WAITING

By Theresa Boe
Wife of Intern Pastor Brett Boe
Serving in Grafton, ND

Wait. No one likes to hear the word. When I tell my 2-year-old to wait, he asks again. And again. Often times he will keep repeating his request until the wait is over. The fact that he was told "wait", and not "no," instilled a hope that he would eventually see his request realized. Every person, in every stage of life, is waiting for something. Right now I am waiting for the birth of a second child, each day feeling the weight and discomfort increase as the date of delivery comes closer. My family is waiting for the Lord's leading as we do not know where we will be living in just four months when my husband's seminary internship ends. Just wait.

Despite the discomfort that is often involved, waiting is directly tied to hope. For me there is hope that, in just a few days, the baby that now causes discomfort in the womb will be in our arms. Hope that in four months, the Lord will have directed our family to our next home. And the greatest hope, belonging to all believers, is that Christ will return to redeem us and take us home to glory. Psalm 130:5, "I wait for the LORD, my soul does wait, And in His word do I hope." This hope keeps us from despondency: "I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD" (Ps. 27:13-14). Galatians 5:5, "For we through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness." Romans 8:23-25 expresses the hope of righteousness further: "...we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. For in hope we have been saved...But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it." This is the kind of waiting that does not weary. According to Isaiah 40:31, "those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength..."!

One common misconception of waiting is that while we wait, we do nothing else. This only allows room for impatience. David says that while he waits "all the day" for the LORD, he prays to know His ways, to learn His paths, to be led in the truth of God's salvation (Psalm 25:4-5)! We are to wait with diligence, keeping ourselves for the One who called us: "Let integrity and uprightness preserve me, For I wait for You" (Ps. 25:21). John Waller, in his song "While I'm Waiting," sings, "I will serve You while I'm waiting, I will worship while I'm waiting. I will not faint; I'll be running the race, even while I wait." Attached to Jude's exhortation to wait for our ultimate hope of Christ's return is also a call to use the time for evangelism: "You, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life. And have mercy on some, who are doubting; save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear..." (vv.20-23).

So as we wait, we fix our eyes on Jesus, looking eagerly for what He is going to teach us while we wait. The Lord may use what He teaches us now to be an encouragement to others; He will definitely use times of waiting to refine us, His dearly beloved children, setting us apart daily for Himself. Now let us "Be strong and let [our] hearts take courage, All [we] who hope in the LORD" (Ps. 31:24).

Fall WMF Gatherings

2009 Eastern District Fall Conference

The Annual Eastern District AFLC Women’s Conference and Pastor’s Luncheon was held at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Ambridge, PA on Saturday, October 17, 2009. The focus was on 1 Timothy 1:7 “For God had not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

The program was opened by Pat King, St. John’s WMF President. A welcome address was given by Theresa Thayer, Eastern District AFLC Representative. Each congregation was recognized. Those attending were women and pastors from:
St. Paul’s Evangelical Free Lutheran, Hagerstown, MD; Pastor Terry Culler
Christ Community Church, Hagerstown, MD; Pastor Richard Carr
St. John’s Lutheran Church, Newark, OH; Pator Thomas Olson
St. John’s of Lovi Evangelical Lutheran Church, Cranberry Twp., PA; Pastor
William Steele
Ruthfred Lutheran Church, Bethel Park, PA; Pastors James Molstre, Steven
Carlson and Vicar Micah Hjermstad
Mt. Zion Lutheran Church, Landisberg, :A
Tressler Memorial Free Lutheran Church, Loysville, PA
St. John’s Lutheran Church, Ambridge, PA and Pastor Gordon Strunk
Peace Lutheran, Canal Winchester, OH

The hymn, “Hark! I Hear the Savior Walking” followed by a prayer offered by Pastor Gordon F. Strunk of St. John’s Lutheran, Ambridge. A buffet luncheon followed.

