On Saturday, March 7, 2009, our Heart to Heart Sisters Committee, headed by Joy Ikanih, blessed us with a Multicultural Day of Worship and Praise at Bethany Lutheran Church in Milwaukee.

 

Pastor Vang opened with prayer and the Hmong youth, dressed in their native clothing, sang a beautiful song of praise for us. It is called, “Ntawm Tus Tswv Yexus Lub Npe,” which translates to “In the Name of Jesus.” Many of the songs that were sung by the different groups were very similar to the praise choruses that we sing at our LWML events.

 

Rev. Dan McMiller told us that the “LWML is a positive vibration in the church.”

 

The Efik/Ibibio youth also sang special songs for us:

“Lion esien Judah: The Lion of Tribe of Judah”

“Mama Christ Obong: I love Christ”

“Oh Jehovah: We Will Worship Jehovah”

“Afo mondi otor: You are Worthy to be Praised”

 

The Yoruba, Ibo and Efik/Ibibio languages that were represented at the gathering are all from the country of Nigeria.

 

Pastor Jon Leider, who has been working with multicultural groups for many years, reminded us in his message that “The Lord’s Word is Beyond Cultures” He opened with the Bible reading in English from Matthew 6,31-33 and Galatians 3, 26-29 and then the reading was done by different people in French, Spanish, Hmong, Efik, Yoruba and Ibo languages. He told us, “Stewardship and missions go hand in hand. Without stewardship, missions cannot take place, and without missions, stewardship is meaningless.”

 

What did I like the best? I guess it was when the people from the different cultures came down the aisle singing and dancing as they brought their offerings forward for the Lord. What a joy to share in that time together and praise our God. We also sang “What a Friend we Have in Jesus,” in the different languages.

 

The men and women, in their native dress, were a picture of diversity. Some of the husbands and wives wore similar colors. We were especially intrigued by the way some of the ladies’ hats were wrapped. There is a special way to do it and that is passed down through the generations.

 

After our time of worship, we were invited to join them for food and fellowship. There was so much food that it would be impossible to try all of it. We had different kinds of rice and noodles, beef and chicken with vegetables, goat, several kinds of fish, salads and desserts and they even made turkey and dressings for the less adventurous among us.  We enjoyed the fellowship and also found out more about the different ways we do things.

Many pictures were taken and I am sharing a few with you here.

 

 The Heart to Heart Committee is hoping to do this again. I would really recommend that you give it a try. It is a wonderful experience. God blessed the day with everything that was needed for a successful outcome. We thank Joy and her Heart to Heart Committee, Sarah Adetiba, Yong Vang, Lea Kasongo, Ijeoma Nchekwaram, Esther Ndon, and Francisca Ikanih. They gave us much to be thankful for as we praised our God together.

 Jan Dankwardt,

Joyful Participant

 

SWD LWML President Jan Dankwardt, Sara Adetiba, Joy Ikanih, National LWML President Jan Wendorf.

On Saturday, March 7, 2009, our Heart to Heart Sisters Committee, headed by Joy Ikanih, blessed us with a Multicultural Day of Worship and Praise at Bethany Lutheran Church in Milwaukee.

 

Pastor Vang opened with prayer and the Hmong youth, dressed in their native clothing, sang a beautiful song of praise for us. It is called, “Ntawm Tus Tswv Yexus Lub Npe,” which translates to “In the Name of Jesus.” Many of the songs that were sung by the different groups were very similar to the praise choruses that we sing at our LWML events.

 

Rev. Dan McMiller told us that the “LWML is a positive vibration in the church.”

 

The Efik/Ibibio youth also sang special songs for us:

“Lion esien Judah: The Lion of Tribe of Judah”

“Mama Christ Obong: I love Christ”

“Oh Jehovah: We Will Worship Jehovah”

“Afo mondi otor: You are Worthy to be Praised”

 

The Yoruba, Ibo and Efik/Ibibio languages that were represented at the gathering are all from the country of Nigeria.

 

Pastor Jon Leider, who has been working with multicultural groups for many years, reminded us in his message that “The Lord’s Word is Beyond Cultures” He opened with the Bible reading in English from Matthew 6,31-33 and Galatians 3, 26-29 and then the reading was done by different people in French, Spanish, Hmong, Efik, Yoruba and Ibo languages. He told us, “Stewardship and missions go hand in hand. Without stewardship, missions cannot take place, and without missions, stewardship is meaningless.”

 

What did I like the best? I guess it was when the people from the different cultures came down the aisle singing and dancing as they brought their offerings forward for the Lord. What a joy to share in that time together and praise our God. We also sang “What a Friend we Have in Jesus,” in the different languages.

 

The men and women, in their native dress, were a picture of diversity. Some of the husbands and wives wore similar colors. We were especially intrigued by the way some of the ladies’ hats were wrapped. There is a special way to do it and that is passed down through the generations.

 

After our time of worship, we were invited to join them for food and fellowship. There was so much food that it would be impossible to try all of it. We had different kinds of rice and noodles, beef and chicken with vegetables, goat, several kinds of fish, salads and desserts and they even made turkey and dressings for the less adventurous among us.  We enjoyed the fellowship and also found out more about the different ways we do things.

Many pictures were taken and I am sharing a few with you here.

 

 The Heart to Heart Committee is hoping to do this again. I would really recommend that you give it a try. It is a wonderful experience. God blessed the day with everything that was needed for a successful outcome. We thank Joy and her Heart to Heart Committee, Sarah Adetiba, Yong Vang, Lea Kasongo, Ijeoma Nchekwaram, Esther Ndon, and Francisca Ikanih. They gave us much to be thankful for as we praised our God together.

 Jan Dankwardt,

Joyful Participant

 

SWD LWML President Jan Dankwardt, Sara Adetiba, Joy Ikanih, National LWML President Jan Wendorf.