St. Louis Report

Enroute to Washington DC, Mr. Pato flew into Saint Louis, Missouri, and was met at the Airport by Dr. Otto Hintze and stayed at the Hintze home, where he was so warmly received by the Hintze family. Jill Otto had prepared an Engan “type” meal that after a word of thanks in prayer was thoroughly enjoyed.

In the evening, Mr. Pato met a former missionary to the Enga Province Pastor Rahl and Mrs. Rahl. Mr. Pato briefed Dr. Hintze, Mrs. Hintze and Pastor Rahl and Mrs. Rahl on the progress of LUPNG and the University’s visions for the future. Dr. Hintze expressed some concerns for the future of Martin Luther Seminary (MLS) as a Pastoral Training Institution but was quickly assured by Mr. Pato of the steps the Committee was taking with the assistance of the Australian Lutheran College (ALC) to ensure the seminary’s continuation as a ‘distinct’ School of the University. Significant improvements to the quality of existing programmes at MLS were being undertaken with the support of the ALC. It was noted that Rev. David Birner Associate Executive Director, World Missions, LCMS who had been informed of the LUPNG Project from time to time and has been invited to visit the University so that continued channel of communications could be developed for future collaboration and support which may be sourced through the LCMS.

Mr. Pato presented a gift of a PNG artifact to Rev. Hintze and his wife and they reciprocated with an “Ablaze Shirt” and a photo album depicting the Pastor’s early work in PNG and his recent farewell visits to the country.

Before Mr. Pato departed Missouri, the next day, he attended morning Church Service where Mr. Pato was introduced to the Church and he took the opportunity to extend to the congregation greetings from the Lutheran Christians in PNG and from his home congregation of Yaramanda, Enga Province, where Dr. Hintze spent some 14 years. After the church service Dr. Hintze then guided Mr. Pato to a tour of the LCMS facilities at Saint Louis including the Seminary at which Dr. Hintze and Dr. Williard Bruce received initial training towards their early mission work in Papua New Guinea.