“For the body does not consist of one member but of many.” (1 Cor 12:14). When a missionary receives a call, he or she is added to the payroll, but spreading the Gospel is the privilege of the entire family. The success of the LCMS Office of International Mission depends on the volunteer work of wives, husbands, children, and other church members. I don’t have enough room to talk about all the missionary families in Eurasia but would like to mention just a few colleagues. Lindsay Cundiff, is the wife of Rev. Dr. Quintin Cundiff, a mom, and also administration manager at Riga Luther Academy, Latvia, our online seminary. Thanks to Lindsay, our students in some 18 countries stay on track with correct and timely submission of their assignments. Or take Nancy Morizio, wife of Michael Morizio, based in Italy. Michael is our associate regional business manager in Eurasia, but last summer Nancy scoured hotels across Europe to discover a suitable venue for our annual Eurasia missionary retreat, discovering a hotel in an attractive location to accommodate some 80 people and even a few canine friends. Or take Jenny Preus, wife of Rev. Dr. David Preus, based in Romania. In addition to running a household with nine children—including a newborn—Jenny shares her considerable musical talents for God’s people every Sunday in the local Lutheran church, but also does “endless invisible stuff,” as husband David notes. And for several years my own dear wife Lula kept Luther Academy moving forward technically by maintaining our online instruction platform. Not to mention, if it weren’t for Lula, I’d have to pack my bags and return to the States pronto because *she* is the one who keeps the Tiews organized— both here in Germany and back in the States. Mission work and church work in general is a team effort. Praise God for all the members of His church body!
The Tiews in Germany 