Market! My first Market experience six years ago in Ndjamena was nothing short of amazing! Today in Maroua is just as incredible.

I was hot, tired, and feeling somewhat emotionally, physically, and spiritually spent as we again cross the river from Kousseri, Cameroon into Ndjamena, Chad. I spotted Dan Venberg who gave us a welcoming smile and I felt “home” again, somehow. We followed his motorcycle to the Welcome Center to find the friends we had left; was it really only a week ago? So much had happened. There were eager ears to hear our stories, smiles and hugs to soothe and assure, hot showers to shed the layers of dust, soft beds to lay our tired and sore bodies upon after the long bus ride, a delicious meal of “American food” complete with dessert and cold beverages—what more could we want?

I met Evelyn the first night of training with our nationals. After giving my testimony and the gospel, she was insistent that we have more time together. Evelyn had so many questions.

Most seem to center on how a woman could stay encouraged in the faith while living in such a sinful world. The opportunities for women in the church that we have in North America were just a jaw-dropping dream to her. Our time together, even with our lack of common language skills, was too short.

I resorted to the obvious responses, “You must finish school. You are too young,” before I resigned to what I didn’t want to say: “I can’t.” My mind still frantically tried to figure out a way to make her situation better. It was obvious that Evelyn’s heart was breaking. She was, after all, only seventeen. I rested on what I knew to be the best response. I promised to do the most powerful thing I know to do, pray, and trusting the Lord to meet all her needs through Him. - Tresa Myers

I really don’t like shopping at home, but here – what fun! Colorful fabrics, carved animals and bowls, knives and spears, something for everybody! Everything is negotiable – a counter offer is part of the dance. Start with half and then see what happens. If the counter offers are too much you can try walking away to see if they really want your business.

It’s always fun when they follow you to make the sale.

Sometimes you don’t quite know what a fair price is; you don’t want to pay too much but you want to be fair to the seller.

Our hosts are along to help mediate for us. “They are missionaries and are here to help us. They have given up much to be here and you need to give them ‘best and last’ price”! Such memories!

Memories are good. They mold me.

They help me find what is important.

Sometimes I don’t get the best deal, but sometimes I get more than I ever dreamed was possible!

I am a couple of days away from leaving Africa again. My big purchase this trip was a shirt to remind me of a place that has people that I will miss and pray for, and my co-workers in the harvest. I can hardly wait to hear how they will remember this trip!

- Mike Braaten

And then songs of praise, with grateful hearts and voices, rang out in fourpart harmony as if practiced for weeks as our hearts worshipped our faithful King of Kings and LORD of Lords together. How sweet a transition back to our “normal” lives from short-term missions, sharing time with our amazing and gracious long-term missionaries: the Venberg, Holzner, and Flude families.

How could I possibly say thank you for their wonderful hospitality, welcoming smiles, generous sharing of bedrooms and personal spaces, fabulous meals, and a tiny glimpse into what life must be like for all of our missionaries living in Chad?

I will never think of them or pray for them the same. My thoughts are nearer, my prayers deeper and dearer for their protection, health, spiritual steadfastness and witness to their communities as they share the light of Christ with men and women in Chad.My heart is longing to fellowship with them again and is filled with praise to our King. “Thank you” is inadequate, but it is all I have besides my love, prayers, and memories which call me back to West Africa everyday!

Merci beaucoup, nos frères et soeurs au Chad.

- Trisch Johnson

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He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

Psalm 91

The team with some of the national pastors and translators: (Left to Right) Randy Mortenson, Janet Tangen, Mike Braaten, Jeff Langness, Kesie Kuhn, Kirsten Langness, T Randy Paulson, Susan Ellenwood, Danny Bronson, Jeremy Flinn, Tim Nordtvedt, Leona Troftgruben, Ken Lob The man with the green suit standing next to Leona is President Robert Goyek (President of the Church of the L

What is e3 Partners?

Mission Statement:

by Max Whittlesey

to around 3pm, giving a personal testimony with translation, presenting the gospel using the Evangecube (a moveable cube with images), and offering them the opportunity to accept Jesus’ offer of forgiveness of sin and eternal life with Him. Many accept and pray the sinner’s prayer to accept Christ. All are invited to attend a Bible class conducted by the nationals and are invited to attend the new national church starting the next Sunday in their neighborhood.

