A Little Bit About Pastor Bruce Naumann |
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Back row - Paula, Pastor
Naumann, Brian |
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You went to Nigeria about 6
years ago. Why are you returning to Africa this time and why Tanzania?
What moved you to take on this responsibility again? |
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The CLC provides mission support to two church
bodies in India, three in Africa, and also to several smaller groups
of congregations. I serve on the CLC "Board of Missions," which
decides how we will help these church bodies to bring the Good News
about Jesus to the many people they serve. In January and February
of 2000, I had the great privilege to visit the people of the CLCI
and BELC in India, and I also spent a few days with the NCLC in
Nigeria. Since that time, we have begun to help congregations in
Tanzania, Kenya, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Although
Pastor Koenig has been working with these people for some time, the
Mission Board members haven't yet met them face-to-face. It's
important for us to get to know them, to see the work they are
doing, and to bring our help and encouragement to them personally.
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What are you most looking forward to seeing again in this trip? | ||||||||
The people and places I will be visiting on this trip are new to me.
What gets me excited about going is once again to see God's Word
making a big difference in the lives of these people who live so far
away. They have the opportunity to introduce the Lord Jesus to many
people who otherwise would never hear about Him.
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What are you looking forward to the least? | ||||||||
Of course, it's hard to be away from my family for nearly a month. Sometimes the traveling and accommodations are hot, dusty, and long, but that doesn't bother me much. |
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What is your flight plan? (Dates - Stop overs) | ||||||||
* October 24 -- We leave from Minneapolis. After a 2-hour layover in
Amsterdam, we continue on to Nairobi, Kenya, arriving on the evening
of the 25th.
* October 25 to November 2 -- We will meet in Nairobi with some
local pastors who are interested in starting a church in that city.
Also, we will see the leaders of our affiliate church in Etago,
Kenya, as well as Pastor Jeremiah of Tanzania. From Nairobi, we will
travel by rented car to Himo, Tanzania, where the LCEA (Lutheran
Church in East Africa) operates a seminary. We will meet with the
leader, Pastor Jessie Angowi, and visit various churches.
* November 2 -- We fly from Nairobi, Kenya, to Johannesburg, South
Africa. Our destination is the Democratic Republic of Congo, but we
must get the visa to enter that country in Johannesburg. While in
South Africa we will meet with a few local pastors who have written
to Missionary Koenig, inquiring about the CLC.
* Between November 4 and November 18 -- We get a local flight from
Johannesburg to Lubumbashi, in the Congo. We meet with Pastor
Mutombo Muzakuza and the pastors of the CLC-Congo, visiting various
congregations. We hope to travel with Elinor Gbedey, a member of our
Madison, WI CLC congregation, who will serve as interpreter, since
the pastors there speak French.
* November 18 -- Back in Johannesburg, we leave for home, via
Amsterdam. All of these plans depend on God's blessing and
direction, of course!
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You're going with Larry Hanson - How did Larry get involved in this trip? | ||||||||
Larry Hansen is also a member of the CLC Board of Missions. He is a veteran foreign traveler, having gone over to Nigeria a few years ago to renovate missionary housing in the NCLC. More recently, he traveled to Tanzania to rebuild the seminary building for the LCEA. He has volunteered to come along on this trip at his own expense. | ||||||||
How can others get involved with the Missionary Helper plan if the Lord so leads them? | ||||||||
Every other summer, Pastor Todd Ohlmann has been leading a "Mission
Helper" trip to India. This past summer, a total of 13 volunteers
conducted VBS classes in the CLCI and BELC. CLC volunteers who are
of high school age and older may volunteer for a future trip,
through Pastor Ohlmann. What you need it time, a desire to serve the
Lord, and a sponsor to cover the cost of the airfare. You may
contact Pastor Ohlmann by phone -- (636) 225-3458. His email address
is
faithstl@swbell.net.
Other individuals have assisted Pastor Koenig by traveling with him
in India and Africa. Paul Stockman, a member of Trinity, W.
Columbia, SC, is now with Pastor Koenig in India. Anyone who may be
able to help with teaching or building skills should contact me at
brucenaumann@clclutheran.com.
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What family and responsibilities will you be leaving behind here in the States? | ||||||||
I serve two congregations here in southern Minnesota: Grace, Sleepy Eye and Faith, New Ulm. They have been very supportive of my work for the Mission Board, and have expressed a lot of interest in this trip. Guest pastors will conduct the Sunday services in my absence. My wife and five children are also supportive, and very capable. Overall, there are a lot of things to be left in the Lord's hands in connection with this trip -- which is a very safe place for them to be! | ||||||||
Pastor Naumann and a NCLC Orphan Nigeria 2000
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Pastor
Naumann, Joythi Jytho's daughter, Becky India - 2000
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