Two weeks in Africa: President Bugbee reflects

Villagers in Mwanjete, Mozambique listen in as community leaders greet CLWR representatives

From February 23 through March 7, 2012, four representatives of Lutheran Church-Canada (LCC) travelled to Africa as part of Canadian Lutheran World Relief’s (CLWR) Global Encounter program. Participants were divided into three groups, with each group visiting CLWR projects in one of three countries: Mozambique, Ethiopia, or Zambia. President Robert Bugbee (LCC), Mathew Block (Communications Manager, LCC), and Paul Schultz (Board of Directors, LCC East District) were part of the Mozambique group. Rev. Dr. Glenn Schaeffer (Executive Assistant for Outreach, LCC ABC District) was part of the Ethiopia group.

In each country, participants toured project sites to see the difference CLWR’s work makes in the lives of ordinary people. Through the help of translators, village leaders explained how CLWR had given them tools to make a better life for their people, through agricultural initiatives, wells, markets, community organization, and numerous other projects. They welcomed the Canadians with open arms,

In one village, President Bugbee explained in this way the reason why the group of Canadians was visiting, and why our churches support CLWR’s relief and development work in Africa: “We are Christians, and because God loves us, we love you too – even though we’ve never met you before today!” He went on to explain the Gospel, how God loves us despite our sin and sent His Son to die for us, and how that love inspires us to share His love and Good News with others.

After spending a number of days visiting communities in Mozambique, Zambia, or Ethiopia respectively, the three Global Encounter groups met to spend their last few days together in Lesotho and South Africa. As the trip came to a close, President Bugbee recorded this video reflection on his experiences visiting CLWR’s work in Africa: