Bangladesh - November 2023

I always ask the Lord and request prayers for safe and "uneventful" travels. You see, I've had my fair share of "eventful" journeys that have caused some disruption and frustration over the years. Imagine a bus breaking down on the side of the road for several hours, resulting in a late arrival, throwing off the whole schedule, and not having the time to teach all the lessons I had prepared! It's kind of a domino effect of disruptions that can drive a guy crazy. I consider myself to be someone who usually takes things in stride, but I prefer to stay in control of the situation whenever possible. Thus, the reason for my prayer for "uneventful" travels.

On the other hand, there is also a desire to have a rather "eventful" trip when it comes to work that the Lord has given me to do. In fact, I feel some pressure sometimes to produce some amazing events to share with the folks back home. There have been times when I have returned from a trip to some seemingly exotic place on the other side of the world, and people seem disappointed if I don't have some amazing stories to tell. But oftentimes, that's the way it goes. I come, I teach, I preach, I visit, and I go home. Sounds rather uneventful and uninspiring, doesn't it? 

I was giving this some thought as I was wrapping up my time here in Bangladesh and preparing to write this blog post. I arrived here about two weeks ago to the news that the opposition political party in the north of the country was closing down roads, and all transportation in and out of the region had been shut down. My flight from Dhaka to Saidpur was canceled, and so were our plans to visit BLCM congregations and preaching stations in that area. That meant an unexpected overnight in Dhaka and a different flight to Jessore the next day. No big deal, we were able to schedule a couple outreach seminars in the Jessore district instead. The rest of the trip and schedule were rather uneventful and have gone off without a hitch. We have been blessed with the opportunity to conduct uneventful two-day outreach and Lutheran Theology seminars in three separate locations, and we just concluded an uneventful five-day pastor and church worker training seminar yesterday. Today (Saturday, Nov. 18), we enjoyed an uneventful "church worker excursion" to the Sundarban Mangrove Forests and Tiger Reserve in southwest Bangladesh in the Ganges River Delta on Bay of Bengal. I'll preach for worship services tomorrow. We'll visit a couple preaching stations on Monday. And Tuesday, we'll visit one more preaching station on my way back to Dhaka to catch an early morning flight to Kathmandu, Nepal, on Wednesday morning. From a practical, earthly standpoint, it was an uneventful visit to Bangladesh. Prayers answered!

All of this got me thinking about that word - "uneventful." When you think about what God has accomplished through the "foolishness" preached and taught through His saving Word in my own sinful heart and the sinful hearts of men, women, children, and even infants throughout the world and throughout the years since the fall into sin, "uneventful" would have to be one of the last words you would use to describe it. Just think, our Savior, because of nothing other than His undeserved love and mercy, gave forgiveness, salvation, life, and an eternal home in Heaven to this cold, dead, sinful, wretched heart. He accomplished this through nothing more and nothing less than the Gospel in His Word and Baptism. And what gives this word and sacrament its power is the greatest event that ever took place...namely, the sacrificial suffering and death and resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ! Sometimes, in my quiet moments, I am just overwhelmed with awe and joy by the "events" that have taken place in history and in my own life, which have called me out of the darkness of unbelief and death and into the marvelous light of my Savior. The idea that I should called a child of God and have the privilege of preaching, teaching, and sharing the foolishness of the cross, which is the power of God for salvation with so many people around the world, is amazing, to say the least. It is truly humbling to realize that our Savior can use a bumbling, low IQ, sinful, wretched fool like me to bring Jesus (the Way, the Truth, and the Life) to others! What a privilege to serve Him!

I have decided to modify my prayers a bit. Going forward, I will still pray for "uneventful" travels, but I also intend to thank the Lord for all the eventful outcomes of His love and mercy in my life and the lives of so many around the world!!

If all goes as planned, I will fly to Nepal on Wednesday, where I will meet Raju, and the two of us will travel to a district in the west to visit an HCLCN congregation that was affected by the recent earthquake. 

Please pray for uneventful travels and an eventful visit to Nepal over the next few weeks. 

And please keep Beth, her dad (who went on hospice care last week), and all our family in your prayers. Thank you!

Here are a few pictures and a couple of videos of some of the "events" that have taken place over the past couple of weeks here in Bangladesh...

BLCM Preaching Station in the Jessore District - Outreach Seminar with New Christians

Apostle's Creed Seminar at St. Thomas Lutheran Church

St. Thomas Lutheran Church

St. Thomas Lutheran Church

Immanuel Lutheran Church in Gopalganj

Immanuel Lutheran Church

Pastor Monotosh and the BLCM Pastor and Church Worker Training Seminar

Student Books

BLCM Pastor and Church Leader Training Seminar 

My daily commute to and from the BLCM Church Worker Training Seminar in Gopalganj

BLCM Training Seminar

Pastor Monotosh Addressing the Seminar Participants

Pastor Monotosh, His Wife Elizabeth, and the Seminar Attendees

Rather loud and "eventful" Diwali celebration that lasted until 2 or 3:00 am and began again at 5:00 am the first five nights I was in Gopalganj

Hindu Temple across the street from my hotel

Hindu Idol in the temple across from my hotel in Gopalganj

Boarding the boat that took us to the Sundarban Mangrove Forests

Entrance to the Sundarban Mangrove Forest Preserve

Armed ranger to protect us from Tigers...we saw paw prints but no tigers :(

Trekking through the World's Largest Mangrove Forest

November 2023 - CLC Missions Prayer List

 

…pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified... 2 Thessalonians 3:1

India (Southeast Asia) – Pastor Prem Kumar, a long-time pastor and leader of the CLC-India, lost his battle with kidney disease and was taken to be the Lord. He leaves behind a wife, two young children, and a large congregation of believers he has faithfully served for many years. Thank the Lord for providing this faithful servant for the work of His Kingdom and the harvest of souls in India. Pray for the Lord's comfort and assurance for his wife, children, family, congregation, and all those in the CLCI who mourn his passing and rejoice in his victory over the grave through faith in Jesus Christ.

