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(Left to Right): Rev Gopinathan, former Secretary, IELC; The Rev. Raja Gambeeram, President, IELC; Rev. Dr. Albert Collver, Director of Church Relations / Regional Operations; Rev. Sukumaran, Vice President, IELC; Mr. Darin Storkson, Senior Regional Director, Asia and Oceana; Mr. Ravi  Jesupatham, Country Coordinator -India for the LCMS.

The new President of our partner church in India were visiting in St. Louis this week  It was great to see Mr. Ravi  Jesupatham in the picture.  Mr. Ravi was a gracious host and source of wonderful information and help when I visited India a few years ago with LCMS World Relief and Human Care.  He has been in touch and often comments on this blog.  The mercy work that we have done and continue to do in India is an important part of our life together.  The Indian Church has suffered some difficulties as have our friends in Kenya but by the grace of God they will all work through it.

So the six degrees of separation – this picture is taken at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Fenton MO.  My wife was called to Our Saviors in Fenton to be a parochial school teacher when I went to the Seminary.  I can still remember my fear in driving the U-Haul truck in the hilly streets of Fenton.  When I took my first call to North Dakota the first couple I married were Rodney Rathmun and Dawn Jensen.  Dawn went to church in Drayton but lived near Hallock MN.   Rodney went to work for CPH and they moved to Fenton.  Dawn became the music director for Christ Memorial Church in St. Louis.  The Pastor of that church back in the day was Greg Smith who served with me on the Board for Human Care  which is why I went to India.  Small world.