Gateway to hope
Pastor Mark Schultz from LifeWay Lutheran Church, Epping, in Sydney’s north-west, recently led a team of volunteers to the Lutheran Church of Cambodia’s (LCC) new outreach point in Tang Krang village, Kampong Cham Province, Cambodia. The team was comprised of people from LifeWay, and Immanuel Lutheran Church, Woden, ACT. The two congregations funded building a manse and worship and community centres, which were opened while they were there. Pastor Mark baptised six young people at the same service. Karina McKenzie from LifeWay was one of the team members.
We went to Cambodia to build a fence.
A fence. The dictionary defines it as: a barrier, railing or other upright structure, typically of wood or wire, enclosing an area of ground to prevent or control access or escape.
When you break it down, it actually seems a rather contradictory thing to do, to build a fence around a new church in a non-Christian community, doesn’t it?
We spent a week working on that fence – from laying concrete, painting the pillars, digging and drilling holes with primitive tools, eyeing lines and straining wire. But at the end of that week there was a rather impressive fence.
While we were there, I had time to contemplate the significance the fence might hold for neighbouring families. Was building a fence around this new church and therefore closing it off a good outcome?
As the week progressed, the number of children from the village who came to play and laugh with us grew. While the wire was yet to go up, they came into the yard from every direction. It was wonderful to see. On the last day, as the wire went up, I felt a twinge of pain realising we were creating a barrier for them to overcome. That was, until we had the dedication of the new church.
Now I don’t think they see that fence so much as a barrier, but more a threshold. As they came through the gate that sunny Sunday morning, it was clear they knew they were crossing over into something special. And they were coming to see how it could change their lives.
That fence had created a gateway to a new beginning for them. And each time they walk through it, it’s a reminder of the new life being offered to them through Christ.
It might have just been a fence this time, but now the real building starts as God’s kingdom begins to take shape.
Back home I have found opening my church door has never been more powerful than it has been the past few Sundays. Now a little piece of that mission trip is with me every time I cross that threshold, reminding me of the one we helped create for our new friends in Cambodia.
To watch a video of the Cambodia mission team’s experiences or see more photos from the trip, visit www.lifeway.net.au
LCA International Mission partners with the Lutheran Church in Singapore and other overseas Lutheran churches to support the emerging Lutheran Church in Cambodia (LCC). We have volunteers who serve in Cambodia, and congregations such as Epping and Woden, who partner with LCC. In addition, Lutheran schools such as Tatachilla Lutheran College, SA, partner in ministry in Cambodia. To find out how you, your school or congregation can become a partner with overseas churches, such as the LCC, contact LCA International Mission:
Address: 197 Archer Street,
North Adelaide 5006
Email: lcaim@lca.org.au
Phone: (08) 8267 7334
More information: Internation Mission website.
This feature story comes from The Lutheran October 2016. Visit the website to find out more about The Lutheran or to subscribe.
