FROM OUR WMF PRESIDENT

ONCE IN ROYAL DAVID’S CITY

By Cecil F. Alexander

Once in royal David’s city
Stood a lowly cattle shed.
Where a Mother laid her baby
In a manger for his bed.
Mary was that Mother mild,
Jesus Christ her little Child.

He came down to earth from heaven
Who is God and Lord of all.
And His shelter was a stable,
And His cradle was a stall.
With the poor and mean and lowly,
Lived on earth our Savior holy.

And through all His wondrous childhood
He would honor and obey.
Love and watch the lowly maiden
In whose gentle arms He lay.
Christian children all must be –
Mild, obedient, good as He.

For He is our childhood’s pattern
Day by day like us He grew;
He was little, weak, and helpless;
Tears and smiles like us He knew;
And He feeleth for our sadness,
And He shareth in our gladness.

And our eyes at last shall see Him
Through His own redeeming love,
For that Child so dear and gentle
Is our Lord in heav’n above;
And He leads His children on
To the place where He is gone.

Not in that poor lowly stable,
With the oxen standing by,
We shall see Him but in heaven,
Set at God’s right hand on high.
When like stars His children crowned
All in white shall wait around.

When Advent arrives, this is one of the first carols that come to my mind. It is probably not as familiar as “O Come, All Ye Faithful” or “Joy to the World”, but it is one of my favorites. It is one of my favorites because it gives us a glimpse of Jesus as a child and as an example for children everywhere. One of my favorite children’s books when our boys were little was a book our oldest got from his Sunday school teacher. It was called, When Jesus was a Little Boy. The book certainly did not belittle the holy nature of Jesus but it did help us all realize that Jesus was truly human and did the things little boys like to do – play with toys, have pets, help their Dads, help their Moms, - but Jesus did it as a sinless child. He likely fell and scraped his knees and looked to Mom or Dad for comfort as well.

This song reminds me again of the fact that our Holy God sent Jesus to this world, to be born among the lowliest creatures on earth in a cattle barn, to live in a family as a child, to be obedient as no other child on earth could be, to grow up to serve and heal others, to take the cross literally upon His shoulders and then be nailed to it and die. The Bible tells us that Jesus took our sin upon Himself because He was the only One who could fulfill the requirement that a “Lamb without blemish or spot” be the payment for the sins of the world. Only Jesus could do that.

The final two verses of this song tell us what the future holds for those who trust in Jesus as Savior. We have a hope of eternity that is not obtained anywhere else – only through faith in Jesus. What an exciting time that will be. “And our eyes at last shall see Him through His own redeeming love. . . .And He leads His children on to the place where He is gone. Not in that poor lowly stable, with the oxen standing by, WE SHALL SEE HIM: BUT IN HEAVEN SET AT GOD’S RIGHT HAND ON HIGH. When like stars His children crowned all in white shall wait around.”

Won’t you spend some time during this special season of the year thinking about Jesus – why He came, what He did for you, spending time reading about Him in the Word, listening to the beautiful Christmas carols, and thinking about the true meaning of Christmas? Isn’t He the reason we celebrate?

DEVOTION

Change

is NO Surprise to God

By Carolyn Feldman
Our Savior’s Free Lutheran Church
Stanley, North Dakota

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity underheaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1

Seasonal Change

The word “season” denotes change. As a farmer’s wife, I like to see the fall color-change in grains so they can be harvested. This year with the beautiful, but uncommonly cool, summer; many wondered if the grains would even ripen. Many complained about the weather, but now the farmers in our region have been blessed with a harvest like no one has seen before. We must always remember what God promises us in Ecclesiastes 3:2: “a time to plant and a time to uproot.” Our anxious thoughts can be consoled with this promise. It is way-too-easy to complain about the current situation and forget about God’s bigger plan and its fulfillment.

Life Change

Happenings in our daily life bring changes. Some events we want to happen and others are surprises that are not always easy to accept. Selling our dairy herd this fall, after milking for 41 years, has brought a dramatic change to our family. The routine of milking twice-a-day and always having to be home for chores instantly changed. It was a difficult decision knowing that another chapter of our life is closed and that there would be no cows milked on this farm again. But, as some doors are closed, God opens new doors. Now it is great to do our devotions together in the morning and not have to rush to do chores. In February, we will be first-time grandparents. We have waited a long time for this occasion, only to find out that we will be doubly blessed. Yes, twins!! My husband says that the only bad thing about this is that he will now have to sleep with a Grandma! God knew that selling those dairy cows would allow this Grandma to spend a whole lot more time with the twins.*

Economic Change

I am sure many have heard about the oil boom in Mountrail County of northwestern North Dakota. This has brought many changes to everyone living in the area. It has impacted our city businesses, housing has become a problem, paved roads have been broken up and put back to gravel, many new homes are being built, new jobs were created, and school enrollment has increased. God has truly blessed the community. As we sit back and reminisce about the changes in our lives, we realize that none of it was a surprise to God,and this brings inner peace knowing “that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him.” (Ecclesiastes 3:14)



*Shortly after this devotion as written, the daughter that was carrying the twins went into premature labor at 22 weeks. Baby Abby was born, baptized, and taken to her heavenly home on October 6. Twin sister, Libby, continues to fight for her life. Even in this dramatic change of events, the Feldmans’ trust is in God who is their ever-present help in time of need (Psalm 46:1).

