Sorting, sorting, sorting

I have not gotten a departure date yet.  The closest estimate I have gotten is the end of August.  It is nice to have some time, but I am the type of person who does better with deadlines, so I am having trouble with staying on track some days.  I am still working to sort, sort, sort.  I realize that there are boxes that I have been moving without sorting for the last 4 moves.  I don't want to put the same boxes in storage here in Jim's house for two more years.  So far I have sorted my kitchen, books, and most of my clothes.  The number of unsorted boxes and drawers has gone down dramatically.  However, I still have the dreaded "miscellaneous" boxes left to work on. 

I did make the visit to the travel clinic and got 3 different shots.  Consequently my shoulder was sore for several days. We also decided on what malaria preventative medication I should try.  Malaria is a growing problem in Papua New Guinea (PNG). I have also been to several dental appointments, including a root canal.  What a relief to finally have dental insurance again!  I am definitely hoping to avoid dental emergencies while in PNG. I also have a new pair of glasses on order.  My current glasses will become my backup glasses, and my backup glasses will become my backups to  my backups (for those that don't know me I am quite nearsighted).

I have also been doing some shopping.  I have been wearing pants and tops for the last 9 years.  However, in PNG I am expected to wear either dresses or skirts that go halfway down my calf.  Since I own quite a few tops I am trying to find cotton skirts. My sister Beth went shopping with me last weekend.  We went to a large Lane Bryant store but all the skirts were up around my knees.  I did have success with one skirt at Wall-Mart.  At text study on Tuesday I learned that the big outlet mall in  Kenosha WI has several stores that might be helpful.  On Saturday Jim and I plan to make a trip down to do shopping.  There is a Black & Decker outlet that he can check out.  Who knows what we will come back with!

Summer Missionary Conference

I am half way through the summer missionary conference in Kenosha WI.  It is the annual gathering of missionaries of the ELCA that are about to go out, home on leave, or returning back from service.  We had a meeting of all of us serving or going to serve in the Asia/Pacific region.  Most of the others are serving in prosperous, urban, non-Christian settings such as Japan or Singapore.  That is quite a contrast to my rural, Christian setting in PNG.  I am still burned out from cities since living in the NYC area , so I am happy with my assignment.

I had lunch with Kevin, a missionary that used to serve in PNG.  He mentioned how one needs to get into a slower rhythm of life.  He would spend time everyday sitting on his porch savoring his view over the Pacific Ocean.  He also reiterated what a beautiful area I am gong to.

Friday I will be back in Milwaukee and working on all the details of getting ready.  A top priority needs to be visiting a travel clinic for my shots.

one orientation down, two to go

Today I am finishing up my last day of orientation in Toronto.  The actual sessions have been a mix of useful and boring, but generally helpful.  It has also been wonderful to get to know these other folks.  I expect many of us will continue to stay in touch and support each other as we go into new positions and new locations.

The most interesting event was a visit to an Ethiopian Orthodox Church.  I have little experience with an Orthodox  Church, much less one that believes it has the original Ark of the Covenant.  It was good to see such a different expression of Christianity, including different sights, smells, and sounds than one would see in a Catholic or Protestant church.  The synagogue we visited seemed more "normal" to me.  Of course I have  been to several synagogues before.  The trip was a good reminder that we each have preconception of what church "should" be, and how important to be open to what it is.

Tomorrow I fly down to Chicago.  I have the rest of the weekend off.  After that it will be a day of training at church headquarters (insurances etc), and then on to the Missionary Conference.

Training in Toronto

I have just finished my first day of training in Toronto.  It is officially the "Canadian Churches' Forum for Global Ministries Mission Orientation Conference".  While it is in Canada, only one Canadian is attending. There are also 35 of us Americans.  We are rounded out by one German and one South African.  Today was somewhat boring as they talked about Intercultural skills in a more theoretical way.  However, the schedule shows some interesting days ahead.  For example, on Sunday I will be attending a Chinese language church. Then on Monday I get to visit an Ethiopian Orthodox Church.

The creature comforts are nice.  We are staying in housing at St. Micheal's college at the University of Toronto.  The rooms have A/C and nice beds.  Many of the buildings are Gothic style with lovely architectural detail.  The dining room we eat at for Breakfast and Lunch make us think of Hogwarts.  However, we are missing the floating candles :-)Well, to bed.

ordination pictures - June 23, 2012 - Pullman WA

            Laying on of hands with Bishop Last (center), Western Iowa Synod  Other pastors L-R Rev. Wesley Howell, Trinity Lutheran, Pullman; Rev. Roger Petenger, retired campus minister, Rev. Dean Stewart, Moscow ID, Rev. Franklin Ishida, Gobal Mission.

    Receiving stole form niece Sarah Lieu, assisted by grandnephews Brandon Lieu and Adam Lieu. Bishop Last in center

Ordination and Beyond

My ordination last Saturday, June 23, at Trinity Lutheran in Pullman WA  was wonderful.  It was a strong mix of moving into the new (going to Papua New Guinea) and recognizing my roots.  We had a reception afterwards so I was able to talk to many of the people who were there.  Fortunately, many of my family were there.  It was wonderful that my Dad was able to participate in everything.  It made me glad that I had gone back to Pullman so he could join in.  


 It was great to be able to spend time with many of my long-term friends, as it will likely be two years until I see many of them again.  Global Missions will bring me back to the U.S. for a two month leave after two years of service.  I hope to be able to come back on my own after one year but am not sure how that will work out.


Currently I am working my last 4 shifts at McDonald's  and trying to get things organized.  A week from Sunday I will begin my orientation in Toronto, Canada. We are still working on my getting a work permit from PNG.  They say there has been progress, but had to redo some of it this week.  I hope to leave for PNG in middle to late August.  

On to Ordination

Ordination is my focus this week. I will be ordained June 23 at Trinity Lutheran Church in my home town of Pullman WA.  It is exciting to plan, but also a bit overwhelming.  I am learning the challenges of doing things long distance.  Thankfully the people in Pullman are being very helpful about the details.

I am excited about finally being ordained.  I graduated from Wartburg Seminary three years ago, but you can't get ordained until you get a call.  So, now that I have the official call to a job with Global Missions I am able to be ordained. I am excited to become Reverend Ann now.  However, I will still be cleaning at McDonalds to help keep my feet on the ground. :-)