David Bahn – Reflections

Light from the Word and through the lens

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In 1968 Jerry Snell opened a door in the hallway outside our first hour chemistry class. He invited me into what I discovered was a darkroom. Soon I was on the school newspaper and annual staff as a photographer. Later I learned that Jerry was a Lutheran who was planning to become a pastor. A few years later I was not only a Lutheran, but I was heading off to seminary to become a Lutheran pastor, too. Jerry followed a year later and served as a pastor in Missouri until his untimely heart attack and death. I thank God for Jerry and enjoy photography still today – not to mention rejoicing in having served as a Lutheran pastor in congregations in Utah, Colorado, Arkansas and Texas. I’ve retired now and serve part time as a Congregational Support Specialist for the Texas District of the LCMS. I also provide coaching and leadership training through various PLI cohorts and with individual congregations and organizations. David Bahn is a follower of Jesus Christ, husband to Diane, father and grandfather. He is an avid amateur photographer. His photo website is “Flowers by God Photos by David” He also publishes a devotional blog DavidBahn-Reflections.com. He and Diane live in Cypress Texas and enjoy visiting their grandchildren who live in the United States and Germany. He graduated from Concordia Theological Seminary in 1979, and earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from Fuller Theological Seminary in 1991. Diane, his wife, is now retired from PLI (PLIleadership.org). They have offered presentations on Marriage and Ministry Partnership, Leadership, Changing Your Congregation’s Culture, and Missional Living. They look are working with PLI International training pastors and wives of the ELVD Diocese of the Lutheran Church of Tanzania. David’s personal mission statement is “Leading people to realize Jesus’ calling and plans for their lives.”

Cultural Encounters

Acts 16:11-15

So, setting sail from Troas, we made a direct voyage to Samothrace, and the following day to Neapolis, 12 and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the[d] district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days. 13 And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together.14 One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. 15 And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us.

Lydia prevailed upon Paul and his companions to stay at her house following her conversion and baptism. It seems to have been an invitation they could not refuse. It was certainly in keeping with Jesus instructions to his disciples to stay wherever they were received during their missionary tour. In this case, Paul and his companions would encounter some significant challenges – including being thrown into jail – while in Philippi with Lydia.

You can also check out these YouTube videos of the dancers:

Video of Kenyan Ethnic Dancers

Video of Kenyan Ethnic Danders-2

Our experience on the way back from Oyugis to Kisumu included an invitation for us to attend the graduation at Matongo Lutheran Teachers Training College. That invitation was one we had little choice but to accept since our hosts were also our source of transportation. While there we were treated to speeches from many different representatives, a worship service, and entertainment by three groups, representing the Maasai, Kisii, and Luo tribes of Kenya. That was certainly a cultural experience of a different kind. What we thought was almost a spoof, turned into something much more. It was light-hearted to be sure. And it was certainly not de rigueur; these dances were unusual – somewhat like a German Polish Festival. But they were thoroughly Kenyan and a rich ethnic experience.

It may have been there that I picked up a slight case of food poisoning. That saga is something about which I will report soon.

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