THE DOORS ARE OPEN

REACHING OTHERS IN TANZANIA

God has laid on your heart for a long time His command, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 0and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19, 20a) You finally make the decision—“I have to go and help in the Mission field”.

God opens doors, the paperwork is approved, you pack a select few items that are suited for your adventure, and say goodbye to your loved ones. Off you go to Tanzania to tell others about Jesus. Soon, dressed in your khaki clothes, you climb into a noisy old truck for your transportation. The physical surroundings are beyond anything you imagined. Poverty is everywhere. But you have God and His Word to share. Your task—to work with the team that is showing the Jesus film to several villages in the area. It’s hard work. Generator, projector, speakers and screen need to be unloaded from the truck, set up and taken down at each stop. You are hot, dusty, and thirsty. You are happy though, as you are doing the Lord’s work.

But wait – as you open your eyes, it is morning, in your comfortable bed at your home in the U.S. You aren’t in Khaki’s, you aren’t hot and dusty. But you still have the desire to share Jesus’ saving love to those who have not heard it. There is good news—you can share in that worthwhile project that Jesse Long and Ben Jore have been closely involved with. They have found a compact, durable, solar-powered unit that has the projection, power, and sound sources in an easily transported 25 lb. kit. The native people in Tanzania are capable of doing their own showings of the Jesus film to multiple locations with this piece of equipment.

Having some sponsors for this project, Jesse has ordered three units. But more help is needed to complete payment for the equipment, and make this a reality. You and your church groups are invited to donate money toward the purchase of this equipment that will spread the life-changing message of salvation through Jesus Christ. No khaki’s, passport, or immunizations needed- just a desire to share his Word.

For more information, contact the AFLC World Missions’ Department or send your donation to the WMF treasurer Lois Grothe, designated for the Tanzania “Vista units”.

FROM OUR PRESIDENT

Where’s your focus?

As women we have many responsibilities that take up our time, cause distractions, bog us down, and wear us out! BUT we must spend time focusing on Jesus in order to get our priorities straight.


When Jesus visited Martha and Mary, Martha was distracted with many “things” to do.


Luke 10:40-42 tells us: “But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, ‘Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.’ But the Lord answered and said to her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.’"


Have you ever been in a situation where it seems like you were doing everything and everyone else was just sitting around? What was your attitude about that? I have been there and I know my attitude has been anything but “Christ-like” toward those people! “What do they think they are doing? Don’t they know I have better things to do with my time than to do this all by myself? Who do they think they are - too good to help – too good for me – too good to stoop down and do something to help out!”


Martha was really “stewing” about this! Jesus cut her short, however, when he said, “Only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part which shall not be taken away from her.” Can you imagine?!? How could Jesus possibly talk to her that way? She was cooking and cleaning and working hard all day long – but He told her she was not choosing the good part. But Mary did and she was doing nothing but sitting and talking to Jesus!


Ladies, we need to choose that good part every day! Have you been there? Have you started right in on your day without giving a thought to the One who can get your day off to a good start with a good focus? When I don’t do that, I end up with disorganization, sometimes even getting “stuck” in my tracks! Why? Because I’m out of focus! My eyes are not focused on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. My energy is zapped from the word “go” because I have not spent time with the One who is my source of strength for everything!


Hebrews 12: 1 & 2 – “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”


How is your “race” going? Are you focused? Are you keeping your eyes on Jesus?

Message from Short-Term Assistant to Uganda

A PLACE IN THIS WORLD

FROM KALIKA PESKE, SHORT-TERM MISSION WORKER, WHO WORKED WITH NATE AND RHODA JORE, OUR AFLC MISSIONARIES IN UGANDA

It’s amazing where God leads. Before the age of 12, my family had lived in 11 different houses in locations spread across four states, three countries, and two continents. Finally we settled for good in northern Minnesota and there I expected to stay for a long time. But, upon graduating from college I somehow found myself applying to—and then attending—a small Christian college in Nebraska. After four years of undergrad work and two years as a teacher (in an Iowa farm-town), God led me to my farthest location yet: Uganda, Africa.

