Togo Visit - DEC 2025

My short visit to Togo is drawing to a close. I'm thankful that schedules worked out so I could drop by Togo to help celebrate the graduation of three students from the Mt. Horeb Lutheran Seminary and spend a few days visiting my good friend and fellow missionary Peter! Pastor Kossi Blewu and Missionary Peter Evensen have been faithfully teaching and training these men for the past three years with CLC Online Theological Studies (OTS) materials translated into French by Missionary Evensen. These OTS courses were written by the late Professor David Lau for use in seminaries, Bible institutes, and pastor-training seminars around the world. Missionary Bruce Naumann (read his blog HERE)  has also been using these materials in Wittenberg Lutheran Theological Seminary of the Tanzania-CLC (TCLC) where they also celebrated a graduation a couple of weeks ago. Missionary Evensen posts pictures HERE.

After three years of training, these three men have successfully completed their training, and they are now ready to begin their ministry. Missionary Evensen and Pastor Kossi will spend the next several months helping them to establish congregations in different areas of Togo. This will bring the number of trained and ordained pastors of the Mission Evangelique Lutherienne de Confession du Togo (MELC) to seven. Praise the Lord for His love and faithfulness in providing more faithful preachers and teachers to proclaim the truths of His saving Word here in Togo!

The seminary will start classes again in October with a new cohort of students. Pastor Kossi expects at least 4 students to enroll, perhaps more. 

Graduation day was a lot of fun! I am so thankful that the Lord allowed me to be here to share in the joy of it all. Having been a French colony for many years, French is the official language of Togo. But out in the more rural areas of southern Togo, where the MELC is most active, the local language is Ewe. So that means that I am not able to understand much of anything that is being spoken. When I preached the graduation service sermon, it was translated into Ewe. Missionary Evensen preaches and teaches in French, and his words are translated into Ewe. Again, while I didn't understand much of anything that was being said, the joy of the occasion didn't need a translation! What a privilege to be a part of such a wonderful day!

On Sunday, Missionary Evensen taught the Bible Study, and I was again given the opportunity to share God's word by preaching the Sunday sermon. The service was held at the main MELC congregation in Lome'. They have been patiently building this church over the past few years as funds have become available. They have made great progress since I was here a few years ago. 

Peter, Kossi, and I spent yesterday afternoon relaxing a bit at the beach, and I will head to the airport later this afternoon (Tuesday, 12/9) to go home! My flight is scheduled to depart at 7:50 pm. I'll fly from Lome' to Brussels to Chicago to HOME! 

Enjoy a few pictures and videos. You can see more HERE.

Graduates and their Teachers

Five Kinship Orphans with Pastor Kossi and His Wife

A Big Crowd Waiting for the Graduation to Begin

Pastor Kossi Welcoming the Guests to the Graduation

Missionary Evensen and Pastor Kossi at the MELC Church in Lome'

Missionary Evensen Teaching Bible Class with Pastor Kossi Translating

Liberia - NOV 2025

I left Liberia a little over a week ago. I finally have reliable internet access while I spend a final day at a hotel near the Lagos, Nigeria airport, waiting for my flight to Lome, Togo tomorrow morning. Since I didn't have time to write a blog post before I left Liberia, I figured I might as well do one now... better late than never.

My two weeks in Liberia went quickly, with visits to Morovia, Gbargna, Lutheran Global Village, and Bopolu. Pastor Joseph Kwiwalazu and I made these visits together. The big event on this visit was a three-day pastor's conference with Pastors Kwiwalazu, Cheneken, and Cheanweay (the three pastors in fellowship with the Liberia-CLC), along with about 12 other pastors and church leaders who have been studying with Pastors John Hein and Kwiwalazu for about 10 years.  

I also had a day at the end of my time in Liberia to meet with the three LCLC pastors, meet some of their family members, and discuss Gospel outreach and humanitarian efforts they are involved in. We also spent a few hours relaxing and visiting at a beautiful beach resort.

