Pastor's Notes

2010-05-21T10:52:00.000-07:00

Installation for Rev. Bill Sullivan
Sunday, June 27, 2010 at 3 p.m.
New Life Lutheran Church
Sterling-Rock Falls, IL

We invite you to attend this special service for a very special church and pastor of the LCMC. New Life is a LCMC mission start, now with 211 members within just a few months. We will take a van full from Faith Lutheran Church immediately following our 11:00 a.m service. Many people from LCMC will be in attendance and the LCMC Ministry Board has been invited. We hope many of us from Faith will attend. We are honored to have Pastor Sullivan in our area.

Pastor Martha Nelson will be doing the installation. And Pastor Mark Gehrke has been invited to have the honor of preaching the sermon. Please stay tuned for additional information as it becomes available.

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

2008-07-02T05:02:00.000-07:00

Greetings All,

It has been a couple of days since I last wrote. On Monday, I went on another sort of Safari, to Moshe. (You could look it up on a map). Very long day for a day off. We toured the TPC Sugar Factory, where they make sugar from the Sugar Cane, very interesting. They use all of the sugar cane, not only for sugar but for powering the plant. Over 18,000 acres of sugar cane. Before they harvest it they burn it to make it easier for harvesting without leaves and to protect the workers from snakes and other animals that hid in the fields. I wasn't allowed to take pictures inside, but I took a lot outside. It is like a little city unto itself, several churches, stores, little factories, and more (like the arsenal in that it is self-contained and has gates).

There is a small town near there that Ev. Materu and his wife came from. We went to both their homes, and brothers homes. Took lots of family pictures for them, now I have to down load them on my memory stick to print them off for them.

We were to have dinner at Pastor Mushi's that night, but he cancelled a half hour before because he was far from home. It worked out just, fine. It was nice to have a quite night.

Tuesday, I was come into the office and communicate with on the computer, but Pastor Mushi wasn't feeling well. So I just relaxed at Pizza Point, read, worked on pictures, and my sermon for Sunday. Oh, yes, I found out at 6 a.m. that I had no water in my bathroom. They were fixing on the water mains the day before, and thought all was well. So they brought in huge buckets of water into my bathroom, mostly cold for the toilet, but some very hot for bathing. Never a boring moment for me in Tanzania or in America for that matter.

Tuesday, too, was a side trip to two orphanages at 4:00 p.m. There I gave them all the red t-shirts from the Perry's and $100 for food that Grace (my host at Pizza Point) prepares and takes to them. As I have said before, she is truly a woman of faith and compassion. I took lots of pictures of this orphanage that cares for 68 children. It was very modest, but well cared for facility. In fact, they are expanding in order to house another 24 children.

From there we went to an infant orphanage, again very well maintained facilities, but so many children in need. Over 38 children, 2 years old and under there. There is no charge to the children or their extended families. They are very self-sufficient with doing projects that provide income: renovating desks from the university, hosting visitors in lodging, and much more. We met two college aged students who were there volunteering to care for these children, one from Germany and another from the Netherlands. It was getting late.

However, I got back just in time for Tuesday night dinner at Pastor Mushi's at 8 p.m. with his very large blended family. He and his wife, were married two years ago after there spouses died. It was very nice gathering. I too gave the family some gifts, they were very appreciative to have guests. Guests in Africa, mean blessings! Imagine that, I am a blessing. Got to bed late.

Wednesday, I received a text message from Pastor Mushi asking if I was going to Sermon Prepartions today at 9:30 a.m. It was 8:50 a.m. when he texted me. I quickly went and arrived in time to wait. It was a very nice meeting, as we read the texts and shared in debate form. Everyone is to say what they hear and then debate or prove it to the rest. Interesting concept. Then whosever response they agree to take, those persons need to construct a theme sentence. We studied Mark 4:26-29. We discussed where in the parable is the GRACE of God? Imagine, a discussion on grace. What is grace? I tole them I teach on this often. We too, discussed Costly Grace vs. Cheap Grace. They wanted to know more. They were unfamiliar with Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Then we had lunch.And I am now sharing with you.

I am awaiting word from my traveling companions arrival. I was in Sermon Preparation Meeting when they should have arrived. I thought I was going to the airport to meet them, but then what do I know. One has to be very flexible in Africa, I know I have said that before. It will be nice to be in conversations I can fully understand again, although it too has been very humbling as an outsider. And that is good too!

