LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1983, Page 6

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6 MISSIONS. EVANGELISM, AND SOCIAL MINISTRY

Missionary Don Mueller and family are well established in
Vahun for the Mende work. Missionary Robert Roegner and
family are the first to begin the Kisi work at Fova. The
beginning of such new work is not easy. Villages needed to be
surveved, living quarters established. and the language
learned. The goal by December 1982: two preaching stations
and the beginning of a theological education by extension
program (TEE) for leadership training. Kisi language worship
services were begun in Foya Tengya. Lenghbamba, and
Kuendemba. The BFMS and the missionaries on the field are
grateful for the service of LCMS lay people such as Mrs. Merlie
Bruning, a retired person who served as business manager
until her “second retirement.’ and her successor. Robert
Newton and family. Another dedicated lay couple. Mr. and
Mrs. George Brandau, was instrumental in erecting the build-
ings and facilities for the Vahun station and for providing
spiritual leadership to the Mende people during the time of a
missionary vacancy on the field. A second missionary for the
Kisi work is to be called in 1983. Funding over a 36-month
period (January 1982 through December 1984) for two mis-
sionaries is made possible by FIR. The construction of the
mission residence at Fova was made possible by a designated
gift to FIR. and. once again. by the volunteer labors of the
Brandaus.

Nigeria

The Lutheran Church of Nigeria. whose beginnings go back
to 1936. is a strong church with a growing zeal for mission
expansion to the unreached in their rural and urban areas. In
the fall of 1981. the BFMS secretary for Africa Europe Middle
East, together with LCN leadership surveved opportunities for
expanded or new ministries among the Eleme, Khana. and
Izon peoples in Rivers State, where there are 34 languages. of
which 28 have literacy materials available. They also surveyed
the area of the Bako and Izi people in Cross Rivers State, where
there also are a variety of different languages.

The LCN began three preaching stations among the Bako.
Arecently called missionary, the Rev. Jerry Kassebaum, after
completion of linguistic studies in the USA, is expected to
arrive in Nigeria in 1983 to supervise the translation of the
Scripture into Eleme. Another. the Rev. James Pressnell, will
be assigned to Scripture translation into Bako.

Again. these two mission opportunities would not be possi-
ble without heaven-sent help, the gifts of God's people in the
LCMS to Forward in Remembrance. The BFMS approved a
sum of $297,139 for a 40-month period of which $35,000 has
been designated for a missionary residence for the Bako
language translation project. This amount includes support for
a second missionary to be recruited for Bako.

For the Eleme language translation project, the BFMS
approved a sum of $260,412 for a 40-month period, of which
$35,000 has been designated here, too, for construction of a
missionary residence. Residences in both projects will become
the property of the LCN. Also for the Eleme project. the funding
includes recruitment of a second missionary.

The LCN also carries on a ministry of mercy and spiritual
care in the hospitals at Eket and Yahe. Rural health programs
are providing new hope to people in need in Ogoja, where John
Lautenschlager, M.D., has four dispensaries among three
ethnic groups.

As we look to the future and see a growing number of trained
Nigerian church workers, we again thank the Lord for Forward
in Remembrance gifts which help to make possible a dormitory
for married students at the seminary at Obot Idim and the
chapel and parsonage at Ikom, an urban center in Ogoja
District. It is exciting to see how such gifts are related to the
convention theme: Him We Proclaim.

Sierra Leone

In September 1981 the Board for Mi$sion Services resolved
to begin new work in an unevangelized area of Sierra Leone.
This decision was based on a thorough survey report by the
secretary for Africa’ Europe/Middle East. A veteran mission-
ary, Rev. David Londenberg, was called in January 1983 to
open up work in this country. As of this writing, he has
accepted the board’s call.

Togo

Good news from northern Togo! Missionary Walter DeMoss
and family are at work in Lokpano, among the Moba people.
During the first five months of 1982, 112 Moba people were
baptized. of whom one-third are adults. Plans are expected to
extend the work bevond Lokpano. A survey has been begun
among other peoples of northern Togo(the Gourma, Tchokossi,
and Gangam peoples). Such survey work has to consider
whether Christianity is already represented there or not and.
among other things, the health needs of the people, the water
supply, government permission to begin work, and a welcome
by the respective chiefs of these peoples.

There are approximately 60,000 Moba people in northern
Togo. Another missionary is needed to assist not only with
evangelistic work but also with the training of national
leaders.

Middle East

Mr. Moris Jahshan. who is the overseas manager for the
Lutheran Hour in the Middle East, has been associated with
Missouri Synod work in Lebanon and the Middle East since
1957. The International Lutheran Laymen’s League and the
Board for Mission Services have worked together over the
years to support Jahshan and his staff of seven, located in the
offices of the Middle East Lutheran Ministry. Four of the seven
are sponsored by the Board for Mission Services. Even through
war and troublesome times. including evacuations, the Lord
has protected this team of faithful workers. Their approach to
ministry in the Middle East is Christian evangelism and
education through mass media to Arabic-speaking people.

There are three radio outlets for their programs: Radio
Beirut, Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation, and Trans-World
Radio from Monte Carlo. Monaco, which gets excellent re-
sponse from North Africa.

Materials consist of Bible correspondence courses, cas-
settes, hymns, records, literature. “This Is the Life” films in
Arabic have been used since 1980. Other Christian films and
video programs are also aired.

Asia

That vast area of our globe which is known as Asia has 56":
of the world’s population. of which 2™ are Christians. While
there are some closed and closing doors to mission, there are
also open doors for mission outreach, particularly in coopera-
tion with partner churches related to the LCMS. The BFMS is
grateful for gifts to Forward in Remembrance which made
possible, forexample, new work in Sri Lanka and expansion in
Korea. The possibility of work in Thailand has been under
consideration. In alphabetical order. we take a brief look at
current LCMS-related work in Asian countries.

Hong Kong

A sense of urgency over sovereignty grips the people of
Hong Kong, forin the year 1997 Britain's lease over most of the
Crown Colony expires. Although Hong Kong’s business com-
munity and its6 million plus residents are uncertain about the
future, the hustle and bustle of every day life goes on. The same
is true for the Lutheran Church—Hong Kong Synod.

The Lutheran Church—Hong Kong Synod sees great chal-
lenges for the church in this crowded colony where so few
people are Christian. The recently elected church administra-
tion is planning to encourage greater participation in mission
outreach by the congregations of the synod. One of these oppor-
tunities is the management of new government-constructed
schools which would allow new churches in “‘satellite towns”
that are springing upin Junk Bay and New Territories areas of
Hong Kong. These towns have as many as 300,000 inhabitants,
of whom many are former refugees from mainland China. The
Lutheran Church-Hong Kong Synod is in a strategic position
to be aware of any open or opening door to the mainland.
Meanwhile, immediately surrounded by overwhelming mis-
sion opportunities, our partner church in Hong Kong feels the
need to emphasize the preparation of more pastors and other
types of church workers to meet the spiritual needs of the
unreached within such easy reach.