Kate Sauers (USA) – Kate is the wife of Board of Missions member Pastor Rob Sauers. She was diagnosed with ALK-positive large-cell lymphoma cancer in late September. She has received two rounds of chemotherapy so far, and doctors report that she has responded well. Thank the Lord for blessing the treatments thus far and ask for His continued blessings on the remainder of the treatments she is scheduled to receive. Continue to Pray for courage, comfort, hope, strength, and trust in our Savior's love and plans for their family.

Liberia (West Africa) – Pastor Joseph's sister recently went to be with the Lord following a battle with liver cancer. With a presidential runoff taking place on November 14th, there is a lot of uncertainty and instability in Liberia right now. Pastor John Hein continues treatments for a rare and very aggressive form of thymic cancer. He will have more scans scheduled for November. Pray for the Lord's comfort as Pastor Joseph and his family mourn the loss of his sister and rejoice in victory over the grave through faith in Jesus. Ask the Lord to direct the affairs of the Liberian elections this month so that peace may prevail and good government may serve His purpose. Pray for the Lord's hand of healing upon our brother, Pastor John Hein, so that the treatments he is receiving will rid his body of cancer. Pray for good results from the scans so Pastor Hein can begin planning for a visit to Liberia in January.

Missionary Evensen (Togo, West Africa) – Missionary Evensen recently had a kidney stone block his only kidney. Pray that he will have no further complications, as necessary surgical treatments may not be readily available. Ask the Lord to provide a quick and complete recovery so he can return to the work he has been called to.

Mexico – Bd of Missions member Jeff Radichel and Missionary Ohlmann recently visited Pastor Olvera, his family, and our brothers and sisters in Christ of the Iglesia Luterana Confessional Mexico. They discussed future plans for Gospel outreach and leadership training for lay leaders in one congregation and three preaching stations in Mexico. Thank the Lord for this opportunity to fellowship together around His Word. Pray for the Lord's blessings and provision as these new plans develop so that many more may be reached with God's saving word.

Missionary Bruce Naumann (Tanzania-East Africa) – Missionary Naumann, along with his wife Paula, are getting more accustomed to their new home in Tanzania. In addition to his teaching responsibilities at the seminary, he has also begun taking a more active role in correspondence and training pastors in Kenya and Uganda. They will be returning to the States for a one-month furlough in December. You can keep updated on things happening in Tanzania at clc-tz.blogspot.com. Ask for the Lord's blessings as Missionary Naumann and Paula continue to adjust to life in Africa. Pray for our Savior's abundant blessings on the work of training pastors, teachers, and leaders in Tanzania.

Missionary Ohlmann – Missionary Ohlmann is currently traveling and working in Asia until the middle of December. He will spend a few days in Tokyo, visiting a congregation once in fellowship with the CLC. From there, he will spend approx. six weeks working with the pastors and leaders of the Bangladesh Lutheran Church Mission (BLCM) and the Himalayan Church of the Lutheran Confession of Nepal (HCLCN). While in Bangladesh and Nepal, he will visit several congregations and preaching stations, conduct Pastoral Training Seminars, and be privileged to attend the Himalayan Bible Institute graduation. Pray for all that is necessary for these trips to be planned and take place. Ask the Lord to be with and bless his wife, Beth, her father, and their family while he is away. Pray for the Lord's love, wisdom, patience, and zeal during these visits that His name be glorified as the truth of His saving word is proclaimed and pastors are trained. You can read reports and see pictures from his travels at missionaryohlmann.blogspot.com

Mission Development Fund – CLC president Mike Wilke writes: "When the convention approved the calling of our third foreign missionary, it determined that the funding of that missionary would come fully from the MDF for the first year. The cost of funding that missionary is about $80,000 and has impacted other planned MDF projects. Currently, the balance of the MDF is enough to cover the cost of our third foreign missionary for the rest of this fiscal year and a few other essential projects, but without additional funds, we will not be able to fund other planned projects. We have already put a hold on all other projects, including funding Bibles and other Christian literature, church-building assistance, and many planned outreach projects. Pray that the members of the CLC will remember this work in their prayers and their offerings so that we might continue to carry out the work the LORD has set before us and which we have decided to do as a church body."

Tanzania (East Africa) – Pastor Paulo Kiara, who serves in the Tanga district of the Tanzania-CLC, is recovering from abdominal surgery. A Kinship grant was provided to assist with the cost of the life-saving surgery. Pray for a speedy and complete recovery. On November 19^th, three evangelism students will graduate from the one-year program at the Wittenberg Lutheran Theological Seminary. Two of these students will continue their training in the three-year seminary program. Missionary Naumann and the seminary faculty have several prospects for new enrollments in the next academic year, which begins in January. Praise and thank the Lord for these students and their dedication to preparing for the public ministry. Pray for the students, their families, and the teaching staff at the seminary, asking the Lord to continue to provide all that is necessary for this work to continue.

Myanmar (Southeast Asia) – Our brothers and sisters in Christ of the CLC-Myanmar continue to struggle under the oppressive rule of the military junta. Pastor Kham continues to heal from the injuries he received. His wife, Haui, has been released from jail, and their debt has been paid through the compassionate offerings of God's children. Continue to pray for strength and courage for Haui as she deals with the emotional and physical trauma of her arrest. Pray for the children Pastor Kham and Haui care for as they live in constant fear of military attack and now also the fear of losing those who love and care for them. Continue to Pray for justice and peace for all the people of Myanmar. Pray especially for our brothers and sisters in Christ that our Savior will give them strength, comfort, courage, and boldness during these difficult times and that He will provide for all their needs. Thank the Lord for moving the hearts of His children to give generously to the needs of others through their offerings and prayers.

The Philippines (Southeast Asia) – Pastor Andrew Schaller (CLC Bd of Doctrine Secretary) continues the colloquy with Pastor Jordan Palangyos and the Lutheran Autonomous Mission in the Philippines (LAMP) via email correspondence. Pray that the Lord will bless the colloquy and that this will lead to a God-pleasing unity of faith and teaching. Ask the Lord to provide opportunities and all that is necessary for Pastor Jordan to continue to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ!

