Signs of the Times

A letter from Becky and Eric Hinderliter serving in Lithuania

July 2016

During our mission training, now 16 years ago, we heard from Anthony J. Gittins. His book at the time, Reading the Clouds: Mission Spirituality for New Times (1999) cautions us “to pay attention to the significance of our changing selves.” Yet in today’s fast-paced world “our senses have been dulled and our interpretive skills are neglected.” As latter-day pilgrims “we must learn to read the clouds which accompany us on our journey so we can safely reach our final destination.” Jesus chastised the crowd: “You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky. How is it that you don’t know how to interpret this present time?” (Luke 12:54–56). This message prompted us to think about the signs of the times here in the Baltics, both for the world and for our own lives.

Our first sign of this present time concerns our students. We picture ourselves as teachers; indeed, that is our assigned role here at LCC International University. But while we think of teaching as our ministry, we are often surprised that our more important ministry may be one of healing. Gittins argues that we tend to give priority to teaching—telling, judging, correcting—while we forget that it was healing—touching, loving, restoring—that was central to Jesus’ ministry. As teachers we focus on our successful students, but not enough on those who made bad choices.

Three grads returned to LCC to share their successes

Two of our students, both recently released from prison, have returned to us as a place they know, where they feel welcomed. One wrote this in his application to be readmitted to LCC: “The last reason I want to be accepted again to LCC is the amazing atmosphere in this university. LCC has different cultures, languages, and experiences under the same roof. Everybody here tries to be friendly, even if they do not know you. This experience of closeness, warmth, and openness is unique to this university. It is not only the knowledge I want to get, but also the experience that I can get only in LCC.“ Like the prodigal son who came to his senses as he remembered how his father treated people, our former students recognize LCC is a place of acceptance. Those who may have stood in judgment like the older brother have softened their stance and offered welcome. We believe in redemption. We were glad to welcome back these sons. Let healing continue.

The second sign of these times is the idea of Europe. Until recently Europe defined itself more based on values and not geography. The principal European values are peace and freedom. Yet the events of the past two years, starting with the Russian annexation of the Crimea and fighting in Ukraine, have posed challenges to the idea of Europe. Further stresses were brought on by the massive flow of refugees from the Middle East. Strained relations with Russia and NATO continue to escalate. We “hear of wars and rumors of wars…” (Mark 13). The polarization that once characterized the Cold War has returned. The rhetoric and the images emphasize fear and conflict. Ominous war game simulations and military exercises are in the news daily here. Today the headlines report “massive military drills” are under way in the Baltics. Alluding to the Crimea, the local newpaper in Klaipėda published a picture of a Russian flag in an LCC dorm window with this caption: “Should we be concerned? Has the occupation begun?” The LCC community reacted in a tempered and thoughtful way even as the newspaper tried to be provocative. LCC, to its credit, is a safe venue, a place where different groups can learn to live together while maintaining their ethnic identities. We sit at the border between East and West. We are called to be peacemakers, agents of reconciliation.

Marlene Wall, LCC president, greets a 2016 LCC graduate

The third sign of our times concerns money and how we live. Greed is often held up as a value in today’s investment climate. In a presentation to fellow mission workers in April, Eric noted that our wealth (think of our pensions and health insurance) in comparison with those to whom we are sent in ministry can be a barrier to being effective witnesses to the gospel. Our affluence is “a profoundly spiritual problem,” Jonathan Bonk writes in Mission and Money: Affluence as a Missionary Problem…Revisited (2nd edition, 2007). Bonk focuses us on the biblical litmus test for righteousness—“do not be hard-hearted or tight-fisted toward your needy neighbor” (Deuteronomy 15:7) and how rich Christians must be energetically proactive and generous—“let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action” (1 John 3:18). If we are to be effective in ministry, we must resist the temptations of wealth.

Money has certainly been on our minds these past months as the Presbyterian Mission Agency prepared its 2017 and 2018 budget. Funding is tight. Yet we are grateful that we will be able to continue in mission service. Our time here depends on continued giving. In April Hunter Farrell, director of World Mission, reported, “By God’s grace, the approved budget does not require us to recall any mission co-workers, as long as we continue to remain on track to hit revenue goals for the next two years.” Good news indeed, but we must maintain the momentum generated in mission funding. We want to express our gratitude for the support you have shown us for these many years.

The posting of a Russian flag in an LCC dorm window created a stir in Klaipeda

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In the coming year or two we will face major changes in our lives as our ministry with students here in Eastern Europe draws to a close. There remains a need for both teaching and healing. We want to be able to say, like the apostle Paul, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7). So thanks again to all of you for your generous giving. We ask that you continue your faithful support throughout 2016 and beyond with fervent prayers, frequent cards and letters, and generous giving to our designated mission account.

Grace and peace,

Eric & Becky Hinderliter