Ordinations Near and Far

It was three years ago, I was standing with one of my best friends, we both had our first calls in ministry in the Metro Chicago Synod. As we knelt down we were ordained into the Ministry of Word and Sacrament in the ELCA.  Since that day so much has happened.  Life has changed with good days and bad, celebrations and sorrows, and I find myself reflecting on all of this in Southern Africa. Only in my first weeks of living in South Africa, in the province of Kwazulu Natal, in the city of Pietermaritzburg, I have had the privilege of attending the ordination of 9 future pastors in the South Eastern Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa (ELCSA).  I was honored to robe and participate in such a powerful day in their church and something to be celebrated as the body of Christ.
Serving as a missionary is not where I thought I would be when I took those ordination vows, but as I visited Southern Africa in March, the excitement increased as the fear went away and I started to fall in love with what God is doing in this place.  There is a rich history of the Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) program in Southern Africa and it will be an honor to continue the ministry and relationship started by the Konkol and fostered by the Leiseth's.  And the vows I heard but definitely did not understand (the service was in Zulu), and the passion of the communities surrounding them brought back to mind that day three years ago.  So far from where I started I am reminded what comes with me to this new experience.  Where I have been informs where I am going, and reminds me God has been there every step of the way.
I'm looking forward to sharing stories and looking for God's hand in this journey.