Pakistan – Pastor Tim Daub continues to teach online video Bible lessons to two groups of Christians who are eager to start a Lutheran church in Pakistan. The Board of Missions has authorized Missionary Ohlmann to accompany Pastor Daub on a visit to Pakistan in 2024. With the upcoming elections in Pakistan and due to safety concerns surrounding it, there is some uncertainty about when this trip will occur. Pray that the Lord will continue to bless the teaching and learning of His word. Thank our Savior for this opportunity and the technology to proclaim the truth of His word in such a way.

Bangladesh (Southeast Asia) – Missionary Ohlmann will be in Bangladesh for the first three weeks of November. He will work with Pastor Monotosh to visit several congregations and preaching stations, and they will conduct a five-day pastoral training seminar. Ask our Savior to continue to bless both the preaching and learning of God's word in Bangladesh and to provide all that is necessary for the ministry of the BLCM.

Nepal (Southeast Asia) – Pastor Raju continues to train men to be faithful preachers of God's saving word. The students recently braved flooded rivers and landslides to attend a one-week training seminar at the HCLC-Nepa headquarters. They are preparing for Missionary Ohlmann's visit in late November and for the graduation of several Himalayan Lutheran Bible Institute students. Thank the Lord for keeping all the students safe in their treacherous travels and blessing their lessons in His Word. Pray for the Lord's blessings on the work and preparation for the upcoming missionary visit. Ask the Lord to provide all that is necessary so that His word will be spread among the many idol worshippers of Nepal and that many will be led by the Spirit to repent and trust in their Savior Jesus.

Ongoing Opportunities – please continue to pray for all of our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world, who, by God's grace, are dedicated to proclaiming the truths of God's saving word for the salvation of souls as they trust the promise of our Savior that His Word will not return to Him void but will accomplish that for which He sent it.

That Your way may be known on earth, Your salvation among all nations. Psalm 67:2

California, Wisconsin, South Carolina, Nebraska, Arizona, Mexico, Japan, Bangladesh, & Nepal...Aug-Dec - 2023

Since returning from the Mission Helper Trip to Nepal, it seems like I have been all over the US. It's been a wild couple of months...as I have guest-preached and given mission presentations in seven different places, from California to Wisconsin to South Carolina to Nebraska to Arizona to Missouri to Mexico. 

Next stop, Tokyo...then on to Bangladesh, followed by Nepal, and then home to celebrate our Savior's birth with my family!

I fly out this Thursday and will spend next weekend (Nov. 3-6) visiting a congregation once in fellowship with the CLC.  This congregation was started in the 1950s and was served by Missionary Fred Tiefel for many years. The pastor he trained to take his place retired in 2005, and they have been served by a pastor with little knowledge of Lutheran Theology since. A few years ago, he contacted the CLC to learn more about the history and doctrine of the CLC after he began to research the history of the congregation he was serving. Correspondence has been limited due to the language barrier. A few visits have been tentatively planned over the past few years but were postponed due to Covid and other scheduling conflicts. We pray for a fruitful visit grounded and rooted in the truths of God's saving word.  

From Tokyo, I will fly directly to Dhaka, Bangladesh, on a regional airline. It's only a seven-hour flight! Then, I will board a local Bangladeshi airline to take me from the capital city of Dhaka to a smaller town in the north called Saidpur. The next few weeks will involve a busy schedule of congregational visits for in-depth studies of the Apostle's Creed, Outreach Seminars, preaching station visits, and a five-day Pastoral Training seminar. Bangladesh is a predominantly Muslim nation with a small percentage of Hindus and an even smaller population of Christians. There is much work to be done there, and it is a privilege to be a part of our Savior's harvest crew!

From Bangladesh, I will take another regional airline for an hour-and-a-half flight from Dhaka to Kathmandu, Nepal. I will have much the same schedule for the three weeks I will be in Nepal. I will also be privileged to attend the graduation service for the men who have been studying with Pastor Raju at the Himalayan Bible Institute for the past few years. 

Please ask the Lord to provide safe, uneventful, and on-time flights over the next seven weeks. Pray for my wife Beth, her father, and all my family while I am gone. And ask for the Lord's blessings of wisdom, patience, love, confidence, and strength in Him and His word, and everything else needed to serve Him and His Kingdom faithfully and effectively.

October 2023 CLC Missions Prayer List...

Myanmar (Southeast Asia) – A recent email was received from Pastor Thang letting us know that Pastor Kham was injured by bomb shrapnel from an early morning attack near the CLC-Myanmar headquarters and orphanage. He was treated for head and shoulder injuries and is expected to be released soon. There was also an incident with Pastor Kham's wife, Huai. As military forces stopped and interrogated her as she returned from the market, they searched her phone. They found chats and memes critical of the Junta. She was arrested and spent a few days in jail while Pastors Thang and Kham went to friends and relatives to borrow money for her release. She is safely home now, but they now have approx. $1000 in debt. Thank the Lord for sparing the life of our brother in Christ, and ask for strength and courage as he heals. Pray for strength and courage for Haui as she deals with the emotional and physical trauma of her arrest. Pray for the children Pastor Kham and Haui care for as they live in constant fear of military attack and now also the fear of losing those who love and care for them. Continue to Pray for justice and peace for all the people of Myanmar. Pray especially for our brothers and sisters in Christ that our Savior will give them strength, comfort, courage, and boldness during these difficult times and that He will provide for all their needs. Thank the Lord for moving the hearts of His children to give generously to the needs of others through their offerings and prayers.

Kate Sauers (USA) – Kate is the wife of Board of Missions member Pastor Rob Sauers. She was diagnosed with ALK-positive large-cell lymphoma cancer this past week. She is scheduled to begin chemotherapy on Monday, Oct. 2^nd. Kate and Pastor Sauers have three small children. Please pray that our Lord will give wisdom to her doctors as they treat her cancer. Ask the Lord to bless those treatments and grant complete and quick healing. Pray for courage, comfort, hope, strength, and trust in our Savior's love and plans for their family.

