The season of Lent is a difficult one for me. It is especially hard this year, as Ash Wednesday, February 26th, would have been my Mom’s 89th birthday. Twenty-two years ago, my Dad died on Ash Wednesday, February 25th. I really miss my parents and I am so thankful that they brought me up in the Christian faith.

This Lenten journey has become even more difficult for me with the COVID-19 pandemic. I am sad and confused. I miss seeing my kids and grandkids, and especially my “Sadie hugs”. I also miss being with my church family. Yes, we can connect through texts, phone calls, and Facebook, but it is not the same.

Even when I seem to stumble and fall, and wonder why do I feel this way? I know that God is always by my side. God is ALWAYS with me. For me, Lent means –

L – Love
Love one another as Christ has loved us! (John 15:12)
E – Encourage
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
N – Never give up….Keep the faith.
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. (Isaiah 40:29)
T – Trust
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Easter is April 12th and marks the end of the 40 days of Lent. So as we continue this journey through Lent may we all find comfort in our Risen Lord!


Julie Klein
Office Administrator

Last Summer I spent 2 weeks in Tanzania, a country the size of Texas in East Africa. I was there with 20 other MN musicians who met with 35 Tanzanian musicians to put on 4 concerts throughout one of the dioceses there. There are so many things I could write about from that trip-- believe me, the choir is tired of the stories. However, one story came to mind that seems a bit different for a time of Lent.

One town we stayed in is at the outskirts of the district and diocese where we were staying. It was about 2 hour drive from the Lutheran Centre where we were staying in the city of Iringa. In fact, this was the last stop before we went on safari--not far from the gates of Ruaha National Park. Being so close to the park, there were lions that came through the town some nights and would occasionally eat unprotected livestock. Luckily the incidents involving people were few, but it does happen.
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The town is very remote, but it does see travelers and gains income from tourists, but there isn't as much income as the needed, so many take the 5:00 AM bus back to Iringa. The road is so dusty that we Americans wore bandannas to cover our mouths. The road is extremely bumpy that some of us get woozy on our way there. However, people packed onto this commuter bus which went from town to town picking up people to take them to work every day.