The Liberian Call

As late as two weeks before departure (on April 30) I really did not know if I could go to Liberia at all. I was so close - already in Ghana. The call to come there was urgent and I knew how timely and pressing the mission needs in that country were. We had made a Foreign Mission sponsored trip there as recently as November so I knew that the FM budget could not include any more trips this year to Liberia. I then placed the issue in prayer squarely before the Heavenly Father. My answer was the inspiration to write to Matthew Niemela, who lives in Michigan, and ask his advice. He had made a mission trip with us to Liberia a year ago, at which time he proved to be an invaluable asset on the trip and a most gifted missionary. To my amazement he wrote back almost immediately saying he was considering dropping everything, coming to Liberia and splitting the costs with me!!! What a Godsend! Within two days he had made his final decision to accompany me and soon had his tickets and visa, and before you knew it he was on his way to Africa, to the city of Accra, Ghana, where I was waiting for him, so that we could fly together to Monrovia, Liberia. A true miracle of God's grace and love!!


After all this build-up our first experience in Liberia was a rather unceremonious one. Ten minutes after leaving the airport our taxi developed a flat tire and just dumped us out beside the road with our luggage and returned to the airport. We would not be daunted! We were in Liberia with our dear friends Pastor Natt and Evangelist Christian Bowah (right) with the sun shining brightly and our hopes very high. Stranded temporarily beside the road was peanuts compared to what we had gone through to get there and we knew that God was very much in control. After a while we did manage to get a ride to our very modest hotel and all was well!


In Monrovia we were able to visit the Promised Land Apostolic Lutheran Church for the very first time. What a joy to see all those kids! Later you'll see some of the older members of the congregation.


Matthew spoke the opening words of greeting from his family, his congregation, and from the Word of God. Matthew is a gifted proponent of God's Word and everyone listens when he speaks in his humble, enthusiastic and authoritative way.


Preaching is a sweaty business in Africa. They so appreciate it when I wear a suit on Sunday mornings, but there is a price to pay. At times, with temperatures regularly in the 90's and above and no ventilation, it looks like I have taken a veritable shower in my suit but I always survive and hardly think about it while speaking. The important thing is that the Holy Spirit anoints my tongue and the Word goes forth in truth and sincerity.

More of the adults in the congregation of "The Promised Land Apostolic Lutheran Church" in the Liberian capital of Monrovia. Notice the sign in the background. Like I said, it is the first time our mission has visited this church and it was a thrill to find such a thriving congregation in this city......the only Apostolic Lutheran one there!

 

And then we made the long and arduous journey out to Zwedru in Grand Gedeh County. This trips takes about 12 hours and is largely over heavily potholed roads which lurch and jar the vehicle. Much of the road is also "blessed" with clouds of red dust so on the return trip you should have seen my very authentic red hair and beard - just like many years ago!

When we arrived in Zwedru an immediate and true joy was our visit to the prison called "The National Palace of Corrections"(!!). Since we first opened our prison ministry there in November the local church has actively kept it going and on this day three new converts were scheduled to be baptized. In the picture above you see those young men leaving the prison compound along with prison guards and some of our mission team on the way to the place of baptism. It was a very serious procession. One of the prisoners had been one of the biggest rabble-rousers in the prison before his conversion. All were amazed at what God had done in his life.

Reading the baptismal blessing and prayer for the three prisoners who had just been baptized. You would hardly have believed the reverence exhibited by each of these young men as they came up out of their baptism. I almost expected a dove to descend and a voice to come from heaven, so powerful was the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Matthew Niemela presenting Bibles to the three who were baptized. The former problem prisoner is receiving his Bible. Matthew, his family and congregation in Chassell, Michigan, have provided many many Bibles, not only to prisoners but to many congregation members of our churches in Liberia. Most educated people in Liberia understand English so we can buy English language Bibles at the Bible Society in Monrovia and take them out to the more remote areas.

Fairly new church building in town of Mewaeken in the southern Liberian county of River Gee - festively decorated for our arrival.. This area is one of the several outreaches of the Apostolic Lutheran Church in Liberia. Actually one of the three outlying areas we visited on this trip to the hinterlands, which included the newly evangelized areas of Pyne's Town and Boundary.

Inside the hand-built mud brick church in Mewaeken is a lovely African atmosphere.