The time in Liberia went by quickly, but thanks to Pastor Kwiwalazu, it was a well-planned and organized visit, and we were able to accomplish a lot, with concrete plans that we ask our Savior to bless in the coming year. 

Showing the Jesus Video at Lutheran Global Village

Our transportation from Monrovia to Bopolu...

From Right to Left...LCLC Pastors Cheneken, Kwiwalazu, Cheanweay, and a nobody

At the beach with Pastors Cheanweay and Kwiwalazu

Pastors and Visitors at the LCLC Conference in Bopolu

Sent to Liberia - Nigeria - Togo - NOV/DEC 2025

On Wednesday, Nov. 12, I'll be heading to West Africa for visits to Liberia, Nigeria, and Togo. 

The trip will begin with flights from St. Louis to Washington, DC, then to Accra, Ghana, and finally to Monrovia, Liberia. I'll spend a little over two weeks in Liberia working with the LCLC. We'll make visits to Gbarnga and Global Village. We will then travel back to Monrovia on our way to Bopolu, where eighteen pastors and church leaders will gather for a three-day pastoral training seminar and conference. Following the conference, we'll head back to Monrovia for a weekend of worship and meetings.

I'll travel from Liberia to Nigeria on Nov 26th. Thanksgiving Day will be spent traveling from Lagos to Akwa Ibom State, where the NCLC's headquarters and seminary are located. If all goes according to schedule, I'll arrive in time to attend the afternoon session of the pastoral training seminar. Friday and Saturday will be spent teaching at the training seminar and attending meetings with the NCLC boards and committees. I will also have the privilege of attending the dedication of the new seminary academic building, visiting a few congregations, and worshipping at one of the NCLC congregations in the area. I'll then make my way back to Lagos for a day of report writing, rest, and a trip from Lagos to Lome', Togo.

I'm scheduled to arrive in Lome' on Thursday, Dec. 4th. The Togo visit will be short. I'll have just enough time in Togo to visit Missionary Evensen, attend and preach at the Mt. Horeb Lutheran Seminary graduation, worship with the Lome' congregation, and discuss the work with Missionary Evensen and Pastor Kossi. 

On Dec. 9th, I'll fly from Lome' to Brussels to Chicago to Home...just in time to get in on the late-season deer hunt in Missouri and a quick trip to Phoenix to celebrate my mom's 85th birthday!

It's going to be a busy month. Your prayers for safe and uneventful travels, safety, good health, and all the blessings necessary to carry out this Kingdom work are requested and much appreciated. 

 

Zambia Visit - AUG 2025

Two weeks in Zambia passed rather quickly. Four days were spent on buses traveling to the three districts of the Zambia Confessional Lutheran Church (ZCLC). I was accompanied by Pastor Ibrahim, a longtime good friend and faithful servant of the Lord. Ibrahim was trained at the CLC-sponsored seminary in Tanzania. When it became necessary to close the seminary and CLC-East Africa was struggling with dishonest leadership, Ibrahim packed his bags and moved to Zambia. He was invited by a friend to relocate to Lusaka, where he started a Lutheran church that would stay faithful to the Scriptures. Around the same time, Pastor Yumba from the DR Congo was doing outreach across the border in the northern Copperbelt Province of Zambia. A few years later, as Ibrahim traveled regularly to Zimbabwe to work with a CLC contact in Bulawayo, he also did outreach in Livingstone, a border town between Zambia and Zimbabwe. This outreach led to the founding of a congregation. With no other Lutheran outreach in the area, several people became interested and excited about studying Lutheran doctrine with Ibrahim,  seeing that everything he taught was taken directly from the Bible. This was something new for many, as they were accustomed to hearing pastors preach about their visions or testimonies, often with little regard for the Bible's actual teachings. With help from the CLC-MDF, an unexpected anonymous bequest, and the generosity of a local Zambian who was eager to see a church get started in his neighborhood, a small building was purchased that would serve as a church, a Bible institute for training pastors and church leaders, and a pastor's residence. 

