January 2014

    Rev. Dr. D. Jensen Seyenkulo and Rev. Dr. Richard Thompson organized the Kuwaa Mission 5 years ago.  Since that beginning the Lord has richly blessed the Mission’s work.  The Board of Directors grew to 9 members and hundreds of people and congregations joined the ranks of faithful prayer and financial warriors from all over the country.

Just what has the Mission accomplished by God’s grace in these 5 years in mission to the Kuwaa people?

• The Mission constructed or repaired wells in 14 of the 16 villages in the Kuwaa Chiefdom and passed out hundreds of water purification filters.
• God willing the Mission will dedicate the Kondesu Medical Clinic, nurse’s housing and bath house in April.  Solar panels are being furnished as well as a toxic waste incinerator and clinic well in April.
• The Mission provides scholarships.  Ester Kowula receive a full scholarship to attend nursing school so that she can serve as the clinic’s full time nurse.  3 young men received full scholarships to attend the seminary to become ordained evangelists in the Chiefdom.
  
• The Fassama Clinic, schools, and dressers received medical supplies from the Mission each year.Workshops were held for pubic and church school teachers, also for evangelists, town pastors, Sunday School teachers, and church leaders. 
• Several workshops were held for people to be trained in the need for sanitation and drinking good water, especially for the children and workshops for learning how to care for the well equipment and water purification filters.
• The mission also provided books, equipment, materials, and religious materials as well as hygiene information.

For all this we give all glory to God as the Kuwaa Mission celebrates it’s 5^th anniversary this year.  The Mission also gives thanks to God for you, our faithful prayer and financial warriors.  None of this could be done without you.  With you the mission is possible!  Thank you on behalf of the Kuwaa people.

Your brother in Christ,

Ed Stelling, Board member

Our contact information for donations is given below.  Please contact myself or Rev. Carol George, the Congregational Coordinator, if you want a spokesperson to visit your congregation.  Her email address is: pastorcarol@kuwaamission.org   Thank you for your continued prayers and financial support.

 Donations can be given in two ways:

1.   Make out check and send to: Bethany Lutheran Church (see below)

2.   Go to the Kuwaa Mission Website at www.kuwaamission.org:  use PayPal to make a one time or automatic monthly donation

PDF of Prayer Letter

Word version of Prayer Letter

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The Kuwaa Mission:  c/o Bethany Lutheran Church,  1340 8th Street,  Slidell, LA 70458

December 2013

Merry Christmas!

Advent Promise

Advent, the 4 weeks preceding Christmas in the church calendar, is my favorite time of the year.  Living in Alaska, these are among the coldest, longest, darkest days of winter.  It can be a difficult time for many who suffer from a clinical psychological disorder known as SAD (Seasonal Effective Disorder) or who are dealing with loss or grief.  In the midst of this darkness the prophet Isaiah speaks a word of hope…

…that time of darkness will not go on forever.

The people who walk in darkness will see a great light.

For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine.

                        Isaiah 9:1a, 2

In my congregation these past few months have been a time of exceptional loss.  I performed six funerals in three months.  Many beloved friends and family are now missing from our fellowship and their absence is felt profoundly.  Through the darkness of loneliness and grief, Isaiah’s words speak hope..

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us.

The government will rest on his shoulders

And he will be called:

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

The Lord, the Messiah, is coming!  In Him is the hope of the nations… hope for peace, for justice, for health and for liberation.  And as children of God, we are ambassadors of peace, justice, health and liberation.  We are called to speak out, as Isaiah did, the Good News of hope, reconciliation, justice and peace delivered to the world as a baby in a manger in Bethlehem.

For those of us who serve as volunteers, board members, supporters and missionaries to the Kuwaa people, Advent is a time to rejoice in the living hope that one day all people will have clean drinking water, sanitary living conditions, and access to medical care along with the Good News of Jesus Christ.  It is a time to recommit ourselves to our mission, even as we wait for Jesus’ return and the fulfillment of God’s Kingdom on earth!

I believe these words, a new verse to the old hymn, O Come, O Come Immanuel, sums up our Advent hope:

O come now, living water, pour your grace,

And bring new life to ev’ry withered place;

Speak comfort to each trembling heart:

“Be strong! Fear not, for I will ne’er depart.”

 Rejoice, rejoice! Take heart and do not fear,

God’s chosen one, Immanuel, draws near.

Barbara Lundblad

Our contact information for donations is given below.  Please contact myself or Rev. Carol George, the Congregational Coordinator, if you want a spokesperson to visit your congregation.  Her email address is: pastorcarol@kuwaamission.org   Thank you for your continued prayers and financial support.

Rev. Carol George, Kuwaa Mission Board Member

 Donations can be given in two ways:

1.   Make out check and send to: Bethany Lutheran Church (see below)

2.   Go to the Kuwaa Mission Website at www.kuwaamission.org:  use PayPal to make a one time or automatic monthly donation

PDF of Prayer Letter

Word Version of Prayer Letter

Unsubscribe – Edit your subscription

The Kuwaa Mission:  c/o Bethany Lutheran Church,  1340 8th Street,  Slidell, LA 70458