Blessed by mission connections

Supporting our LCANZ missionaries serving overseas is easier than you may think, with LCA International Mission offering opportunities to connect with them via internet conferencing.

In June, LCA International Mission program officer Nevin Nitschke was among those who connected virtually with Hanna Schulz, a linguist and Bible translation advisor who has been serving in Papua New Guinea (PNG) since 2012.

During the online gathering, Hanna answered the question as to why she serves there. ‘So that people will know God, know life, know hope and know joy – now and always’, she says. Nevin says it was inspiring to hear from Hanna that even when things are constantly changing, God is still faithful and good.

‘Thank you to everyone who joined us online and prayed with and for Hanna and God’s work through her’, he says. Her presentation can be viewed at https://vimeo.com/559793354

And some months earlier, LCA International Mission Committee member Gillian Heintze says she ‘made a quick trip’ to PNG – virtually of course. ‘Approximately 20 of us spent an evening with Mick Hauser, his wife Milka and son Kelly, through Zoom’, Gillian says. ‘Mick, our only LCA missionary in PNG, teaches at Martin Luther Seminary, Lae. The only Australian in the area, he sometimes keenly feels his isolation, so our fellowship made it a pleasant evening for all.’

Mick and Milka spoke about PNG life and his work at the seminary. ‘We also discussed the importance of being solid in his Lutheran confessions, PNG people finding “prosperity gospel” concepts attractive, the influence of evil spirits, magic and sorcery, and safety and security issues’, she says.

‘We encouraged Mick through our presence, asking questions before breaking into small groups for discussions and prayer. Please consider taking up an invitation from International Mission to encourage our overseas missionaries – after all, they are only (several) mouse clicks away.’

For more opportunities to connect with missionaries, email lcaim@lca.org.au

• Visit www.lca.org.au/spread-the-word to find promotional materials (A5 flyers, PowerPoint slides and social media posts) to help you spread the word about our Story of the Week.
• Read the full Story of the Week and others like it in The Lutheran. 11 editions/year. Only $30 (digital) or $45 (print or print & digital – Aust), $47 (NZ). Gift subscriptions available. To subscribe: online www.thelutheran.com.au email lutheran.subs@lca.org.au phone 08 8360 7270.