From November 2008 to May 2009 I served with the Nate and Rhoda Jore family—helping with childcare and schooling for their three children, as well as volunteering in a local orphanage, helping organize and set up a community library, and tutoring a Ugandan woman in the basics of using a computer. Because I had long been interested in overseas mission work, I was excited for the opportunity that this short-term experience would give me to test the waters of life in another country.

In Jinja, Uganda, I had opportunities to meet and mingle with all sorts of missionaries—and learn first-hand about the ups and downs of overseas work. I adjusted to the ubiquitous stares of people on the street as I, the muzungu (white person), passed by. I tasted new foods like matooke and rolex—both of which I discovered were extremely tasty! I got used to shopping for produce in the open-air market, sleeping under mosquito nets, and taking it in stride when the power went out. I killed rats, mice, and cockroaches in the house, and didn’t bat an eye when cows or goats ambled along next to me on the street. Sure, there were things I missed back in America, but overall life was pleasant and the thought of doing such a form of missionary work long-term would not have been disagreeable.

But, it’s amazing where God leads. From my first month in Jinja, I felt clearly that the next place God wanted me to go was back to America, for what I didn’t know. I felt God calling me to be a “missionary” in America. At that time I didn’t exactly know how that would look or what my “mission field” would be. I prayed both the prayer of Jabez, “expand my territory [my sphere of influence]” and the prayer of George Mueller, ‘Lord, where do you want me to be your missionary?” And God answered.


In the fall, I’m enrolling to go back to school full-time for my master’s degree, and a job opened up on campus to be a resident director in the dorms. God is going to use me, it appears, on the mission field of an American college campus—talk about a place that needs God’s light!


In Jesus’ parting words to his disciples, “…and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth,” the only reason he began with Jerusalem, and spoke of concentric circles moving outward (Judea, then Samaria, then the ends of the earth) was because Jerusalem was the place where the believers were! It was—at that time—the epicenter of the church, and that logically meant the work would move outward from there.

But today? Where do you find the believers? In Uganda, Kenya, Morocco, and South Africa. In Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Peru, and Guatemala. In China. Thailand. New Guinea. The Netherlands. Slovakia. Albania. Iraq. The United States. Wherever you have a Christian, you have an epicenter for mission activity!


It took going to Africa for me to realize the need for dedicated, mission-minded people that are willing to stay right here in America. I’m a missionary. God has led me to be a witness among college students in a mid-size Midwestern town. Where has God led you?

WMF DAY INFORMATION

WMF – USING OUR GIFTS

By Lorilee Mundfrom,

Women’s Missionary Federation President
and
Robin Jameson,

Correspondence Secretary

“Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them.” Romans 12 :6

When the Women’s Missionary Federation of the AFLC meets for our annual conference in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, on June 16, 2009, we will gather under the above theme. We are encouraged in Romans 12:6 to use the gifts that we have received, according to the grace given to us. We each have gifts that we have been given, and we are responsible to use them to bring honor and glory to Jesus. We will spend time pondering how to use the gifts God has given us and perhaps discover new ways to use them in reaching out, especially to other women around us.

We look forward to you joining us at the conference. The WMF day events on Tuesday will be at Life Church. The address for this church is 901 W County Highway 116, Fergus Falls. This church is not too far from the conference headquarters.

The WMF Women’s Outreach Coordinator, Faylin Myhre, will lead the Tuesday morning Bible Study.

As usual, you will also be blessed by praise music, devotions, memorial service, and prayer time. We will conclude the morning with a short business meeting. Elections will take place for President, 3rd Vice President, and Communications Secretary. The National Board will propose a constitutional change in regards to reducing the size of the board. They have developed a plan to help balance financial concerns with the large work load. If the board size is reduced, many volunteers would be needed for both short and long commitments in order to fill the voids. Please keep these items in prayer.

The Luncheon program is planned including special music and a delightful skit. Ruth Antal, Park River, North Dakota, will share with us about how God has been speaking to her this last year and teaching her how to discover and use her gift for Him. Following the Luncheon we will break up into smaller groups for the following workshops:

• Power of Prayer –Ruby Abel
• Let Your Light Shine – Pastor Jim Rasmussen, Director of Evangelism for the AFLC
• Balancing Priorities – Jeanie Jorgenson, East Grand Forks, Minnesota
• Ministering Through Your Home – Rose Carlson, Grafton, North Dakota

We also have 2 evening gatherings. Tuesday evening is the Women’s Banquet with Missionary Barb Schierkolk speaking. Wednesday night is the Mission Festival Service. Todd Schierkolk will be bringing the message. It will be so good to fellowship with them during this time that they are home from Mexico.