After the pastoral teaching and seminar sessions we were presented with a goat - which Pastor Johnson (right) had gone to the forest to find and bring back, tied, on his motorbike, where Matthew was also a passenger. Matthew definitely did not appreciate the goat kicking him from behind as they rode along. In receiving this valuable gift I committed a major faux pas. Realizing that its certain fate was to be slaughtered for us I said quietly, "Poor goat!" Pastor Johnson, who had just provided us with one of his best goats was taken aback - not understanding why I called his precious gift to us "poor". Actually this goat did meet the expected fate a few days later back at our headquarters in Zwedru and provided several tasty meals. Friends of mine, by the way, explained to Pastor Johnson what the deal was and so I think he forgave me.

The man on the left in this picture is Pastor Dickson Dweh, Vice President of the Apostolic Lutheran Church of Liberia, our chief host in the Grand Gedeh county seat of Zwedru from which we then moved to the other areas - mostly by long motorbike rides.

Evangelist D. Christian Bowah, who along with Evangelist Uriah Nyenow have led the mission efforts to the new areas of Boundary and Pyne's Town. It is amazing what dedication these young men have exhibited - leaving their families in Zwedru for long periods of time and living out in remote villages on the good graces of the Lord alone as they preach and teach and bring the Gospel of salvation to these, often very heathen areas! That is, in fact, a major reason why Matthew and I knew we HAD to go to Liberia at this time - to demonstrate our support and encouragement for the spiritually noble efforts of people like these two dedicated young evangelists and Pastor Johnson .

The newly evangelized area of Boundary. Here a congregational procession walks to the place of baptism singing beautiful spiritual songs. SEVEN people are to be baptized on this day. For those seven people I believe that it was truly a life-changing walk.

One of the seven who was baptized in the river that day. Assisting with the baptism was Pastor Othello Tyne, President of the Apostolic Lutheran Church of Liberia

The road ahead. As we travelled to the back country of Liberia we were usually three on a motorbike, often facing "roads" like this. With years and years of experience our driver, Christian, manoeuvred around the "lakes" and potholes with consummate skill. One could almost relax on those rides which lasted two or more hours. Often we could even enjoy the lush tropical forest that we were passing through. Night was worse. When one of the bikes in our party - carrying Pastor Dickson's wife and their 2 year old boy - lost its headlight we had to try and run beside and behind it for many many miles to light the way and that was considerably more trying. Such is the life of a missionary.

Safely back in Zwedru with our driver, Christian - here at the new home he is building - really from scratch. On the left are hand made mud bricks and behind him and Matthew the new house he is building which will be a mud plastered frame one. Things are simple in Liberia. And people ingeniously creative. They don't sit around waiting for a handout they get out and do it on their own by the sweat of their brow!

And speaking of sweat the whole Zwedru congregation has invested in building up a "farm" in a big clearing on the slopes of a tropical forest not far from town. In this picture you see "Mama" Tarow covered with ashes to protect her skin from the sun, together with Matthew, showing where the newly planted dry-land rice is coming up. Kasava plants have also been planted (a kind of very productive and nourishing root vegetable). Mrs. Tarow is the widow of the late president of the church, Robert Tarow. Both of them were around when Andrew Mickelson and Gust Kandoll visited Liberia many years ago when they sowed the seeds for today's mission.

Picture of promise. Young plantain (a type of food banana) trees already growing sturdily on the "farm". What a joy to see people in this congregation so energetically investing their time and energies - and faith - in the future - and counting so heavily on the benevolence of a loving and gracious Heavenly Father.

Sometimes in the mission field you end up wondering who really is inspiring who. I don't think that Matthew and I could ever have personally given all we had - and more - to go to Liberia this May, for instance, if we had not been truly inspired by the faith, example and commitment of the Liberian Christians who have become our family there. How could we have done less?!

After spending 2 weeks in Liberia I came rather directly to the Philippines. What a blessing it is to be here with my brother Raymond!  Our first mission trip together. Now I am scheduled to return to Finland on June 2. As usual I covet your prayers.

In God's love and wondrous peace,

Dennis

Is God calling you to Russia?

 

Come and travel through the largest country in the world! Come view amazing scenery and meet amazing people! Come share the bread of life with those who long to hear about the Saviour of their souls!

 

We'll be going to many of the towns listed in purple.

Is Russia calling to you? Is God calling you to go? Do you love working with youth? Do you have a heart for the global church? We are excited about this year’s youth trip to Russia. Will you come and join us?

The youth trip in 2006 ended up playing soccer with the youth in this village!

We will be traveling to cities and villages in Russia from Moscow to the Siberia-Asia border in the Urals. We are planning to hold a youth camp in a village in Udmurtia and smaller day camps in several of the other villages along the way. We’ll be attending a wedding, visiting the historic cities of Moscow and St. Petersburg, and, most of all, sharing our Lord and Saviour with the Russian people.

