Stamps and missions have a lot in common. While one person or one activity may not be able to make much of a difference on their own, so it is with stamps. One stamp and one person may not be significant but many people collecting many stamps can make a great difference, in the support […]

Stamps and missions have a lot in common. While one person or one activity may not be able to make much of a difference on their own, so it is with stamps. One stamp and one person may not be significant but many people collecting many stamps can make a great difference, in the support of mission activities.

In 2018 I was privileged to spend 10 days in Papua New Guinea (PNG). I saw the commitment and dedication of men and women who, from a western viewpoint, had very little by way of earthly possessions, but had a burning desire to spread the gospel. That was when my involvement in Stamps for Mission changed from a high interest to a passion.

Many people are involved in Stamps for Mission. The hours that individuals commit to this project are immeasurable: from an hour or so per week or month, to those who may spend a number of hours almost daily dealing with postage stamps. I know several people who spend 15-plus hours each week on this project.

As the song says, ‘from little things, big things grow’. That is certainly the case with postage stamps as they help spread the gospel. Every year, for more than 80 years, Stamps for Mission has supported mission projects. For the past 20 years, some $13,000 to $15,000 has been raised annually. By the end of next year, it is anticipated that this program will have grossed more than a half a million dollars in fundraising.

This year, Stamps for Mission is supporting:
– The Sprau family, serving in PNG. Your support enables them to give primary care to locals, as well as supporting Bible translators and mission workers.

– BCCM Agape Centre in Malaysia, a day care centre for children with intellectual disabilities. Your support enables children to learn with the help of dedicated and devoted teachers.

– Translation of Church Rites for Myanmar. Your support will ensure that Lutherans in Myanmar will be reminded of Jesus’ promises and strengthened in faith for this life and the next.

– Lutheran Highlands Seminary, Ogelbeng PNG, training local pastors in the pidgin dialect. Your support provides practical help to the families of these pastors.

– Saturday Club, run by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Thailand Diakonia department. Your support ensures that children from five villages are able to attend regularly.

– Biblical Reconciliation training for the Lutheran Church in Cambodia. Your support will ensure the participants understand reconciling through God’s word so that Christ’s forgiveness can bring peace and healing.

It is wonderful to imagine how God has been able to use our efforts to further His kingdom and transform people with the gospel.

This story was also published in the August 2021 edition of Border Crossings, the magazine of LCA International Mission.

If you would like to consider the opportunity to donate used stamps or become a stamp receiver, you are invited to phone Peter Nitschke on (08) 8365 7717 or email pmnitschke@bigpond.com. For more information, go to https://www.lcamission.org.au/join-gods-mission/stamps-for-mission/