A presentation and discussion groups addressed “Outside My Comfort Zone” and “Facing Fear Through Rejection.” Coffee and dessert were served. During this time, the possibility of beginning an Eastern District News Letter was discussed.

The service followed. A welcome was given by Pastor Strunk and the hymn “My Hope is Build” was sung. After the confession, absolution and prayer, the hymn “Holy Spirit” was sung. The sermon, given by Pastor Strunk addressed “Getting Rid of Fear.” Closing remarks by Theresa Thayer and Pat King were followed by the closing prayer and the Lord’s Prayer. After the Benediction, the hymn “Lift High the Cross” was sung.

Immediately following the service, we gathered in the courtyard, where we were given helium balloons of various colors. Attached to the bottom of the balloon was a small envelope containing the passage John 3:16 and information about St. John’s church. While we sang the doxology, we released the balloons. What a beautiful ending to a blessed day!!

Respectfully submitted by Theresa Thayer, Eastern District Women’s Representative

E.N.D. DISTRICT FALL RALLY
September 26th, 2009

The Eastern North Dakota District WMF met for its Fall Rally at West Prairie Free Lutheran Church in Kindred, ND. The theme was “Mount Up on Eagle’s Wings”. The theme verse was Isaiah 40:31, “Yet those who wait upon the LORD will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, and they will walk and not become weary.” The theme hymn was “Jesus, Savior Pilot Me”.

The morning session opened with hymns of praise led by Pam Twedt from St. Paul’s Free Lutheran in Fargo, ND.

Joanne Mundfrom, Valley City, ND, read scripture and prayer from the theme verse, Isaiah 40:31.

West Prairie Free Lutheran WMF president, Debby Strand, welcomed the guests and made housekeeping announcements.

Heidi Larson, accompanied by Ruth Larson, both of Park River, ND, sang “His Eye is on the Sparrow” for special music.

Guest speaker for the day was Mr. Lavon Bohling, FLAPS Director of the AFLC. FLAPS is the Free Lutheran Association of Pilots Supporters. This organization works with various missions within the AFLC that need airplanes and/or transportation for mission work. FLAPS especially works with Home Missions and the Alaska mission.

Fern Bohling, representing the AFLC Parish Education Department, gave an update on a variety of projects in the works at the Department.

District President, Ruth Antal, opened the business meeting. The Secretary’s and Treasurer’s Reports were read and approved.

There was no old business.

New business included Rally offering designation and discussion, donation to AFLC missions, nominations and elections, resolutions and Spring Rally invitation.

MSC to divide the Rally offering three equal ways for FLAPS, Parish Education and the Ambassador Institute.

MSC to send a donation of $550 out of the WMF District treasury designation half to the World Missions Department and half to the Home Missions Department.

The Nominating Committee presented the nominations for Vice President and Secretary. The results of the unanimous ballot were: JoAnn Miller, Vice President and Jennifer Dryburgh, Secretary.

MSC to accept the 2009 WMF Resolutions as presented by Rose Carlson.

A Spring Rally invitation was extended to the WMF District Women by New Luther Valley in McVille, ND. The Spring Rally will be held April 24th, 2010.
MSC to adjourn the END District Fall Business meeting.

District Treasurer, Katrina Zeltinger, directed the ushers in taking the morning offering.

Carol Hoops closed the morning session with prayer.

Phyllis Peterson, Portland, ND, opened the afternoon session with devotions. She shared from Ephesians 3:14-21.

Pam Twedt led the afternoon hymns of praise.

Mr. Lavon Bohling gave a PowerPoint presentation on the Alaska Mission.

Afternoon offering and prayer was directed by Treasurer Katrina Zeltinger. The total offering for the Rally was 1115.00.

The Registration Committee reported that there were 48 guests in attendance, 45 ladies, 2 visitors and 1 pastor.

Pastor Lee Hoops closed in prayer and with the benediction.

Respectfully Submitted by


Jennifer Dryburgh
WMF Secretary

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?