The Star-Struck Magi

The 6^th of January, Epiphany, is a day that is sometimes not associated with the Christmas holidays, (unless you are Puerto Rican). I was born and spent my childhood in Puerto Rico where El Día de los Reyes (Three King's Day) is just as important as Christmas. Traditionally, this was the day of gift-giving while Christmas was a religious holiday.

But of course Epiphany is not only celebrated in Puerto Rico. This year my school's annual drama performance was a rendition of "Twelfth Night" by Shakespeare. Twelfth night is another name for Epiphany, as it is the twelfth night after Christmas. This play was first performed on the celebration of Twelfth Night in Elizabethan England, hence the name.

So Epiphany is the day when people celebrate the arrival of the Magi to Bethlehem. It isn't the same as Christmas because they came approximately two years after Jesus' birth, when his star had appeared in the sky. That means that they did not come the same night as the shepherds, and they did not come to a stable (as many nativity scenes would have us believe).

Something one must ask though is what on earth were Magi doing in Bethlehem? Historically, Magi were priests of Zoroastrianism, an ancient Persian religion. They were known for being magicians who had the ability to interpret omens and dreams and offered sacrifices to the stars and planets. They were sort of astrologers because they were said to keep watch from generation to generation for a star that would appear and indicate the arrival of a savior. In any case, they certainly weren't Jewish. So how could the star they followed to their Savior have been the same Messiah that had been promised to the Jews?

A star is, after all, just a ball of burning gas far, far away from the earth. How could it guide people? I don't know much about stars, but I know that if you started to follow one, you would be led in circles as it traveled from east to west and then back again the next day. So how were the Magi able to follow a star all the way to Bethlehem? Moreover, how did it stop and stay right over Joseph and Mary's house?

We know little about the Magi who left their comfortable lives to go to Bethlehem. Savior or not, it's still a pretty crazy thing to do. It's not like there was a paved, six-lane highway from Persia to Judah. Their journey shows that they were truly devoted to God and to this Savior that had come to the world, so much that they were ready to go wherever that star led so that they could worship him.

Jesus Christ came as a baby to be the Savior of all nations and peoples and races on earth. The Magi are a clear representation of this wonderful fact. "There is no difference between Jews and Gentiles; God is the same Lord of all and richly blesses all who call to him." (Romans 10:12)

The God who created a star to guide the Magi all the way to the Savior and made it stop above him, is the same God who calls each and every one of us "go" and to let our going be an act of worship to him.  He is the same God who, long ago, slid off of his mother's lap to touch a huge heavy jeweled box with his tiny hands and looked up as rich kings with long beards and flowing robes knelt before him in worship.

 

Written by Christa Troester

Baboua, Central African Republic

 

Photo: Hand-carved Wise Men from Bouar, Central African Republic, photographed in front of traditional Cameroonian indigo-dyed cotton fabric.

 

Christa Troester attends Ninth Grade at Rain Forest International School in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Her parents, Joe and Deborah are ELCA missionaries in Baboua, the Central African Republic. Joe serves as technical advisor for PASE, which provides clean drinking water and promotes good hygiene and sanitation to villagers. Pastor Deborah teaches at the Theological School in Baboua.

 

Central African Republic: seeking advisor to education programs

Looking for a job where you can make a real difference in the lives of people? Consider the following position with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and come join our team in the CAR.

 

Provide assistance, guidance and perspective to the directors and staff of the literacy, Christian education and village education programs in the Central African Republic. Literacy and community development background or training preferred. For more information, visit www.elca.org/globalserve/search and enter keyword "Central African Republic."

 

There are many other positions available on this website as well. You do not have to be Lutheran to apply.

 

Photo: Young girl taking notes during class in a Village School, Lokoti-Yalewen, Central African Republic.

 

Joe and Deborah Troester are ELCA missionaries in Baboua, the Central African Republic. Joe serves as technical advisor for PASE, which provides clean drinking water and promotes good hygiene and sanitation to villagers. Pastor Deborah teaches at the Theological School in Baboua. Their daughter, Christa, attends Ninth grade at Rain Forest International School in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

Merry Christmas from the Central African Republic

Ndjoni Matanga ti Noël!

