Lutheran Missions.org Sites ->
Early last week, I was down visiting pastors south of Chennai ( the massively large city where I stay while in India ). At one point we were stopped before railroad tracks. As we waited for the train to past, I took two pictures. The first one below was out the passenger side window. The passenger side window is the opposite side in India by the way.
Isaiah 9:6-7 6 For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
IS GIVEN -> The purpose of Christmas to rejoice and give thanks to Him who gave us this Gift, namely God the Father, from whom all blessings flow. Christmas is the Festival of the Father.
A CHILD -> The gift, from the king of Kings, not gold or silver, not technology or an easy life, only a tiny little child. Seemingly useless but the gift promised from the very beginning, the child Eve was looking for, and all the prophets since.
A SON -> Not just any child but a Son. Indicating the one begotten by the giver. He gave not our son, but His son. Not a child of our begetting, but of His. The LORD himself as man.
UNTO US -> Not passing through, not speaking to, not working on behalf of, not simply our mediator, not simply an ambassador, all of these things yes but much more. One of us, become us, as much human as you and I. Yet perfect without sin.
THE ZEAL OF THE LORD -> Dependent not on the works of man, coming not when men remained faithful, but brought about by the zeal, the energy, the purpose of the LORD, a purpose unwavering and undiminished through 4,000 years of human sin!
Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.
Let Israel now say, “His mercy endures forever.”
Let the house of Aaron now say, “His mercy endures forever.”
Let those who fear the LORD now say, “His mercy endures forever.”
Psalm 118:1-4
A very blessed Christmas to all those in India, in Nepal, in Africa, in Canada, and in the US, and in the rest of the World. There is much that has happened this past year, but it is through all of you that the Lord has strengthened me and preserved me. As He gave us His Son, He gave us His love, may that love continue to grow between us all.
In the Love of Christ and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit.
Pastor Matthew Ude
My brother Nathanael came to visit me in India for Christmas.
We decided to do our best to make a traditional Christmas Eve supper. We mad a list of various German/ Norwegian Christmas foods, and headed out to see what ingredients we could find. Much to our surprise we found all the ingredients we needed for all the food on our list. We weren’t able to get the yeast breads made because we didn’t have time, stollen and cardamom bread. However we did have: (more…)
Numbers 24:17 17 I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near; A Star shall come out of Jacob; A Scepter shall rise out of Israel,
Luke 1:54-55
54 He has helped His servant Israel, In remembrance of His mercy, 55 As He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and to his seed forever.
Luke 1:68-70
68 Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, For He has visited and redeemed His people, 69 And has raised up a horn of salvation for us In the house of His servant David, 70 As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets, Who have been since the world began,
Cookies, stolen, krumkake, eggnog, ham, pie, peppermint, pine, holly, mistletoe, snow, colors and lights and songs and shopping and Christmas TV specials. The deep shadow of Christmas to a WI born German. Currently I have none of it. I did take the time to buy a single Christmas decoration, a tree. And I plan on finding the appropriate decorations for it later this week. But it is now the 20th of December and for the most part the whole month has passed and I barely noticed it was Advent. Whatever else all the preparations and traditions are they are a constant reminder of what is coming. They keep you constantly in mind of and focused on that which is ahead of you. (more…)
November 30, 2009 4:23pm – Accra Ghana
After a little over a half week I am back in Accra Ghana, My plane leaves tonight to take me . . . onward.
Pastor Gideon, Pastor Kossi, Martin Essien, and Pastor Essien Michael singing and dancing
On Thursday and Friday of this last week, we pulled out all the stops and had a large evagelism meetings outside the church in Lome Togo. There were probably close to three hundred people all told who at least stopped by while the movie was playing. I’m not really sure what was said or done at these meetings, but more and more I am surprised in a good way by both Pastor Kossi and Gideon. I’m certain the Word was preached and the Lord will accomplish what he will. (more…)
November 25, 2009 – 8:20pm – Lome Togo
Choir in Lome Togo singing in church
Leave it to the French to make things difficult. I arrived in Lome Togo today after only a very brief stint in Ghana. It really amazes me how different the two countries are although put together I do not think their combined width is even 150 miles. One of the differences is the outlets. Its true that everywhere I go has different outlets from the UK to Nigeria to India. Here in Togo I have found generally the same two round holes like in India, BUT they are inset into a round cavern with a single flat vertical protuberance coming out of the wall, so that they not only need the correct sized metal protuberances sticking out from your plug, but the shape of the rubber housing on the plug itself must all fit within certain parameters. This made me very doubtful as to the usefulness of my ingenious American made plug of all countries. However if I underestimated the French flare for uniqueness, I also underestimated American cleverness, my handy little international plug did indeed fit just fine without any problems. It seems France and America can indeed work together. (more…)
St. Stephen's Lutheran Church sign
I am no longer anywhere near Efa. On Tuesday I finished whatever business I could in Efa and on Wednessday flew to Lagos. Pastor Essien Michael picked me up from the airport and rode with me down to Badagry. Badagry is west of Lagos settling snug against the border of Benin. We slept that night at the hotel and proceeded to seek out Pastor Eric and the church the following morning.