In His service and yours,

Pastor Mark

Sunday, June 29, 2008

2008-06-29T06:42:00.000-07:00

Jesu yu kai (Jesus lives!),

Today was Engarenarok's Special Fundraising Day for finishing their secondary education buildings. Bishop Laiser was here as well a delegation for Lutheran World Federation. The first service started at 6:30 a.m. and went until 9:40 a.m. The second service which I attended started at 10:00 a.m. and ended at 2:20 p.m. Then that was followed by a special reception, a feast for all. Bishop Laiser made some remarks, the one that stands out for me is that he said, "We are a mission minded church. We focus on teaching, preaching, and healing." Amen to that. Prayer is so powerful here and perhaps one could say that it is their first language.

There goal was $70,000, and they raised about $46,000. On your behalf I gave a gift of $1500 for the Education Building. They were very grateful! They also hold an auction after the service which included produce, chickens, goats, and cloth. I tried to bid on things twice, but was out bidded both times. One time, the person with the winning bid gave me the item. I hope Vicki doesn't mind adding a goat with the pigeons. Just kidding. I got a beautiful cloth.

It is almost 5:00 p.m. when I am writing this. You should be in worship about now. Many thanks to the youth for leading worship in my absence. I am trying to add more pictures, I just do not know why there are now two slide shows. I am to preach here at Engarenarok next Sunday.

Thank you for your prayers and support in this effort.

In Christ,

Pastor Mark

Check out my Slide Show!

2008-06-28T05:04:00.001-07:00

Check out my Slide Show!

2008-06-28T04:31:00.001-07:00

Saturday, June 28th, 2008

2008-06-28T01:07:00.000-07:00

Good Morning,

I bit of a slow day today. Pastor Mushi very busy. Preparing for Education Fund Raiser for tomorrow, three weddings today, and other business like a seminar for the ushers tomorrow.

Yesterday, I was here at 5 a.m. to leave for safari to the Engorngoro Crater, we left about 5:30 a.m. Pastor Mushi was wearing a stocking cap with collar(I have a picture), I wore my safari hat with no collar. It was about a four hour trip there. Roads are much improved, especially the highways - 100% and into the crater was better by about 50%, and improvements going on all the time). However, when we first started out -- 40 klm out we were detained by a police officer who took his job very seriously. There was a lot of discussion and shouting in Swahilit. They told me later that he noticed that the vehicle was missing a sticker, even though they had proof it was paid for. Then we had to stop for 10 a.m. tea before going on. We drove into and down from the clouds into the crater. Animals running free everywhere. Many other tourists there, but I stayed with our group, about six from the church. We had a packed lunch there just like we did the first time.

I saw this HUGE BIRD (I have its name in my notes), all I could think of was seeing hunting dogs trying to retrieve it! I mean it was huge! Bigger that our biggest dogs. It had some kind of animal about the size of a chicken in its mouth. That was at Pastor Mushi's sister-in-laws resort, very beautiful and westernized.

As we entered the crater there were Zebras everywhere. Then a lot of Wilder Beasts, Pink Flamingos, Hippos, and Ostrich. Some of the other animals were elephants, boars, lions, hyienas, jackels, and one rhino very far off. I got to stand up and stick myself through the roof to take pictures. It was like sailing African style, with the wind in my face. I did get a bit sunburned before I put on my hat.

Then on our way back we had a second safari. The radiator had a crack in it. We could only travel about 10 klm, stop, wait for it to cool, and refill it with water. Now remember this is usually a four hour trip...you do the math. After the 10th or 12th time I stopped counting. We did try to stop in a small town to have them seal it. We thought it worked, but in ten miles found out that it did not work. It was very dark. No high street lights, just other vehicles, or persons with flashlights approaching us. A vehicle filled with Tanzanians and one white man. However, I believe it was prayer that got us to go the remaining 40 klm without stopping.

I found out later that a truck from the church met us 40 klm out and followed us in. There was laughing and singing at times. Most of the conversation I did not understand, so I sat quietly. It was very late when we got back -- at least a 6-7 hour trip back. I was very tired. They told me to come tomorrow for tea at 10 a.m. I got here at 10:05 a.m. no tea. Pastor very busy. So I have a chance to write to you. And play with the pictures a bit.

Oh, D.J. by the way there is a Ford Dealership in Arusha. I will try to take a picture of it, it is all locked up though. While gas prices are very high here, they just keep on moving.

