Second Week – Two Cultures Meet

Our second week of furlough continued with our tour of presentations to promote the work of LATTE.  Monday evening took us to Emmanuel congregation in Tempe, AZ. Then we spent the rest of the week at Whiteriver and East Fork in Arizona’s White Mountain Reservation.

We enjoyed the breath-taking four-hour drive from Phoenix, rolling through Salt River Canyon. Lots of winding curves, amazing rock formations, endless mountains and valleys, and high altitudes.

Upon arrival into Whiteriver, Missionary Joel Sutton and his wife, Priscilla, along with their son, Mateo, welcomed us into their home and served us a delicious meal.  We have a special connection with Joel and Priscilla. Joel served as a vicar in México, where he met his wife, Priscilla.  Priscilla was one of my English students during my brief WELS Kingdom Workers’ teaching assignment. Both Nate and I attended their wedding in México.

After a guided walk around the neighborhood, we headed to East Fork, just a few miles down the road.  Nate’s grandfather built many of the original homes and buildings on the Lutheran Campus. We stayed in an apartment that is part of the Apache Christian Training School (ACTS) building (formerly the East Fork Nursery).

After getting settled, it was time for another connection-Missionary Dan and Katie Rautenberg. Dan was a high school classmate of mine and he attended college and seminary training with Nate. When I worked for WELS World Missions Promotions Center, Dan and Katie were the second mission tour that I coordinated. It was truly fascinating to recognize similarities between Nate and Dan. They both graduated in 2000 and were assigned to world mission fields as missionaries, transitioned into theological education roles, and continue to serve in their original fields for 12 years. It was also enlightening in comparing the similarities and differences between the training of LATTE and ACTS as well as Latin America and Native America.

The next morning at East Fork Lutheran elementary school, Nate led a devotion and presented on LATTE’s work of taking seminary training across borders, along with culture and linguistic trivia. I concluded the presentation by showing a project to share Jesus through colors and singing a song together. Afterwards, we visited each classroom to answer the students’ questions. The kindergarten class sang The Lord’s Prayer to us in the Apache language. In the evening, we went to Open Bible Church in Whiteriver for a potluck (I will share details about the delicious “fry bread” in an upcoming post) and presentation. It was an amazing day, sharing one culture with another.  I learned a lot and met some wonderful loving brothers and sisters in Jesus.

We spent our last day with the missionaries, after a short visit with Pastor Gary Lupe who will also be presenting at the LWMS Convention this summer. Some of us toured the Fort Apache Museum and Kinishba Ruins. Then we all headed up to Pinetop for dinner with a walk around the lake and time for the kids to play.

I hope that we can all reconnect again in the near future to share stories, ideas, and words of encouragement with one another.

 

Week One – Furlough Fun

A widow’s mite.  A gentle whisper.  An insightful question.  An emotional hug.

These precious things reminded me why we are in the USA on furlough, amidst a tour of mission presentations.

Shepherd of the Valley Church-Surprise, AZ

Nate and I just completed the first week of our furlough.  The days have been full of speaking engagements at three congregations, a high school, a lower grade school, an early morning Bible study at a local restaurant,  three full grade schools, and a retirement home. We met many new faces and spent time with old friends. We crossed paths with missionary friends, Stahmanns (Japan), Sprains (Latin America), Spevaceks (Africa, Eastern Europe, and Native America), and our colleagues-Larry and Kay Retberg (LATTE).

Students at Emmanuel Lutheran School-Tempe, AZ

Each location welcomed us with attentive ears, huge hugs, and warm greetings. Congregation members appreciated business cards featuring our blog website addresses and looked them up immediately on their SMART phones.  Students enjoyed the mission kit display as they tried out musical instruments and discovered other handicrafts from the 10 different countries LATTE serves in Latin America. Pastors and teachers thanked us for promotional bulletin and letter-size materials we sent ahead to promote the mission events. Countless presentation attendees absolutely loved the cultural videos and personal greetings from our brothers and sisters in Latin America.

Students at Grace Lutheran School-Glendale, AZ

Overall, the week has been a whirlwind of conversations, presentations, and activities; but a few specific moments stand out in my mind.  A 98-year old woman passing me a $5 bill as she hugged me good-bye, wishing she had more to give to support the mission work.  A tap on the shoulder after a presentation followed by the words, “Thank you so much for coming, you were just what I needed today”, from a woman with tears flowing from her eyes.  A young child asking, “Have you ever gotten hurt for telling someone about Jesus?” An elderly man with a walker, giving me a humble offering along with a strong hug, as he thanked us for the work that we do on his behalf.