“e3 Partners exists to equip God’s people to evangelize the lost and establish new churches.”

My Previous e3 Mission Trips

I have been on three previous e3 Church Planting mission trips with Noel and Trisch Johnson; Kenya 2004 (with Pastor Dave Overland), Uganda 2005 (with Matthew Rogness), and Panama 2006. These 3 trips were well planned in partnership with experienced e3 in-country church leaders and involved as many as four local churches desiring to plant churches in a new area. The North American team typically came from all around the country from different denominations and backgrounds to go house-to-house with local church members.

The house-to-house teams would consist of one or two North Americans, one or two nationals from the sponsoring church, and a translator. The teams go out house-to-house from 9am

Well now, how about the CLB Cameroon Short Term Mission Trip 2008?

The plan was basic e3: 1) we had the Cameroon in-country leader/sponsor, President Goyek, 2) we had a church trained and committed to planting two new churches in Garoua, Cameroon, 3) we had our trained leaders Dr Noel and Trisch Johnson, 4) we had our team, 18 from the US and Canada. The team members were all from Church of the Lutheran Brethren

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Tresa Myers, Lars Coleman, Tim Mathiesen, Trisch Johnson, Max Whittlesey, Kari Swanson, Noel Johnson, be.

Lutheran Brethren in Cameroon)

(CLB) congregations; made up of Pastors, a seminarian, a veteran missionary, CLB staff, missionary kids and lay persons, many with close ties to our missionary presence in Chad and/or Cameroon (past and present).

am I here? God does not need me! He is touching hearts and calling new believers all around us! I am just a small speck of dust in the wind! God is doing all the work!”

Due to the CLB connections there appeared to be numerous side agendas. We were eager to meet or renew friendships with the missionaries in Ndjamena. In Garoua we spent many hours every day at the former mission center and in President Goyek’s home and at the Aviation Church assembling our house-tohouse teams (always short of translators). On occasion, these were perceived as frustrating delays. When we did eventually partner with our nationals ready to go out house-to-house to present the gospel, many told us that these neighborhoods were resistant and would not respond. However, they did respond in great numbers. This was a good step in starting the 2 new churches. Many of our team members began to ask, “Why

The mixed agendas, long road trips, delays and other distractions and obstacles all played together in a special way to create a great team – even a close family, openly sharing, helping each other, trusting/worshiping God together, wondering what God will do next. We have grown in the Lord.

We have made new friends and encouraged them in reaching out into new territory. We may have even played a small role in a story of what God is going to do in the Cameroon Church and in the lives of those yet unreached in West Africa and the Sahel.

My Personal View:

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American Women in Africa A Women’s Ministry Report By Cheryl Olsen I visited by phone with Tresa Myers, Lynnwood, Washington, past president of the Northwest District of Women’s Ministries – and Kari Swanson, a traveling nurse based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They were two of the 20-member team who recently returned from a short-term mission trip to Cameroon. Women’s Ministries is a long supporter of missions, so I asked these two women to share their perspectives with us.

Mission trips have become more possible for the layperson, and even for youth groups in recent years. How did you make the decision to go on a mission trip to Africa? What drew you or inspired you to go there, rather than somewhere nearer, and cheaper?!

Kari responded, “Hearing stories about Africa every single day that I grew up! I knew that they were the people my grandparents, (Ernest and Miriam Erickson) loved enough to die for! Seeing pictures. The African lifestyle was familiar to me. But it wasn’t just because of my family’s heritage that I wanted to go. At a mission conference, my junior year in high school I felt God’s tug on my heart to serve in Africa.

Not fulltime now, (though maybe in the future), but I have a passion for the people of Africa. So I knew I wanted to do it, to see if He would be calling me there long-term.”

schedule-based. Horrific heat that necessitated a siesta midday. (On the other hand, everyone they would have tried to talk to during that time would have been sleeping as well!)

The limiting factor of darkness at night. Kari described it, “At dark, there were only a couple of street lights in a couple of square mile radius. It would have been dangerous to be out.