Zambia (East Africa) – Pastor Ibrahim was bitten on the leg by a scorpion while traveling to his native Tanzania a few weeks ago. He became very ill and has received treatment for several weeks in the hospital. For the past year, pastors from other churches in Zambia have been causing problems for Pastor Ibrahim and have involved the Zambian immigration department, accusing him of living and working illegally in Zambia. His trip to Tanzania was to get the appropriate paperwork from the government to allow him to apply for a permanent worker visa. Pray for continued healing and a full recovery. Ask for the Lord's blessings on Ibrahim's immigration issues and that He would turn the hearts of those trying to harm Ibrahim away from jealousy to repentance and love. 

The Philippines (Southeast Asia) – Pastor Andrew Schaller (CLC Bd of Doctrine Secretary) continues the colloquy with Pastor Jordan Palangyos and the Lutheran Autonomous Mission in the Philippines (LAMP) via email correspondence. Pray that the Lord will bless the colloquy and that this will lead to a God-pleasing unity of faith and teaching. Ask the Lord to provide opportunities and all that is necessary for Pastor Jordan to continue to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ!

Pakistan – Pastor Tim Daub continues to teach online video Bible lessons to two groups of Christians who are eager to start a Lutheran church in Pakistan. The Board of Missions has authorized Missionary Ohlmann to accompany Pastor Daub on a visit to Pakistan in 2024. With the upcoming elections in Pakistan and due to safety concerns surrounding it, there is some uncertainty about when this trip will occur. Pray that the Lord will continue to bless the teaching and learning of His word. Thank our Savior for this opportunity and the technology to proclaim the truth of His word in such a way.

Bangladesh (Southeast Asia) – Many Bangladesh Lutheran Church Mission (BLCM) members are newly converted to Christianity from Islam or Hinduism. Since Pastor Monotosh is the only thoroughly trained and ordained pastor of the BLCM, he stays very busy traveling throughout the thirteen congregations he has started to provide ongoing Bible training to the members, lay leaders, evangelists, and pastors in training. Ask our Savior to continue to bless both the preaching and learning of God's word in Bangladesh and to provide all that is necessary for the ministry of the BLCM.

Nepal (Southeast Asia) – Pastor Raju and his father plan to begin outreach efforts in some of Nepal's far-flung and mostly unreached regions in the coming months. Partial funding for this effort has been approved by the CLC Board of Missions through an MDF grant when funds are available. Pray for the Lord's blessings on these efforts and that His word will accomplish that for which it is sent that many will be led by the Spirit to repent and trust in their Savior Jesus.

Mission Development Fund – CLC president Mike Wilke writes: "When the convention approved the calling of our third foreign missionary, it determined that the funding of that missionary would come fully from the MDF for the first year. The cost of funding that missionary is about $80,000 and has impacted other planned MDF projects. Currently, the balance of the MDF is enough to cover the cost of our third foreign missionary for the rest of this fiscal year and a few other essential projects, but without additional funds, we will not be able to fund other planned projects. We have already put a hold on all other projects, including funding Bibles and other Christian literature, church-building assistance, and many planned outreach projects. Pray that the members of the CLC will remember this work in their prayers and their offerings so that we might continue to carry out the work the LORD has set before us and which we have decided to do as a church body."

Missionary Bruce Naumann (Tanzania-East Africa) – Missionary Naumann, along with his wife Paula, arrived in Tanzania about five weeks ago after his furlough in the U.S. The new semester at the Wittenberg Lutheran Theological Seminary began shortly after his arrival. In addition to his teaching responsibilities at the seminary, he will also begin taking a more active role in correspondence and training pastors in Kenya and Uganda. You can keep updated on things happening in Tanzania at clc-tz.blogspot.com. Ask for the Lord's blessings as Missionary Naumann and Paula continue to adjust to life in Africa. Pray for our Savior's abundant blessings on the work of training pastors, teachers, and leaders in Tanzania.

Missionary Peter Evensen (Togo-West Africa) – Missionary Evensen is in Togo, where he continues his work of translating lessons from English to French for use in the local seminary and for other French-speaking seminaries in Africa. He also teaches two days weekly at the CLC-affiliated seminary north of Lomé.  Pray for our Savior's blessings on his work of helping to train faithful preachers, teachers, and leaders for the Gospel work in Togo and other French-speaking African nations.

Missionary Ohlmann – Due to various issues and the current political climate in Nigeria, Missionary Ohlmann's visit to Africa this fall has been postponed to early 2024. Instead, he will travel to Japan, Bangladesh, and Nepal in the last few months of 2023. In Japan, he will meet with the current pastor, who serves the congregation once in fellowship with the CLC. He will spend approx. three weeks in both Bangladesh and Nepal. While in Bangladesh, he will be visiting congregations and preaching stations and conducting a five-day Pastoral Training Seminar. In Nepal, he will visit new outreach areas in western provinces, conduct a Pastoral Training seminar, and attend the Himalayan Bible Institute graduation. Pray for all that is necessary for these trips to be planned and take place. Ask the Lord to keep his wife Beth and their family safe while he is away. Pray for the Lord's love, wisdom, patience, and zeal during these visits that His name be glorified as the truth of His saving word is proclaimed and pastors are trained. You can read his blog at: missionaryohlmann.blogspot.com

Ongoing Opportunities – please continue to pray for all of our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world, who, by God's grace, are dedicated to proclaiming the truths of God's saving word for the salvation of souls as they trust the promise of our Savior that His Word will not return to Him void but will accomplish that for which He sent it.

August 2023 CLC Missions Prayer List...