This is what furlough is all about.  Making those personal connections with our stateside supporters who make our mission efforts possible by their prayers, offerings, and service. Giving them a face-to-face opportunity to see the work that is being done on their behalf is a tremendous honor and privilege. What a true joy it is to see all this support and love from God’s children-both young and old-in sharing Jesus with others!

We thank all of you who support our missions around the world and wish we could meet each and every one of you.  We hope to see many of you at the upcoming LWMS Convention in North Carolina. May God be with each of you, until we meet again!

Locations not featured in photos: Pilgrim Lutheran School-Mesa, AZ, Arizona Lutheran Academy-Phoenix, AZ, Cross of Glory Lutheran School-Peoria, AZ, Emmanuel Bible Study Group-Tempe, AZ, Arizona Lutheran Retirement Home-Phoenix, AZ, Grace Lutheran Church-Glendale, AZ, and Calvary Lutheran Church-Chandler, AZ.

 

Reunited

Tomorrow begins our official furlough.  Nate and I will also be reunited.  He will fly from León, Guanajuato, México and I will depart from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA.  We will meet in the Dallas airport and fly together to Phoenix, Arizona where Dad W will pick us up.  I can’t wait!

It has been a long 3 weeks apart, but we kept in touch everyday with various venues of media.

We begin our promotional tour of presentations on Sunday.  Nate´s brother, Steve, accepted a pastoral call to Texas, so we are planning to spend the time between our presentations with them before the family leaves Arizona.

Due to our travel schedule and unknown internet connections, there may be a delay between postings for the next couple weeks.  Thanks for your support and patience! 

 

LATTE – Taking Seminary Training Across Borders

Nate and I have been tweaking our mission presentation: LATTE-Taking Seminary Training Across Borders for the past two weeks. We are endlessly thankful for the technology to be able to communicate and collaborate our efforts while we are currently in separate countries. We are organizing our content into several presentations to tailor them for each of our different audiences-elementary students, high school students, congregation members, ladies’ groups, men’s groups, and retirees.

If you happen to be in Arizona this month, or planning to attend the LWMS Convention in North Carolina in June, we would love to meet you and share the details about our life and ministry in Latin America in person!

MAY TOUR SCHEDULE – ARIZONA

Sunday, 5/13
9:30 AM WORSHIP SERVICE @ SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH-SURPRISE, AZ
10:45 AM PRESENTATION @ SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH-SURPRISE, AZ

Monday, 5/14
2:30 PM PRESENTATION @ PILGRIM LUTHERAN SCHOOL-MESA, AZ

Tuesday, 5/15
9:30 AM CHAPEL & PRESENTATION @ ARIZONA LUTHERAN ACADEMY-PHOENIX, AZ

Wednesday, 5/16
8:30 AM CHAPEL & PRESENTATION @ CROSS OF GLORY LUTHERAN SCHOOL-PEORIA, AZ

Thursday, 5/17
6:00 AM PRESENTATION @ EMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH-TEMPE, AZ

Friday, 5/18
8:30 AM CHAPEL & PRESENTATION @ EMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL-TEMPE, AZ

Saturday, 5/19
5:00 PM POTLUCK & PRESENTATION @ ARIZONA LUTHERAN RETIREMENT CENTER-PHOENIX, AZ

Sunday, 5/20
8:00 AM WORSHIP SERVICE @ GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH-GLENDALE, AZ
9:15 AM PRESENTATION @ GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH-GLENDALE, AZ
10:30 AM WORSHIP SERVICE @ GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH-GLENDALE, AZ
3:00 PM POTLUCK & PRESENTATION @ CALVARY LUTHERAN CHURCH-CHANDLER, AZ

Monday, 5/21
9:00 AM CHAPEL & PRESENTATION @ GRACE LUTHERAN SCHOOL-GLENDALE, AZ
6:30 PM WORSHIP SERVICE @ EMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH-TEMPE, AZ
7:45 PM PRESENTATION @ EMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH-TEMPE, AZ

Wednesday, 5/23
AM PRESENTATION @ EAST FORK LUTHERAN SCHOOL-WHITERIVER, AZ
5:30 PM POTLUCK & PRESENTATION @ OPEN BIBLE LUTHERAN CHURCH-WHITERIVER, AZ

