Celebrating over 45 years of Christian camping in Iowa

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Ewalu Welcomes Namibian Visitor

The staff at Camp Ewalu were honored recently by a visit from Pastor Paul Hatani Kisting of Namibia. On November 25, Pastor Kisting visited with Paul Little (Development Director) and Jesse Klosterboer (Program Director) about the summer camp ministry at Ewalu.

As part of his visit to the United States, Pastor Kisting toured Camp Ewalu in order to gain a better understanding of what his fellow Namibians often experience in a summer of outdoor ministry in Iowa.

From left to right: Jesse Klosterboer, Ewalu Program Director; and Pastor Paul Hatani Kisting of Namibia.

After arriving in New Jersey this fall, Pastor Kisting spent a week there before coming to Iowa. Through his travels, he has taught Americans about the powerful work of Lutheran churches in Namibia. Pastor Kisting has also inspired new and stronger connections between American churches and the relatively poor yet bustling churches of his home country.

Serving as deputy bishop in the Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Republic of Namibia, Pastor Kisting is able to connect many people with opportunities in ministry. He coordinates resources, manages staff, and actively cares for pastors and congregations in his geographical area.

In Namibia, Pastor Kisting will have first-hand information for people interested in coming overseas for outdoor ministry. His visits to churches, mission sites, and now to Camp Ewalu, will help him better prepare the people of his country for their mission work in the United States.

For the past several decades, Ewalu has successfully enriched the summer staff community with an international presence. Since 1997, wonderfully gifted individuals -- frequently Lutheran pastors and other church leaders -- have come to Ewalu specifically from the African nations of Tanzania and Namibia.

Located in southwestern Africa, Namibia is home to the “sister synod” of the Northeastern Iowa Synod. Ewalu also welcomes summer staff from Tanzania to celebrate the sister synod ties to the Southeastern Iowa Synod. Each year, people from countries around the world are connected with Lutheran summer camps in the U.S. through the ELCA's International Camp Staff program.

Accompanying Pastor Kisting on his visit to Ewalu were Kathy Scharnhorst and Karen Thacker, both of Iowa.

You can read more about Pastor Paul Hatani Kisting and his visit to the U.S. in the following article: http://www.nj.com/columns/jjournal/index.ssf?/base/columns-0/1225175143301570.xml&coll=3

by Jesse Klosterboer, Ewalu Program Director