From: Rev. Robert L. Rahn
Sent: Tuesday, May 21, 2002 12:41 PM
To: Confessional Lutherans in Missionary Boldness
Subject: CLIMB: FW: Kenya/Sudan Report




Here is a report I filed with the LHF Board after returning from Kenya and
Sudan. I started mailing this out to a number of you who support the LHF and
realized that many are on the CAT CLIMB. Although it is rather lengthy, you
may still find parts of it of interest. I apologize for its length.
R Rahn

REPORT TO LHF BOARD MAY 15, 2002

"I am the Vine, you are the branches. He who remains in Me and I in him is
the one who bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing."
		ON THE OTHER HAND
WITH ME YOU CAN DO SOMETHING.


I returned from the Sudan vineyard with awe and humility for I saw the hand
of God enabling fruit to be produced in some of the most barren places on
the face of the earth. Only God could provide the increase, only God could
do something here and He has done it. With Him, it has been proven, we could
do something. Had you been there, your conviction would have been to do
more. This report can only convey a small tinge of the overwhelming
enthusiastic joy that I felt being with these displaced people.

I want to exercise some mercy and refrain from sending you the actual
reports I filed from the field. They will go into the file as part of the
LHF "history file" from which the book assignment can be drawn when I get
around to it.

It will be hard to put into words the tremendous and overwhelming feeling of
awe that surrounded the many events in Sudan. I don't believe any synod
president, district president or mission official has ever participated in
events that filled four consecutive days. To report that I participated in
five services during those four days would not be that significant as I
recently had a Sunday with five services. The unique ingredient was that
three of the services were church dedications, two involved the baptisms of
some 60 people, and one also included the first anniversary observance for
the Concordia Lutheran Institute for the Holy Ministry. No service was less
than three hours and Sunday's worship went for seven.

ABU HAJAR

Abu Hajar is in the Sennar State of Sudan. We drove for five hours to get to
this church site. The first 40 miles were smooth and the next 80 a real test
even for a 4WD Toyota. I'm afraid the LHF vehicle won't last long with too
many trips like this. We stopped along the way for our potluck breakfast
using one of the bamboo shelters in a roadside market area. It was evident
that even animals sought shelter here from the 100 plus degree heat.

When we arrived in Abu Hajar, our first stop was at the police station to
report our presence (again after to report our departure) and to use their
"facilities." There was no marking on the hut to indicate it was a police
station and the officer had no uniform to indicate he was such.

When we arrived in the midst of the straw thatched huts the congregation was
gathered in front of the church with their welcome in song. Handshakes all
around. Many children and mostly women. The men had left to travel many
miles, as they do twice a year, to help on Arabic-owned farms. They stay
several months and then return. It is their only income for the year.

A tend was erected in front of the church that had not yet been completed.
The video interview of Andrew in front of the building was seen at the
meeting. The church was built of mud and poles held up the roof of bamboo
and straw. The roof will be raised another three feet and they also plan to
extend the church another ten feet because it has already been outgrown
before they utilized it.

The sermon preached and translated into Arabic and Dinka was on Matt. 7, the
house built on the rock and the one built on the sand. Baptism of adults and
children followed the sermon. There is no school of any kind in this
village, so many are totally illiterate. Suzanne believes the art work is
going to play an important part here. It was strange not encountering any
vehicles in the village. After some peanuts, dates and Pepsi, we journeyed
on.

SINGIA

Again we were greeted by the delegation literally running the path ahead of
us, after obtaining our permission to be there. This was scheduled as a
dedication service. The structure was "knit" straw from top to bottom. They
also erected a tent as there wasn't room for all in the structure.  Think
about this in the context of a special time and schedule for a service and
yet some 150 gathered. I cut the ribbon to enter and then moved to the altar
and pulpit for special blessing. I preached on Solomon's temple dedication
prayer in Chronicles. Here we had 11 baptisms. Andrew distributed little
lapel pins with the fish inside the cross and I was wearing a wood model and
had extra with me. I hung one on the front of the altar and explained the
symbol the early Christians used and taught them the Greek word "ICHTHUS,"
containing the first Greek letter of words JESUS CHRIST, SON OF GOD, SAVIOR.

As I preached I could see many coming from the village out of curiosity and
I'm sure these are prospective members of the church. Not too many white
people had ever been in the village and this might have contributed to the
curiosity. The children were surprised to see me open a Pepsi on the rim of
the 4WD for lack of an opener.