A very tired and traveled traveler,

Pastor Mark

Thursday, June 26, 2008

2008-06-26T07:18:00.000-07:00

Habari za mchana (Good afternoon),

Another day is coming to a close. Although I got here at 10 a.m. like usual, I quickly left to go prepare a seminar for 2:30 p.m. Although the seminar was on my timeline, however, it did not say that I was giving it! In fact, I spoke with the secretary, she asked me if I remembered the seminar. I said yes. Then I asked her what the seminar was about? She said, 'You.' I said, 'Me?' And she said 'Yes!' I said, 'I better get going.' So I left to prepare. Communciation is a challenge at times, I sure wish I was better prepared with Swahili. They have told me that it is becoming an international language. We better start learning it.

I did not know how many to prepare for, they said for the staff so I printed 15 handouts. There were over 70 there, needless to say, I ran out of handouts. My talk was on servant leadership, using one of my favorite books, "Jesus on Leadership." I think it went well. Pastor Mushi was going to leave early, but stayed for the whole thing. Some stayed after for further discussion.

Tomorrow, we are off to safari, to Engorongor Crater. It is a four to five hour drive. Many of the staff are going (how many, I have no idea?). I am still trying to attach pictures, without much luck, so sorry. I get the following error message, 'Could not contact Blogger.com Saving and publishing may fail.' Yup, it did. Another day.

As His servant,

Pastor Mark

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

2008-06-25T05:13:00.000-07:00

Greetings from Tanzania,

Today the weather is beautiful. Most mornings it has been cloudy and rainy. God is good. Yesterday, was a bit of a challenging day for me, lots to think about and ponder. Many different feelings, even feeling a bit sad. Thus, the Tanzanians say that God is drawing me closer to himself. That would be good.

I preached at Bethania Lutheran on Sunday, and have been asked to preach at Engarenarok Lutheran on Sunday, July 6th (three services). Pastor Mushi said he liked how I preached. Today is a bit slower day. I finally picked up our packages from the post office in Arusha, it was quit a process and a lot of paper work and a little extra money. The boxes had seen some hard times on the way here. I am unpacking them and sharing the contents with others.

I gave Evangelists some Bibles, they were very grateful and hope to improve their English. While my Swahili is still non-existent. I gave Pastor Mushi a set of Martin Luther's Sermons. He is very grateful and thanks all, including God for he has wanted something from Martin Luther for a very long time and now God has answered his prayers.

Asante sana, I thank you very much for all your prayers too. I hope this letter finds you well.

In Christ's love,

Pastor Mark

2008-06-24T01:12:00.000-07:00

Tuesday, June 24th, 2008

2008-06-23T23:56:00.000-07:00

Habari yu asubuhi, (good morning)

This is my first time blogging. Another thing for me to learn, as if I do not have enough to learn. But it is worth it if my Faith family gets to see it. We are always praying around here. Yesterday, was so powerful and meaningful. I cannot wait for Dr. Turner and Matthew to get here. I pray for your safe safari.

God's team is even found in Tanzania. (see attached picture) No other teams.
I am trying to attach more photos for you to see, but it takes a long time.

I even had the chance to sit in on their recent campaign meeting, to discuss how it will go. Leaders are assigned individuals to invite to participate and give to this education fund. They are hoping to raise $70,000 for the buildings.

In His service and yours,

Pastor Mark

Monday, June 23, 2008

2008-06-23T08:16:00.000-07:00

Ham Jambo (Hi in Swahili)

While today was an off day, it was very overwhelming. Evangelist Materu took me to the Milet Factory, which we visited eight years ago (remember Debbie, Dianne, Linnea, Jon, and Bob) it was just beginning. I spoke with Robert Nyirenda after all these years, it brought tears to my eyes and heart. The factory has grown and Robert is so humble and faithful. I saw some of the same machinary I took pictures of the first time, but the place and grown and become more technical. He can watch all his operations from his desk which is under a tent outside. They fed me finger porage and pill porage and cake made from millet.

Pastor Mushi and his wife met us there. It was a great meeting. I have much to share and show when I get back just from today. There is so much it will take a year for me to share all that I am experiencing.

Also, I met Bishop Laiser and he told us that Bishop Hansen has arrived here today on short notice and will do a prayer service at the Arusha Hospital tomorrow. We may meet up with them. More later.