Wednesday morning we will have the Leadership Breakfast for local and district officers as well as any other women who are interested in participating in leadership in your local women’s ministries. President Lorilee Mundfrom will speak on “Essentials for Leadership.” We hope you will plan to attend.

Please use the AFLC registration form to register for WMF Day, WMF Luncheon, and the WMF Banquet on Tuesday. You may also register for the Leadership Breakfast to be held on Wednesday morning on this form. Please keep these times in prayer that God would teach and inspire each woman attending to use the gifts He has given her. We look forward to reuniting with old friends and meeting new ones this year in Fergus Falls. See you there!

The people from Calvary Free Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls are busy making preparations for your attendance at the conference. They will welcome us with warmth and love. Please come prepared to share in this special day set aside for the women of the AFLC. We are privileged to do this annually.

See you in June!

PLEASE SEE BELOW IN THE ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR THE PROPOSED CHANGE TO THE WMF NATIONAL CONSTITUTION.

WMF Schedule

Tuesday WMF Day
Registration 8:00—8:45 a.m.
Morning Session 9:00 a.m.
Luncheon Noon
Workshops 1:45– 2:45 p.m. and 3:15—4:15p.m.

• The Power of Prayer: Ruby Abel
• Let Your Light Shine: Jim Rasmussen
• Balancing Priorities: Jeanne Jorgenson
• Ministering Through Your Home: Rose Carlson

Banquet 5:00– 6:30 p.m.
Opening Service for Annual Conference 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday
WMF Leadership Breakfast Wednesday morning 7:00 a.m.
Mission Festival Wednesday evening 7:00 p.m.

To Register for WMF Day click here.

DEVOTIONAL

GIFTS

Molly Wiesen, WMF 2nd Vice President

“Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom--.” Col. 3:16

Investments. Mortgages. Jobs. Taxes. Interest rates. Cash. Gold. Savings. Loss. Gain. Are these words and concepts occupying your thoughts, prayers, and time? How about “sports schedules”, “appointments”, “lawn chores”, “housework”, “must-see TV programs”, “school”, “shopping”, “church work”? Is your energy being depleted day after day, month after month? How’s your bank account? I share these things with you as an “admonishment” and a reminder that the Lord had different things in mind for our time, treasure and talents.

The Lord has confronted me recently with the big reminder – all that I am, have, and hope to be is HIS, on loan to me for a short period of time on this earth. He used, among other things, the book “The Treasure Principle”, by Randy Alcorn (Multnomah Books, 2001). If you have not read this, I would challenge you to do so. And then ready yourself for some tough decisions. Do I believe Him when He says, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10); and “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, --- but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy—. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matt. 6:19-21)

In this news-letter, you will read about Kalika Peske, short-term mission worker, who made the choice of leaving behind family, future plans, school loans, personal advancement, and “getting on with her life”. She chose to give of her time in service to Christ through work with Nate and Rhoda Jore, our AFLC missionaries in Uganda. I don’t think she would classify herself as a “super-Christian” or hero. She just read God’s Word, believed Him, and made a choice to obey Him for what He gave her to do. He gives us the chance to do likewise in what He prepares for us.

At our annual WMF day in June, we will be focusing on the theme verse from Romans 12:6, “We have different gifts, according to the grace given us--.” What a great time to consider what gifts, talents and treasures the Lord has shared with us! It is not easy. We are in a battle. In this world, we are faced with expectations, responsibilities, temptations, trials, and tragedy. Do these things get you “off track”, like they do me? Let us choose to meditate on God’s Word, humble ourselves before Him in repentance and gratitude for His mercy and faithfulness, and then seek His help to convict, guide, and direct us in using our lives for service and glory to Him!

FROM A SHORT-TERM MISSIONARY

BELOW IS AN EMAIL RECEIVED FROM KALIKA PESKE, SHORT-TERM MISSION WORKER, WHO WORKED WITH NATE AND RHODA JORE, OUR AFLC MISSIONARIES IN UGANDA BEFORE SHE LEFT UGANDA ABOUT A MONTH AGO.

Sent: Sunday, April 19, 2009 10:18 AM
Subject: Uganda comes to a close

Dear family and friends,

Well, the countdown begins. My six months in Uganda is almost at an end. In two and a half weeks I leave Entebbe, travel for about 24 hours, and fly into the Minneapolis airport. The good news is that coming home I travel West around the globe, and gain time instead of lose it. It's like the Daylights Savings time change: fall back, spring forward. Only I'm falling way, way back :-). Hopefully that means that I won't struggle as much with jet lag.

I thought that to give you a few glimpses into life in Uganda, I'd list some of the things that are the same here and some that are different. None of them seem major, but when you notice them, they just strike you like, "Huh! I never knew that people even in Africa use cell phones!" Or "Wow, I never realized in America how much I take for granted having power."