The five hour journey back without stop encountered every kind of truck.
Many were carrying bundles of corn-like stalks. They were piled at least 15
feet above the rack of the truck, roped down and swayed with the wind. There
were also many tandem trucks hauling large sacks of grain.

After the service I mentioned to the congregation that I was going to pay
Andrew a "left handed compliment." I told them Andrew was the most
successful mistake maker when it came to building churches, all of them are
too small before they are even dedicated.

MANDELA

Located about half an hour from the ELCS/LHF Center in Khartoum. When we
left the main road we drove nearly fifteen minutes to the church site. All
this time we were driving through the middle of the camp of those displaced
from the south. We saw huts made of mud and straw, some made with discarded
grain sacks and some out of simple cardboard. We saw only one other car but
hundreds of donkeys with carts on which were placed a large barrel. They
were carrying water, buying it from a water station and then taking it to
sell to consumers, who pay about $1.25 per day for water. When income is
only $70 per month, one has to reduce consumption. No electricity, no water.

As we drove through the camp on a trail barely wide enough for the 4WD,
people stood in amazement and then waving. Children in some cases were not
clothed and they lived in an endless dirt environment. Whether playing
soccer or sitting on the sidelines, it was in the dirt. There were so many
huts it was impossible to find the church until a man with a Bible came
running to direct us.

The usual singing welcomed us. The choirs were already singing and marching
around the church and the leaders were waiting at the door of the church. We
were ushered to the "sacristy," an adjoining little hut where we could gown
up for the service. A tent was set up next to the church to accommodate the
crowd. We joined the procession around the church and then cut the ribbon
and did the dedication rite.

The service lasted 31/2 hours and lots of singing by both the youth and
adult choirs. The longer the service lasted the more children stood at the
windows to watch what was going on and adults standing at the perimeter
studying the same. I chose to preach on the Solomon temple dedication text
and made sure everyone in hearing distance knew why we were there. They had
painted a cross on the wall behind the altar and that became a focal point
of my message. I alluded to the fact that the message was for all, those
gathered in the church, those under the tent, those peering in the door and
windows and for the entire camp, that Jesus will here be preached and why
the message was needed- because of our sin and His victory over it, giving
us hope in every situation. There was more singing and then some more
singing.

We were whisked away after the service because we had "overextended our
stay." As Andrew was leaving the office he received a phone call saying that
we would need a permit to visit the camp. Andrew told the official it was
too late as we were on the way. We were to be out of the camp by six. Andrew
was asked to meet with the official about our infraction.

In six months this structure will also be too small. This structure is
probably the $3500 model. The roof is bamboo, then a layer of grain sacks
and then the mud and straw covering. After the rainy season you patch up the
spots leaking. The floor is dirt, but the raised chancel area has a soft red
sand. The walls inside are finished with a "fine covering" of mud mixed with
finely cut grass and donkey dung mixed in. We were told you could buy donkey
dung for $10-$15 per large sack. I'm not sure if my suggestion of using this
"African motif" for one of our offices will be considered!!!

As we drove to the entrance we noted some cement poles being erected.
Electricity is coming!!

What would happen if we were to drill a well here? It was a topic of
discussion even with the President of the Khartoum State, whom we met
several times during the trip. Maybe we could get this organized as a work
project and take a team over for the purpose. Dr. Abdel Elmutaafi, Khartoum
State President, offered to give every assistance, even considering a joint
venture. Perhaps Lutheran World Relief would join such a venture.

KHARTOUM

Seven hours!! That was the length for the Sunday service, CLI First
Anniversary Observance and Catechism dedication that took place under a big
tent outside our complex with attendance of 401. The service also included
the confirmation of six adults and 36 baptisms, including Andrew's son,
Elisa. I preached on the Epistle of the day, 1 Peter 3:20 on the theme:
"Brought Safely Through." There is obvious evidence that the Spirit of God
captures you in these circumstances because it wasn't what I planned to
preach, certainly not what I had on my notes. I started in the O.T. how the
children of Israel were brought safely through the Red Sea, the Jordan, how
Jonah was brought safely through and how eight were brought safely through
the flood. I then talked about the problem they faced and how we have all
failed and how God was able to bring us safely through.

