January 2026 Newsletter: Faithfulness Amidst Changes

 Happy New Year Greetings and Blessings to you all.  

I am glad to start this new year by sharing some good news with you all in my January Newsletter!

As you will read, my call as an ELCA global missionary shifted at the end of 2025.  I am still based in Madagascar, but I now have additional responsibilities beyond Madagascar.  I also traveled to West Africa in late 2025 as part of my new call.  I've included several photos from my visit in the newsletter so that you can get a glimpse of our ELCA companions doing God's good work in West Africa. 

You can download the January 2026 Newsletter here.  You can also read it below.  

I've also shared one of my favorite pictures and story at the end of this blog post that didn't make it into the newsletter. Be sure to scroll down! 

I keep you all in prayer, as do our companions around the world.  I know that this is not an easy time in the US, and in many parts of the world.  But as I hear often from our siblings in Christ where I serve, we trust that God is faithful especially in times of difficulty, and will give us the faith, ability, and resources to be bearers of the gospel in all that we are and all that we do. 

-Pastor Kristin 

Bonus photo: 

In early October 2025, I visited one of the ELCA Companion Synods in the Malagasy Lutheran Church to join them in celebrating their 20th anniversary as the SPAVA synod.  One of the activities was a soccer match between the synod pastors and the soccer team of the congregation hosting the celebration.  Of course, I had to join the pastors team (to represent the women!).  A picture of the SPAVA Synod Pastors Team is below - I'll think you'll find me quite easily!