LCMS World Mission Blog

“We are so thankful for the people we work with, such as our co-worker Catherine Wangari. She shared a story about an encounter with a doctor recently. She was meeting with him to talk about medicines needed for upcoming short-term mission teams who are coming to work with eye clinics.

“Here’s a bit of the conversation:

Doctor: ‘I don’t know about the Lutheran church. How is it different from other churches?’

Catherine: ‘The Lutheran church is different because it emphasizes that we are saved by the grace of God, not by any works that we do ourselves. We just celebrated Reformation Sunday and learned how Martin Luther wanted to change the way the church was doing things because they actually told people they could buy indulgences, or pardon for their sins. Luther emphasized that we are saved by grace alone.’

Doctor: ‘When did that happen?’

Catherine: ‘Almost 500 years ago, when the Catholic church was the main Christian church. In fact, our Lutheran church has a goal of sharing the Gospel 100 million unreached people around the world by 2017, which will be the 500th anniversary of the Reformation.’

Doctor: ‘I belong to a church that celebrated our 100th anniversary here in Kenya, and I thought we must be the oldest! 500 years is a long time. Do you have any materials you can give me that tells me more about the Lutheran church?’

Catherine: ‘I sure do! I’ll bring them along next time we meet. Now about those medicines…’

“Not everyone is as quick to share their faith as Catherine is, and we are blessed to be working with her.”

• Pray for Claude and Rhoda in Africa
• Learn more about LCMS World Mission in Kenya