Then I told them we were even going to see in the service how God brings us
safely through by Baptism. Ended on the note as to how God brought us safely
through when in the fullness of time He sent His one and only Son. Ended
with the story of an art collector and what is really precious in our sight
and God's sight.

The baptism of 36 children and adults was the service highlight. Some names
were easy, but a few very challenging.

The length of the service, of course, was impacted by the fact that some of
it was in three languages and the sermon in two. Then there was all the
special music by choirs from three different churches, seminary choir and
S.S. choir. On the video you will see some home made instruments I have
never seen before. They did have the drums, keyboard and electric guitar
that were subdued in the service.

The CPH/LHF joint venture of providing English Catechisms was highlighted
with the dedication of the 75 we carried with us ($200 overweight charge in
Nairobi, Detroit honored our humanitarian aid plea and added no charge). A
special plaque honored the support CLI received from LHF.

After the service some refreshments were served and the music was still
playing when we left for a quick tour of the city.

RIMELA DEDICATION

On Monday afternoon we made another journey into the displacement camp. It
was another one of those areas of basic huts. These were a little more
pretentious than the ones of straw, canvas and mud brick. There were also of
mud brick but all the construction was more advanced. We drove for a good
half hour after we entered the area with all these huts. One really can't
describe the endless number of walled dwellings. Donkeys were numerous
hauling water. Because of the vast distances in this camp, one saw a
diminished number of people movers (people sitting on the donkey carts) and
many buses loaded with people.

The church we dedicated here was one of the advanced models. It still needs
its zinc roof to put it in that category. Right now it is bamboo, sacks and
mud. The inside is also more deluxe in construction with a raised chancel
area made of large blocks (paver style) and very colorful. There is a
separate little hut next to the church that serves as an office and small
classroom.

I spoke on three texts for this dedication service. Using 2 Chronicles 6:18
and adding John 1:14 and Galatians 4:4. The theme was "WILL GOD DWELL WITH
US?" See, you can use the same text and preach a different sermon. All those
passages are "dwell" passages. Solomon said the "heavens of heaven cannot
contain God, much less this building I have built. If Solomon said that
about his glitzy, gold temple, it is surely true of this building. We,
however, can have the assurance of Him dwelling with us. They happened to
have a picture in front of the church showing all the items we usually
connect with Lent and the crucifixion. Under the cross was a snake and a
human skull and I told them "He has put everything under His feet." That's
why we know He dwells with us through His suffering, death and resurrection.
I told them the story of the adopted boy, who only had torn and tattered
clothes, shoes that were only remnants of leather. The father gave him all
new clothes and new shoes, but he took the old shoes and placed them on a
mantle. Whenever the boy did something wrong he was ushered to the mantle
and reminded -"this is who you were and this is who you are now." Told them
this is not a picture of our heavenly Father and how he deals with us. Sins
are removed as far as east from west, red like crimson, white as wool. He
truly dwells with us.

After the service there were the usual speeches and I alerted Suzanne that I
would be doing something special at this service. I was wearing vestments of
a former St. John, Fraser, Pastor that I had been given to distribute. One
by one I removed the vestments and told how Pastor Rutkowsky has finished
his work and now is in heaven and that the family wanted his vestments to
have continued use. I placed them on the altar and told Andrew they were for
the first men to enter the ministry of the ELCS.

This church will need to be expanded as well. No service had less than 150
people. The congregation in Mandela is already buying the little huts around
the church for expansion. They hope to build an education center. Each hut
costs about $500.00.

That same evening we returned to festivities connected with a special
farewell. We had the honor of having the President of Khartoum State in
attendance as well as the Bishop and his wife of the Episcopal Church and a
number of other dignitaries. Special gifts were presented to all of us.

POLITICAL VISITS

Our schedule was full from the time we arrived. It included visiting the
offices of some of the highest government officials. At a time when former
Senator Danforth is doing his best to put together a program to end the
constant conflict in the country, it was a topic of conversation. Our visits
also included a report from one who has been active with the SPLA and spent
11 months in prison and is being watched very carefully after having the
government confiscate his passport.  His painting was a little different
from government officials. We also met with the General Manager of an oil
company doing drilling in the south. I felt he was in no position to make
any observations because of his vested interest.

We had with us for a number of these visits a medical doctor, who is very
much involved in the peace effort and brought a more balanced perspective.
Dr. Constantine Yak, a Roman Catholic, but a strong supporter of Andrew and
the ELCS, may one day be a Lutheran. He is a noted surgeon and a Professor
of Surgery at the University.