Over the past fifteen years, the ZCLC ministry has experienced various ups and downs, as well as many blessings from the Lord. The ZCLC is nearing the completion of its registration as an official Zambian church body. This process is not straightforward. Due to the prevalence of fraudulent ministries that exploit the people of Zambia, the government has implemented a strict procedure to ensure that only legitimate ministries receive the necessary documentation. Registration is important for a couple of reasons: 1. Since Ibrahim does not hold Zambian citizenship, he needs a registered organization to work under in order to avoid immigration issues. 2. The government will not recognize marriages and funerals conducted by non-registered churches. The ZCLC has been informed that everything is now in order, and they anticipate receiving the official registration documents within the next couple of weeks! Once registered, the ZCLC will be official in three districts: 1) Copperbelt District, 2) Lusaka District, and 3) Livingstone District.

My visit began with a week spent in Kitwe, located in northern Copperbelt Province. I had the privilege of preaching during the Sunday service, where members from all three ZCLC congregations in the area gathered at the Kalulushi congregation, which is about 40 minutes outside of Kitwe. Additionally, we conducted an outreach seminar and a training seminar for pastors and church leaders. We also took the time to discuss the church registration process, as well as some of the opportunities, needs, and challenges of the three congregations in the district.

Joint worship at the Kalulushi congregation in the ZCLC Copperbelt District

Joint worship service of three ZCLC congregations in the Copperbelt District

Pastors and Leaders in the ZCLC Copperbelt District

ZCLC Leadership Committee in Kitwe, Copperbelt Province

Ibrahim and I traveled back to Lusaka from Kitwe, which is a 9+ hour bus ride. In Lusaka, we met with contacts and tried to meet with the local ZCLC evangelist but there was some miscommunication that prevented our meeting. We also spent time following up on the church registration at the Office of the Societies Registrar.

 

After a quick visit to Lusaka, we took a bus for another long journey, this time to the southern border city of Livingstone. We spent five busy days there conducting worship, Bible study, outreach activities, a training seminar for pastors and church leaders, and several meetings to discuss the opportunities and challenges they are facing in the area, as well as future plans for the congregation and outreach efforts.

Worship at the ZCLC Congregation in Livingstone, Zambia

Pastor Ibrahim leading worship in Livingstone, Zambia

Pastor Ibrahim leading worship in Livingstone, Zambia

Participants and the Pastor/Church leader training seminar in Livingstone, Zambia

Livingstone is always a fun place to visit because it is close to Victoria Falls, making it a popular destination for tourists from all over the world. The hostel where I stay has become a sort of home away from home. The staff knows me well by now, and it's like a homecoming when I arrive. And, there are always many interesting people to meet.

I made friends with a father and son from New Zealand. The father had served for fifteen years as a medical missionary and pharmacist in Zambia, where his son was born. They spent five weeks doing construction and maintenance work on a hospital and a school in the town where they once lived. They are both very conservative Christians, and we found we had a lot in common, including views on creation, Biblical inerrancy, salvation by Grace alone through faith alone, and Christian education.

I also met a young man from Germany who came to Africa with only a bike, a small tent, and a few clothes. He started his journey in Cape Town, South Africa, and had ridden his bike for more than 2,000 kilometers before it broke down. He couldn’t find parts to fix it, so he abandoned the bike in Angola and is making his way by bus to Lusaka to either buy a new bike or continue his African adventure by bus.