The church itself is apparently so close to the border with Benin that every time we returned from the church to the hotel, a distance of maybe two miles, we would pass through a customs checkpoint. The customs officers, however, apparently knew we were not coming from Benin and would let us pass through.
On Thursday Pastor Essien Michael and I meet with Pastor Eric as well as the president of the church in Badagry. We talked for a while about the church, its troubles and triumphs and plans. (more…)
Although no one (at least no one over here in Africa) believes that I am in danger, we have taken certain prudent steps so as not to invite danger. For one, instead of staying in Efa I am now staying at Martin’s house and driving to Efa when I can for meetings with boards and people. Furthermore, I am leaving the area as soon as possible, namely next Tuesday, instead of remaining the rest of next week. The Pastors in Efa insisted that there was absolutely no danger at all, but Martin who has a better idea of what is going on and has talked to a number of policemen and other government officials thought it was a prudent step. Besides all that this will allow my sisters and mother to sleep more soundly at night knowing I am surrounded by high thick walls, in a well guarded community, where no one knows where I am. There is of course always risk, but having done what was prudent we continue in our work knowing the Lord is at hand.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
This incident I am about to relate, might seem to some proof of how unsafe it is for us in Africa. In reality the story shows just the opposite, because it makes very evident that the Lord is present and able to deliver whom he will from the very mouth of oppression. It reminds me that we are as safe here as we possibly could be, here or anywhere else.
Last night around 9:00pm a group of three armed bandits came to Pastor E. E. Essien’s house, which is right next to the mission house where I stay when in Efa. Apparently they went there looking for me in order to kidnap me and take me to Port Harcourt for ransom. They asked Pastor Essien, where the American missionary was. Pastor Essien refused to tell them saying only that, “He isn’t here.” They ransacked his house looking for me. When they could not find me after about 2 ½ hours, they stole about $133 from Pastor Essien and his car keys and left. Sometime around 11:30pm I was taking a shower about to go to bed, when I heard people outside the house. Thinking it was probably Immanuel come to ask about something, I called out asking who it was. They answered but I did not understand what they were saying. I grabbed a towel and came out into the living room, where there are windows to that side of the house. Again I asked them what they wanted. They said they had run out of petrol and asked if I had any. I told them I did not, and I was sorry I could not help them. They left and a little later Pastor Essien found his car returned to him and the bandits gone. Although the porch door to the house was shut at the time it was not locked, and even if it had been, one good kick would have opened it anyway.
Thanks be to God!
Other than that quick little incident, everything here is quiet and coming along nicely. This morning I was able to join them for worship here in Efa. What a blessing. My schedule for the next two week is also filling up very quickly, with meetings and church visitations. My time here is so short and there is so much to be done.
Other than the protection. The Lord has certainly given me great blessings on this trip. Last time I came the electrical power was on at the house maybe two hours in the entire two weeks I was here. In the last three days that I have been here it has already been on for probably 24 hours. Including all last night, which means that I was able to sleep with a fan on. This is probably the greatest physical comfort the Lord could provide here in Africa. With even the smallest breeze the climate of Nigeria at this time of year isn’t bad at all. Normally however the air is humid and completely stagnant, which makes it quickly uncomfortable.
Thanks to everyone for all your prayers,
May the hand of the Lord surround you all as He has me,
In Chirst,
Matthew Ude
(This is one post I wrote yesterday, but I do not have it with me at the moment and will have to post it later)
Friday, November 6th
I finally made it to Efa (where our seminary is) to find Pastor E. E. Essien, telling me that they had planned a conference for the 3rd, 4th, and 5th of November, thinking I would be here by then. I arrived the day after. I was indeed supposed to be in Nigeria by the 3rd but as mentioned previously, was delyaed by British Airways. It’s too bad I missed the conference but what are you going to do.
Pastor Essien is as chipper and talkative as always, and his wife is visiting the hospital raguarly for diabetes and hypertension but is otherwise healthy and active. When I arrive she insisted on sweeping my porch for me, when the young man Pastor Essien had called to do it wasn’t doing it the way it “should” be done. I should mention I had every intention of doing it myself but while greeting Pastor Essien the young men snuck in behind my back and were busy working before I had my bags out of the car.
Pastor Udo also sounds healthy and well although I saw him only briefly just before I was about to leave for Uyo to pick up some supplies (where I am now).
Akpan (I think I spelled that correctly) Ekpo, Pastor Essien’s old driver apparently passed away a few months ago. I’m sure he is enjoying his time with the Lord, but I fear the driving in heaven might be a bit too tame for him.
Pastor Essien, Martin Essien, and Pastor Udo send their greetings and love to everyone. Pastor Essien is very excited about the mission calendar I brought for him. I’m sure I will have more news in a few days.
It is very good to be back. Praise the Lord.
-Matthew Ude
Email:
