Rev. Randy Schlecht
Our Savior’s Lutheran, Valley City

The days of April 14-27, ten of us were on the road going to cities and villages called Yaounde, Garou Boulai, Baboua, Bouar, Gallo and Buhong. While we were talking and discussing, Jesus came and went with us (actually Jesus was already there ahead of us)! In the breaking of bread at worship, in homes and talking with Christians on the road – our eyes were opened. We returned with burning hearts – never had a moment of heartburn!

• I was hungry…they gave me beef, chicken, goat, fish, rice, ndole, manioc, mango and papaya
• I was thirsty…they offered me bottled water, coffee, bottled soda and bottled beer
• I was a stranger…they welcomed me with singing, handshakes, smiles and dancing
• I was (ok, I could have been naked)…they washed and dried my dirty clothes
• I was never sick…they gave me a place to rest, a mosquito net, food and malaria medication
• I was not imprisoned…so there was no need for you to come and visit me.

The faith, joy, leadership, hospitality and witness shared by the people of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Central African Republic are precious gifts. God’s Spirit is at work! As always, I came home having received more than what I was ever able to bring.

The experience of arriving in a village for worship at their church, to visit their school or their health clinic means you are surrounded and met with smiles, singing, dancing, and handshakes by everyone. I never met just one official greeter who stood waiting for me to come to them. Everyone was a greeter!
So, I’m imagining what it would look like around the Eastern North Dakota Synod if there weren’t one or two official greeters and instead, everyone became a greeter. Picture this: a hundred or more people standing out-side church doors with smiles, singing and handshakes as they welcomed each other and guests at worship. Picture this: a hundred or more people moving about their church halls seeking out people to welcome instead of waiting for people to come to them. I honestly couldn’t picture any of us dancing outside the doors or in the hallways so I’ll settle for smiles, handshakes and singing!
Imagine yourself being welcomed by everyone throughout the synod and imagine the story you’d tell. Imagine your congregation welcoming everyone and imagine the story they’d tell.