Thursday, 5/24
TBD ACTS STUDENTS-WHITERIVER, AZ

Sunday, 5/27
11:00 AM WORSHIP SERVICE @ SANTO TOMÁS LUTHERAN CHURCH-PHOENIX, AZ
12:30 PM PRESENTATION @ SANTO TOMÁS LUTHERAN CHURCH-PHOENIX, AZ

JUNE TOUR SCHEDULE – NORTH CAROLINA

Saturday, 6/23
2:45 PM PRESENTATION @ LWMS CONVENTION-WINSTON-SALEM, NC

We hope to see you soon! 

 

A Day with Family

One of the joys of coming home on furlough is visiting with family. This weekend, I attended a special birthday party for my cousins, Christian-8 and Olivia-6.

Their dad, Brian, planned a fun scavenger hunt. Each child had an adult partner. My cousin Jordan was my partner. We got a bucket and net along with a list of items to find. After we completed our list, we handed over our findings to the grandpas. They inspected our treasures and gave us another task. We needed to go upstairs and ask great grandma or uncle Tim for a balloon. Then the adult team member had to blow up the balloon and the little teammate drew a smiley face on the balloon. We gave it to the grandpas. Then it was time to shake some oversized dice. Each child received a prize. We got a hula-hoop. Wow! I was impressed how well Jordan could hula-hoop. I didn’t know they still used them in school.

Cousin Christian is autistic. You wouldn’t know that if you only saw a glimpse of him working on his iPad. Every visit, I am pleasantly surprised how much he has advanced! His parents, Jackie and Brian, are amazing. Their house is a learning center and they work with him all the time. They have a life-size white board, posters and signs throughout the house, an endless Lego Land, and his iPad. Christian is a brilliant boy, who communicates in a different way.

I love my family!  Christian, have a day!

For more details on Christian’s story, go to his mom’s blog: http://tiredmama.wordpress.com

 

Jury Duty

After arriving safely at my parents in Campbellsport, Wisconsin, I went through my mail and found a letter from the Fond du Lac County Clerk’s office waiting for me.  I opened the envelope and it was a request to serve on jury duty.  Wow!  I have always wanted to serve on a jury.  Fortunately, it was postmarked only 2 days before, giving me 8 days to return to avoid a $500 fine.

After going through the questionnaire, I had a lot of questions so I called the County Clerk’s office. A friendly woman named Shelly answered after the second ring, and guided me through the forms. I added a note to the forms with the dates of my availability in Wisconsin and that I have temporary residence in Mexico.  I will be waiting for that phone call. 

Image provided by www.favim.com.

 

WKW Workshop

Wow! What an absolutely amazing event!  Two days packed with reunions with old-time friends, experienced presenters full of zeal and inspiration, and many new faces at the WELS Kingdom Workers’ (WKW) Chapter/Workshop in Bloomington, MN. I found out  that the two days before the Chapter/Workshop hosted WKW Board meetings and Evangelism Mentor Training (EMT).

On Friday, WKW friends welcomed me as I arrived in Bloomington, MN.  After registration, the program began with an opening service.  Then it was time for a meet and greet along with snacks and the opportunity to browse the different ministry displays.  A concert by the band “Proclamation” wrapped up the night.

Saturday was full of sharing and learning.  Minnesota District President Rev. Charles Degner gave us all a warm welcome followed by a devotion led by Rev. Peter Leyrer.  Rev. Ed Schuppe took us on a motivational journey in Partnering with your Community.  I attended a  joint presentation by Rev.Clark Schultz, Rev. Joel Schultz, and a student from Lakeside High School about Youth in Service and Travel Canvass Witness Programs.

After a short break for lunch, it was my turn.  I presented on international volunteer service.  I focused on sharing the things I wish I knew before I went to serve overseas as well sharing the things I want volunteers to know now that I am on the other side as a missionary wife. Rev. Rich Warnecke gave us the final presentation on Volunteer Recruitment full of encouraging Bible references. WKW Executive Director Bill Meier concluded the event with closing remarks and an introduction of the staff.

Many of us went out for dinner and spent the remainder of the evening reminiscing the past.

It was a memorable weekend and I hope to put into practice many of the new things that I learned.  Thank you WKW!

Contact me for more information if you are planning to serve as a mission volunteer overseas.  I’d love to share my presentational materials with you.