This picture was taken at a “Meet Your German or Iranian Neighbor” workshop recently held at Redeemer Lutheran (SELK), Düsseldorf. Notice anything? Almost everyone is facing the camera, including the Iranians. Before taking the picture, the cameraman pointed out that anyone not wishing to be recognized (for fear of their image winding up in the … Continue reading Meet Your German or Iranian Neighbor
My left shoulder has been bothering me for weeks and I recently went to an osteopath. As I lay down on the bench, he soon started to pull and stretch my arm and knead my shoulder. We chit-chatted and I mentioned that I am a missionary. Last Friday I went back for another session. Working … Continue reading Painful Adjustments
Last Sunday I was privileged to baptize my first Iranian person (see baptismal certificate). After the Persian-language Divine Service there was a reception—also to celebrate the belated birthday of Zion Hamburg’s pastor, Rev. Bernhard Schütze. The fellowship hall was packed. To my amazement, several people pressed up to me to request a brand-new baptismal instruction … Continue reading Remembering God in Times of Trouble
Ten days ago, a young woman, Mahsa Amini, was arrested in Tehran for not wearing her hijab (head covering) in accordance with Islamic law. Tragically, she died in prison that same night—under very mysterious circumstances. News of her death soon got out, sparking Iran-wide protests. Only God knows how these demonstrations might impact the current … Continue reading Mahsa Amini and Iran
Summoned before the Roman governor to defend his Christian faith, Paul confessed Jesus Christ—cheerfully (Acts 24:10). *** Several years ago, an Iranian couple fled to Hamburg and applied for asylum. They testified that, if sent back, they would be incarcerated because they had had difficulties with the Iranian government. Sadly, their request for asylum was … Continue reading A Joyful and Authentic Christian
Today’s Gospel lesson is the parable of “The Good Samaritan” in Luke 10. Yesterday I sat down with an Iranian liturgical assistant to go over the service with him. “What is a ‘Samaritan’?” he asked. I replied that Samaritans were unfairly considered among the lowest people in Jewish society because they were descendants of Israelites … Continue reading The Good Samaritan in Hamburg
On the hotel shuttle to Thessaloniki airport ten days ago, I struck up a conversation with our driver: “Lula and I are missionaries. We’re returning to Germany after meeting with our colleagues from all around Eurasia.” No reaction. “Missionaries tell people about Jesus Christ…” After a while, he asked: “What does Jesus Christ *mean*?” Whoa… … Continue reading What does Jesus Christ *mean*?
1 Peter 1:1 speaks of the “dispersion” of Jewish and Gentile Christians scattered around “Asia”—east of the Aegean Sea. We LCMS missionaries serving here in Eurasia recently met for several days west of the Aegean Sea. And Lula and I got to meet real-life Lutherans in today’s “dispersion.” One afternoon over lunch I got to … Continue reading Lutherans in Dispersion
There is an invisible undercurrent to living in Germany in late summer 2022. It is still sunny and warm. People are relaxing in outdoor cafés and bars; dog walkers are out in droves; the kids are back in school. But at the same time, only some 1,200 miles southeast of us, the “biggest war between … Continue reading For those who love God
Last week I met a delightful couple from Iran who moved to Germany a few years ago. “Abbas” and “Maryam” had become Christians in their homeland but kept this secret because conversion from Islam is punished with prison or even death. I asked how they wound up in Germany. Maryam shared her story: “I used … Continue reading The Valley of the Shadow of Death
The Tiews in Germany 