Myanmar (Southeast Asia) – Pastor Kham recently sent a sad and troubling report that after eight days of ground combat between the Myanmar military and People's Defense Force (PDF), the military Junta sent in bomber and fighter jets and destroyed several villages. Many houses of CLC-Myanmar members have been burned, damaged, or destroyed. These families have left their home villages in search of safety and shelter. This has also caused many conflicts between tribes as they blame each other for the harsh treatment they receive from the Junta. On top of this, the Military Junta has dissolved all political parties and recently announced that they have postponed the August 2023 elections they have been promising since they took over the country by force in February of 2021. Continue to Pray for justice and peace for all the people of Myanmar. Pray especially for our brothers and sisters in Christ that our Savior will give them strength, comfort, courage, and boldness during these difficult times and that He will provide for all their needs. Thank the Lord for moving the hearts of His children to give generously to the needs of others through their offerings and prayers.

CLC Mission Helper Trip to Nepal (Southeast Asia) – The 2023 CLC Mission Helpers to Nepal returned home safely on July 14th. While in Nepal, they had the privilege of working alongside pastors and leaders of the Himalayan Church of the Lutheran Confession of Nepal (HCLCN) to teach the Good News of Jesus to nearly 1,500 children. Thank the Lord for giving the love, compassion, patience, wisdom, and safety to the Mission Helpers that was necessary to speak the truth of His love to so many children. Pray for the pastors and church leaders of the HCLCN who continue to labor daily among the sheep of our Savior Nepali flock.

The Philippines (Southeast Asia) – Typhoon Doksuri recently hit the Philippines. Pastor Palangyos reports that those he serves are safe as they continue to assess and repair damaged homes and property. Pastor Andrew Schaller (CLC Bd of Doctrine Secretary) continues the colloquy with Pastor Jordan Palangyos and the Lutheran Autonomous Mission in the Philippines (LAMP) via email correspondence. Thank the Lord for keeping the sheep of His LAMP flock safe, and ask for His love, provision, and mercy as they rebuild. Pray that the Lord will bless the colloquy and that this will lead to a God-pleasing unity of faith and teaching. Ask the Lord to provide opportunities and all that is necessary for Pastor Jordan to continue to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ!

Pakistan – Pastor Tim Daub continues to teach online video Bible lessons to two groups of Christians who are eager to start a Lutheran church in Pakistan. The Board of Missions has authorized Missionary Ohlmann to accompany Pastor Daub on a visit to Pakistan in early 2024. Pray that the Lord will continue to bless the teaching and learning of His word. Thank our Savior for this opportunity and the technology to proclaim the truth of His word in such a way.

Uganda (East Africa) – Through individual sponsors, Kinship has begun to provide support for the orphans and children in need that Pastor Daniel Mugeni and his wife Ida care for. Thank the Lord for this opportunity to serve Him by serving these orphans and children in need. Pray for the Lord's provision and blessings that these children may continue to be brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

India (Southeast Asia) – Immanuel Lutheran Seminary of the Church of the Lutheran Confession (CLCI) graduated seventeen men on June 15^th. These graduates have all successfully completed four years of Biblical seminary training. They will be assigned to both newly established and existing CLCI congregations. Seventeen students graduate from the seminary each year; most go on to serve new congregations. Kinship sponsorship allows these men to continue supporting their families while at the seminary. Thank the Lord for these new, faithful, and well-trained pastors, and ask the Lord to bless their preaching and teaching of His saving Word.

Kenya (East Africa) – The CLC Bd of Missions (BoM) recently sent MDF Grant funds to assist with much-needed classroom repairs and new building construction at the Kinship-supported schools in Etago and Moi's Bridge. Construction is almost complete, and the buildings are already being put to good use. Pastors Mike Gurath and Del Maas, along with Ted Quade (Kinship Christian School Instructor Supervisor and Kinship Chairman), are planning visits to Kenya in the not-to-distant future. Give thanks to the Lord for the privilege of assisting our brothers and sisters in Christ in training so many young souls through the two schools. Pray for the Lord's continued blessings upon the teachers, students, and staffs of St. David's Kinship School and Emmaus Millimani School as they grow in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Ask the Lord to bless the trip preparations for Pastors Gurath and Maas.

Missionary Bruce Naumann (Tanzania-East Africa) – Missionary Naumann has been on furlough in the U.S. for the past few weeks. His wife Paula will accompany him when he returns to Tanzania on August 20^th. The new semester at the Wittenberg Lutheran Theological Seminary will begin soon after his arrival. While in the States, he has been blessed to visit family and a new grandchild and to preach/present at a few CLC congregations. You can keep updated on things happening in Tanzania at: clc-tz.blogspot.com Ask for the Lord's blessings and safe travels for Missionary Naumann and Paula as they make their way to Tanzania in August and that the Lord will continue to bless the work of training pastors, teachers, and leader in Tanzania.

Missionary Peter Evensen (Togo-West Africa) – Missionary Evensen recently returned to Togo following a one-month furlough in the States. He will be making plans to coordinate a visit to the D.R. Congo with Missionary Ohlmann in early 2024. Thank the Lord for his safe travel back to Togo and ask for our Savior's blessings on his work of helping to train faithful preachers, teachers, and leaders for the Gospel work in Togo and other French-speaking African nations.

Missionary Ohlmann – is scheduled to be working overseas most of October, November, and December with visits to West, Central, and East Africa. He is also making plans to visit Thailand and Laos in early November. Pray for all that is necessary for these trips to be planned and take place. Ask for the Lord's blessing on the D.R. Congo visa application and approval process again this year. Ask the Lord to keep his wife Beth and their family safe while he is away. Pray for the Lord's love, wisdom, patience, and zeal during these visits that His name be glorified as the truth of His saving word is proclaimed, and pastors are trained. You can read his blog at: missionaryohlmann.blogspot.com

Ongoing Opportunities – please continue to pray for all of our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world, who, by God's grace, are dedicated to proclaiming the truths of God's saving word for the salvation of souls as they trust the promise of our Savior that His Word will not return to Him void but will accomplish that for which He sent it.

