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| The Power of Partnership"We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us." (2 Corinthians 5:20) Dear Friends: This year at the Annual Conference of pastors and elected representatives from every church in our region, I found myself especially aware of the worldwide connection of United Methodists. Our bishop had invited a Methodist pastor from Nigeria, the Rev. Eunice Musa, to be one of the conference preachers. Video footage was shown of Bishop Swenson's mission trip TO Nigeria, and the Rev. Musa was introduced as a missionary to us FROM Nigeria. One evening during worship, we commissioned a group of medical missionaries who will be in Viet Nam this summer providing medical care and building a clinic for people who otherwise would have no access to health services. Many members of the team were actually born in Vietnam and immigrated to the United States at some point in their lives. Others have personal memories of the years of war (perhaps as U.S. soldiers) and are happy to return with life giving gifts. The Guatemala Mission Project had a booth at the conference and was selling the beautiful woven and ceramic and beaded products that we have become familiar with through the market visits to PB UMC. I was able to reconnect with several friends from last summer's trip, and to talk with the leaders about next summer's trip (later July and beginning of August) which will focus on completing the kitchen in Chontala. (THIS year's team, including Al Hermann and Chelsea Meyer, departs July 1.) At the missionary luncheon, a Tongan couple spoke about their work at an orphanage and a theology school in Fiji. A Korean American couple spoke about their work in Russia. We were reminded by a speaker from Tanzania that, in reality, as Christians, we are all missionaries. PB UMC was among many churches recognized for Outstanding Missionary Support. A couple we traveled with last summer in Guatemala were honored with a special award in recognition for their numerous short term mission excursions to about ten different countries and U.S. locations. Jim and Gwen are both in their eighties and still volunteering for trips! Our Bible study leader, a Korean American (and first such ordained) woman pastor, currently serving in Hawaii, saw to it that we experienced a rich variety of songs, stories, geographies and traditions from the Pacific Islands. We were captivated by a Samoan chant, a Korean folk song, a discussion of the role and the power of fire, and the gift of a three dimensional cross and flame. Truly, we have so much to learn and so much to give through our partnerships with churches both close at hand and around the world. One of the ways God encourages us is through the opportunity to glimpse the details of others' lives, and to see the role of faith in those lives. The missionary connection is a source of inspiration and hope! Alleluia! Pastor April |
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