Joyeux Noël et Bonne Nouvelle Année!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Fröhliche Weihnachten und ein glückliches neues Jahr!

¡Feliz Navidad, Próspero Año Nuevo, y Feliz Día de los Reyes!

 

From Joe, Deborah, and Christa Troester

Baboua, Central African Republic

 

Photo: The Troesters in Central Africa, Christmas 2011.

 

Joe and Deborah Troester are ELCA missionaries in Baboua, the Central African Republic. Joe serves as technical advisor for PASE, which provides clean drinking water and promotes good hygiene and sanitation to villagers. Pastor Deborah teaches at the Theological School in Baboua. Their daughter, Christa, attends Ninth grade at Rain Forest International School in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

Celebrating National Day in the Central African Republic

This past week the Central African Republic celebrated its 51^st year of independence. National Day, December 1^st, is observed each year with parades, speeches, soccer matches, and other festivities, including a boat race with giant dug-out canoes in the Oubangui River in Bangui.

 

In Baboua, where we live, a parade was held, which included majorettes, motorcycles, school children, the Tai Kwan Do Club, and many other organizations. This year the parade was held on the newly-paved main street, which is also the major route from Cameroon to the capital of Bangui. This marks the first year we have had any paved roads in Baboua, or anywhere in the western region of CAR, outside of the main city of Bouar.

 

As we end 2011 and get ready to begin a new year, things are looking brighter than they have at any time during the past eight years since the 2003 coup. Peaceful elections were held in January, with the run-off elections in March, and peace agreements have been made with nearly all the former rebels in the country. A "Caravan for Peace" has been traveling through the troubled northeastern region, and opposing groups there have recently concluded a peace agreement as a result. The U.S. has sent advisors to help stop the predations of the Lord's Resistance Army, which has been causing trouble in the far eastern regions of the country.

 

If a country is at peace, then progress toward development can be made. In most regions of the country, farmers have returned to their fields and are enjoying good harvests. Roads are being paved, and children have returned to school. CAR still needs a lot of help, but the country can look forward to 2012 with optimism that at least the country is relatively free of violence and insecurity. If the peace holds, maybe even some measure of prosperity can come to this impoverished, but resource-rich nation. Let us pray that it may be so.

 

Photo: Flag-raising at the opening of the National Day Celebration in Baboua, Central African Republic. High school students stand at attention as a soldier salutes the flag.

 

Deborah and Joe Troester are ELCA missionaries in Baboua, the Central African Republic. Joe serves as technical advisor for PASE, which provides clean drinking water and promotes good hygiene and sanitation to villagers. Pastor Deborah teaches at the Theological School in Baboua. Their daughter, Christa, attends ninth grade at Rain Forest International School in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

 

Global Handwashing Da--2011

October 15 is Global Hand-Washing Day.  Why have a day dedicated to the prosaic act of washing one's hands? Because hand-washing holds the key to preventing many serious diseases both at home and around the world. Remember when your mom told you to wash your hands before eating? It was good advice.  According to the International Water Institute (Stockholm), evidence shows that diarrheal illnesses may be reduced by 45 per cent by washing hands with soap after using the toilet and before eating. Many other diseases can be passed from one person to another by people who don't wash their hands. Hand-washing is considered to be an important defense against the spread of cholera, typhoid, and even the common flu virus, among other diseases.

 

PASE, the Water Management Project of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Central African Republic (CAR), is working to provide clean drinking water to villages in the CAR and also to teach good hygiene practices to villagers, such as the importance of hand-washing. Providing clean water is only one part of preventing water-borne diseases. Hand-washing is a crucial element in the equation.

 

This year PASE will be constructing latrines and hand-washing stations at schools and health centers in CAR in order help the "hand-washing habit" to take root.

 

Photo: Marie Gbayina pours water for Rodrigue Koulagne to wash his hands.

