Information and HAPPY NEWS!

Friday and Saturday, November 16^th & 17^th, I attended the Companion Synod Team Meeting in Kansas City We stayed at St. Paul’s Seminary, a very pretty campus. I found the team members to be “all about missions” and I really learned a lot. There were great sessions and my Russian DVD was part of our presentation to the team about the Russian Trip, several of our team members took copies for their home churches and I am invited to give my presentation on January 20^th in Springfield, Missouri at Messiah Lutheran! They must be a big church, they have 4 services.

I was elected as Area 5 Representative for the Companion Synod Team. They pretty much tell you what to do and you’re supposed to get it done, they only meet once a year. I like those kind of committees. My job is to make sure everyone in Area 5 is aware of our companion relationships and help to connect any who are interested with one of the congregations in either ELCROS or Papua New Guinea. What a fun job!!

When I came back from Russia, I decided that God had given me the job of not only raising funding for St. Marie’s but also to fund St. Paul’s Vladivostok, so I set my goal to raise $20,000.00 in 08. I was sort of like a walking United Way Sign, you know they keep filling up as donations come in? I never felt “burdened” but I was certainly preoccupied with raising funds, that’s a lot of pies in the face! Anyway, a representative from Global Missions attended the meeting and reported that ELCA Global had granted St. Paul’s Vladivostok $16,000.00 for 2008! It was almost like God said “ok, here’s your money, now get back to the original mission I gave you of connecting churches here with churches there-tell the stories, do the work…I OWN the results!” So, I can happily announce that all my fundraising is complete for 2008 as of this date!

I do feel about $20,000 pounds lighter. I wish I’d listen to my own self more…God always gives us what we need, we always have enough to do the job, He’s in control, it’s HIS mission.

I wanted to share this with you because it is truly a wonderful, extravagant thing God has done for our congregations in the Far East and He did it in the most remarkable of ways, His own!

Thank you all, everyone who is wearing a Gloria Dei t-shirt, as they put a St. Marie’s Christmas ornament on their tree while drinking Cloud County Tea and eating a gluten free baking mix! You all have been faithful true friends to our connection with our brothers and sisters in Russia and benefactors to little Russian orphans. Thank you for your prayers, and please continue as my work is just beginning and I want to make you proud.

Jackie Volbrecht
Area 5 Companion Synod Team Representative