I also met a man, about my age, from the U.S., who is spending 14 months riding his motorcycle around the world. He is a nurse and has taught at a nursing college in Phoenix, specializing in behavioral health. With his children all grown and out of the house, and his wife recently taking a new position in Flagstaff, Arizona, leaving him between jobs, he decided it was a good opportunity to explore the world. He began by shipping his motorcycle to Europe. After touring Europe, he made his way through Turkey, Iraq, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia, where he arranged to have his bike flown to Nairobi, Kenya, where he began his travels through Africa. It was fun to hear him describe his time in and around Arusha, where the Tanzania-CLC seminary is and where Missionary Bruce and Paula Naumann live. Once he finishes his travels in Africa, he plans to head to South America and then Asia. Both he and his wife have been involved in supporting Gospel outreach efforts throughout Africa, so he's been trying to find and spend time with pastors connected to ministries they have supported along his route. He also looks for opportunities to use his nursing and teaching skills wherever he can. This led to an opportunity to spend a few weeks taking care of an elderly woman who had returned home from major surgery. 

It's always exciting to meet such interesting people from around the world, and I stay in contact with several of them. I consider this a fringe benefit of my travels!

My lodging at the Hostel in Livingstone, Zambia

Rick and his round-the-world motorcycle trip

I'm back in Lusaka now, waiting for a late-night flight from Lusaka to Doha, then on to Miami, and finally home. If everything goes as planned, I should arrive home in the early hours of Saturday morning. 

 

I appreciate your prayers for safety, good health, and the blessings of our Lord on the Gospel ministry here in Zambia. Thank you! Please continue to pray that the Lord will bless me with safe and uneventful travels.

Sent to Kenya - May 2025

It’s Thursday afternoon in Nairobi, where I arrived late last night for a short visit. Tomorrow, Missionary Bruce Naumann and Pastor Jeremia will arrive from Tanzania. Together, we'll travel to the Kisii area for meetings and worship with the KCLC congregations in Etago and Chotororo. Our discussions will primarily focus on organizational and leadership matters with the Etago congregation and the CLC Kinship supported School in Etago.

We will be traveling Northeast from Kisii County with pastors, leaders, and delegates from the Etago and Chotororo congregations to attend the KCLC convention in Soy. This convention will gather pastors, leaders, and delegates from the KCLC in the Kisii,  Moi's Bridge, and Kitale areas. During the convention, church officers will be elected, and there will be discussions on proposed amendments and edits to the constitution. Missionary Naumann and I will also have the opportunity to conduct ongoing pastoral training seminars.

If everything goes according to schedule, I'll be back in the U.S. to attend my son and daughter-in-law's college graduation from ILC!

Your prayers for wisdom, love, patience, provision, cooperation, along with good health and travels for everyone involved, are requested and much appreciated.

Sent to Tanzania...Mar 2023

Today (21 MAR 2023), I head to Tanzania for a short two-week trip. The main reason for the visit is to be there for the first couple of weeks that newly commissioned Missionary Bruce Naumann will be on site. He's certainly more than capable of getting there on his own and getting acquainted with his new surroundings, Tanzanian co-workers, and duties, but the Board of Missions and I thought it would be a good idea for me to be there to assist with the transition from me to him and to make sure everyone is on the same page moving forward. I also want to introduce him to a couple of people I have met over the years who will be helpful in some of the more practical logistics of getting settled in Arusha. There are also some really good places to eat (and a few to avoid) that I want to introduce him to!

I've been very involved with the restart of the seminary over the past six years, so it holds a special place in my heart. I am so thankful to the Lord for providing a resident missionary to Tanzania. I look forward to the Lord's blessings as Missionary Naumann assists them in taking the next steps in further developing the seminary and preparing the next generation of faithful preachers and teachers of God's saving word. Praise the Lord for providing a missionary with such tremendous gifts for this important work!

And...I'm excited to share Tanzania with my youngest daughter Lydia. When I first started this call, one of the things that Beth and I were excited about was the opportunity for our homeschooled kids to be able to travel with me. I've been at this for six years now, and unfortunately, it just hasn't worked out to this point. We had plans for Lydia to join me on a trip to Nepal a couple of years ago, but Covid had other plans. She's eager, packed, and excited, and so am I!