And no one stays up late. The heat wears you out.”

How were the women you interacted with or ministered to similar, or different, to those in your own sphere of influence? And what was a highlight of your trip?

What was the goal of the team while you were there?

Tresa observed, “My heart is in Women’s Ministries… What kept hitting me was the women, the sacrifices they make.

Culturally, the women are more of the work horses; the view of them is not as they are viewed here.”

Kari explained, “To go door-to-door sharing the gospel with people and introducing them to the churches that the main mother church wanted to start. The whole neighborhood is being built up and they wanted to start two more churches in that large area. We were working alongside the Cameroonian church helping with evangelism and showing them some new tools, giving a boost of energy in evangelism.” “Two churches were planted,” Tresa replied. “Mt. of Olives and Church of the Living Water.”

Tresa shared at length about three encounters she had. “Ken (a teammate) and I shared the gospel with a family. The woman said, ‘I am a Christian. But my children refuse to go to church. My husband too. What should I do?’ I answered, ‘This is not just an African problem!’ Then her husband shows up! He’s looking at the people there. Ken gives his testimony to the father. He accepts Christ! As Ken is sharing, using the Evangicube, he tells him that he is the man, the husband, the head of the household. ‘It is now your responsibility to see that your family goes to church.’ It was Godly advice and hopefully, prayerfully, he will.”

Describe a typical day – if there was a “typical day”!

Tresa said outright, “A typical day was not typical!” Both women described the central days in their trip where they were able to share the gospel, through Cameroonian translators.

They spent several hours in the morning and afternoon doing evangelism using the visual aid of an “Evangicube.” But things in the culture stretched them. Travel. Border crossings.

“African time,” which was much more relationally-based than

“I also prayed with a widow, Brigitte. We had been going one way on a road, and then we hear a child yelling and calling after us. We turn around and go with him to a two-room

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nothing of a house. Yet, the woman is making sure that each one of us has a seat. She’s in obvious pain. ‘I’m a Christian,’ she reveals. Her boy, age four or five – hard to guess ages because of so much malnutrition – and she have a Gospel, not a full Bible. She tells us that for the past year and a half, she’s had a horrific sore on her leg. She lifted her skirt to ask for prayer for healing. I laid my hand on the bandage on her thin leg and prayed for her. What tenacious faith! She had no ability to come after us, but she was yelling from her house and sending her boy to get us.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our Faith & Fellowship readers?

“Another woman – I’ll always see her beautiful smile – was in a neighborhood mix of people. I realize how naïve I was, making cultural mistakes. The woman brings out a mat in the compound, and the translator keeps pushing me forward, saying, ‘You give your testimony, now. She’s Muslim.” I go through my testimony, using the Evangicube, giving the gospel. ‘Do you have any questions about what I told you about Jesus?’ I ask. She responds, ‘Yes. My leaders say if I follow Jesus it’s a sin. What do you say about this?’

Tresa quoted words from Isaiah 55, “‘As the rain and snow come down from heaven and do not return to it without watering the earth…so is my Word that goes out from my mouth. It will not return to me empty…It will achieve the purpose for which I sent it.’ God’s Word wins out and will achieve what he desires – it’s His Word.!”

Kari said, “I’m so thankful for the chance to go and have a ministry in Africa. Not just visit, but to know that God had something for me to do there, too. I would encourage people to ‘go for it!’ Don’t hold back because of people at home.

Many left spouses and kids to still go for it. Women tend to do things for other people; it’s too hard to leave family; it’s our job to take care of them. It’s God’s job to take care of them!”

“It’s a heavy moment. My following Jesus, compared to her following – her burden is so much heavier than mine – I have not the slightest appreciation how she would be ostracized from her family; sitting in the middle of Africa with nothing. I looked in her eyes, ‘Every man, woman, and child must make the decision for themselves - not someone else making it for them.’

