The Hinderlies are ELCA missionaries assigned to Madagascar, sponsored in part by this congregation.

As you have heard by now, we were forced to evacuate due to security issues in Madagascar … those issues continue with more violence than before. Please continue to pray for … those who are involved in this, that the people will be able to get back their lives… However as we know God can work thru evil too for good and due to this situation we have had the opportunity to get work accomplished here in Kenya, from working with the Pangani Lutheran Children’s Center and Women’s program to working with some of our ecumenical partners, and being able to serve the English service at the Jerusalem congregation thru
preaching and communion. We hope to return to Madagascar May 9th; please keep the people in prayer.

This past week Barbara and I had the privilege to participate in a Youth Peace Summit sponsored by the ELCA and hosted by the Kenya Evangelical Lutheran Church along with almost 200 participants from various denominations and faiths coming from Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo. Participants ranged in age from about 14 to 30. Particularly moving were the stories shared by the various participants regarding their own faith journeys that also included violence such as the young Rwandan man telling losing 60 members of his family when he was 10 years old simply because they were of the wrong ethnicity, of the Kenyans talking about their own experiences of violence from the post election situation in Kenya, but also of young people speaking of hopes and dreams…

One Muslim participant said: “For a period of one week, youths from seven different countries, different ethnicity, different races, different status, and different religious background, victims and perpetrators, shared, interacted and resolved to embrace peace to fulfill their dreams in life-this was an experience I have never had in my life.” He went on to thank all those who made it possible and that this has provided an entry point to the Muslim community as well. What a great Easter messages of hope! Prayer concern: Young people of all countries and all ages are the hope for possibilities and new ideas; we need to encourage them and find ways to support them in their dreams and visions as they walk their own paths of faith and allow for God to call them to His purpose and not to our own.

May God continue to bless these new relationships that thru them peace, reconciliation, compassion and understanding may grow beyond these young people to those around them. Blessings and peace to you all and thanks for your prayers and support as always we are eternally grateful, particularly in this time of economic crises knowing that it is as hard for you as for all.

Andrew, Barbara, Michael and Kristian