Okay, I'll start with some of the things that are the SAME:

--Cell phones! This is kind of the same, kind of different. Cell phones are big business here also, and you see lots of marketing and advertising for them in every city and village. There are four major cell phone companies here: MTN, Zain, Celtel, and Warid. But here, there are no cell phone plans. You initially have to pay to buy your phone, but then you just buy varying amounts of "airtime": money that gets deducted from your phone each time you make a call. Kind of like a debit card. Calls cost 10 shillings/second, although at low-traffic times, you will get a discount from that rate, 30%, 50%, 80%, or even 99% (usually the middle of the night). So because the length of your phone call determines how much it will cost, people here have really fast, really clipped phone conversations. People will end a call, Okaybye*click*. No sense wasting airtime!

--Entertainment! Western, and particularly American, pop culture definitely makes its way all around the world. People here know Beyonce, Will Smith, and Hollywood movie stars. I've seen American celebrity gossip magazines in cafes. Every once in a while when I'm walking on Main Street, I hear strains of music and realize suddenly, "That's Whitney Houston!" Or Jordin Sparks, or Celine Dion, or Brad Paisley.

I guess my list of things that are DIFFERENT is longer:

--You can buy medicines over the counter. Go to any pharmacy, and tell them what you need--antibiotics, malaria medication--and they'll sell it to you. No prescription necessary.

--Power outages. They happen usually 1-3 times a week, lasting from 2-12 hours. I think only once or twice since I've been here has it been longer than that. Jinja is right at the source of the Nile River, and they're working on constructing a new dam. The current one doesn't provide enough energy to service the whole city, so they have to take turns shutting down different sections of the city. Between that, and sometimes turning off power for all of Jinja so they can work on the dam during the day, you never know when it's going to go out. We always keep kerosene lamps and flashlights handy.

--Steering wheels are on the right side; driving is on the left side.

--Mattresses. There are no box springs, and no bouncy mattresses. Here, your bed has wood slats across the underside of the frame, and you put a 4-6 inch foam mattress on top. Kind of like a cot. Actually, I find it extremely comfortable and will miss it when I return to America.

--Cake. You know how in America, cake is good if it is nice and moist? Here, people think a moist cake means the cake is "melting." When it comes to cake, the drier the better. This means that some people might make a cake a week or two before a special occasion and then let it dry out for all that time. Can you believe that? Who knew moist cake was a cultural thing?

I never thought I would learn so much about my own country's culture by going to another one. I also never realized how much culture America really does have. Or how much I love America for what it is. It's not perfect, and there are definitely things I wish were different. Regardless: I. Love. America.

About a month ago, I house-sat for two weeks for a missionary family that was doing some traveling. They have three dogs that needed a little care and feeding. No problem. Unfortunately, the family had arranged for men to come and spray their attic for bats...and the bats found a way to get from the attic down into the house. DISGUSTING! The first night I saw one, it was late so I just avoided it and went to bed. The second night, as if on cue, three swooped out and started flying around the living room while I was watching a video. I enlisted the help of the night guard to eradicate them...and between the two of us we killed 17 bats that night. They really liked hiding in the curtains, so we went around the whole house batting at the curtains. Some of the bats were flopping around on the floor and I could kill those ones, but the ones that were flying around the room I had a hard time handling. So Joel (jo-EL) the night guard was my hero for a few days. After the first night, I was hopeful we had them all, but the layout of their house is awful--all corners. So every time I walked around one I expected to have a bat fly out at me--which happened. And at night as soon as I lay down, every noise sounded like a bat flopping or flying around. And more than once it was. I could tell more stories about bats on my mosquito net, and bats chasing me out of the bathroom, and bats in the bathtub...but you get the picture :-)

At Welcome Home, the orphanage where I volunteer once a week, there is a boy in the baby house who was brought there about a year ago. Emmanuel, or Eman, had apparently been abandoned just after he was born--another family found him by their latrine with the umbilical cord still attached--and they brought him to the hospital who brought him to the police who brought him to Welcome Home. In visiting with my neighbor girl, Norah, who is about my age, I realized that SHE was the one who found the boy, Emmanuel! So I asked her last week if she'd like to go with me on Thursday afternoon and see Eman now. She was so eager, and when we got there she couldn't believe that it was the same baby! Eman sustained some physical and possibly mental damage because of being left in the cold when he was born. His left arm just hangs by his side and the muscles cause his left hand to often be clenched tightly. Because he can't use one arm, he doesn't crawl, even though he's over a year. But he scoots around on his bottom and his eyes show so much comprehension and understanding. He likes looking at books, though his poor fine motor skills making turning pages difficult.

