International Missions Update

Telica: Redemption of St Paul Lutheran Church. Photo by Dr. Thomas Winger

WORLDWIDE – Planning is underway for Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC)’s 2021 International Missions Budget, as well as the Project Proposals for Concordia Lutheran Mission Society (CLMS) and Lutheran Women’s Missionary League – Canada (LWMLC). Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR) is still in the process of working on their Project Proposal with their Partner Organizations to support our Education and Feeding Programs in Nicaragua. Below are some quick updates on LCC Missions’ sites around the world:

UKRAINE

Although Ukraine has closed its borders to non-essential visitors, the government has lifted most domestic travel restrictions, allowing Rev. Oleksiy Navrotskyy, LCC Missionary, to restart his monthly trips to the new mission station in Lviv. Additional updates from Rev. Navrotskyy can be read in LCC Missions: Ukraine Update.

NICARAGUA & COSTA RICA

The Education Program resumed in August in areas that have a low number of COVID-19 cases, observing every sensible protocol to keep everyone as safe as possible. Most of the congregations have also resumed Divine Services and catechesis, while practicing social distancing and wearing masks. Rev.  Edmundo Retana in Costa Rica has also been able to resume Divine Services and Bible Studies. More information about our Education and Feeing Programs in Nicaragua can be found in the LCC Missions 101: Introductory Video.

THAILAND

Thankfully, the ministries around Thailand have been able to continue uninterrupted. However, due to travel restrictions, theological education seminars that were scheduled for the summer and autumn have been postponed. LCC Missions hopes to resume these seminars as soon as travel is permitted and it is safe for our LCC instructors to enter the country.

CAMBODIA

In response to economic challenges caused by COVID-19, the Cambodia Lutheran Church provided food aid to more than 350 families throughout Cambodia, in partnership with Lutheran Church–Canada, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, Garuna Foundation, Concordia Welfare & Education Foundation, and Lutheran Church of Australia. This project was a great blessing to these communities and gave the Church the opportunity to connect with people they otherwise would not have reached. A video highlighting the distribution of aid in Cambodia can be viewed on YouTube Here.

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