Gregory Greve and Dennis Hilman: our intrepid leaders!

 We will be traveling in August/September 2011. There is still time to sign up! Contact the Foreign Mission Administrator at foreignmission@comcast.net today.

THE GHANA GLOW

In the sunshine and warmth of these April weeks Ghana has truly glowed. The prayers and efforts toward unity and reconciliation that were made here, together with Pastor Bob Maki in October, have borne fruit. There is a calmness and peace in the congregations I have visited. The prayerful endeavours of Pastor Frank Famiyeh to expand the influence of the Apostolic Lutheran Church of Ghana into the western region of the country have also borne fruit. Today I would like to take you to the village of Asante-Aye in that region, which is about an hour's drive from Tarkwa, a central city in that gold mining area. (Note: It seems that all the gold is either still below ground or in the pockets of foreign investors since no evidence of any wealth can be seen in this area.)


So it was in this poor village that the prayers and tireless efforts of a young man named Samuel Sagoe, a pastoral training student of Pastor Frank's, got a new congregation started last year. This is now part of a movement which promises to spread to the neighbouring villages. There have been no Christian churches in any of these villages. The harvest is truly plentiful and now the congregation in Asante-Aye is vibrantly growing......one could almost say glowing! On Palm Sunday I had the privilege of delivering the message there. How appropriate! In a clearing under a grove of palm trees, coconut trees, banana trees and cocoa trees I preached the message that with God all things are possible. The verdant tropical canopy seemed to reverberate with the truth of that message - that God's possibilities through His Son Jesus Christ are all-encompassing - for example right in this village where demons and pagan spirits previously held sway.

Palm Sunday glow under the canopy of palm, coconut, banana and cocoa trees (note the cocoa pods) in Asante-Aye. The congregation is active as they sing and praise the Lord with even the little babies taking a part, albeit on their mothers' backs. And even in the poorest villages people dress in their finest for church.

Imagine the future of this congregation! The service was packed with children. The open Bible on the table provides the basis and direction for how they are being nurtured.

Samuel Sagoe - the young man whose vision, prayers and determination helped to found the congregation in Asante-Aye. Pastor Frank has also played a major role in the development of the congregation.

People, young and old, flock to the newly built frame for the future church in Asante-Aye - a project being engineered by Pastor Frank which only needs $2000 to complete it, that is for corrugated metal sheets to roof it and side it.

Some members of the congregation happily gathering under the open beams of the future church.

The next day was Easter Sunday, when I preached at Lakeside Church again - on how the stone was rolled away, Jesus was truly risen and right there and then He even revealed Himself to Mary Magdalene by calling her name. What joy we can have in each of these verities in our everyday lives - especially when our Lord reveals Himself to us again and again by speaking to us individually! After the service all of the young people and youth who had been at the beach with me the day before wanted to have a picture of us together on the steps of the church. A few other congregation members joined us of course. Who can resist being in a picture - especially in Africa!


AND AHEAD?


Liberia calls. On Saturday April 30 Matthew Niemela from Chassel, Michigan will join me for a two week mission adventure in that country. I say adventure because Liberia is always an adventure! I plan to return to Ghana on May 14 and leave a couple days later for the Philippines where I will spend the better part of two weeks together with my brother, Pastor Raymond - all God willing, of course. I covet your prayers.


In God's love and peace,


Dennis

April Foreign Mission News Report

Please click on the link below for the April News Report

http://us2.campaign-archive2.com/?u=c6e5380bf2aa0b1efaefe84a3&id=0c699dd3d2

Picture is in Ghana April 2011

Introduction of a new Foreign Mission Program!

Your Foreign Mission is currently working to expand the scope of our mission work.

As always, our focus will remain on the preaching of the gospel which has been done through services and  pastor’s training.

Now, however, we would like to invite you into the mission with your specific calling and talents. Do you have skills with children or youth? Are you experienced in leading women’s Bible studies? Do you love working with new believers or speaking with those who don’t yet know Christ? Is God calling you to take a short-term mission trip? If so, please contact us! We’d love to hear from you and we’d love to send you more information and resources.


There are lots of upcoming trips. Please pray for (and prayerfully consider joining) the trips to Russia this summer, South Africa this fall, India early next year, and Philippines next May. Anyone who is interested in joining one of the trips, please contact the Foreign Mission today at foreignmission@comcast.net

We look forward to traveling with you!

