Back in Baguio

Not quite as catchy as Back in the USSR, but c’est la vie.

I have been back in Baguio. It’s becoming a second (or maybe third?) home for me over the past few years. This time I’m back to coordinate and assist in a training and review week for deaconesses of the Lutheran Church in the Philippines. And once again I’m blessed to be joined by Deaconess Sandra Rhein and Teacher Melinda Thews. Together, we’re providing theological, musical and pedagogical training to about 35 ladies. For most of these ladies, this is not their first time with us in trainings so the need to teach new and additional things grows. What a great problem to have!

My theological training this time has been on the Augsburg Confessions. We went – fairly quickly but not without some great questions and conversations – through all 28 of the Articles. I tried to cover what the Article intended as well as implications for Lutheranism today.

Deaconess Sandra taught hymnody and a fair amount of theology (naturally) in and through and with that. She coached the ladies in singing, harmonization, and the use of instruments like hand bells to accompany singing. Filipino culture is a singing culture so the ladies were very enthusiastic in their participation!

Teacher Mindy guided the ladies in sample lessons for readings from the current lectionary cycle. Her emphasis is on every lesson reaching the head, heart and hands of a child. She led the ladies through crafts, games, and activities designed to help kids connect with the message of the Scripture readings and remember it.

We were blessed this time to be situated at a different facility that provided more comfort to the ladies during their week in Baguio. Instead of sleeping in a church basement they shared rooms at the Betania Retreat House in Baguio, a Catholic retreat center. It was a lovely place to be and work and enjoy time together, and the nuns welcomed us warmly.