The Voice of Calvary Lutheran Church, Rio Linda

Lae, Papua New Guinea – April 7, 2004 Joyous Easter greetings to you all!

We have moved out of the season of Lent to the blessed season of Easter and the resurrection of Christ. As this transition is occurring, I think of the season of spring. This is the season of rebirth, joy, renewed hope. There is a zest and exuberance for new life. New and beautiful plants grow, wonderful flowers bloom, revealing magnificent colors. Thinking of home in California, I imagine the snow has almost all melted in the Sierra Nevadas and the new colors of springtime are soon to arrive. In Papua New Guinea, the vegetation is green all year round due to the frequent rain. The colors stay bright and alive. It seems we experience a springtime for most of the year.

The first term is over and now we have a break for Easter. What a time it is. It is enjoyable to have this time to prepare for next term and also to prepare for the journey home to California. The days are fast approaching when I will no longer start the morning with class at 7 a.m., go to chapel at 8:00 a.m., and continue with the day’s responsibilities here. Having early classes is nice because it gets so hot towards the middle of the morning and in the afternoon. Classes usually begin at 7 a.m. and end at 12:00 p.m. for lunch. Depending on the day, afternoon activities (whether work parade on campus or practical work for religious instruction at the primary and secondary schools, other courses, or other meetings) occur between 1:30 and 5:00 p.m. The single students who stay in the dormitory have dinner in the refectory at 6:00 p.m. The married students have their meals on their own time in their houses. Usually there are classes from 7 to 9 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays – sometimes on Tuesdays. The days pass quite quickly.

I’ll be teaching the same course that I did in the first term – Spiritually Literate Films. I had a group of five in Term 1 and will have a larger group in Term 2. It’s an interesting course and provides for some good, thought provoking discussions. The students write essays in English after watching the films, and the intent is to provide worthwhile writing practice for them. We have seen films like Green Mile, The Apostle, Butterfly, Chocolat, Grand Canyon, and others. The students have enjoyed the films I think. Some of the films have been rather inspiring.

As I prepare to leave during the first week of July, it will be sad to say goodbye at this stage. One of my hopes is to come back in the near future. I will miss looking out my window at the banana trees, my pineapple garden in the front yard, and the huge coconut palms that are present everywhere one looks. It is a peaceful campus.

I will keep my hope alive for this seminary - that it may reach success in its spiritual life on campus and in its pastoral training program. I hope that the students, teachers, and staff can work together in an effort to help improve the morale here and any overall feelings of discouragement from the last half of last year when the classes were suspended. I hope that those in the power seats put aside their obsessions of having to grasp their positions so strongly and work as servants of one another. I hope that they work with the staff and students in an encouraging, optimistic manner and find a road that will lead to clear, open communication and cooperation between themselves as colleagues and with the students. If hope is lost, a feeling of despair will remain.

The days pass more quickly than what reality reveals. I’ve been glad and thankful to have had this opportunity again to teach at MLS. I’ve enjoyed my time here and working with the students and staff. As I look ahead to going back to California, I do so with great anticipation and excitement. I’m not sure what the future will bring at this present time and try to keep an open heart and open mind.

May you continue to receive God’s rich blessings each day – most especially enrichment, encouragement, and joy in your work. I extend my abundant thanks for your continued support and prayers. Peace be with all of you.

With sincere regards,

Dawn

Calvary Lutheran Church, Rio Linda

The Voice of Calvary Lutheran Church, Rio Linda

Greetings from Dawn Solevad in Papau New Guinea