We'll fly from St. Louis to Denver to London to Addis Ababa to Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. We have a long layover in London, so we'll have the opportunity to get out of the airport and see a little bit of London. I used to fly through London a lot, but it's been several years since I've had a flight that routes through London. So, I am looking forward to spending a few hours showing Lydia some of my favorite sights. 

Once we arrive in Tanzania, we have a busy schedule waiting for us. We'll visit the Adonai Children's home, several independent Lutheran congregations/pastors to the West of Arusha who have expressed interest in joining the TZ-CLC, a newly formed TZ-CLC congregation in the Maasai lands near Lake Manyara, and we'll do outreach among the Hadzabe tribal peoples. We'll also have an opportunity to take in a day of sightseeing on a safari to Tarangire National Park. Pastor Jeremia's son Elisha owns a tourist/safari company and has offered to take Lydia, Missionary Naumann, and me on a one-day trip to see the big animals of Africa! It's going to be a busy couple of weeks!

Your prayers for safe and uneventful travels, wisdom and patience, and the Lord's promised blessings on the work He has sent us to do, and for Beth and family back home are requested and much appreciated as we trust in our Savior's love!

New Mission Field Video and YouTube Channel...

Over the next several months, Pastor Sam Rodebaugh and I plan to produce short introductory videos for each of the places around the world where our Savior has given us the privilege and opportunity to assist in spreading the truths of God's saving word. 

Here's the first video that features the work being done in Tanzania...

West Africa CLC Pastoral Conference Recap...

Tuesday February 28 - The West Africa CLC Pastoral Conference is off to a blessed start. With twenty pastors arriving safely yesterday (Monday, 2/27) afternoon and evening from Togo, Liberia, Ghana, and Nigeria, we started early with morning prayers, Psalms, and breakfast.

Following an opening devotion, review of the schedule, greeting, and encouragement from CLC President Wilke and Board of Missions Chairman Krafft, and the appointment of a conference chairman and secretary, we heard the first of six essays under the theme "Seek First the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness." The first essay was titled "What God Reveals About His Kingdom."

Following a lunch-break we gathered again for our second essay titled "What God Reveals About His Righteousness," delivered by Missionary Peter Evensen.

Missionary Peter Evensen 

Wednesday, March 1 - Day two of the West Africa CLC Pastoral Conference has begun as we expect another fruitful day in our Savior's word.

Pastor Sunday Akpan Udo led us in the singing of "Rock of Ages" and encouraged us with our Savior's words recorded in Matthew 18:1-4.

Today we will hear and be encouraged by God's saving Word through two essays delivered by Pastor Godwin Akpan (Seminary Dean from the Nigeria-CLC) and Pastor Kossi Blewu (MELC-Togo).

This evening we will gather for worship and the Lord's supper.

Pastor Mike Essien (Nigeria)

Pastor Joseph Kwiwalazu (Liberia)

Pastor Godwin Akpan Ukoh (Nigeria)

Pastor Sunday Akpan (Nigeria)

Pastor Kossi Blewu (Togo)

Pastor Samuel Cheneken (Liberia)

Thursday, March 2 - The third and final day of the West Africa CLC Pastoral Conference is about to begin. We're looking forward to essays delivered by Pastors Mike Essien (President of the Nigeria-CLC) and Joseph Kwiwalazu (Liberia-CLC). Pastor Samuel Cheneken (Liberia-CLC), our morning Chaplain, encouraged us in our work with the Word of God from Matthew 4:18-19 & 1 Peter 2:20-21.

Before we began today, we took a few group pictures.

Join us in thanking our Savior for the many blessings He has given to this conference and ask for His continued blessings on our travels home over the next few days.

Deborah and the ladies who took such good care of us.

Liberia Delegation

Nigeria Delegation

Togo Delegation

Group Picture of all delegates

Pastor Essien Michael (Nigeria)