 

Deborah and Joe Troester are ELCA missionaries in Baboua, the Central African Republic. Joe serves as technical advisor for PASE, which provides clean drinking water and promotes good hygiene and sanitation to villagers. Pastor Deborah teaches at the Theological School in Baboua. Their daughter, Christa, attends ninth grade at Rain Forest International School in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

Troester Home Assignment Repor--2011

We have returned to Africa from an enjoyable, but exhausting three month tour of the United States. We were able to visit our friends, relatives, and supporters in Florida, Illinois, Louisiana, Minnesota, North Dakota, Puerto Rico, Texas, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. We had 30 separate engagements, including visiting 18 different congregations plus attending the ELCA Caribbean Synod Assembly in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands and a Leadership Event at the Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod. The response to our presentations was positive and enthusiastic.

 

Now we are back in Africa. Christa has started 9^th grade at Rain Forest International School in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Deborah has returned to teaching future Lutheran pastors and their wives at the Baboua School of Theology in the Central African Republic. Joe continues his work with water; however, the organization he works with is now the joint recipient with Mercy Corps of a major grant from the European Union. As always, more money means more paperwork.

 

We want to thank all of the people that helped us with our travels, by providing delicious homemade specialties, giving us a comfortable place to sleep, and patiently listening to our stories and presentations. We made many new friends and renewed many old acquaintances. We look forward to seeing you all again when we next return to the States in 2013. Below is a detailed list of all our engagements.

Presentations in the United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands

·         June 23 to 25: We attended the ELCA Caribbean Synod Assembly in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. Deborah preached and we gave a presentation about our work in the Central African Republic.

·         June 26, Sunday morning: Deborah preached at the Union Church of San Juan, Puerto Rico and we gave a presentation afterwards.

·         June 28, Tuesday morning: Deborah gave a presentation at the Women's Bible Study at the Union Church of San Juan.

·         July 3, Sunday morning: Deborah preached at Grace Lutheran Church in San Juan, Puerto Rico and we gave a presentation afterwards.

·         July 10, Sunday morning: Deborah preached at her home congregation, First Presbyterian Church in Carbondale, Illinois.

·         July 16, Saturday evening: Deborah preached and we gave a presentation at the contemporary service of the Resurrection Lutheran Church in Bloomington, Illinois.

·         July 17, Sunday morning. Deborah preached both services at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Peoria, Illinois. We gave a presentation between the two services.

·         July 20, Wednesday evening: We attended a potluck and gave a presentation at Christ Community Lutheran Church in Columbia, Illinois.

·         July 21, Thursday evening: We attended a dinner and gave a presentation for First Presbyterian Church (Carbondale, Illinois) at Giant City Lodge.

·         July 25 to 29: We attended the ELCA Summer Mission Conference at Carthage College in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

·         July 31, Sunday evening: We attended a potluck and gave a presentation at a Mission Fair hosted by Epiphany Lutheran Church in Carbondale, Illinois. The Fair was held jointly with Calvary Lutheran Church in De Soto, First Lutheran Church in Murphysboro, First Presbyterian Church in Carbondale, and Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jonesboro.

·         August 10, Wednesday evening: I attended a potluck and gave a presentation at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Venice, Florida.

·         August 11, Thursday afternoon and evening, I gave three presentations at Living Word Lutheran Church in Katy, Texas; the first presentation for the children at the church day camp, the second for the high school students, and the third for the adults.

·         August 12, Friday morning: I attended and gave a presentation for the CAR Committee of the ELCA Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod

·         August 12, Friday evening: I attended a potluck and gave a presentation at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Houston, Texas.

·         August 13, Saturday: I attended and gave a presentation at the Synod Leadership Summit in Brenham, Texas.

·         August 14, Sunday morning: I gave a presentation at a potluck at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

·         August 17, Wednesday morning: I attended and gave a presentation to the Minneapolis Synod Water Committee. In addition to my work in the CAR, we discussed their work in Nigeria.