TOGO LIFT!

I have just returned from a very inspirational trip to Togo. Imagine that in such a poor country God provided me with such a great reception this time. Pastor Nestor Devigan, President of the Apostolic Lutheran Church of Togo and the vice president, Pastor Victor Abalovi organized our stay. They changed many things this year because of some of the dismal experiences of the past. Instead of a raunchy road of mud and potholes there was a nice paved road all the way to Notse, the town they chose for the venue of the seminars this time. In the past two years the seminars have been held in remote villages. Notse is only a two hour comfortable drive north of the capital of Lomé. Instead of a single bed in a single room in a simple hut there was a nice hotel with air conditioning and would you believe even a swimming pool. Instead of some of that questionable Togo village food (from which as you know I contracted a life threatening food poisoning last year) there was a restaurant which even had spaghetti bolognese and pepper steaks!!

But even better than this the seminars were very much better organized this year. Over 50 local pastors and church workers attended the three-day seminar "religiously"! They were really there from start to finish. And how they participated!


The seminar days culminated in a session that I call "Lasting Change". Those of you who know me well or who have followed my articles from various countries are familiar with this concept. But in Notse, Togo it really came to life. We first studied the text on the infirm man at the Bethesda Pool who made his problems known to Jesus and was instantly healed - how Jesus wants us to confess what burdens us before Him and others. After that each person took a pen and paper and wrote down all - or at least the most significant - of the sins, guilt, fears, doubts and other problems that make their life difficult. They were assured that no one else would ever see this list but that it was to be openness to God. After that we formed groups of six persons each and the instruction was that each person would take one thing on their list and confess it to the group, after which the whole group would then lay their hands upon that person and declare, in the power of Jesus name and blood, the cleansing from that sin or problem and otherwise pray that he/she would find true release in all areas where they were being before God..


It would be hard to describe what then happened. Every group took the instructions and admonitions completely seriously and soon the whole church was filled with people praying over group members and pronouncing the absolution in the powerful name of Jesus and in His atoning blood very audibly. It seemed as if the whole flimsy thatched palm leaf church would just get blown away. When the prayers finally died down and each and every person had been prayed for, of course including we the leaders, it was time to turn over the "problem papers" to the Lord and Him alone. We did this by throwing them all into a big metal basin. This we took outside while the whole assembly followed singing a beautiful and powerful song of praise - then we gathered in a circle, prayed and sang some more.

While the papers and the problems were being incinerated, songs were sung and prayers were prayed. This, I pointed out, is like how our sins and burdens are consumed by the fire of the Holy Spirit, covered in the blood of Jesus and drowned in the sea of grace when they are given to Him in confession and contrition.

The burning basin. There is something very concrete in watching your worst fears, sins and problems consumed in the fire of God's love and grace. Of course this particular fire was only symbolic as I pointed out several times but it does represent what really happens when we confess and give all of those things to Jesus.

Gathered round with Pastor Frank Famiyeh from Ghana (in the green shirt) who accompanied me to Togo and assisted with the seminars.

Another view of the group circle. It was a wonderfully animated one - both very serious and very joyful.

Here you can see the whole group outside the church around the burning basin. The church is not the sturdiest structure in the world but serves the purpose. By God's grace they have begun to build a more permanent church building right next door but are hampered by lack of funds.

Another shot of part of the group with Togo church president Pastor Nestor Devigan in the blue jeans.

An intensive final prayer is said - of real thanksgiving and joyous release and freedom.


But I guess it was the Sunday service with the local congregation that really lifted me the most. The church was packed with gobs of children, wonderfully dressed women and even a whole lot of young men and men!! After the children's choir sang, then the women's choir moved rhythmically forward and sang two numbers. But it was the youth choir under the direction of a talented choir leader which did several songs with moving harmonies, that maybe made the greatest impression. But wait, I haven't mentioned the traditional drums and brass band!! Would you believe when I was introduced not one but four trumpets played a fanfare. I thought of how the "trump shall sound" on that great and final Day. But I must admit that never in all of my 65 years have I been introduced by four trumpets.



And as those trumpets blew the fanfare they also introduced the fact that I was to deliver the sermon. I chose the text about the man with the palsy who was lowered down from the roof into the presence of Jesus The congregation was very responsive but when I got to the part where Jesus surprised them all by saying "Your sins are forgiven you!" that message really went home with them. God is so wonderful and so powerful and you can see so clearly how His truths resonate in the hearts of true believers!!



