The LORD bless you from Zion

And so it continues: my Mustang and I rolled into Zion Lutheran Church in Omaha, NE, on Thursday morning, September 23, for the start of the Jamaica FORO. Zion's WiFi password is a Bible verse about the Lord blessing His people from Zion, and bless us He did through their hospitality and generosity.

Simply defined, a FORO is a partnership circle: districts, congregations, individuals, RSOs, departments within the Synod, auxiliary entities, other NGOs, and more walking alongside church planting efforts in a particular field by engaging in the strategic planning process and rallying various forms of support. Typically, FOROs convene 2x/year in the field in question, but Jamaica is unique in that its FORO meets once in the States and once in the field. For the past several months, all FOROs have been virtual, so pulling off an in-person event anyplace was a triumph. As I do for a handful of other FOROs, I helped Area Facilitator Rev. Charles St-Onge with partner communications and logistics as much as I could while on home service. 

Worship is an important part of FOROs. Charles started us off with a brief service of the Word. 

Rev. Bruce Lesemann (St. John Lutheran Church, Storm Lake, IA, foreground) and Rev. Peter Kirby (Lutheran Hour Ministries, background). 

Before the programming got underway, we presented Zion with a personalized print of Acts 1:8 as a thank-you for being such gracious hosts. Pictured with Charles (2nd from right) are the two secretaries and cantor. 

Zion's Women's Circles went above and beyond for Thursday's afternoon snack break, providing individual, fall-themed treat bags. Rev. Wayne Lawrence, a Jamaican national serving a congregation in University City, MO, and wife Jackie were all smiles with theirs. 

A handful of participants joined the business sessions via Zoom. Neither of our local workers was present, either; Rev. Obot Ite gave his report virtually...

...and Peter updated us on the work of Lutheran Hour Jamaica in director Ancella Gregory's stead. Ancella is retiring in December and I had hoped to celebrate her, but I settled for mailing her a card we all signed instead.

Conversations that happen between agenda items are often one of the most impactful aspects of coming together. 

The [in-person] September 2021 Jamaica FORO participants. 

Another Acts 1:8 print for another generous Omaha area congregation. Pacific Hills Lutheran Church provided dinner for us on Thursday evening: lasagna, salad, garlic bread, dessert, and fellowship!

I was on the docket Friday to talk about short-term teams in Jamaica. The prevailing Controlled Entry Programme renders in-person STT activity impossible for the foreseeable future, so we continue to pray that its tight limitations are lifted speedily. If that happens, we're hoping to hold the next Jamaica FORO in - gasp - Kingston!

Until next time, blessings!