Houge Mission News
December 2009
Claude and Rhoda Houge are serving in East Africa 
with LCMS World Mission

 

Obviously, we’re not  writing this from Africa!  We came to the states on December 8 and drove to Omaha for the Sudanese Consultation.  We were blessed with frigid weather, snow, and ice, which was also quite beautiful.   It was great to stay with friends Mark & Sandy Hannemann and experience the Pastor Boar’s Head Festival at their church.  We weren’t able to do any extra traveling to Nebraska, although we were able to see Rhoda’s sister, Ruth in Iowa, as well as friends Shirley & Robert Anderson.

At the Sudanese Consultation, LCMS people who are working in Sudan came from Utah, Texas, Missouri, Massachusetts, South Dakota, Nebraska, Minnesota, and Ontario. Besides quite a few churches, several organizations were also represented besides LCMS World Mission, such as the Nebraska District, Lutheran Heritage Foundation, LCMS World Relief/Human Care, Orphan Grain Train, Luth erans in Medical Missions, and Global Health  Ministries.  The representatives from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sudan were not able to get visas to attend the meeting, but we shared a video presentation from interim Bishop Rev.  Edward Nzeme Sunge.  The participants shared about the work they are doing, and it was encouraging to see the zeal and commitment of many who have a passion for the Lutheran Church in Sudan.  If you or someone whom you know is working in Sudan, please give us the contact so we can share more information.  

We had a few more mission meetings via conference calls, and then we were able to enjoy Christmas in the states.  Rhoda took granddaughter Lydia (age 6) to the Nutcracker Ballet in Minneapolis, and we spent a day with Elsa (age 2½) at Mall of America, where the main activity for her was running (although most  people go there for other reasons).  We’ve enjoyed time with both of them.

We also took in two Cantus concerts (distinguished male choir) with our son Ben, who was with us from China.  One concert was “All is Calm,” a musical reenactment of the 1914 Christmas truce between English and German soldiers at one battle front.  We enjoyed the extra activities focused on Christmas, as well as some special worship experiences.  It was  wonderful to celebrate the birth of our Savior in so many beautiful ways.

There was an overwhelming response with socks and ties for us to take back to Kenya!  Thank you to all of you, and I’m sorry if we didn’t thank you individually.  There were so many more than we expected, so some may go back on a future trip.  We had well over 600 ties and nearly as many pairs of socks.  We did appreciate the bottle of Cabernet buried in one of the boxes, and a loaf of cinnamon bread that came along with another.  God bless you all for the love and concern you are showing for others.  We plan to take some pictures in Kenya as these are distributed.

We were thankful to be able to get up to northern Minnesota the day after Christmas and spend some time with Claude’s father, Art Houge, and his brother Neil and family.  Dad is doing well at 102 and was happy to spend time with family.

Prayer Requests:

T   We are thankful for safe travel to and within the states.  Pray for our safe return to Nairobi on January 6.

T   Praise God that the Sudanese Consultation was successful.  Pray that future work in Sudan can be well-coordinated under the ELCS for the growth of God’s Kingdom.

T   Pray for those in our Armed Forces.  We are reminded more of this as prayers are lifted up in churches in the states.  And along with you, we pray for peace throughout the world.

And as always, we thank you for your faithful prayers and support.  

God bless you throughout the New Year! 

Together in His mission,

Claude & Rhoda Houge

Ablaze! - Praying to the Lord of the Harvest, LCMS World Mission, in collaboration with its North America and worldwide partners, will share the Good News of Jesus with 100 million unreached or uncommitted people by the 500th anniversary of the Reformation in 2017.

Missionary Contact Information:               

LCMS World Mission
1333 S. Kirkwood Rd.
St. Louis, MO 63122