June 2009

Africa to Asia
An insight into the ministry of LCMS Long-term missionary
Megan Birney serving Christ on the international mission field

Oh the summertime...
So it’s officially summer! I am amazed
that I have been home for over five
weeks! In the beginning of June, Shep-
herd of the Coast LCMS (SOTC), my Concordia University Texas. Please remember
home congregation, celebrated it’s 20th Andrea (www.lcms.org?14884) and Lynette
anniversary. The celebration included a (www.lcms.org?15269) in your prayers!
family fun night, our annual church pic- Along with attending classes and getting to
nic, and a fellowship pancake breakfast know our new teammates during orientation, we
between services. I was glad to be home were also given the opportunity to test out our
for this celebration, but missionary train- TEFL skills at a real conversational class spon-
ing called and on June 6th I traveled to sored by St. Paul LCMS in Chicago. St. Paul is
Concordia Chicago. I spent the next few located in a predominately Hispanic neighbor-
days in fellowship with the new GEO mis- hood and the ministry involves helping atten-
sionaries who will be teaching English as dees learn/speak English clearly along with
a Foreign Language (TEFL) classes opening the doors for opportunities to share the
around the world this year. Nancy love of Christ. I spent the majority of the night
Kunert, one of our EFL teachers (pictured with a woman named Helen who has lived in
below giving me my certificate), was a America for six years and her husband and
missionary in Papua New Guinea for over small children can all speak English fairly well.
25 years and served alongside Rev. Al & We spent most of our time together addressing
Nancy Ebel, Susan Fluegge’s parents! At medical terminology because she felt she
training we were given more information needed to be prepared in case of an emergency.
about our ministry in Hong Kong. I will be Spending the evening talking to Helen made me
working at the Lutheran Tsang Shing Siu realize the incredible opportunities I will be “Come near to
given to minister to my students in Hong Kong
Leun School, Concordia English Gospel
through EFL classes. The rest of this month has
God and He will
Outreach Center, Holy Savior Lutheran
Church, and Wan Chi English Center. Our been spent organizing fundraisers, presenta- come near to
focus is on teaching conversational Eng- tions, and spending time with my family. I have
lish classes, Bible classes, and outreach some great fundraisers planned and will send you… Humble
activities. I met my new Volunteer Coor- details as they come together. Fundraisers in- yourselves before
dinator, Sharon Owens (pictured with clude; a yummy booth at the Fabulous Fourth
Andrea and myself below) and was given celebration in Flagler Beach, a dinner presenta- the Lord and He
tion at KoKoRo Japanese Bistro, lunch/dinner at
a mini-education in Chinese culture and
Panda Express, a Pampered Chef party, and a
will lift you up.”
the plans for the new ministry we will be
Lia Sophia jewelry party! If you would like to
starting in Hong Kong this fall! Sharon is
attend or volunteer for any of these events, James 4:8,10
an amazing woman with the most joyful
heart. She oversees the EFL ministries please let me know! Blessings to you!
in Hong Kong, Macau, and Jiang men
along with arranging opportunities for
short-term teams to reinforce us full-
timers. To learn more about the part
Sharon plays, visit
www.lcms.org?6689. Along with
Sharon and Nancy, I was also able to
meet my ministry teammates and soon-
to-be roommates, Andrea Bolognini and
Lynette Lierman. Both Andrea and Lyn-
ette have done short-term ministry in
Asia and are already an amazing en-
couragement to me. Andrea is commit-
ted to two years of missionary service in
Hong Kong to fulfill her DCE (Director of
Christian Education) internship through
 June 2009
LCMS World Mission
800-433-3954
www.lcmsworldmission.com
mission.info@lcms.org
Learn more about the work of
LCMS World Mission in Asia:
www.lcmsworldmission.org/asia
Contact Info
Megan Birney
megan.birney@lcms.org
Check out my blog:
acrossanoceansizedlove.blogspot.com
Visit my project page:
www.lcms.org?13343
Download my prayer card:
www.lcmsworldmission.org/
prayercards
Access my photo albums:
picasaweb.google.com/megaroonski
Newsletter Archive:
http://www.scribd.com/share/
upload/12705346/
u8nry0prmzuo0jsrb2k
If you would like to receive this newsletter electronically, please e-mail me at megan.birney@lcms.org!
Help support my ministry in Hong Kong!
Thank you for your continued support in prayer and financial commitments! As I make
preparations for my ministry in Hong Kong, I am called to raise funds for my service.
The cost for my year of service in Hong Kong is approximately $21,417;. I am asking
you to continue praying about supporting me financially and in prayer this upcoming
year. With only 18 individuals or families making a commitment to give $100 a month,
I would be fully funded! In order to leave on time in August, I am required to have 75%
of my funds gifted or pledged. If you would like more information please don’t hesitate
to contact me! Thanks for your prayers!
To support my work financially, you may send a taxdeductible gift to:
LCMS World Mission
1333 South Kirkwood Road,
St. Louis, Missouri 63122-7295.
Please make checks payable to LCMS World Mission.
Mark checks on the memo line “Support of Megan Birney”
Gifts can also be given securely online at my webpage:
www.lcms.org?13343
Prayer Requests
•
Please take these to the Lord in prayer...
Pray that God would begin to open eyes and ears and pave the way for the new
EFL ministry beginning in Hong Kong this fall.
• Pray for me as I continue raising prayer & financial support for my upcoming
service in Hong Kong, along with my teammates Andrea & Lynette.
• Pray that the Lord would continue to be prevalent in the lives of the Fluegge
family and for a smooth transition from their 10 years ministry at the CLET in
Togo to the USA and then to South Africa in November. They will be traveling
from Togo to the States 6/30—7/2.
• The students at the CLET; that God would steady their hearts to pursue their
calls to leadership training in serving the Lutheran Churches in West Africa.
• Praise for the CLET (Lutheran Center for Theological Studies) graduation 6/20!
Three CLET pastoral graduates (2 Togolese, 1 Congolese) are to be ordained!
• The CLET professors; give them strength and affirmation in their calls to
teaching and strength to lead the CLET; especially the director, Dr. Dongo.
• Praise for a great time of learning and fellowship at LCMS missionary orientation!
• Praise for my home congregation, Shepherd of the Coast LCMS who celebrated
their 20th anniversary this month!
• My fellow LCMS long-term missionaries serving internationally, for the
opportunity & strength to live out Christ’s love on the mission field.
• For the hearts of those needing to know the grace of our great God