Love to my family and my Faith Family and friends,

Pastor Mark

PS Thanks to Mike Timler for setting up this blog. Wish more of you were here.

Tanzania Trip Day 4 - June 21st

2008-06-22T18:08:00.001-07:00

June 21, 2008

Greetings from the Churches in Tanzania to the People of Faith Lutheran in Moline,

Pastor Mushi picked me up around 8:15 a.m. and we headed to church for morning daily devotions. While it was in Swahili, Pastor translated for me. We sang in Swahili which was good for me in learning pronunciations. Pastor gave me his chair as the pastor in charge, as he left for a visit his staff read written reports prepared for me ahead of time. They contain a lot of helpful information that I look forward to sharing with you: statistics, struggles, and potential solutions.

I was given a chance to ask questions, which helped me notice particular cultural differences.
They highly encourage self-independence of both men and women.
They encourage entrepreneurial motivation, for individuals to start their own businesses for an income. Whether that be in tailoring, cookery, or hair salons to name a few.
Vocational training of both boys and girls.
They have a greater vision for boarding schools versus day schooling. Their reason or goal is to do more concentrated and in depth education and to reach out into their region.

This day I visited the school campus and class rooms. Over 190 students were gone a field trip or safari to Goro Goro Crater. Initially I was to go along, however, they acknowledged my tired body; my spirit was willing but my body checked out.

At 10 a.m. every day they have tea with all the staff together. How different. What would that be like at Faith Lutheran Church? Mama Mbasha took me around to class rooms and to a debate (mjaradala) which was quite fascinating. This well organized debate was done by 12 year olds – what an excellent skill to teach children: you could see that they truly develop a thinking process, which encourages self independence. The question they debated was, “What is more important education or money?” The children were very demonstrative and passionate in debating their assigned position. They were very respectful of each other as well. When they approved of what their classmate said, they would stomp their feet momentarily. Everything they do is to affirm the importance of education. How different the culture and attitude is toward education here. While there may be some hesitancy on some students, they are taught to respond positively toward education – even if it is a subject they may not like or be good at.

Like us, there are many financial needs, however, they do not see them as obstacles but find creative solutions. For example the choir is responsible for renting out mattresses, chairs, and tables to the community for special functions. They too have someone run canteen daily in order to raise funds for the church.

I too visited Bethania Lutheran Church, which is their smaller congregation of four years and 600 members a brief distance away. The Engarenarok Parish is now 3000 members, from 1500 when we were last here, plus a growing school. I too, met Evangelist Mama Mbasha’s family: six children, three of their own and three adopted from families whose parents died of AIDS. Two of her children remember Jonathan and I from our last trip, infact the girl spoke of Jonathan by name, she was only 8 years old at the time. She remembered we gave them t-shirts and candy.The needs here are so many and yet the people are so very happy! We have laughed and laughed at learning to speak each others language, however, they do much better than I do. I too hope I can figure how to get these letters and pictures to you before I return to the states.

In His service and yours, (kwa heri – good bye for now)

Pastor Mark

Tanzania Trip Day 3 - June 20th

2008-06-22T18:07:00.001-07:00

June 20, 2008

Greetings from the Churches in Tanzania to the People of Faith Lutheran in Moline,

Jesu yu hai! (Jesus lives!) Still four days later, and only about 7 hours of sleep I am exhausted but blest. I wish you were here. There is so much to take in. Perhaps with no surprise to you, we are trying to get the electronics end working. The power is 220 here, and when a circuit pops, it pops! We figured out my adapter is okay, my power strip kept popping out. I need the power strip for multiple items. I have taken many pictures and am trying to send them, but my computer does not want to read my SD card, where is Mike Timler when you need him, I believe he needs to travel with me.

I will share some things from my journal. June 19th, what a day. I arrived in Kilimanjaro around 1:00 p.m. their time (they are 8 hours ahead). It is a beautiful little airport and well kept. The scenery from the sky was majestic as we saw the tall standing Mt. Kilimanjaro from the air and ground. I came off the plane and went through customs. I then began to look for a small greeting committee, as Pastor Mushi said they would be there to pick me up. No one there, a taxi driver was willing to take me wherever I needed to go. I politely told him no as I was to be picked up. Others from the plane were finding their parties, not me. So I decided to step outside and look around. There was a bit of a commotion on the far end of the parking lot, a bus load of people.