During my last weeks here, I'm doing all the teaching for Elijah and Judah. The Jores are getting ready for a six-month furlough beginning in July which involves a ton of preparation: lining up times to visit supporting churches, creating a PowerPoint presentation to share, buying souvenirs to take back to family, friends, and churches, etc. So I've taken over all the schooling to allow Rhoda time to work on those things in the mornings. Although preschool is not my thing when it comes to teaching, it's different in a home with only two boys, and I've really enjoyed coming up with activities to do with them.

Easter was fun to celebrate here in Uganda. I was talking with my friend Sadie (20, from Alaska, also here short-term) about how it doesn't really "feel" like Easter or Christmas when the weather is so warm and we don't see all the marketing, etc. But as we thought more, we realized that it's really neat to strip away all those associations we usually make with Easter--and realize that the holiday means no less. In fact, it might mean more! The essence of the celebration is still the same: it's all about Jesus and our God who has a love that pursues us even when we throw his love back in his face. Can you believe that?

On Easter morning, I attended a sunrise service with the Jores at the church that meets at the home of the Nesters, missionaries from Virginia. It was outdoors, only about 35 people, and mostly a muzungu (white) crowd, but very enjoyable and followed by a potluck breakfast. Then I went to the 10:15 service at Calvary Chapel, a much more Ugandan-feeling service and mostly attended by Ugandans. For Easter lunch we had our night guard Bosco and his family over, as well as another of Rhoda's Ugandan friends, Tracy, and her two boys. Lunch here is 2:00, by the way. We had mostly Ugandan food: rice, beans, cabbage, potatoes, chicken (a treat for people here), and vegetables. And for dessert we had pumpkin pie which was completely new and they all loved it! Then we sang some songs, and Nate told the story of Joseph. He recently taught that one to the pastors in the village and when he was working it out with his translator beforehand, they came to a neat connection. At the end when Joseph's brothers are before him and realize who he is, they are frozen with fear: the one person that knows every detail of their secret sin is standing in front of them with all the power to punish/torture/get revenge however he pleases. For us, God is the one person that knows all our actions--even the secrets, the hidden sins. And yet Joseph's words to his brothers were: "Come near to me." Same as God. Cool, huh? It was a really enjoyable Easter, topped off by a great Skype date with my mom and sister.

With only a couple of weeks left here, I'm starting to think about some of the things I've missed that I'm eager to get back to. So far, the list looks something like this:

--cheese
--driving
--Target

--not feeling like a spectacle everywhere I go--white people really stick out, and often people on the street know a lot more about you than you realize. One time I had picked up a package at the post office and after giving the boda driver a few directions about where to turn to get back to the Jores' house, he nodded at me and waved my hand away. "I know where." I was like, "huh?! you do?!?"

--fast internet
--milk

But there are things I will miss, too:
--riding bodas. They're such a calm, unhurried way to get around.
--fish. You can't get fish any better than the stuff caught fresh out of Lake Victoria that morning.
--going to a church that meets outside
--the beauty and undeveloped nature of the land
--bananas. mangoes. pineapple. They'll never taste as good in America again.
--the relaxed pace of life

When I get back, my plan is to live at home until I find a job. I'd like to land somewhere in Minnesota, but where really depends on how the job hunt goes. Probably either the Cities or Bemidji. I've also considered going back to school for my Masters, but don't know if I really feel super passionate about that. Although my future is one big question mark right now, I have a ton of peace about it (pretty atypical for me) and am just trusting that God will make clear my next steps when I need to know them.

This e-mail hasn't had the smoothest transitions between paragraphs :-). Sorry about that. Hope you've enjoyed the glimpses into Uganda and my life here. How was YOUR Easter celebration? What things are new or notable in your life right now? I love hearing back from anyone on this mass e-mail list. Although massers have a reputation for being impersonal and a good way to communicate with a lot of people that you don't care enough about to send individual e-mails to, I always think of the individual people on this address list every time I compose my e-mails and I'm so thankful to know each one of you!

Peace,
Kalika

ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. PROPOSED CHANGE TO THE WMF NATIONAL CONSTITUTION
There will be discussion on the reasoning for this proposed change to the constitution at the conference but we wanted to post the proposed change so that you have time to look at it and consider it before we meet.

Article V Section 2 and 5
(Current Amendment)

Section 2: Officers in the WMF shall be a President, a First Vice President, a Second Vice President, a Third Vice President, a Communication Secretary, a Recording Secretary and a Treasurer.

Section 5: Officers shall be elected for a term of three years. All officers may be eligible for re-election but no officer shall hold the same office for more than two successive terms. The President, Third Vice President and Communications Secretary shall be elected one year; the First Vice President and the Secretary the following year; the Second Vice President and the Treasurer the third year. Newly elected officers shall officially assume their duties at the first regular National Board meeting following their election.