·         August 17, Wednesday afternoon: I met with Mark Warpmaeker, Executive Director Lutheran Partners in Global Ministry.

·         August 18, Thursday afternoon: I met with Tim Iverson, Executive Director and Scott Lien of Global Health Ministries.

·         August 21, Sunday morning: I preached three times at the First Lutheran Church in Williston, North Dakota. I gave two presentations: the first was between the second and third services and the second was after the third service.

·         August 22, Monday morning: I attended and gave a presentation at the WNDWELCA board meeting at Bread of Life Church in Minot, North Dakota.

·         August 22, Monday evening: I attended a potluck of tatter-tot hot dishes and gave a presentation at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Rolla, North Dakota.

·         August 23, Tuesday evening: I gave a presentation at the Park River Bible Camp for United Lutheran Church in Cavalier, Zion Lutheran in Hoople, United Lutheran in Langdon, and Our Savior's Lutheran in Park River

·         August 24, Wednesday afternoon: I attended the Global Mission committee meeting of the Eastern North Dakota Synod at Peace Lutheran Church in Fargo, North Dakota.

·         August 24, Wednesday evening: I attended a potluck and gave a presentation at Peace Lutheran Church in Fargo.

·         August 25, Thursday afternoon: I gave a presentation at a nursing home in Hillsboro, North Dakota.

·         August 25, Thursday evening: I gave a presentation at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Hillsboro, North Dakota.

·         August 27, Saturday evening: I gave a presentation at First Lutheran Church in Litchville. North Dakota. This was a joint presentation for First Lutheran Church in Litchville, Marion Lutheran Church in Marion, Spring Creek Lutheran Church in Hastings, and Trinity Lutheran Church in Litchville.

·         August 28, Sunday morning: I gave a presentation for Mission Sunday at Milnor Lutheran Church in Milnor, North Dakota.

 

Deborah and Joe Troester are ELCA missionaries in Baboua, the Central African Republic. Pastor Deborah teaches at the Theological School in Baboua. Joe serves as technical advisor for PASE, which provides clean drinking water and promotes good hygiene and sanitation to villagers. Their daughter, Christa, attends ninth grade at Rain Forest International School in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

 

School Set to Start in Central African Republic

This week signals the beginning of the 2011-2012 school year in the Central African Republic.  The Village School program of the Evangelical Lutheran Church is gearing up to serve over 4,000 students in 20 schools, nearly all of them in villages where students have no other educational opportunities.  Both Muslim and Christian students attend these schools, which are vital to educational development in this country where barely half of the population is literate. Girls in particular often do not attend school because parents do not want to send their daughters to distant schools. Having a school right in their village encourages parents to send their daughters to school, as well as their sons.

 

The project is largely funded through gifts from congregations and individuals in the United States. Parents contribute, but with a median family income of barely $2.00 a day, these monetary contributions are rather modest.  Parents construct the school and a simple home for the teacher, usually out of sun-dried mud bricks and grass for a thatch roof. Then Village Schools sends a trained teacher (or teachers), along with educational materials to hold classes.  If the parents are willing to help, Village Schools will construct a permanent building, using cement and fired clay bricks.  At least one remote village has collected all the materials necessary for construction of a permanent school and is waiting for funds to commence building. Another permanent school building is already nearing completion in the town of Baboua.  If you wish to help, contact Rev. Twila Schock, Director for Global Mission Support and Global Gifts, 8765 West Higgins Road, Chicago, IL 60631, Telephone: 773.380.2641, FAX: 773.380.2410, Twila.Schock@elca.org, www.elca.org.

 

Photo: Village School Director Etienne Yaïman hands out new books and notebooks to students at the Village School office in Baboua, Central African Republic.

 

Deborah and Joe Troester are ELCA missionaries in Baboua, the Central African Republic. Pastor Deborah teaches at the Theological School in Baboua. Joe serves as technical advisor for PASE, which provides clean drinking water and promotes good hygiene and sanitation to villagers. Their daughter, Christa, attends ninth grade at Rain Forest International School in Yaoundé, Cameroon.