Then a small delegation approached me, Pastor Mushi and others greeted me with smiles. Immediately they apologized for being late and asked for my forgiveness. I was just glad to see someone, and I really didn’t wait long. Evangelist Matero spoke for the group as we walked, then all of a sudden a brass band began to play and a choir started to sing. I looked around for some dignitary or someone important like Barak Obama. There was none, it was for me, I couldn’t believe it. I was welcomed by a brass band and choir! Imagine how you feel when someone sings Happy Birthday to you (a bit embarrassed), well, this was ten times worse. I didn’t deserve it, I didn’t know where to look or what to do. A member of the congregation was filming the whole event, and me with I am sure a silly grin. A little girl from the school presented me with two packages of roses. Then they sang and danced around me some more, it felt like a very long time. While I felt unworthy, I too felt blest to receive the love and welcome of the Tanzanians. Lack of sleep was no longer an issue, I felt revived by this warm and unforgettable welcome.

We left the airport in a caravan, darting 45 klm back to Arusha. Darting I believe is accurate as we drive down the wrong side of the road. They gave me the front seat to see the scenery and asked a few questions, pointing out things as we went. As we came into town they pointed out the new hospital and the church tower. The hospital is right near the church. A lot has changed in Arusha in eight years, improved roads, high rise hotels, new businesses, traffic, and lots of people.

Once we arrived at Engarenarok Lutheran Parish, the band and choirs got off the bus and began to play and sing all over again. Children from the school also started to gather and dance. They are very proud of their brass band and asked if we had one. While the instruments did not look as nice as our high school bands, they used them to their fullest. They too played the familiar song, “Shall We Gather at the River.” As we went inside the band and choirs continued in the background as we had refreshments. Before we ate, the practice of “washing of hands” took place, which brought back memories from my first trip and Jesus practice of washing his disciples feet.

Calling it a day they took me to my lodging at Pizza Point, a restaurant with a few rooms. On the way we made a stop. The mobile phone industry is huge and has changed the culture immensely. They wanted to get a chip for my phone, but had to settle on getting me a new phone for my use over the next four weeks. They use them continually. It truly has connected people in a new way. At Pizza Point I was fed and watered and then I crashed.

Around 11:00 p.m. I awoke and met Peter, the nephew of the manager. He and I spoke into the wee hours of the night. He was raised in Britain, mother from Uganda and father from Tanzania. He speaks Swahili with a British accent. He is into IT and combining it with agricultural business adventures. We retired around 2 a.m.

In His service and yours,

Pastor Mark

Tanzania Trip Day 1 - June 18th

2008-06-22T18:04:00.000-07:00

June 18, 2008

Greetings from the Churches in Tanzania to the People of Faith Lutheran in Moline,

After the wonderful send off at the van from the people of Faith, my heart sank as I discovered my computer wasn’t packed. The bag was but the computer wasn’t. Thanks to Kim Meyer and a veteran pizza driver our son Jason, I got it just in time.

I feel like a modern day Paul, writing a letter on a computer. Think of all the letters he could have written.
I have already had a GMC moment, a God Made Coincidence – (You need to understand, I had no idea where I would be staying once I got to Ethiopia. I did check some hotels online, but without any success in booking. Vicki too sent me some possible numbers to contact.)

Within the first few hours on the plane I met this real nice Ethiopian woman who took an interest in me. Not that kind of interest! Since I was wearing a cleric she asked me if I was a priest. I told her I was a Lutheran pastor and where I was going.

Out of hundreds of people on the plane and rows and rows of seat, we connected. One of the two people I spoke at any length with on the plane was a sixty year old lady, named Zion/Sion (like in the Bible she told me) from Ethiopia. And she took me under her wing and contacted individuals she knew to watch out for me. Later I noticed she was reading Billy Graham’s book Journey. She said she needed to rest and couldn’t not get it not knowing what would happen to me. To be honest those she talked with (in native language) didn’t seem to like the assignment, but agreed anyway. Apparently, she was a teacher and two of her students were flight attendants.

On her own, she found out that the airline puts people up over night to connect to your destination flight the next day. (We didn’t know that before I left)
However, I was one of the last to receive a hotel assignment and I got one of the best five star hotels. I am in the Hilton in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. It was dark, but there is much construction in process. After hours on a plane, I still cannot sleep.

In His service and yours,

Pastor Mark