Rev. Glenn Fluegge, LCMS missionary to Togo, recently met Espoir, a recent Christian convert in Togo who was introduced to the faith by Rev. James May when he was a missionary there. Click here to read Rev. Fluegge's account of Espoir's activities since he was first taught the Christian faith. "I am proud of Espoir’s faithfulness, and I rejoice over the power of the Holy Spirit to bring salvation to others," says Rev. May. |
 Rev. James May is called to the Lutheran Heritage Foundation to assist Rev. Dr. Anssi Simojoki in overseeing LHF activities throughout Africa. Centered in Nairobi, Kenya, Rev. May is learning Swahili to help translate and introduce Lutheran books for people in East Africa.
Read past blog entries:
November 2008
December 2008
January 2009
March 2009
May 2009
July 2009
September 2009
November 2009
| REV. JAMES MAY REPORT: JULY 23, 2009
Just thought I would share what the work of the Lutheran Heritage Foundation and Good News magazine have been doing here in Morogoro, Tanazania. During the past three months of Kiswahili learning, I have been occasionally leading morning devotions and discussing theology as my Kiswahili developed. Although it shouldn’t be surprising, nevertheless it always boggles my mind that this country that supposedly has 4 million Lutherans does not know Lutheran theology. The Lutheran missionaries who came over from Scandinavia and Germany were very pietistic in the 20th century. In regard to their missionary methods, they taught that loving Jesus and obeying the biblical law was the most important message. The people were not taught daily repentence and forgiveness and living the baptismal life. What they were taught was be a good person like Jesus, or else. As a result, today the people are afraid that if they don’t come to church, if they have a sip of alcohol, or commit some grievous sin, they will be sentenced to hell. During my time in Tanzania, I have spoken with several Lutheran pastors who have never seen a Small Catechism. The laity are starving. They are afraid to admit sins and are living duplicitous lives. They come to church with smiles, clapping along with praise songs, but fear whether they are good enough to go to heaven. This, in the Lutheran Church. I have been studying the Habari Njema (Good News) magazine with several people. Since we are preparing to return to LHF headquarters in Nairobi, I gave away all my copies of the Habari Njema and Luther’s Small Catechism. I was taken back when many mommas (loving term for mothers in East Africa) came up to me asking how they could get a copy of the catechism for their children. Unfortunately I only had two copies with me. Before I had a chance to respond, the mommas said they would pay if they could just get a copy of Luther’s Small Catechism with Explanations for their children. They said they have heard of the catechism before but their church doesn’t have copies. They have never before been taught these things. This is a struggle. There are many false teachers or poorly trained pastors throughout the African continent, but there are MANY faithful Christians who want to hear the Word of God and will run to get it. This is ironic, if you want to call it that, that Sunday’s reading was Mark 6:31-34: "And he said to them, 'Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.' For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves. Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things." So there people are there. How are we going to teach them? Just a thought for the day. Yours in Christ,
Rev. James May
To have Rev. May's newsletter delivered directly to you via e-mail, become a registered user of this site. Once you're logged in to the LHF site, you can click on "My Profile" in the dropdown menu above. Check the box next to "Rev. James May - Africa Update" to subscribe.
| Field ReportsClick on the links below to read the reports of LHF staff and associates working in the mission fields.  SOUTHEAST ASIA
The Muellers
 CAMBODIA
Ken Precht 
TURKEY
Laura Davis
Your mission gifts help us translate and publish Lutheran books and materials for Christians worldwide.
Donate Now | Thrivent GivingPlus® form
|