Immanuel Lutheran School » Feed My Lambs
The events of recent times have had a not so subtle way of reminding us that we live at a time when we are increasingly impacted by global considerations.
Modern means of communication and transportation have made the world a smaller place. High tech is a part of our lives. Few seem to be without cell phones now. Laptop computers are not an uncommon sight. Faxes and conference calls (sometimes with video feeds) are an efficient way to do business over vast geographical areas. Email communication has exploded. Fiber optics and satellite communication methods have revolutionized the industry. Transcontinental and transoceanic communication has become fast, easy, and incredibly effective.
Modern transportation enables us to get nearly anywhere in reasonable comfort and with dispatch. Consequently, international travel is actually quite commonplace. You do not have to look long to find someone who has recently made a trip outside the country. Due to business trips as well as travel for pleasure, the international concourses at major airports are bustling with activity. As our nightly news will remind us, military service will likely continue to contribute significantly to the steady flow of international traffic.
2002 ILHS graduate U.S. Army E4 Specialist Jonathan Greve returned in March from a tour of duty in Iraq and spoke to grades 8-12 and faculty at Immanuel about his military experience. 1998 ILHS graduate Lisa Busse recently returned to the United States after serving an internship as a civilian employee with the military MWR (Morale, Welfare, Recreation) program at a naval base at Bahrain in the Persian Gulf. Earlier Lisa had spent time working in Iceland, as well. She also accepted an invitation to speak at Immanuel to the General Business class and to the World History class.
Jon, of course, was involved in the ongoing conflict in Iraq. Lisa coordinated different recreational activities and programs for Navy and Marine personnel at the base in Bahrain. Each shared experiences and impressions gained during their time in the Middle East, as well as photos which helped the students further appreciate their accounts.
Both Jon and Lisa spoke of the importance of their faith as travel now takes them to distant parts of the globe, thus separating them from family and familiar surroundings, but not from their God.
Interestingly, the same remarkable modern communication methods mentioned above have enabled the families of Jon and Lisa to remain in rather close contact with them throughout their travels. Our congregation, too, has been able to send bulletins, sermons, etc. via email to members and friends. In some instances those receiving these mailings have passed them on to friends, literally around the world.
We think of all of our students, from the youngest to our 2004 ILHS graduating class, and are aware of how much they will need their faith wherever their travels take them, whether out the front door, down the block, or around the globe. But we also know that faith in their Savior Jesus Christ is a God-given gift and solid foundation which will serve and sustain them in all things and at all times. The training they have received can also help them to share a very important Gift!
Our Savior Himself spoke of the global implications of His Gospel Message and how enlightening and comforting are those Words: “Then Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ Amen” (Matthew 28:18-20).
“Let the little children come to me and do not forbid them, for of such is the kingdom of God…”
The following individuals from Immanuel are participating in this year’s Traveling Vacation Bible School. We remember them in our prayers, asking for safe travel and that the Spirit will work mightily through their work!