June 2023 CLC Missions Prayer List

The Philippines (Southeast Asia) – Pastor Andrew Schaller (CLC Bd of Doctrine Secretary) has been appointed to represent the CLC in working with Missionary Ohlmann to conduct a colloquy with Pastor Jordan Palangyos of the Lutheran Autonomous Mission in the Philippines (LAMP). The colloquy will be conducted through email correspondence. Following a few months of correspondence, Pastor Schaller and Missionary Ohlmann will travel to the Philippines to conduct an in-person review. If all goes well and there is a unity of doctrine between the CLC and the LAMP, a recommendation for a declaration of fellowship will be made to President Wilke. All of this follows more than three years of correspondence and a successful Board of Missions visitation this past April. Pray that the Lord will bless the colloquy and that this will lead to a God-pleasing unity of faith and teaching. Ask the Lord to provide opportunities and all that is necessary for Pastor Jordan to continue to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ!

CLC Mission Helper Trip to Nepal (Southeast Asia) – The 2023 CLC Mission Helpers to Nepal departed for Nepal on Monday, June 26th. They arrived in the early morning hours of Wednesday the 28th. They began their work among the villages and congregations of the Himalayan Church of the Lutheran Confession of Nepal. They will be proclaiming God's saving word to an estimated 1500 children. Some of these children will be members Himalayan Church of the Lutheran Confession (HCLCN) congregations, but most are not. For many of the children, this will be the first time they have heard a clear and Biblical presentation of the Good News of Jesus Christ as the one who died and rose from the dead for their sins! Please pray that the Lord would give love, compassion, patience, wisdom, and safety to the Mission Helpers and to those they go to serve. Pray also for the pastors and church leaders who have spent much time and effort preparing for this Gospel outreach opportunity. You can follow along at: 2023clcmhtnepal.blogspot.com 

Missionary Bruce Naumann (Tanzania-East Africa) – Missionary Naumann is finishing his first stint in Tanzania and will return to the U.S. for one month in early July. He and his wife Paula will return to Tanzania in early August for the beginning of the next semester at the Wittenberg Lutheran Theological Seminary. You can keep updated on things happening in Tanzania on his blog at: clc-tz.blogspot.com Ask for the Lord's blessings on his travels home, the time he spends with family, and safe travels for him and Paula as they make their way to Tanzania in August.

Missionary Peter Evensen (Togo-West Africa) – Missionary Evensen returned to the U.S. for a one-month furlough. He attended the CLC Pastor Conference in Eau Claire and will spend the next few weeks visiting friends and family. He is scheduled to return to his work in Togo in late July. Thank the Lord for his safe travel to the U.S., and ask for our Savior's blessings on this time of rest. 

Uganda (East Africa) – With the recent declaration of Fellowship with Pastor Daniel Mugeni and the congregation he serves, Kinship, through individual sponsors, has begun to provide support for the orphans and children in need that Pastor Daniel and his wife Ida care for. Thank the Lord for this opportunity to serve Him by serving these orphans and children in need. Pray for the Lord's provision and blessings that these children may continue to be brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

Myanmar (Southeast Asia) – For the past two years since the military coup d’é-tat, Myanmar has been struggling under the harsh rule of the military Junta. This has brought much pain, suffering, economic hardship, and uncertainty. Our brothers and sisters in Christ of the CLC-Myanmar (CLCM) in rural Chin State are struggling to provide for their families. Recent reports indicate that more than two million people have been displaced since the military coup in February of 2021. Continue to Pray for justice and peace for all the people of Myanmar. Pray especially for our brothers and sisters in Christ that the Lord will grant them strength, comfort, courage, and boldness during these difficult times and that He will provide for all their needs. Thank the Lord for moving the hearts of His children to give generously to the needs of others through their offerings and prayers.

India (Southeast Asia) – Immanuel Lutheran Seminary of the Church of the Lutheran Confession (CLCI)  graduated seventeen men on June 15^th. These graduates have all successfully completed four years of Biblical seminary training. They will be assigned to both newly established and existing CLCI congregations. Seventeen students graduate from the seminary each year; most go on to serve new congregations. Kinship sponsorship allows these men to continue supporting their families while at the seminary. Thank the Lord for these new, faithful, and well-trained pastors, and ask the Lord to bless their preaching and teaching of His saving Word. 

Kenya (East Africa) – The CLC Bd of Missions (BoM) recently sent MDF Grant funds to assist with much-needed classroom repairs and new building construction at the Kinship-supported schools in Etago and Moi's Bridge. Construction is almost complete, and the buildings are already being put to good use. Missionary Bruce Naumann recently had the opportunity to visit these two schools. Pastors Mike Gurath and Del Maas are planning to visit Kenya later this summer. Give thanks to the Lord for the privilege of assisting our brothers and sisters in Christ in training so many young souls through the two schools. Pray for the Lord's continued blessings upon the teachers, students, and staffs of St. David's Kinship School and Emmaus Millimani School as they grow in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Ask the Lord to bless the trip preparations for Pastors Gurath and Maas.

Missionary Ohlman – is scheduled to preach and present for a couple of stateside Misison Festivals and attend Board of Missions meetings and the South East Pastoral Conference after he returns from the Mission Helper Trip to Nepal. He is scheduled to travel overseas most of October, November, and December with visits to West, Central, and East Africa. There is also a possibility that he will be able to visit Thailand and/or Laos. Pray for all that is necessary for these trips to be planned and take place. Ask for the Lord's blessing on the D.R. Congo visa application and approval process again this year. Ask the Lord to keep his wife Beth and their family safe and provided for while he is away. Pray for the Lord's love, wisdom, patience, and zeal during these visits that His name be glorified as the truth of His word his proclaimed and pastors are trained. You can read his blog at: missionaryohlmann.blogspot.com 

Ongoing Opportunities – please continue to pray for all of our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world, who, by God's grace, are dedicated to proclaiming the truths of God's saving word for the salvation of souls as they trust the promise of our Savior that His Word will not return to Him void but will accomplish that for which He sent it.

