Exerpts from the

September 2004

The Vine and the Branches

Global Mission Message

"Across the street, around the world, we are reaching out for Christ."

Good news to share about NAMIBIA! Bob Horn was St. Thomas's missionary on the servant trip to Namibia this past June 22 to July 6 and had a wonderful, interesting time. Yes, Bob did visit with Pastor Aluhe Nepembe, at the Lutheran Church of Iihongo, participated in the Sunday Service there, and met our brothers and sisters in Christ in this northern area community of Namibia near Ondangwa on the border with Angola. He presented the gifts he took from St. Thomas and appreciation abounded. His travel was safe, he took many interesting pictures (lots of pictures of animals seen along the way like a herd of 24 elephants!!) and talked to many interesting "Lutherans" in Namibia. Bob will write about his trip and fill you in on all the details of this exciting adventure. God has blessed us in sending Bob to Ondangwa to officially affirm our "Parish/Partnership" and sister congregation relationship! This is just the beginning!

We hope you took advantage of the ice cream social "Namibia. with your favorite topping!" on Friday evening, August 13 when Bob Horn showed pictures and told the story of his interesting experience in Namibia. If you missed it, keep watching for another evening about Bob's Namibia trip.

Pastor Aluhe sent a letter back with Bob expressing their appreciation and "good news from St. Thomas our Sister Congregation! It is a blessing to us to share the Gospel and our prayers!" As our participation with them develops, we will be keeping you posted.

Your prayers are welcome and needed as we share this ministry.

Dorothy Linderman

We are One in the Body

Traveling to Namibia has joined our family in Christ together. The many people we met were filled with the Holy Spirit in their love and devotion. The people in the lihongo congregation had to travel a distance, possibly miles to come to church. We got to church early and no one was there, within a half hour the church was filled with over four hundred people. Only a few cars in the area but the people had walked in the sun across dusty dry fields to get to church. The people came dressed up, with suits for the men and dresses for the ladies. The people at the lihongo parish are ready for church and will stay.

The people in Namibia had a devotion to Jesus Christ that could far surpass ours at St. Thomas. The people sang over 6 hymns and sat for the service that lasted several hours.The people carry their hymnals and Bibles and each have their own.

Ephesians 2: 19-22 tells that Christ is the cornerstone. As believers we need the awareness of our spiritual unity with other Christians. We need to focus on the fundamentals on which we agree, such as love for our Savior who died for us. As bold bright believers we can recognize that we have a strong family tie in Christ, here at St. Thomas and across the ocean to Namibia.

As we draw near to Christ we are drawn nearer to each other.

Robert Horn