German missionaries visit Anmatyerr communities
Recently we received visitors from the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Bavaria (ELCB), Arnim Doerfer (Missione Eine Welt – Mission One World) and Martin Klein.
It was to be a full weekend in terms of Indigenous ministry – three communion services in three communities, from Laramba to Ti Tree, a round trip over 650 kilometers. Though intent on cross-cultural ministry, they were also eager to see the field situation in the Anmatyerr region for themselves.
Arnim himself had prior experience in visiting the adjacent Alyawarr lands, when Michael Jacobsen (also from ELCB) served there in recent years. The plan was for them to meet some of the local Lutherans and consider whether they might possibly help in supporting Finke River Mission (FRM) in this area.
We set off for Laramba first along the Tanami Highway, stopping there for a service then, cutting across to Ti Tree to the north-east, stayed the night at the Ti Tree mission house. After the Sunday services, we returned via the Stuart Highway. They saw a fair bit of the countryside, enjoying the comfort of the Toyota Prado, and appreciating its excellent air conditioning!
We held a service at Laramba Lutheran Church on Saturday midday, then two more at Ti Tree on Sunday, first at the church at Ti Tree Station, then at Six Mile underneath the basketball court shelter.
Both Arnim and Martin were raised as MK’s (Missionary Kids), having grown up in Papua New Guinea. They established an immediate and easy rapport with the people, particularly enjoying conversations with the evangelists Ryan, Savior and Gabriel at Timothy Glenn’s house in Laramba.
They were great company over the weekend, eager to chat, learn and observe. Arnim led worship and preached on the Blind Bartimaeus story in Mark 10 (which David interpreted into Anmatyerr). Martin (an environmental engineer from Munich), Ryan and Ambrose (trainee pastors) were on hand to assist him with communion. Around 30 attended each service.
Please pray for the Anmatyerr and Alyawarr areas, that they receive the pastoral training and support they need to grow in Jesus, for more workers to join FRM to cover these critical areas, for a rich harvest of souls, and protection from false teaching.
David Strickland is a support worker in the Anmatyerr language area.
