It was a light journey from Des Moines to Mission Central. Just a couple of hours through the greening fields and pastures. Corn is just coming in. Temperatures are increasing. Strong rains visited the Midwest a week ago, but the people here seem OK with it, knowing the corn is in the ground, and most of the beans.
Mission Central is as green and improbable as ever, this unassuming little blip on the E-16 in Western Iowa that makes such a big difference in Lutheran mission work around the world.
In that barn is the Creation Museum, and almost obscured in front of it is Old Missionary Gary’s headstone, All ready for when his Creator deems it’s time for him to come home. In the meantime, he’s pretty much as busy as ever. Talking to people. Painting the vision of mission work globally so people can grasp hold of it and encourage and strengthen and empower it.
We arrived in Mapleton a little early so Gena could meet with a friend that goes back many years. Good time of reconnecting over coffee before making our way to Mission Central just a few miles out of town.
We presented at 1pm, just after noon. We shared the afternoon with the Lehmans, who serve in Puerto Rico. I presented first and then Adam did. Afterwards we had the traditional Mission Central laying-on-of-hands prayer before we all scattered our different ways. It’s funny to know how uncomfortable the laying on of hands is for many people, but nobody dares argue with Gary! Afterwards we had some great conversation with some of the folks on hand to hear the presentations for the day.
Now, it’s time for us to hit the road again for the 5.5 hour drive from Mission Central to Minneapolis, in time to worship with Our Savior Lutheran Church in Excelsior, MN.
The Nelson Family Indonesia 