In July 2023 Andrew, Meredith, Bea and Hans Ronnevik started a new call to serve in Papua New Guinea (PNG) through the Global Mission unit of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). They have committed to a four-year term, from summer 2023 to summer 2027 with a two-month home leave every two years (always […]
Four years ago, I moved to Asia, started language learning and set up my life there, full of anticipation. But just two months later I was on a plane back to Australia far from my fellow team members, unable to continue language learning and with not much to do. After months turned into years of […]
I grew up in a family and community where the primary language was Nias, and Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesia) served as the second language learned at school. My interest in learning English began in Junior High School, however the classroom environment did not offer many opportunities to improve my English skills. Consequently, I performed poorly in […]
The morning sun rose over the mountains and evanescent specks of mist danced through sunbeams across from our accommodation, (which is also the church building) in Ban Den, Northern Thailand. Three of our group had travelled to this village before, however, to stay overnight was a new and culturally rich experience for all of us. […]
At the closing ceremony of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea (ELC-PNG) number 34 synod, with the handing on of the synod to ELC Siassi District, the hosts, ELC Immanuel District displayed sugar cane, green vegetables, and pigs – a picture of what God has blessed them with. The Ialibu mission station is […]
Steam rises from slowly roasted peanuts and bodies are cooled from stifling heat with fresh-pressed sugarcane juice and coconut ice cream sundaes. Men and women use the tiers of the chan srak food containers to transport rice, a few dishes and a dessert as an offering to monks on behalf of deceased relatives, under the […]
My name is Mrs Reng Pa. I am a mother to four children, and I belong to Myanmar Lutheran Church. I also actively participate in the women’s ministry serving as one of women leaders from the Miza district of the Paletwa township in Chin State. I and my husband are farmers. Our daily survival depends […]
There’s special symbolism in a small wooden Christmas tree sitting in the local Lutheran church in the regional Victorian town of Nhill. Not only does it remind us of the birth of Jesus Christ, but this tree’s peculiar decorations also remind us of the new life Jesus brings. This is because the adornments completely covering […]
Nan is located in the far north of Thailand on the border with Laos. The churches here are in various villages, some of them deep in the mountains. Simple bamboo huts are surrounded by playing children, dogs, chickens, roosters, and pigs. Most of the churches are very simple, but they all have a good atmosphere […]
My father was a businessman and my mother a housewife. They migrated from Guangxhou, China to Sandakan, Sabah. A good number of the Chinese residents in the town centre were Hong Kong migrants, and a Cantonese-speaking community had sprung up. My parents accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour and became members of the Basel […]