ELCS EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING

Members of the Council reported on the state of the church. By the end of
the year the ELCS hopes to achieve their goal of opening ten new
congregations. In the first quarter alone, 258 people were baptized and 400
members received. The seed has been planted and we look to the LHF to
provide the water. We can plant the seed but we can't do it ourselves. If we
can do the work we will be able to add 5,000 to the church, but we may not
be able to get to them because of the great time demand. I should be in the
field, I should be in the office. I'm trying to balance it. Training
manpower is the key and our hope is in the seminary.

No words that can express our appreciation for LHF. At the end of our visit,
Rev. Tom Petersen was conscripted to teach 22 evangelists that had arrived
for a week's training. Their work is having a great impact and has resulted
in two new congregations opening. Church attendance is increasing and many
being prepared for baptism.

The state has problems starting schools because they don't have the funds to
provide a daily meal. If a meal isn't provided the children have to leave to
look for food. The CLI is considering a teacher education track in their
program for Sept, 2003 to train Lutheran teachers.

Yes, we are still in the translation-publishing-distribution mode. In the
middle of May a binding machine is being delivered and we will see four
books coming off the press shortly thereafter.

1. 3,000 Hymnbooks in the Zande language.
2. 3,000 Prayer books in the Arabic language.
3. 5,000 Good News About Jesus in Arabic language.
4. 3,000 Full Text Catechism in Zande language.

Consideration is being given to develop Regional Offices in Sudan
1. Blue Nile State
2. South Area
3. Khartoum Area.
Evangelists located in these regions will be able to conduct seminars and
have more of an impact when officers of congregations and anyone interested
is invited to attend.

Andrew returns to Fort Wayne in September and discussion is taking place in
June in regards to a capable substitute to work with the church. The avenue
we consider best is to have Rev. Japhet Dachi take up residence in Khartoum
from Nairobi. The only possible difficulty may be that he could be elected
as Bishop of the ELCK in the September election. He now serves as the
General Secretary as well as on the LHF staff. Our people are key people in
the church.

NAIROBI

Yes, we also visited here and I also preached for the service with about 35
in attendance. There were 14 countries represented in that service.

We met with a number of people including several groups of Maasai, who were
in the complex for training meetings under our missionary Rev. Reino Toikka
and Rev. Simon Ole Nampais, a Maasai Pastor. The Nairobi complex is always
booked with groups holding seminars.

The site for the Concordia Luther Academy was visited in Athi River. One
could purchase 1,000 acres at a list price of $5,000 per acre verses
$500,000 per acre just fifteen minutes away. A more realistic chunk might be
100 or 200 acres with the possibility of selling off portions once the value
increases, as everyone assumes it will. The key here is that even though the
Academy could start in our complex, one needs property before you can be
recognized as an official education center.

Anssi makes the point that there are almost 4 million Lutherans in Kenya and
Tanzania alone and not one strong theological school where the confessions
could be featured. The school would serve much of western Africa as well.

Translation goes on.
1. Nuer Full Text Catechism in final review.
2. Bible Stories in Pictures in Nuer will be finished by the end of May.
3. Full Catechism being completed in Swahili.
4. Bainton, HERE I STAND being reviewed.
5. Apology of AC in review.
6. Luther's BONDAGE OF THE WILL under way.
7. In Tanzania a four language Catechism is being done- French, English,
Gilgali and Swahili. It will be also used in areas of Eastern Congo.
The government has given permission for one hour of religious training to
take place in the public schools each week. The Catechism and Bible Stories
for Children will be used and the Good News Journal used for teacher
training.

Anssi going to Ethiopia in late May to discuss materials in Amharic. Also
has contact with opportunity in Mozambique. When we left there Anssi was on
his way to Western and Central Africa for various meetings with LHF staff.

Much more could obviously be said because we are covering the work in a few
countries above. When you consider all the activities going on in some 68
other regions, you get the picture and wonder how it is all held together.
In the future we will probably have to assign more specific regions to
different individuals on staff.

I felt it important to give this detailed written report as there were many
who had conflicts for this meeting and were not able to attend. Most of this
was covered in the slide/video presentation.

This will serve as the evidence that underscores the statement: "WITH ME YOU
CAN DO SOMETHING."

Dr. Robert L. Rahn
May 15, 2002


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