“Her smile lit up. Then her husband’s friend in the compound started yelling, saying that we were being disrespectful; men speaking to her without her husband being home. ‘Oh no, no, it’s just the women talking,’ was the response. ‘We mean no disrespect.’ The woman is not taking her eyes off me, her smile getting bigger and bigger. It was just huge, and joy on her face! I don’t know – we weren’t there long enough to pray with her – I don’t know what she had to pay for that. But Marcos (missionary Holzner) said that’s probably the most freedom she’s ever had. Her joy was unexplainable! To be called there – to be there – really touched me.”

Kari shared an encounter from her last day. “On the last day, we were heading to the buses, so I was going to keep walking past a group of teenage students. But the translator stopped and we introduced ourselves. The translator and the guys had a long conversation, and the teen girl was so inquisitive, asking about deep stuff. And then the neat thing was that one of the elders, who was the driver of the bus, came over and got in on the conversation. He pulled out some Bible passages for the group. He came back later – three times. He was there at just the right times. Seeing the nationals doing evangelism and being open to having the conversations – talking to friends and neighbors – we could see them talk with confidence, taking initiative. That was fun for me to see.”

Kari also shared how meaningful it was for the Garoua Church and for President Goyek head of the Cameroon LB synod to meet her, a granddaughter of the missionaries who had been murdered there, coming back to help them with evangelism.

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Ebenezer Lutheran Brethren Church in Mayville, North Dakota will be celebrating 100 years of God’s faithfulness Saturday, June 13 at 6:00 p.m. in the Luckasen Room at Mayville State University. For more information contact Pastor Randy Mortenson. Phone: (701) 788-2251 E-mail: revrand@polarcomm.com

A service of dedication for a new sanctuary was held on January 11, 2009 at Living Faith Church, Cape Coral, Florida. President Joel Egge delivered the message “I Will Build You A House” based on 2 Samuel 7.

President Egge also presided over the dedication ceremony.

Address Changes: Erick Sorensen 15438 Mallard Lane Fontana CA 92336-1048

Wayne & Jaqui Quam 312 Fuhrman Ave Grand Rapids MN 55744-3231

John Kilde 1715 Aspenwood Trail Fergus Falls MN 56537

Torgeir Haugland 28847 37th Ave S Auburn WA 98001

The 7,900-square-foot building was built largely by the volunteer efforts of congregation members, who by the grace of God, sacrificed their Saturdays for over two years to complete the project. The steel and mechanical work was contracted out, but, framing, paving, drywall, painting, siding, finish trim, landscaping, irrigation, and more was done by the church’s members.

A pictorial record of the sanctuary’s erection is available at the Living Faith Web site, following the project from groundbreaking to when the church received its certificate of occupancy in November. www.livingfaithcapecoral.com

Steven Heppner and Elim LBC email: elimlbc@mtintouch.net Dan Brue’s email: dbrue@kingdom-coaching.org

2009 CLB Annual Convention

Women’s Ministries “Face to Face” visits by Ruth Vallevik, Director of Women’s Ministries.

Pray for Ruth in her travels—and check www.wmclb.com for specific dates March 19-24: CA, AZ April 30-May 4: ND June 11-15 MN

June 14-17, 2009

Annual Convention of Women’s Ministries of the Church of the Lutheran Brethren (WMCLB) June 13, 2009 Keynote Speaker: Teresa Szobody

Save that room!

It’s never too early to be planning your trip to the 2009 Annual Convention!

Fergus Falls is sure to be a busy place with another Lutheran convention taking place during the LB Convention.

Women’s Ministries Contributions as of January 21, 2009 $20,151.85 towards the goal of $44,600.00

by April 30, 2009 14

Register Now And Save

$320 $350

Early Bird Special -- register and pay no later than March 31 Regular registration and payment deadline is May 31

Register online at www.yc09.org or call (218)739-3336 Visit us online for updated information on speakers, seminars, and musicians.

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10 Days in Takanosu

by Bonita & Arnie Nordaas

What can four Canadians, three who speak no Japanese do in just 10 days in Takanosu, Japan? Even some of the team members were asking the same question. The answer is that the Lord used them with the Takanosu church to touch many lives. Touching lives is how time in Takanosu literally started.

