Africa to Asia

An insight into the ministry of LCMS missionary Megan Birney serving Christ in Hong Kong

June/July 2011

America, The Beautiful!

Ive recently returned to Hong Kong after spending almost six weeks in the States. As the HKIS community dispersed for the summer vacation, I found myself headed to the States preparing to fundraise for another year of service. Its strange to realize that this is my 4th summer fundraising. Im amazed at where God has led these past years and Im a blessed to continue playing a part in His mission here in Asia. In addition to fundraising, I spent a week taking a graduate class for my Masters in Lincoln, Nebraska. The Family Life Ministry Masters program at Concordia University Nebraska (CUNE) has been a great learning experience and the knowledge Ive gained continues to be beneficial in my day-to-day ministry. During my week in Nebraska I was privileged to meet the director of my program, The Rev. Dr. Kevin Kohnke, who has worked tirelessly to help make the program entirely distance-learner friendly for my benefit. I spent time with classmates, learning about their diverse ministries and how awesomely God is at work within them. I was also blessed to spend quality time with Cindy and Delvin Lierman, who are the parents of my HK roommate, Lynette. I marvel at how God has orchestrated the people in my life so beautifully and I am very thankful! After my week in Nebraska, I was reunited with the beautiful sunshine state! Summertime in Florida is hard to beat. A missionarys time in the States is meant to reconnect with Just as a body, supporters, family, and of course all of the delicious American foods that are hardthough one, has pressed to find on the mission field. :) I was blessed to enjoy dinners with my family, many parts, but time with both my grandmothers, and celebrate the 4th of July in beautiful Flagler all its many parts Beach! For these moments, I am extremely grateful. In terms of fundraising, I was privileged to spend the majority of my time with individuals form one body, and congregations talking about how great our God is and how mightily His hand is so it is with working in Hong Kong and throughout Asia. I am especially thankful to the pastors and Christ...Now you congregations of Shepherd of the Coast in Palm Coast, Faith Lutheran in North Palm are the body of Beach, St. Peters in Middleburg, and Our Redeemer in Jacksonville. Without open doors, the stories cant be told. Thank you for opening up your church and yourselves Christ, and each one of you is a to hearing how His goodness and grace is being shared with brothers and sisters in Asia. part of it.

May the Lord bless and keep you along the journey!

-1 Corinthians 12:12 &27

You help make ministry possible! Tax-deductible gifts can be sent to LCMS World Mission Missionary Support PO Box 790089 St. Louis, MO 63179-0089
Make checks payable to LCMS World Mission Please write Support of Megan Birney in the memo line. Online gifts: www.lcms.org/birney

June/July 2011
LCMS World Mission
800-433-3954 www.lcmsworldmission.org mission.info@lcms.org Learn more about the work of LCMS World Mission in Asia:

Prayer Requests
For this reason, I kneel before the Father Eph. 3:14 For the community of Church of All Nations and Hong Kong International School Back-to-school outreach activities in the month of August For the Lutheran Church - Hong Kong Synod (LCHKS); that the Lord would continue blessing the efforts of the LCHKS in growing Gods kingdom. Theological Education in Africa; The CLET in Dapaong, Togo and Lutheran Theological Seminary in Pretoria, South Africa My CUNE Family Life Ministry graduate program. That the Lord would continue to raise up ministry partners in prayer and financial gifts for my service in Hong Kong. For individuals considering serving on the international mission field; courage and strength to heed the Lords call and say "Here am I. Send me!" My fellow LCMS missionaries serving internationally, for the opportunity & strength to live out Christs love through service around the world. Especially the 32 new LCMS missionaries headed to the mission field this Fall. For the hearts of those needing to know the grace of our great God

Birney Family Photo!

Contact Info
megan.birney@lcmsintl.org
Postal address: Church of All Nations 8 South Bay Close Repulse Bay, Hong Kong Check out my blog: acrossanoceansizedlove.blogspot.com Visit my project page: www.lcms.org/birney Download my prayer card: www.lcmsworldmission.org/prayercards Access my photo albums: picasaweb.google.com/megaroonski

If you would like to receive this newsletter electronically, please e-mail me at megan.birney@lcms.org!