Quilt blessed, knowledge shared at global gathering

TACOMA — Some 70 persons took part in the synod's annual global-mission event, "Global Stories — Transforming Lives," on Nov. 12 at St. Mark's Lutheran Church by The Narrows. Among the highlights was the blessing of a colorful and inspiring new quilt that holds the signatures of missionaries with ties to the Southwestern Washington Synod. Diane Armbrust, co-chair of the synod's Global Mission Committee, gathered the signatures, which those who had given service wrote on plain muslim. Each signature then was framed with fabric representing the country where they visited. Carol Fossum sewed everything together.

Speakers
Pack light when you go on mission trips, advised Dianne Johnson of the Northwest Washington Synod. That was only one piece of advice the seasoned sojourner gave to pull off successful visitations. Next, get out of the mindset that the trip is about a "project" to "fix" something, and rather seek relationship with the people you meet. "It's all about relationship," she said, adding that extreme poverty isn't something visitors can fix, since the problems are much bigger and sometimes global in nature.

Other tips:
— Know a little of the language. Just "hello" and "thank you" speak volumes to hosts.
— Research how hosts worship so you can fully take part.
— Bond as a mission-trip team by doing a few things beforehand, even activities that could create a little stress, like living in rustic cabins for a day or two. Work out conflict-resolution strategies.
— Share the work during a trip, with one person doing finances, another rooming arrangements, and on.
— Be polite with the cameras, and consider having one designated person per day. Hosts recoil when a dozen people pull out their cameras at once. Keep flashes and beeps off.
— Try to avoid depression when returning home brought on by the disparities you see. Take a safari or some other activity that is fun and decompressing.

Northwest author and former ELCA global-missions leader Anne Bayse introduced talked about going "glocal," which encourages us to think more globally about local issues, like water and food. "Our choices do connect us to the world," she said.

Workshops
— The Revs. Mike and Rowena Wang, among workshop presenters, shared how as mission developers they began two Lutheran worshiping communities in South King County where none existed before. "God's opened the door," the Rev. Rowena Wang said. She is pastor of the Federal Way Chinese Fellowship, and he leads the Chinese Lutheran Church of South King County in Renton. The couple have been doing quite of bit of outreach into the fast-growing Chinese American community in South King County, and consider their worshiping communities to be in the perfect place, near both Green River Community College and also Highline Community College, home to many Chinese visitors studying English as a second language. The couple routinely take their young worshipers to visit the Microsoft campus in Redmond, and also to destinations in Seattle and to Green Lake for fun.

Photo cutlines follow, top to bottom

Diane Armbrust, left, co-chair of the Global Mission Committee of the Southwestern Washington Synod, and Carol Fossum stand at a just-completed quilt that holds the names of missionaries with ties to the synod. The signatures of the global travelers are inscribed on simple muslin, and then framed with fabric that represents where they were.

Dianne Johnson of the Northwest Washington Synod gives advice on pulling off a successful mission trip.

Left to right, the Rev. Rowena Wang, synod Communicator Rachel Pritchett and friend Alex Pincus, and the Rev. Mike Wang after a workshop presented by the Wangs.

Global sailboaters the Martin family of Lacey presented a workshop about how they spread the Word across oceans. Left to right, Benjamin Martin, 11; Carrie Martin; and Lisha Martin, 9.