Actually not quite so splendid was our first night at the hotel in Lome. While we were in the restaurant having supper, Frank's briefcase was taken from his room (he had forgotten to lock the door!) with his passport, a telephone and the money that we had just changed for our stay there - about $350. The next morning the case was discovered in another part of the hotel with the telephone and money gone but the passport still there, for which we were really thankful. The people at the hotel felt very bad about this and gave us that first night free of charge. Actually it was not free at all since it actually cost us far more than I would ever like to pay for a hotel room - but what could we do? The management overemphasized for us how careful we should be with valuables - and then my Visa card came in handy.

Blowin' in the wind. About five hours after leaving Lome, the capital city of Togo, we arrived back at my "headquarters" in Accra, Ghana. Five hours of hot breezes provided the "air conditioning" along with a lot of intense sunshine. When we stopped at one police checkpoint and the usual flock of vendors surrounded our car to ply their wares I had to tell them that there was nothing I needed. "But I like your hair!!" quipped one young female vendor happily. I looked in the mirror and realized it was all windblown and standing on end. No wonder she "liked it!"



Remember: To go to Togo was a great idea this year..



In God's love and peace,



Dennis

Dedication in India

By: Dennis Hilman

My month in India is drawing to a close. The pace has been much more relaxed since the rest of the team returned to America. I have spent the whole time, most enjoyably and with many blessings, in Pastor K's area, headquartered at the ALM Church Center in Kapileswarapuram (I have even learned to say the name of this village!). The first two weeks of this month the team was here. They began with several days of pastors seminars, then many evening services, church services, and prayer meetings as the Gospel went forth. Our whole nine member team was involved, with the young people very active with the children here at the ALC Children's Home which is also located here, and with women's Bible studies and so forth. It is so impressive to see the organization Pastor K and his wife Ruth direct from this center - and in such a warm and human, compassionate and spiritual way.


I use the word "dedication" in the title of this article for two reasons. One is a focus that the Lord gave me on this trip to lead the dedication of a new church in the Vizag area. The whole idea of the need for a new church in that area was laid on my heart when I first visited here two years ago. It was then God spoke to me about the young Pastor Isaac and his congregation - a growing group of faithful people who had no outward place of worship. So I prayed about that but did not mention this need to anyone. At the convention that year Jack Bergstedt approached me, quite by surprise, and asked if I had any particular need from the mission field on my heart. I didn't even dare tell him since I felt that the need was probably far greater than what he had in mind. But later I did tell him and lo and behold he offered to support the building of a church for Isaac and his congregation in the village of Chinna Doddi Gallu (now get your tongue around that one!). That was a little over a year ago. Arrangements to build the church began immediately. In the later stages of building it was evident that additional funds would be needed to complete it. Cal Niemela provided those funds. The beautiful little temple of God was completed in November and now dedicated on February 9, 2011 with the whole team participating. More information and pictures from the church dedication below.


The second reason I use the word "dedication" is in reference to that incredible quality exhibited by the faithful in Christ Jesus here in India. They are totally committed to the hearing and reading of the Word - with an amazing ability to find passages in the Bible. Besides that they can sing spiritual songs for hours by heart and are most devoted in prayer and the need for personal prayer.Naturally their pastors lead them in these traits of dedication. And then of course there are all of the unbelievers who also show a great interest in the word and prayer.

Pastors seminar in progress with Pastor Phil Wilson teaching and Pastor K translating. I shared the teaching responsibilities of this three day seminar with Phil while John Ruotsala preached sermons in line with the themes we taught.

While we were teaching the young people on our team were often busy in other areas. Much time was spent with the children - singing, teaching, playing, and just being a loving disciple of Jesus with them - since the children themselves have so much to give. Leona Matson led many of the activities with her paper constructions and other creative ideas..

About 70 pastors and church workers attended this seminar - here together with all of our team in front of the church at the ALM Church Center in Kapileswarapuram.

Everywhere you go in India you get a royal welcome. Here is all of our team with the sign welcoming us to the ALM Church Center and ALC Children's Home. Hope you can fit the right name with the right person.

One evening the children put on a spectacular rendition of the Garden of Eden for us - the creation and fall of man. The whole hall was turned into a very conviincing Garden of Eden with half a forest being carted in, a plethora of little animals (stuffed, plastic, you name it) throughout paradise and of course the familiar trees - like the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil all hung with its forbidden fruits. In the course of the play God created Adam, then Eve from his rib, the serpent enters the Garden and tempts Eve and she and Adam are forced to leave paradise after the fall,the Messiah is promised, their sons are born, Cain kills Abel and then even Seth is born. It was all very dramatic and graphically portrayed by children of different ages but very hard to get a good picture of in the poor light. Luckily they had signs on everything and everybody so you knew who they were, Later my dear little friend Joshua posed for me by the Tree of Life - with its bananas this time!

