The Stars Come Out

After the late departure from Chicago and a bumpy ride into Omaha, our spiritual treasure hunting expedition arrived to Nebraska delayed but undaunted. We were greeted by our host pastor, Mike Kern, as well as fellow synod pastors Ruth Boettcher and Gretchen Ritola, who treated us to an abbreviated lunch at the airport (the engine problem in Chicago cost us what surely would have been a splendid meal at the Spaghetti Works). Lorin then took the keys and subsequent command of the 2011 version of the Immersionmobile (a 12-passenger van), and we headed for the base of operations for Lutheran Metropolitan Ministries, an organization sponsored by the Nebraska synod that operates a food pantry and provides clothing/basic personal supplies in one of Omaha’s neediest areas. Pastor Damon Laaker (right, in background) and food pantry operator Lori Lindberg gave us a tour and explained the center’s operation, before we met the administrative assistant, Francine, whose deep faith and unfettered joy brought smiles of admiration and inspiration to all of us. In these people and their wonderful ministry, we had indeed discovered spiritual treasure worth savoring.

Francine's smile lit up our day!

Boarding the van, we followed Pastor Mike for the two and a half hour trip past seasonally-bare crop fields, farm machinery dealers, and several tiny towns, then along progressively less smooth and more remote country roads to reach Immanuel Zion Lutheran Church, which emerged as a beacon from the pitch darkness of the countryside. Warm light poured through the stained glass of the sanctuary into the cold, giving us a glimpse of the fullness of nourishment and hospitality that awaited us inside. The members of Pastor Mike’s main congregation had prepared a magnificent spread (below), which they had generously refrained from partaking of until we arrived, even considering our tardiness. We enjoyed great food and conversation with the dozens who had gathered to greet and feed us. Exhausted but satiated, we travelers then separated into pairs and were chauffeured by our host families to our places for the night.

Before retiring, I stood outside and looked up into the night sky for some time. I marveled at the unencumbered view, at the ring of the Milky Way visible to me for the first time in many years. The number of stars was breathtaking. It was indeed a multitude of the heavenly host, precious gems sparkling as brilliantly as had the faces of our “heavenly hosts” who welcomed us with such kindness and grace. Thanks be to God.