At the train station Kaila Cook hugged kids she had taught here before going back to Calgary. More kids whose English classes had already ended hung around the church waiting for Kaila to come and greet them with a hug. Actually God’s special leading started with the team’s morning devotion their first day in Japan. Hans Scholz, the oldest member of the team sensed the Lord leading them to sing, “I Know Who Holds Tomorrow”. That chance came at our first event, the Ladies’ Christmas Luncheon. The moment he began singing, “I don’t know about tomorrow…” broad smiles broke out on the faces of two of our seekers. Why? That is the song that gets them through their troubles day after day. Gail Schwartz was honest in telling about her temptation to gossip at the workplace. God showed her the grip that this sin had on her life and the trouble that it causes other people. Nodding heads revealed that the Japanese ladies understood what she was saying. Sin is not just crime, it’s a vice that enslaves and damages each person. She then told of how the Lord has changed her from being a gossip lover, to a person who keeps confidence so people at her workplace are happy when she tells them she will pray for them.

customers complimented him. He now begins each day praying to God and ends the day with prayer, thanking the Lord for being with him. He and his wife are both planning to come to our Church’s Christmas party Sunday night. They both work during the day so can’t come for the afternoon Christmas service.

Many Japanese think that because they are Buddhists, they shouldn’t come to a church service. However, our Church’s Children’s Christmas Program gave us a chance to tell many the real meaning of Christmas. Christmas is not Santa’s birthday as many Japanese children answer, when asked, “Whose birthday does Christmas celebrate?”

Thirty children who study English Conversation at our church helped us by inviting their parents to come and listen to them sing the Christmas songs that they had been practicing in their English classes. They also invited their friends to come and make gingerbread houses that the team brought from Canada.

We prepared for 50 children but the church was soon crowded with 76 kids. Parents and even a newspaper reporter pushed the number to over 120 of whom only 9 were Christians. The program ended when we turned out the lights and began our candle light service. As I read the Bible, each candle flame personalized the truth that light had come into the world and that that light is Jesus. Many holding candles were in our church for the first time. We pray that some of them like the man who read the flyer that we passed out, will also come back again to talk about how Jesus, the light of the world, can become the light of their personal world.

During the next week the team helped us pass out around 400 tracts with our Christmas service invitation. On the day the team left Takanosu, we got a phone call from one person who had received a flyer. He wanted to come and talk to the pastor about his troubles. He listened to the hope that is recorded in the Bible and prayed to the God of the Bible for the first time in his life. Then the following Saturday he came with a poinsettia as a present for God. Why? He is on medication for depression, and the side effects make him slower then other workers. As a result the boss often yells at him. However, after praying, he discovered that God enables him to accept the scolding without getting too discouraged, in fact several

The team also stressed that becoming a Christian doesn’t guarantee a happy ever after life. At their first church service and at our VIP breakfast, Hans Sholz told of his experience of God being with him both in good times and in hard times.

When he was 8, his mother and his 7 brothers and sisters had to walk from Bohemia to their home in Germany. They had been evacuated to avoid the Russian army and were now in territory hostile to Germans. For food, his mother had to try

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and find some kind Bohemian who would under cover of darkness give them some bread. Exhausted and undernourished, one day they just couldn’t walk any further. They tried hitching a ride, but truck after truck ignored them. “Where was God?” his older sister asked? His mother quoted Proverbs 21:1, “The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will.” A moment later a Russian truck stopped and an officer got out. He asked, “Mother, are all these your children?” when she said yes, he loaded all of them into the truck and hauled them 50km. That good experience was followed by being driven out of their home when that part of Germany was given to Poland. But God was with them. God was with him when questioned by the Secret police while riding the train to East Berlin, on his way to the West. His faith was tested in 2004 when arsonists burnt down his home in February. He was able to celebrate the next Christmas with church friends in his new home. Finally he could say, “The Lord gives and the Lord takes away, blessed is the name of the Lord.” Both of those Bible verses were printed on a bookmark that we passed out.

We thank God that before she returned to Canada, Kaila had the dream of coming back to Takanosu with a team to help us tell the story of Christmas sometimes with words but mostly by loving each person.

Bonita and Arnie Nordaas are missionaries in Takanosu, Japan

Top Ten Reasons YOU Should Consider Short Term Ministry in Japan: From Jon and Kim Sorenson in Japan 10. The sushi is fresh, cheap, and plentiful.