And what would be India without going traditional from time to time. Our American/Canadian/Finnish team all dressed up for the evening. They say you can't really understand an Indian (get it?!) before you have walked a mile in his moccasins - or in this case his pastor's shirt or draped elegantly in her sari! By the way saris are an everyday mode of dress - they are worn in all situations, for work and play - girls even wear them swimming - and of course grace every church sanctuary and meeting with their multicoloured elegance and beauty.

Typical village scene - woman with her water buffalo. Scenes like this are at every turn as we walk through the village to pray for people. Since the team left I have even had much more time for these kinds of walks with Pastor K. We have prayed, for instance, for the opening of a little shop, for the family of a 4-year-old boy who died last week in a fireworks accident, for the sick, elderly, infirm, barren, lame, halt and blinded, and for the success of an enterprise of a faithful congregant. After each evening village service - in a little church, home or even in the street, prayers for each individual participants can go long into the night. Speaking of dedication.

"My sheep know my voice!" Village shepherds leading their ambling flock of sheep to greener pastures along a street beside the church center. Scenes like this, which take you so graphically back into Bible times, meet you at every turn in the village and country roads.

Outdoor night meeting. You have probably seen pictures like this before from India, but I just had to include it because many of our nights have been spent in services like this. I find it both exhilarating and humbling to stand before such a crowd which is so anxious to eat of the Bread of Life and drink of the Living Water. And even if the service goes easily beyond 10:00 at night there are many who wonder why you quit preaching after a sermon of only one hour! And then come the individual prayers. It is moving to say the very least.

Now we get to the church dedication. With the words "I, as a servant of our Lord Jesus Christ, declare this building to be set apart to the Glory of God and to the edification of His Church in the living faith which is in Christ Jesus" I cut the ribbon at the main door. Pastor K is on the left, Pastor Isaac on the right. An indelibly moving moment.

Inside of the sanctuary of the new church. The texts written on the walls are Bible verses in Telegu chosen for their appropriateness to the temple of the Living God. To mark the festivities plastic chairs were brought in but the usual mode of seating is on plastic tarps on the floor. This way many more people can fit it. The overflow sat in a large tent outside on this dedication day.

Opening the service with the traditional greeting of "Wandanalu" - peace and blessings. I spoke on our Heavenly Father as a God of possibilities - who brought this temple into reality in such a short period of time - from the stage of many fervent prayers to a shining edifice to His glory. The theme "with God all things are possible" echoes through the Scriptures - the greatest possibility and miracle of all is that we can find salvation and peace with Him through the gift of His Son Jesus Christ!

Precious young sisters in Christ from two different sides of the globe (Bethany Helmes on the right) - here "under the wings" of the FM Administrator, John Ruotsala.

Pastor K and Ruth, myself and Pastor Isaac and Sharon at the side of the church after the dedication. We couldn't get in front of it on that day because of the tent.

The pastors trio - John, Dennis and Phil, all decked out with the garlands of honour, welcome and blessing for the dedication service.

Last Sunday I visited Isaac's church once more and preached there for the morning service. It was much more relaxed this time and the tent was gone so we could see the front of the church, but the love and promises of Jesus were still evident everywhere! Here is Pastor Isaac with his wife Sharon who is expecting their first child in June. Blessings abound.

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Village wedding. Here Pastor K and I are showering the newly married couple with flower petals in blessing. After we did so all of the other wedding guests came forward and followed suit to wish the young couple happiness in this way. That wish was undoubtedly not out of place since this was an arranged marriage - and this day was the first time they ever laid eyes on each other. "Wow!" I thought as they had stood a few minutes earlier and the groom took the bride's hands to declare his marriage vow to her,"this is the first time they have ever been that close - ever touched each other!" Yes it is truly a cultural difference that we in the west find hard to fathom and yet they say that marriages in the west are far more apt to fall apart statistically than these arranged ones. Anyway I did enjoy the wedding with all of its Indian customs - maybe especially because the bride and groom sat so attentively for the message from the Word. Thankfully they are both from Christian families.


So I am now scheduled to leave here next Monday and arrive back in Finland, God willing, on March 2. It would be so nice if you would remember me on this journey


In the riches of God's love and peace,
Dennis