Most of us know about this innovative mission, where used stamps are cleaned, sorted and sold for the best prices, usually ending up overseas. Rita Seidel, a stamp receiver in South Australia, has been saving, cleaning, sorting and packing stamps since she was 15 years old. She is now 86. ‘For some years we have […]
‘Mission is not about written reports: it is about people and hearts and the saving grace of Jesus. It is the work of the Holy Spirit.’ The LCA supports a variety of mission partnerships in Papua New Guinea (PNG), Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Sabah, China and Cambodia. These include supporting theological education through scholarships, support […]
Having spent his childhood in Papua New Guinea as the son of a missionary, Nick Schwarz has been called to return and serve in the footsteps of his father.
Before venturing to Papua New Guinea, I expected a few things. I’d heard about the high crime rate and poverty. I was prepared to spend 14 days virtually “slumming” it, with none of the luxuries that I take for granted. What I didn’t expect was an incredibly rich country. Not in a financial or material […]
Members of St Paul’s/Redeemer Lutheran Parish at Hahndorf and Nairne are embarking on a hands-on venture that will support a mission project at Heldsbach, Papua New Guinea (PNG). The parish aims to raise $10,000 to re-roof a dilapidated classroom that is used to train local evangelists. The project is ambitious; just one three-metre sheet of […]
“Why did you leave us?” “Where are the Australians?” “Where have all the missionaries gone?” “When is the Lutheran Church of Australia coming back to Siassi?” These questions, and many like them, were part of every welcome singsing (ceremonial dance), worship service, meeting and conversation we had as we went from village to village in […]
Weaving Threads Together…creating a tapestry of Lutheran schooling. What a wonderful and relevant theme to have for a national conference! Five ‘threads’ were woven together at the recent ACLE conference including spiritual, social, communication, teaching and learning and global. These threads were explored through a range of forums including keynote addresses, elective sessions and workshops. […]
‘Jesus Christ is at the centre of the Lutheran schools in Australia’, these were the thoughts that were echoed over and over again by international guests attending ACLE. ‘The schools are kindness and live in the love of Jesus Christ’ were the opening remarks of Rev Jaminton Sipayung, Executive Secretary of the Gereja Kristen Proestant […]
Growing up as a pastor’s kid had its advantages. When church dignitaries from the USA visited Australia, we got to meet them. When Nestlé introduced and sponsored instant coffee and Ideal Milk at the 1956 convention of Synod, we got to try it. When two Papua New Guineans came down with Missionary Keith Nagel, they […]
Violence, drug and alcohol abuse, hold-ups, murders, lack of education, unemployment and a loss of hope are all part of the culture for many of the young people living in the settlements in and around the city of Lae in Papua New Guinea. However, in the Hunter Settlement there are signs of hopefulness and change. […]