“Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Ps 119:105). For some of us, late August and early September herald “Back to School” activities. While our ministry to Iranian immigrants continues, for the past few weeks I have been busy preparing the two online courses I will teach this fall semester at Riga Luther Academy (RLA): “Introduction to the Bible” and “Introduction to Dogmatics.” Both classes will take place every Wednesday evening. I look forward to getting to know our nine first-semester students from some six different countries. What a joy it will be to walk alongside these Christians as they grow in their faith and knowledge of Jesus Christ! The Lord is also graciously allowing my two ministries to overlap because three of our students are Iranian immigrants living in Hamburg. They have enrolled at RLA because they desire to become pastors or deacons/deaconesses, having come to understand that—of all the denominations out there—Lutheran Christianity is closest to the original teachings of Holy Scripture. Lula and I are so grateful for your continued and generous support because it allows us to align our missionary work with the LCMS’ top three missionary priorities: planting, sustaining, and revitalizing Lutheran churches; raising up new church leaders by supporting and expanding theological education; and performing human care in close proximity to Word and Sacrament ministries. This September, may the Lord’s Word continue be lamp to our feet and a light to our path—for all of us, wherever we may be!
The Tiews in Germany 