LCMS World Mission Blog

“God has strange ways to work. Recently, we received an e-mail from Pastor Peter Varvaris, of New Hope Missions Church in Mooresville, N.C. He wrote, ‘Recently, our team was in Washington, D.C. doing a service event with Samaritan’s Feet ministry through a local church there. While serving there, we met two people from Kenya. It was great to connect with them, since we are planning a short-term mission trip to Kenya in the next year.

“Pastor Peter continued, ‘One of the Kenyans asked if we would go to see her daughter and speak to her about Christ when we get there. When I told her that it will probably be months before we go, she seemed concerned. So, I asked her if she would like me to ask Christians in Kenya to contact her daughter to talk to her about Christ and/or invite her to church. She said yes, right away. She gave me her daughter’s name, Florence, and her telephone number. So, I was wondering if one of you [Pastor Winterle] would be willing to try to contact Florence and if she is open to it, to go tell her about this message from her mother (her mother’s desire that someone tell her about Jesus), and/or to invite her to church. You probably know that just inviting someone to church over the phone isn’t very effective, especially if you don’t know them. But, I leave that in your hands, with whatever you could do, and with the Holy Spirit.’

“I called Florence. She was a little resistant. After some days, she called me back and asked for the church address. And, she came to the service with her family! Praise God! We talked after the service. She lives far from our church. She is currently attending a Christian church. But, she promised to come again. She gave me her mother’s phone number and I sent a ‘report’ to Pastor Peter who contacted Florence’s mother again. The Holy Spirit can even work through the Internet to connect people across the globe!”

• Download a prayer card for Carlos and Lidia
• Learn more about LCMS World Mission in Kenya
• View photos from a short-term team’s trip to Kenya