Proposed Amendment
(To be presented at the 2009 WMF Annual Conference)

Proposed Amendment to Article V section 2 and 5 are as follows:

Section 2: Officers in the WMF shall be a President, a Vice President, a Communication Secretary, a Recording Secretary and a Treasurer.

Section 5: Officers shall be elected for a term of three years. All officers may be eligible for re-election but no officer shall hold the same office for more than two successive terms. The President and the Communications Secretary shall be elected one year; the Vice President and the Recording Secretary the following year and the Treasurer the third year. Newly elected officers shall officially assume their duties at the first regular National Board meeting following their election.


2. JOHN ABEL BOOK AVAILABLE

"Fifty Years Under the Southern Cross." It sells for $17.00 a copy which includes postage and handling. The book can be ordered from Mercy and Truth Publishers, 19594 350th Street NW, Newfolden, MN 56738. A check or money order can also be used.

FROM OUR PRESIDENT

Jesus Soothes the Stings in Life

By Lorilee Mundfrom

National WMF President

I love to “give advice”. It seems when someone comes to me with a problem or a concern, I like to have an answer! Much of the time, however, the person coming to me is not looking for AN ANSWER, but a LISTENING EAR or someone who can actually help them!

Perhaps you have experienced a physical ailment. You share this difficulty with a friend. What do they do? They go looking for a cure!

I read a story recently of a lady who had been walking in her yard and all of a sudden felt this strange sting between her toes. As she took off her sandal, a bee came crawling out of her sandal. The bee had stung her. The next thing she knew, her other foot began to hurt and sure enough, a bee had stung that foot too. As she was trying to get away from the bees, they chased her and kept on stinging her. She was in dreadful pain by the time she got to her house. The bees had stung her several times. Her husband helped by giving her a bag of ice and then went on the internet to look for medical advice. One of the first things listed was “avoid the bees’ nests!” Obviously, this woman would have avoided the bees’ nests if she had known they were there! She wanted someone to help her.

When we have friends or family who come to us because they are having problems, do we give advice or do we introduce them to Jesus, the One who can help them? If we really listen, they often are not looking for advice but someone who will bring them to Jesus. Do you pray with them? Do you pray for them?

As women ministering to women in the WMF, the most important ministry we can have is to bring the women to Jesus. Maybe your friend knows Jesus as Savior, but has forgotten that He cares for her as she focuses on her troubles. Sometimes it is so easy to get overwhelmed with our responsibilities and problems that we forget to “run” to Jesus. We keep trying to dig ourselves out of these overwhelming piles, but often find the piles just keep getting deeper! We keep trying to run away from the stinging bees, but they just keep stinging harder and harder. We need to “run” to Jesus so that He can soothe our aches and carry our burdens. So, when a friend comes to you for help, she may need a listening ear and one who will bring her to Jesus. Will you introduce her to Jesus?

DEVOTIONAL

Trust in the Lord
Margaret Loken

On October 6, 2008, we received a phone call at 11:30 PM. My 85 year old mother had fallen. We later learned that she had suffered a compression fracture of a vertebra in her back. Since that date, we have gone through many unforeseen situations and faced many difficult decisions. Through it all, I have been sustained by scripture and prayer support.

One of my greatest struggles has always been in the area of decision making. I always try to do the right thing, but during these times I was often not certain what was the right thing. Many scriptures have been significant to me, but none more so than Proverbs 3: 5 & 6.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart

and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways acknowledge him,

and He will make your paths straight."

The Amplified Bible expands on the words "trust in" in verse five by adding two additional phrases. The first is the phrase "lean on". In tough times, this encourages us to rest the literal weight of our troubled minds on Him. The second phrase is "be confident in". To me this implies a strong sense of certainty. God will support us when we are tried and tired. The second part of verse five tells us to "lean not on your own understanding". Here is one of my personal downfalls. I find myself constantly trying to figure things out, in order to create a game plan. But our faithful Father is showing me that there are not always earthly answers or strategies for the problems we face. I now believe I am supposed to do what I can, and accept what is. I am learning to rely on God and trust what I cannot know to Him. And yes, it is hard. Yet at the same time, it is the greatest comfort to remember that He is in charge. And as verse six implies, straightening out my uncertain and crooked path. As I move forward into uncharted territory, I am remembering to seek Him first and foremost. I praise Him for His constant support. And I repent of my sin of control. When I do this, peace and strength follow. And not surprisingly, game plans come to mind that I did not conceive. The book of Isaiah says it so well in chapter 30, verse 15:

"In repentance and rest is your salvation,
in quietness and trust is your strength."

