News from John - August 2010

As I write to you, I am in the midst of my home assignment and my visits to sponsoring churches. I wish I had time to come to each and every church that has supported me, but the home assignment only lasts two months and so my visits had to be first come, first served. Even though there are nine Sundays in July and August this year and I did one mid week visit, that's still only ten churches!     My first stop was in Milaca, Minnesota, where my sister Jan lives. She takes good care of me, making some of my favorite "American foods" - like homemade mac and cheese, pizza and pasties.  Milaca is my home base when I am in the US, and Zion - my home church - had asked me to speak there on Sunday, July 4th. I got to Milaca a couple of days before and suddenly, Minnesota had hot and humid weather.  Had I brought it with me from India? It was not bad because there were no power cuts and there was a fan available at all times.     After a few days in Minnesota, I flew to New York City where I stayed with a friend from seminary days. And suddenly it was very hot and very humid in New York while Minnesota cooled off! The power went out in parts of the city, but not where I was staying. I took the train to Pennsylvania to check in with The Upper Susquehanna Synod of Pennsylvania - companion Synod to the Lutheran Church in Liberia. I was hosted by a couple with a long history with Liberia and had dinner with a former colleague from Liberia, and then spent Sunday, July 11th, with the people of Holy Spirit Evangelical Lutheran Church in Watsontown, PA. The Gospel text was excellent for speaking about missions - you can't beat the Good Samaritan for material! My sermon went a little long, but I have gotten used to services in India where you are criticized if the sermon is too short! I did my presentation for the first time after  worship. I also met with the Liberian Committee of the Upper Susquehanna Synod, had a nice lunch with them, and hopped the train back to New York City.     I spent the following Tuesday at the Wartburg Adult Care Community in Mt. Vernon, NY. They kept me busy with a chapel service where I again preached on the Gospel of the Good Samaritan. Then a luncheon and my presentation about my mission for the members of United Lutheran which is a church on the campus of the Wartburg. The last event of the day was with the folks in their Adult Day Care where I preached on the Good Samaritan again - a story that is always relevant and important to hear.     After that I spend a couple of days catching up with old friends in New York City and eating some NYC food. Then I was off to Florida and a weekend with Trinity Lutheran Church in St. Petersburg. I had a day off there and took in a movie and shopped a little.  On Sunday morning I preached and then there was a vegetarian lunch and I was taken to a baseball game in the evening. Unfortunately, we only saw two batters. The first one was out at first and the second had a two ball count when the game was postponed and then called for rain. I managed to have peanuts and popcorn and an ice cream bar in that time - not a very balanced diet!     From Florida, I flew back to Minnesota and did my Power Point presentation for Senior Moments, a monthly gathering at Zion in Milaca for anyone who has ever had a senior moment. The following Sunday, I drove up to Isle and visited Faith Lutheran. Pastor John Lundberg invited me to preach the sermon which I was happy to do. After worship, a delicious brunch was served and there was a meat free egg bake for me along with fruit and muffins. After brunch, I did the Power Point presentation about my work in India and Liberia and answered some good questions. The kind people of Faith donated four stethoscopes and money to buy a computer for the Masters in Nursing Education program in Liberia! I am so grateful for their generosity.     The last week of July, I will be at a week-long Summer Missionaries Conference in Kenosha, Wisconsin, for all  ELCA missionaries on home assignment. Then I will be back in Minnesota for a trip to Deer River. Please keep me in your prayers as I travel and visit as many of you as possible.   Peace, John

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