Hello to everyone. I hope you are beginning to get in the habit of checking this blog as a way to access the prayer concerns of AoR. I will continue to send notices via email for a time, but will continue to use this tool to submit the prayer messages. I hope it is easily accessible to everyone.
Well, you'll never guess who stopped in at the office this morning. It was so good to see Bruce's smiling face come through the door. Of course, the rest of him was there too, but the smile was pretty big. He and Kathy thoroughly enjoyed touring the Sydney area for nine days. They really loved the area and would go back in a heartbeat. In fact would even consider an exchange kind of situation. They loved the cosmopolitan feel of the city and thought the area was quite beautiful. The thing they loved the most, was the attitude of Australians. Well, Australia is three for three because Ted has also been bowled over by the beauty of Australia and of the people there. We lift grateful hearts to God for the blessings He has bestowed on all of the presenters as they have shared their skills with our brothers and sisters in Australia. I was reading from the blog on the Australian trip and Ted writes "As I reflect on the entire experience in Australia, I do not remember working with any other church body from any continent that has been so overwhelmingly positive and appreciative of reconciliation ministry. It is clear to all of us as presenters (Bruce, Kathy, Francis, and Ted) that God's timing was right for this extensive teaching experience in Australia. The LCA College of Presidents have modeled their support and leadership by all participating fully in the training, from Synodical President Mike Semmler to all the District Presidents. In addition, all the ordained staff of the seminary also attended the training. What a blessing to have such a modeling!" As you can tell, he has been quite moved by this tour. We pray for the Australian church as they continue to make plans and then implement them. Ted continues, " I cannot begin to imagine what fruit this reconciliation training will bear throughout Australia and New Zealand. Never before in my experience has any church body participated in such an extensive training that included nearly all the active pastors, a number of laity and lay workers, plus educators and other ministry leaders. Lifestyles of reconciliation are being cultivated before our very eyes, as we have already heard about reconciliations that have taken place.
Because God promises that his Word will bear fruit (we may not see it or recognize it), I believe that hundreds -- actually thousands -- of relationships will be reconciled as the leaders of LCA teach and coach their people in biblical peacemaking. Marriages, families, church leaders, co-workers, school administrators and teachers and students and parents, aged care workers and residents, and more. What an awesome God we have!" Thank you, dear Lord, that you use your humble people to bring about Your will and direction.
In the last few days, the phone has really picked up. We have had four different churches and schools inquiring about having AoR come. Some of it is for conflicted groups, but also some inquiries are about training events. So suddenly, the summer schedule is beginning to fill up. The district conventions continue to take place and we are being represented in nine more before the end of the month. For me that means coordinating the delivery of boxes of resources to the representative and making sure the supplies arrive in time and the rep understands how to use them. So far, I haven't missed one, but there's plenty of time for me to mess up. Unfortunately, I'm all too able and practiced at that. I pray that my efforts bring good results and that AoR is better known after the conventions are concluded. It is a very good opportunity to advertise who we are and how we serve the church.
Bruce has returned and has plunged right in. He and Kathy landed in Billings last night, and he is already tending to business in the office. Tomorrow he leaves to return for the third visit to a congregation where an intervention took place earlier in the year. On Monday he will attend the Montana District convention, and on Tuesday afternoon will pack up and leave for the Northwest District convention. He is in contact with several congregations who are exploring options in conflict in their midst. We pray that God will be with him and keep him safe in travel, give him strength of body, and wisdom of mind as he serves.
Ted will be in Australia for a few more days. He is meeting with the College of presidents of the Australian church to debrief and make plans for their future. We pray for their wisdom and clear understanding of God's direction. Ted will return to Montana early next week and after a few days rest will be catching up in the office before traveling to Michigan for the district convention. We pray for God to keep him safe in his travels as well.
Ed continues to work with numerous families and churches with some significant problems. We pray for God to bless him with wisdom and strength. Ed has a love for farming, and every now and again gets the opportunity to "suck diesel fumes" while driving a tractor in a field. He loves it and gets much stress relief from it. He had the opportunity this week to do just that, and was so thankful. We praise God with him. Ed has plans to take some time off for a family reunion before attending the Indiana district convention on the 25th. After that they will celebrate as Daniel, Ed and Janeen's son will be ordained into the pastoral ministry on the 28th. We praise God with them at this momentous celebration.
Well, that wraps up another week for me. Friday is a day off for me. My husband (a pastor) takes Fridays off, so I do too. I am very thankful for
flexibility I have to do that. I'm also very thankful for the opportunity to work for AoR. My thanks to our very gracious God for His many blessing. Another blessing I praise Him for is all of you and your faithful service in prayer for AoR. You are truly appreciated.
Until next week, may God bless each one of you.
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