My mother's back has healed, but we learned recently that she has Alzheimer Disease. I know that many have walked this path before me. I am grateful to the Lord for the wonderful support both human and divine which He has provided and will continue to provide for me. I hope that these words from scripture will encourage some of you as they continue to encourage me.

FROM OUR MISSIONARIES

Dear WMF friends,

Another Christmas has come and gone and it's finally starting to warm up here in the mountains of Central Mexico. This year at our Christmas outreach we gave away 50 quilts to women who came to the service and another 20-30 beyond that to children and young people. There have been numbers of groups of women in the AFLC who have helped us in this outreach over the years and we are so grateful to each one of them. We are also very grateful to all of the WMF's for their continued generous support of our ministry and for your faithful prayers for all of us here in Mexico.

One of those who has seen this ministry up close is retired missionary Lois Raser. Lois worked for years with children in feeding centers where kids were given a meal for their stomachs and a Bible story for their hearts. We have greatly appreciated her encouragement since we've been in Jerez. Lois attends the English Bible study and also comes to our Spanish services. After the outreach service this last Christmas she decided that she wanted to write to you herself. Her letter follows.

In Christ,
Todd and Barb Schierkolk

Letter to the Free Lutheran Quilters

December, 2008

Dear Friends:
It has been my privilege, as fellow missionary with Todd and Barbara Schierkolk, here in Jerez (Mexico), to observe the phenomenon of dozens - hundreds - of beautiful hand-made comforters, quilts, afghans and baby blankets, all made by hand, for the poor of Mexico. It is a joy to know that in the modern, automatic society of today, hundreds of caring women from several hundred church bodies, are actively, happily and efficiently sewing for families poorer than their own. For a country beeing overridden by terrorism and poverty, Free Lutheran quilters are fulfilling the words of our Saviour, . . . "the poor always ye have with you." Struggling mothers eagerly await the gift of a hand-made blanket in this mile-high rural city, poorly equipped to face a cold winter. For them, we send their heart-felt thanks to the women in the United States who cared.

Lois Raser, veteran missionary



Dear Friends and Prayer Partners,
Most of you who receive this update are still battling snow and cold temperatures – one thing I have never missed during all these 24 years in Brazil . Here we are having a bright sunny day and our hopes are high for a wonderful week of Youth Camp! I have wanted to write for ages, but there really has not been a free minute. Our house has been full of company ever since Christmas. Lots of wonderful things happen day by day and I would love to tell you all about them, but that is an impossibility right now. I just want to leave a few prayer requests for those of you who are dedicated to pray for us and for our ministry.

1) Youth Camp. We are expecting 150 youth (ages 13-30) on Friday night through Wednesday morning. Pray for this wonderful spiritual opportunity. Pray for conversions, for consecration, for unity, for protection, for blessing. We once again have a great staff of dedicated, prayerful people who are willing to invest in the lives of young people for eternity.
2) Our short-term assistant Alisha Benton who is doing her Missionary internship here. She is adapting well and doing great with her limited Portuguese and enthusiastic attitude. Pray that these five intense days of immersion in the camp setting will be a blessing and not too overwhelming.
3) Pray for Agnaldo, a recovering alcoholic who has been living with us for three weeks now and is in victory.
4) Pray for Gabriel, Yara’s nephew, who will have to have a surgery in the next couple of weeks to relieve the pressure of the liquid that has accumulated in his brain. He is having trouble with his vision and headaches. We are praying for a miracle! (We were encouraged to hear of God’s grace of healing for Ingrid Giles and pray that God’s mercy would be poured out upon Gabriel in the same way.)
5) Pray for John and Ruby Abel as they fly to Brazil in Monday to join us for a few months.
6) Pray for our son Matthew who has been sick for cough and cold over a month with a bad. Wish I could be close to help the healing process with chicken soup and Mom’s TLC.
7) Pray for Edival who has started his pastoral internship with us.

Guess that’s plenty for you to think about for now. I promise to get a letter out after the camp is over.

Our love to you, Becky for the Abels

2009 BIBLE STUDIES

2009 WMF Bible Study

Living Water

By Bunny Meyer



As believers we look forward to the eternal rest where we will see the River of Life flowing from the throne of God and the Lamb.“Come , all of you who are thirsty, come to the waters;…”Isaiah 55:1



____Number of books ordered ($8.00 each).Please include payment with order (checks made to National WMF).



Send Books to:Name:__________________________________________

Street Address/ PO Box______________________________

City/ State/ Zip Code________________________________

Church/City/State__________________________________

Please order your books as soon as possible.Send your book order to Executive Secretary, Dawn Johnson, 2991 30th Ave, Wilson, WI 54027, ctk@wwt.net or 715-772-4454.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The WMF website is up and running. Be sure to check it out.



June 16, 2009 Annual WMF Day! Be sure to join us in Fergus Falls, MN.