Prayers Requested

I received this communication the other day. We are praying for Rev. Elisa - please join us. He is an amazing man and faithful servant of our Saviour.

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Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

You may have heard that Rev. Andrew Elisa, bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sudan (ELCS), has been hospitalized in Jordan.

As many of you know, the Holy Spirit has worked mightily through Rev. Elisa to establish the ELCS. Fifteen years ago, the Lutheran Heritage Foundation sent Andrew Elisa five copies of Luther's Small Catechism and a Book of Concord, and from there, the Lutheran church began in Sudan! Today, there are more than 80 Lutheran churches, five Lutheran elementary schools and two kindergartens located throughout Sudan, attended by more than 15,000 baptized Lutherans. More than a dozen men attend the seminary in Baguga, studying to become the faithful shepherds of these people.

After working tirelessly for the ELCS, today Rev. Elisa needs your help.

Early in October, Rev. Elisa began experiencing difficulties in his balance. After meeting with doctors at St. Paul Lutheran Hospital in Khartoum, he received treatment and returned to Yambio in southern Sudan.

Over the next two weeks, the imbalance continued and an MRI revealed a growing inflammation in the brain. Rev. Elisa and his wife, Linda, traveled to Jordan on Nov. 5 in hopes of better diagnosis and treatment. Physicians there are continuing his treatment and have started physical therapy. Unfortunately, Rev. Elisa's symptoms do not appear to be improving at this time, and the inflammation has started to affect his speech.

Rev. Elisa has requested your prayers for healing, and for the comfort of his wife, Linda, and their children. In addition, Rev. Elisa's medical bills are mounting. The Lutheran Heritage Foundation is coordinating an effort to help cover these costs, which total more than $12,000 so far (not including his room and board).

To send a gift to help cover Rev. Elisa's medical costs, go to the LHF website at www.LHFmissions.org. There, you can donate online using your credit card.

Or, you can send your donation to LHF at 51474 Romeo Plank Rd., Macomb, Michigan 48042. If sending a check, please note "Andrew Elisa Medical Expenses" on the memo line.

Finally, friends, if you would like to receive updates on Rev. Elisa's condition, or if you'd like to receive the latest news on LHF's work around the world, register as a member at the LHF site. Click on "Manage my E-communications," and you can choose to subscribe to several e-mail newsletters, all delivered directly to your e-mail In box.

Yours in Christ,

Rev. Robert Rahn
Executive Director
The Lutheran Heritage Foundation

Want to be Happier?

1. Surf less. The internet makes everything seem more important than it really is.

2. Turn off the TV. Studies have shown that people who watch a lot of TV have a more negative outlook toward life.

3. Slow down. Rushing makes everything seem worse.

4. Interact. With friends, neighbors, family, nature . . . "It is not good for the man to be alone."

5. Pray. Especially the psalms. Remember who's in charge and greater than your problems.

Now What?

A very worthwhile article by John Piper in World Magazine on the aftermath of the election. Go and read it here.

Veterans Day

Thank you.

What Would King Think?

One of the interesting things about the election of Mr. Obama is the media's proclaiming this the "fulfillment" of Martin Luther King's dream. While I do not doubt the significance of this election, one of the better comments I heard this morning disavowed this the fulfillment of the dream. For Dr. King's dream was that all people be judged not on the basis of the color of their skin - but far too many people these past fews days proudly stated that they voted for Mr. Obama because he is black. Is this what Dr. King would have wanted?

Post-Election

The elections are over for another year. Whether or not your candidates won, there is one thing we can all be thankful for: all those “robocalls” and TV commercials will now stop for a while!

But now that the elections are over, there is something we are all now to do: pray. Pray for our leaders (1 Timothy 2:1-4) – both those returning to office and those newly elected. Pray that God would grant them the wisdom and courage to govern in accordance with His Word and for the good of all people. And keep them in your prayers! Our officials do not have an easy job.

But what if you don’t like them!? What if you voted for someone who lost? That’s okay – you don’t have to like who got elected, but we are still subject to them, and we still owe them honor and respect because of the office they now hold (Romans 13:1, 7; Fourth Commandment). Also, Jesus told us to “love our enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). If that is what we should do for our enemies, how much more should we pray for our leaders with whom we might disagree, but who are not our enemies! Just opponents in the political process.

Also remember that God will use these people to bless us. Maybe you will not agree with everything that do and say, but God uses believers and unbelievers alike to provide us with all that we need in this life – our daily bread, peace, health, safety, and more. Even hard times, persecution, and suffering (if they come) God can use for our good and benefit, to turn us to Him and strengthen our faith in Him.

So keep our leaders in your prayers. If you disagree with them, let your voice be heard. Speak up in love for the benefit and welfare of your neighbor, but always with all charity and respect.