Bethlehem Lutheran Church News

We began the second seminar this morning. We actually started close to on time, at 10am. We are meeting at the United Theological College, known as UTC. A good group assembled, with a good group of pastors from independent, slum churches. These pastors have little formal education, and are eager for anything that will help them grow as more effective pastors. I am in awe of them when I think of all the resources we at Bethlehem have- and all the opportunities I have had over the years, in terms of my own education. It is a humble conversation that I share with them when I talk about you.

They are also not too fluent in English, which has necessitated translation of the material. It took us three tries, and three different translators, but finally a young man named Suresh stepped up and was terrific. He had little trouble with my accent, and I was able to figure out short and succinct sentences. Together, we found a rhythm that was fairly easy for us, and which made sense for our listeners. He was even able to make my jokes work - a remarkable feat, indeed...

On Wednesday, April 23, it was off to Kodaikanal in the Western Ghats. My host, David Samuel, Executive Director of TAFTEE (The Association For Theological Education by Extension) managed to twist his back (it's amazing: turn 50, move wrong, and the whole world comes to a screeching halt! I speak from personal experience...), and elected to return to Bangalore rather than endure the four hour drive into the hills. Good choice- it was a long trip, but at least the roads were bad...

Check out The Story of Stuff by Annie Leonard.

Living Green Expo is Saturday and Sunday, May 3-4, 2008 and the MN State Fairgrounds Grandstand. This event is FREE!