9. You never knew ramen noodles could taste this good.

8. There are vending machines that dispense hot coffee, popcorn, rhinoceros beetles (pets!), underwear, camera batteries and swimsuits.

7. You will be an immediate rock star because, you are, well, DIFFERENT in a land of Japanese homogeny.

6. There are plenty of national holidays and festivals that fascinate foreigners. (Bean throwing festival? Yep. Be Kind to the Elderly Day? Uh huh.)

5. Riding the rails can become addictive. Checking out fashions at the train stations is equally fun.

4. The rugged mountains invite skiing, hiking, and picnics with cool convenience store foods. The spring cherry blossoms will WOW you.

3. You will see God’s faithfulness with new eyes, and experience the joy of the worldwide Body of Christ.

2. There are wonderful students here waiting to welcome you, share Japan with you, and treat you like royalty.

1. The people of Japan NEED TO HEAR THE GOOD NEWS OF CHRIST! Right now, the Connections English Teaching Program is seeking men, women, couples, singles, Americans, Canadians...creative people with a heart to serve, a love of people, and a desire to share Christ and how He has changed their life. The ability to converse in English with people of all ages and provide engaging class discussion topics is essential.

Preparing interesting lessons using a textbook is another desirable skill. We provide training, housing, a monthly salary and eager students. You raise some start up and transportation funds...and then, welcome to the life-changing adventure of a lifetime! Positions available beginning in June 2009. For more information or to contact us check our website @ http://www.lbwm.org/teij/.

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We invite you to share your thoughts and opinions about each issue with us. If we continue to share our ideas, this magazine will help keep us united as one body as we serve God through testimonies, teachings, opinions and devotions. This magazine is an important part of our fellowship and I hope that it will encourage us to stay faithful in our work as servants of Christ.

Please e-mail your comments to: ffpress@clba.org - Or regular mail: Faith & Fellowship, P.O. Box 655, Fergus Falls, MN 56538

Thanks so much for running the article about Dakota's Pride (Nov. 2008, Vol 75, No 7). We have heard a lot of positives on the article and it warms people's heart that kids are doing good things! I appreciate everything!

Great job!

Noreen Thomas, Triumph LB Church, MN

I like the new Thoughts & Opinions page! Another way to get readers involved and make the magazine more interactive would be through direct questions soliciting responses. For instance, each issue could pose a question such as "How do you respond to a friend who is hurting? If they're Christian? If they're not?" "What are your dreams for your church?" "What's your favorite hospitality tip?" et al. I would look forward to reading people's responses in following issues.

Randy Mortenson, Ebenezer LB Church, ND

Great Books and More at Faith & Fellowship Bookstore The African Trail by Esther Stalsbroten Esther served for two terms as a missionary in Africa with the Church of the Lutheran Brethren. During World War II she served with the Women’s Army Corps and as a staff member in General Eisenhower’s headquarters. Read as she tells you about her husband, Ralph Fuglestad, and his journey as a missionary on the African Trail. $3.95

1-800-332-9232 Faith & Fellowship Bookstore 1020 Alcott Ave W Fergus Falls, MN 56537 218-736-7357 • Email: ffbooks@clba.org

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Testimonies of God’s Grace in Africa by Leslie Stennes These testimonies give a unique insight about how God works among our sisters and brothers in Africa. Each storyteller tells his or her story in their own words. They were then translated by Dr. Leslie Stennes for our benefit. They show how much alike we are, yet how our differing cultures affect us. $3.50

Price does not include shipping.

May We Recommend...

Music Review Dial M

by Starflyer 59 Tooth & Nail Records The band Starflyer 59 is a living legend in the world of Christian Alternative-Rock music. Jason Martin is the talented leader of the band and their most recent release, Dial M, is the band’s eleventh studio album. Dial M seems to be Martin’s most personal album, and possibly the best Starflyer 59 album ever. The band’s lyricism has always been more of the spiritually-subtle type, but not on Dial M. Martin wears his heart and faith on his sleeve. For example, on the track “M23,” Martin sings of how the only reliable thing we as humans can look to is Christ: “Can I rely, can I? In the twinkling of an eye, of an eye, we’ll rise, so I’ll rely on Christ.” What a great reminder to me that, just as Larry Norman sang all those years ago, there is only One Way. Martin’s lyrics are desperate as he sings of how he does all he can to live as Christ lived. Martin’s very personal struggle is one that is very personal to me as well as many other Christians when in the song “Magic” Martin writes, “To live is Christ; to die is gain; I try and I try.” We all try, we all fall short, and Martin is very blunt about his struggle. To top it off, the instrumental side of Dial M is top-notch.

Adding a very retro-synth style on this album, Martin and Starflyer 59 have crafted a finely tuned piece of musical genius that is, in my opinion, the best album released in 2008. I highly recommend it for fans of Christian alt-rock or spiritually relevant and personal lyricism.

Check it out!

Kaare Kvenild attends Community of Joy Church, Eagen, MN, where he is active in the praise band and Men’s Ministry.

Faith & Fellowship is the official publication of the Church of the Lutheran Brethren, 1020 Alcott Ave. W., P.O. Box 655, Fergus Falls, MN 56538-0655, issued eight times a year (January/February, March, April/May, June/July, August, September/October, November, December) by Faith and Fellowship Press, 1020 Alcott Ave. W., P.O. Box 655, Fergus Falls, MN 56538-0655. Phone (218)736-7357. The viewpoints expressed in the articles are those of the authors and may or may not necessarily reflect the official position of the Church of the Lutheran Brethren of America (CLBA). Periodicals Postage Paid at Fergus Falls, Minnesota 56538.

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Direct all correspondence, including submission of articles, to: Faith & Fellowship, P.O. Box 655, Fergus Falls, MN 56538-0655; Telephone, (218)736-7357; e-mail, ffpress@clba.org; FAX, (218)736-2200.

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Sent

by Tim Mathiesen

God has sent all of us into the mission field in one way or another. From our human perspective it often seems in order to be sent, we would need to physically go somewhere far away. Missionaries are sent overseas. Pastors are often sent to a new location. Youth groups are sent on short-term mission trips to Mexico. But what about some of us who stay home and attend our local church?

I was sent by God, and also by my home church, friends and family, on a short-term mission trip to Cameroon last November. It was an incredibly memorable experience that I have enjoyed sharing with those back home. The others on the trip were from Lutheran Brethren congregations as well, and were also sent by their home churches. Some were influenced by their pastors to go on the trip while others were from churches served by pastors who are former missionaries or strongly connected to CLB World Missions. It was inspiring to see the line between North American Missions and World Missions disappear as each team member revealed their story about why they were on the trip.

This trip confirmed for me that from a human perspective “being sent” may mean going somewhere far away from home, but from God’s perspective “being sent” must mean going as close as across the yard to our neighbor or as far as across the world to Africa or Asia. We are all sent missionaries in one way or another.

Tim Mathiesen is the Director of Communications for the Church of the Lutheran Brethren

Periodicals Postage Paid at Fergus Falls, Minnesota 56538

Our work of going door-to-door in Garoua, Cameroon helped me realize that God was at work in people’s hearts and lives before we arrived. We know that God was there before our missionaries even stepped foot in Cameroon and Chad. How could I possibly ignore the fact that God is also working in the lives of my own neighbors back home? Is it my responsibility to decide when someone is ready to hear the Gospel? Isn’t it my responsibility to just allow God to work through me?

With the incredible openness that we witnessed in Cameroon I realized that there is no way for me to ever know when a person is ready to hear about God’s gift of salvation. Of course I need to approach my neighbors back home very differently than I would in Cameroon, but the similarity is in the reality that God is working right here at home, as well.

We Are Now Online! www.ffmagazine.org

For change of address: Faith & Fellowship P.O. Box 655 Fergus Falls, MN 56538-0655

There was an obvious sense of “sending” while on the mission trip due to the distance between Cameroon and each of our homes. The realization that the mission of our home churches was strongly connected to what we were doing with churches in Cameroon shifted my understanding of “being sent” from merely applying to my time in Cameroon to applying to my entire life as a follower of Christ.