Starting the end of January, it was a challenge to wedge in the rounds to the communities between the visits from our many guests.

NEW ENGLAND. Bishop Margaret Payne and group came to visit Episcopal projects, were delighted to find Lutherans in Honduras, and now look forward to partnering with ICLH. “Truly, we have much to learn from your church, in its sense of authentic community, its determination to be Christ in the world, and its unswerving dedication to the poor and marginalized,” Bishop Payne observed to us.

LUTHERAN WORLD FEDERATION. ICLH hosted a 4-day Diakonia conference so members from all of Central America and Colombia—with the help of staff from Europe and South America—could consider deeply the meaning of diakonia (service) and examine the ways our congregations are expanding the types of Christian service we live out in our communities.

TEXAS. Long-time ICLH partners Pastor Stan and Barbara Sultemeier from Austin, with a team of three women, sponsored a 4-day Liturgical Arts workshop, inviting all of our congregations to send participants. Slated to interpret, I picked up an intestinal infection, so stayed home eating antibiotics instead. Everyone else worked hard on banners and reported a laughter-marked time of learning and spiritual nourishment.

NE MINNESOTA. A week later, Rev. David Mesner and a team of about 40 “Duluth-erans” arrived (sans 62 pieces of luggage…) at the CCD center 1 ½ hours east (near Talanga) to make bricks and cement blocks, offer a dental clinic, and host an ecumenical theological/liturgical workshop. ICLH provided 17 participants. Despite a drippy cold picked up the first day, I interpreted, translated, co-celebrated two services daily, and interacted as the ICLH official representative, as Pastor Armindo was unable to attend. The content of the event was unexpectedly touching, and all of our participants marveled, “I learned so much!”  Hosts and guests alike hope we can repeat this accompaniment experience on a regular basis.