Our China project is progressing and we hope to feature this in our
Easter
appeal and newsletter. We should be ready to print the Enchiridion in two
months in a side by side (English/Chinese) edition. It will be in
simplified characters and made available to all campuses where there
might
be a contingent of Chinese students and a Pastor who is working with
them.
We will also determine various options for distribution in mainland
China.
This week we resolved to print 100,000 Catechisms in the Swahili dialect.
We earlier printed 75,000 and the supply was quickly exhausted in Kenya
and
Tanzania. When the request came I was reluctant and asked some questions.
I
received such a convincing letter to proceed that it will become part of
our summer appeal titled "The Little Blue Book." I’m finding out that
I’m
underestimating the significance of our work. This was brought home to me
by Andrew Mbugo Elisa who was with us several weeks ago and spoke on the
work we are doing in Sudan.
Here’s some language from Nairobi written by Anssi Simojoki in answer to
my
question about the copies.
"With the success we gained with Luther’s
Small
Catechism we find ourselves in an entirely new position. We must either slow
down
for the sake of rapidly rising expenses or forge ahead with full force
with
the glowing iron and be ready to meet the respective expenses. It is not
enough to translate and print a book. There is a certain high threshold
to
be crossed at this point. There is always conservative ambiguity facing
new
inititives.
The LCMS affiliation could have been much more sensitive to
the
extent of becoming an impediment when we bear in mind that LWF and
liberal
missions have been very influencial. Rt. Revd. Dr. Mwamasika said openly
that in the course of years LWF has delivered politics but no Lutheran
resources whatsoever to the ELCT. We have successfully crossed this
threshold and now find ourselves with a new dilemma how to exploit our
breakthrough. In military language: we have been able to mobilize a rebel
army like that in southern Sudan. Yet, this army has no arms at all. It
is
incredible to realize that Lutheran missions have been pursued in East
Africa for more than a century. There are about 3 million Lutherans in this
part of the continent. Still no Lutheran literature exists except a
version
of the Catechism! Can you imagine this?
Dr. Mwamasika openly stated in Arusha that Lutherans in East Africa do
not
know Lutheranism. They are being exposed to a growing extent to liberal
theology from the West and liberal Neo-Pentecostalism from America and
South Korea. Thanks to our project and the network of contacts we have
been
able to create with God’s help, the situation is now changing. The time
is
perfect since confessionalism still has a chance in ELCT. If the church
is
being impregnated with Lutheran literature; the future impact will go
beyond all human calculations. Rev. Chuchu confessed during our last
Editorial Com Mtg in Nairobi that working on the "Christian Freedom" and
the text of the "Formual of Concord" has taught him more Lutheran
theology
than five years at college.
As I said, we are in the process of mobilizing a rebel army. A successful
mobilization automatically leads to huge demand of arms. I consider
Luther’s Small Catechism as a personal weapon for the rank and file. It also
breaks
ground for other books. Other books of ours will be like complementary
weapons and arms systems. If we stop or even slow down right now the rebel
army will be brought into a state of irresolution or even confusion. The
"Small Blue Book" will be also our ambassador in East Africa recommending
our
work and our coming books to everyone.. The printing of books will
devour
large sums of money in 1999, still more in 2000, but I seriously
recommend
that we need to forge ahead with the Catechism as the demand requires."
Some later date I will share the story of Sudan as presented by Andrew
Mbugo Elisa. I am happy to report that the Mission Dept. did provide us
with half the cost of leasing the ELCS headquarters and worship center.
Last year we paid the full $11,000.00 ourselves. More on this at a later
date.
I guess you can see why I decided to agree to the order for 100,000 of
the
"Little Blue Book" for distribution throughout Kenya and Tanzania.
Thought you would appreciate the remarks by Anssi, our African Director.
Blessings during the Lenten season.
R. Rahn