May 2023 - CLC World Missions Prayer List

 …pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified... 2 Thessalonians 3:1

The Philippines (Southeast Asia) – Pastor Rob Sauers (CLC Bd of Missions) and Missionary Ohlmann recently spent a week in the Philippines to visit Pastor Jordan Palangyos and those he serves. During the visit, they got to know Pastor Palangyos and discussed the ministry of the Lutheran Autonomous Mission of the Philippines (LAMP). They also led informational meetings with several LAMP church leaders and evangelists in two different locations. Pastor Palangyos is an independent Lutheran pastor who serves two congregations and a few preaching stations in the mountains north of Manila. He has been working independently since 2008 when he followed God's Word and his conscience and withdrew from the Lutheran Church of the Philippines. Over the past couple of years, he has completed the first introductory Online Theological Study course based on the CLC Statement of Faith and Purpose and continues regular correspondence with Missionary Ohlmann. They will now begin the official colloquy process after President Wilke appoints a CLC representative to work with Missionary Ohlmann. Pray that the Lord will bless the colloquy and that this will lead to a God-pleasing unity of faith and teaching. Ask the Lord to provide opportunities and all that is necessary for Pastor Jordan to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ!

 

Tanzania and Missionary Naumann (East Africa) – Missionary Naumann recently reported that the first four weeks of classes at the Wittenberg Lutheran Theological Seminary in Arusha have gone well. He is impressed with the dedication of the seven students and their sincere desire to study and learn God's Word. He has also been active in the ministry at the local congregation in the Arusha area. He has started a Sunday School program for the children of the congregation. You can keep updated on things happening in Tanzania on his blog at:  clc-tz.blogspot.com seminary/evangelism course. Ask for the Lord's continued blessings on these students and those called to teach and train them.

 

Bangladesh (Southeast Asia) – Missionary Ohlmann recently returned from a visit to Bangladesh. He was able to visit and share the Gospel at eleven Bangladesh Lutheran Church Mission (BLCM) congregations and preaching stations. He also conducted a four-day pastor and church leader training seminar for sixteen BLCM pastors and church leaders. He also had the opportunity to tour the BLCM land that was recently purchased with a partial grant from CLC Mission Development Fund. You can read his report from the visit at: missionaryohlmann.blogspot.com. Thank the Lord for His abundant blessings on the Gospel ministry as pastors and evangelists are being trained in the truth of God's saving word, as many are being led from Hinduism and Islam to saving faith in Jesus Christ. Ask the Lord to continue to bless both the preaching and hearing of the Gospel of Jesus Christ by the BLCM. Pray for the Lord's wisdom and provision as the BLCM continues to make plans to construct a building.

 

Myanmar (Southeast Asia) – For the past two years since the military coup d’é-tat, Myanmar has been struggling under the harsh rule of the military Junta. This has brought much pain, suffering, economic hardship, and uncertainty. Our brothers and sisters in Christ of the CLC-Myanmar (CLCM) in rural Chin State are struggling to provide for their families. Recent reports indicate that more than two million people have been displaced since the military coup in February of 2021. The CLC Board of Missions recently sent additional Kinship humanitarian funds to assist the leaders of the CLCM in providing basic needs to the more than 400 families suffering in March. Continue to Pray for justice and peace for all the people of Myanmar. Pray especially for our brothers and sisters in Christ that the Lord will grant them strength, courage, and boldness during these difficult times and that He will provide for all their needs. Thank the Lord for moving the hearts of His children to give generously to the needs of others through their offerings to Kinship.

 

India (Southeast Asia) – Immanuel Lutheran Seminary of the Church of the Lutheran Confession (CLCI) will graduate seventeen men on June 15^th. These graduates have all successfully completed four years of Biblical seminary training. They will be assigned to both newly established and existing CLCI congregations. Seventeen students graduate from the seminary each year; most go on to serve new congregations. Kinship sponsorship allows these men to continue supporting their families while at the seminary. Thank the Lord for these new, faithful, and well-trained pastors, and ask the Lord to bless their preaching and teaching of His saving Word.

 

Togo and Missionary Evensen (West Africa) – Missionary Evensen will return to the U.S. in June for some rest, furlough, and to attend the CLC General Pastoral Conference. Pray that the Lord will grant him safe and uneventful travels back to the U.S., and pray for God's blessings on the time of fellowship and growth during the conference.  

 

Kenya (East Africa) – The CLC Bd of Missions (BoM) recently began sending the MDF Grant funds to assist with much-needed classroom repairs and construction at the Kinship-supported schools in Etago and Moi's Bridge. Construction has begun and is moving along quickly. Give thanks to the Lord for the privilege of assisting our brothers and sisters in Christ in training so many young souls through the two schools. Pray for the Lord's continued blessings upon the teachers, students, and staffs of St. David's Kinship School and Emmaus Millimani School as they grow in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

 

Zambia (Central Africa) – The leaders of the Zambia-CLC continue the process of registering the church body. This is an important and necessary step as they continue to organize Gospel outreach in three different areas of the country in an orderly way. Having a registered church body will also allow Pastor Ibrahim, originally from Tanzania, to continue his work unimpeded. Pray for the Lord's blessing on this registration work and grant the leaders patient persistence.  

CLC Mission Helper Trip to Nepal (Southeast Asia) – The 2023 CLC Mission Helpers to Nepal are counting down the days until their June 26th departure. This trip will provide eleven CLC volunteers and two trip leaders the opportunity and privilege of proclaiming God's saving word to an estimated 1500 children. Some of these children will be members Himalayan Church of the Lutheran Confession (HCLCN) congregations, but most are not. For many of the children, this will be the first time they have heard a clear and Biblical presentation of the Good News of Jesus Christ as the one who died and rose from the dead for their sins! Please pray that the Lord would give love, compassion, patience, wisdom, and safety to the Mission Helpers and to those they go to serve as the Gospel is proclaimed to children in Nepal. Pray also for the pastors and church leaders who have spent much time and effort preparing for this Gospel outreach opportunity. You can follow along with the Mission Helpers at: 2023clcmhtnepal.blogspot.com

 

Ongoing Opportunities – please continue to pray for all of our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world, who, by God's grace, are dedicated to proclaiming the truths of God's saving word for the salvation of souls as they trust the promise of our Savior that His Word will not return to Him void but will accomplish that for which He sent it.

 

That Your way may be known on earth, Your salvation among all nations. Psalm 67:2

Bangladesh May 2023

I've been home for a few days, and I'm not anywhere near caught up on sleep or over the jet lag, but duty calls. There are emails to answer, reports to be written, trips to be planned, and the car needs an oil change, the grass needs to be mowed, and there's a lengthy list of things to do before we celebrate Lydia's homeschool high-school graduation in about a week and a half. It's going to be a wonderfully busy next few weeks before the CLC Mission Helper Trip to Nepal at the end of June! 

The visit to Bangladesh was a whirlwind of activity. Pastor Monotosh Banarjee knows how to plan and pack a lot into a two-week visit. It started right off with a Saturday morning pick-up from Dhaka airport at 7:30 AM. My flight from the Philippines (via Bangkok) had arrived at 1:45 AM, so I was able to catch a few hours of rest before Pastor Banarjee arrived. We traveled by rented vehicle and driver from Dhaka to Jashore, where we would spend the next few days visiting Bangladesh Lutheran Church Mission (BLCM) congregations, preaching stations, and outreach efforts. From there, we traveled to Gopalgonj, where Pastor B. and his family live and also where the BLCM is headquartered. From Gopalgonj, we traveled several hours each day for the next few days to visit more BLCM ministry efforts. Our typical day began with a 7:30 AM departure, and we would return to Gopalgonj sometime in the evening. During my first six days in Bangladesh, we visited and shared the Gospel at eleven different congregations, preaching stations, outreach efforts in homes, and two schools. Attendance ranged from eleven to fifty. I had four different sermons prepared, each one with a clear presentation of God's Law to show us our sins and a need for a Savior, and the Good News of Jesus to reveal our Savior. I preached on the raising of Lazarus, Jesus' "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life" statement, the healing of the centurion's servant, and the parable of the mustard seed. Many of the members of the BLCM are new to the Christian faith and have been raised in either the Hindu or Muslim religion. It is such a joy to proclaim the simple and saving truths of God's saving word to these new believers and those who come to listen but have not yet been led to faith. In one location where there is a newly established BLCM congregation, there were four prominent men from the village who were in attendance and listening intently. As we were walking back to the road from the congregation, Pastor B. explained to me that those men were Muslim, and this was the first time they had come to hear what was being taught. The seed of God's word has been scattered; pray that the Holy Spirit causes it to sprout and produce fruit! 

One of the interesting and incredible things that I noticed with this visit is just how many BLCM members were former unbelievers. Pastor B. just casually points to this individual or that when we're waiting for things to begin, and in a rather matter-of-fact way, tells me that he or she is a former Hindu or Muslim. He's not saying it in a boastful way, but in such a way that you can see that he just considers this to be normal. Praise the Lord for each and every soul, in this predominately Muslim nation, who is called out of the darkness of unbelief and into the marvelous light of our Savior's forgiveness, life, and salvation!

Here are a few pictures of the evangelism efforts described above:

The second week of this visit was the BLCM Pastoral Theological Training Seminar held in Dhaka. We had sixteen BLCM pastors and leaders in attendance for this 3.5-day seminar. Like the week before, Pastor B. packed as much into each day as he could. We began each day at 6:30 AM for morning prayers/devotion. Following breakfast, we began training at 8:30 AM and ended the day with evening prayers/devotion at 6:45 PM followed by our evening meal. These were long (and hot...106 degrees) but fruitful days spent in the Word. I taught about 7 hours each day, and Monotosh used about an hour each day to discuss BLCM matters and lessons on important theological terms. The lessons I taught were a part of the Online Theological Studies curriculum that retired ILC professor David Lau has been working on for us. I taught lessons on Hermeneutics/Biblical Interpretation. With the language barrier, the need for translation, and lots of questions being asked and answered, I was only able to get through seven of the eleven lessons. This is OK because Pastor B. is going to finish the course with these men next month and then go through it all again later in the year. These lessons are so foundational to a proper understanding of Scripture and thus the preaching and teaching of it. Monotosh continues to stress the importance of thorough training for these men so that the ministry and future of BLCM is built upon the firm foundation of God's saving Word with Jesus Christ as the chief cornerstone. With this goal in mind, we (the CLC) are working together with the BLCM to develop a solid curriculum for training faithful preachers and teachers of God's Word. This is really the focus of our work together with the BLCM. It is such a privilege to work together with these dedicated servants of the Lord who demonstrate a genuine eagerness and dedication to this training with no concern for their own personal advancement in this world. In fact, their pursuits in learning God's word will most likely bring them more earthly hardship than the material comforts of this world. Praise the Lord for the love of our Savior in the hearts of these faithful servants of our Savior.

Here are a few pictures and a video from the Theological Training Seminar:

The other item on my agenda for this visit was to see the BLCM land that was recently purchased with a partial grant from the CLC Mission Development Fund. We also discussed their plans to build a multipurpose building that will serve as a place of worship, a Bible training center for pastors and church leaders, and a home for Pastor Banarjee and his family. No plans have yet been drawn up, but they are tentatively planning to build a four-story building with each level serving a different purpose. This building will be a wonderful blessing to the BLCM as they continue to develop a look forward to the day when they can begin a more thorough pastoral training program. This will also be a great blessing for Pastor Banarjee and his family. Over the past few years that we have been working with the BLCM, Pastor B., and his family have had to move several times because Muslim neighbors complained to landlords because they didn't like the Christian singing and ministry that was going on. They look forward to the day when they will be able to move into a home that is owned by the government registered and approved BLCM and will thus have no interference to their Christian activities. 

Here's a short video of the BLCM land: