Second Week – Two Cultures Meet

Our second week of furlough continued with our tour of presentations to promote the work of LATTE.  Monday evening took us to Emmanuel congregation in Tempe, AZ. Then we spent the rest of the week at Whiteriver and East Fork in Arizona’s White Mountain Reservation.

We enjoyed the breath-taking four-hour drive from Phoenix, rolling through Salt River Canyon. Lots of winding curves, amazing rock formations, endless mountains and valleys, and high altitudes.

Upon arrival into Whiteriver, Missionary Joel Sutton and his wife, Priscilla, along with their son, Mateo, welcomed us into their home and served us a delicious meal.  We have a special connection with Joel and Priscilla. Joel served as a vicar in México, where he met his wife, Priscilla.  Priscilla was one of my English students during my brief WELS Kingdom Workers’ teaching assignment. Both Nate and I attended their wedding in México.

After a guided walk around the neighborhood, we headed to East Fork, just a few miles down the road.  Nate’s grandfather built many of the original homes and buildings on the Lutheran Campus. We stayed in an apartment that is part of the Apache Christian Training School (ACTS) building (formerly the East Fork Nursery).

After getting settled, it was time for another connection-Missionary Dan and Katie Rautenberg. Dan was a high school classmate of mine and he attended college and seminary training with Nate. When I worked for WELS World Missions Promotions Center, Dan and Katie were the second mission tour that I coordinated. It was truly fascinating to recognize similarities between Nate and Dan. They both graduated in 2000 and were assigned to world mission fields as missionaries, transitioned into theological education roles, and continue to serve in their original fields for 12 years. It was also enlightening in comparing the similarities and differences between the training of LATTE and ACTS as well as Latin America and Native America.

The next morning at East Fork Lutheran elementary school, Nate led a devotion and presented on LATTE’s work of taking seminary training across borders, along with culture and linguistic trivia. I concluded the presentation by showing a project to share Jesus through colors and singing a song together. Afterwards, we visited each classroom to answer the students’ questions. The kindergarten class sang The Lord’s Prayer to us in the Apache language. In the evening, we went to Open Bible Church in Whiteriver for a potluck (I will share details about the delicious “fry bread” in an upcoming post) and presentation. It was an amazing day, sharing one culture with another.  I learned a lot and met some wonderful loving brothers and sisters in Jesus.

We spent our last day with the missionaries, after a short visit with Pastor Gary Lupe who will also be presenting at the LWMS Convention this summer. Some of us toured the Fort Apache Museum and Kinishba Ruins. Then we all headed up to Pinetop for dinner with a walk around the lake and time for the kids to play.

I hope that we can all reconnect again in the near future to share stories, ideas, and words of encouragement with one another.

 

WKW Workshop

Wow! What an absolutely amazing event!  Two days packed with reunions with old-time friends, experienced presenters full of zeal and inspiration, and many new faces at the WELS Kingdom Workers’ (WKW) Chapter/Workshop in Bloomington, MN. I found out  that the two days before the Chapter/Workshop hosted WKW Board meetings and Evangelism Mentor Training (EMT).

On Friday, WKW friends welcomed me as I arrived in Bloomington, MN.  After registration, the program began with an opening service.  Then it was time for a meet and greet along with snacks and the opportunity to browse the different ministry displays.  A concert by the band “Proclamation” wrapped up the night.

Saturday was full of sharing and learning.  Minnesota District President Rev. Charles Degner gave us all a warm welcome followed by a devotion led by Rev. Peter Leyrer.  Rev. Ed Schuppe took us on a motivational journey in Partnering with your Community.  I attended a  joint presentation by Rev.Clark Schultz, Rev. Joel Schultz, and a student from Lakeside High School about Youth in Service and Travel Canvass Witness Programs.

After a short break for lunch, it was my turn.  I presented on international volunteer service.  I focused on sharing the things I wish I knew before I went to serve overseas as well sharing the things I want volunteers to know now that I am on the other side as a missionary wife. Rev. Rich Warnecke gave us the final presentation on Volunteer Recruitment full of encouraging Bible references. WKW Executive Director Bill Meier concluded the event with closing remarks and an introduction of the staff.

Many of us went out for dinner and spent the remainder of the evening reminiscing the past.

It was a memorable weekend and I hope to put into practice many of the new things that I learned.  Thank you WKW!

Contact me for more information if you are planning to serve as a mission volunteer overseas.  I’d love to share my presentational materials with you.

 

Gathering Together

As the moments surrounding Christmas get filled with activities involving family, friends, decorations, and celebrations; the members of our mission, Cristo Resucitado, wanted to set aside a special time to spend together as a family united in Christ to reflect on the Christ-child and to enjoy some extra fellowship time together.

It was a potluck, offering many traditional Mexican foods for the season. The entire night was full of wonderful conversations as we continued getting to know each other a little bit better. After the meal, everyone headed outside because it was time for the piñata.

As the children began trying to hit the piñata, everyone else sang the popular song in Spanish –

Dale, dale, dale
No pierdas el tino
Porque si lo pierdes
Pierdes el camino
Ya le diste una
Ya le diste dos
Ya le diste tres
Y tu tiempo se acabó

(Hit it, hit it, hit it
Don’t lose your aim
Because if you lose it
You lose the way
Hit it once
Hit it twice
Hit three times
And then your time is up)

Then several adults took their turn to break open the piñata.

It finally broke and candy spilled out everywhere as the children scrambled to grab every last piece.  Sadly, Elsa, one of the children, fell and landed on her wrist and needed some medical attention.

Pastor Brad concluded the event with a devotion focusing our hearts and thoughts on Jesus our precious Savior.

Update: Elsa (the girl in a red sweatshirt and scarf) has a hairline fracture in her wrist so she is wearing a cast until the first week of February. Please keep her in your prayers for patience.

 

Posada Infantil

This year, our mission congregation, Cristo Resucitado, hosted several special activities for Christmas.  I had the joyous privilege to design the invitations and posters for the special events.  We had them printed at a local print shop right across the street from the mission. Then we gave the invitations to all our congregation’s prospects, English students, friends, and neighbors.

The first event was the End of Session/Christmas Party for the English as a Foreign Language (EFL) students.  We had a full house and WKW Joel Hering taught everyone how to play Bunko. (Note to fellow Bunko players: I ended up being the winner with only 1 loss!)

Another event targeted a younger audience, the children, a Posada Infantil — similar to a Christmas for Kids night.  Upon arrival, they registered and were assigned to a group (0-7 yrs old or 8+).  We had several Christmas coloring sheets, words searches, and crossword puzzles to keep them busy until more arrived.  The parents stayed to set up the snack table and help with crafts as they watched their little ones enjoy the activities.

We began the first session, 45 minutes late, which is quite common.  The younger group went with Pastor Brad to learn more about the Christ-child, while the older ones stayed with Heidi and me to make bastone de navidad — candy cane pins with safety pins and beads.  A few of the adult English students came to help with the project.

An hour later, we switched groups.  As the older group participated in an interactive devotion about Jesus’ birth and the little ones came to Heidi and me, full of excitement.  We began making candy canes out of red and white pipe cleaners. Then they moved onto a door-hanger project using Popsicle sticks, colored paper, markers, pipe cleaners, and foam stickers.  Nate presented the story of the candy cane to both groups with a handout.

Towards the end of the evening, everyone gathered together to sing Silent Night in Spanish and English.  Then it was time for snacks.  One of the families brought a malt machine with enough ingredients for everyone.  The Chocomil — chocolate milk is a type of milkshake in various flavors.  It was delicious.  Many of the families brought drinks and holiday favorites. Our homemade Christmas cookies disappeared right away.

We invited all the children to come back the next morning to sing in church.  Then all 37 children received bags of candy with the book, “God’s plan of salvation for the world”.  We also gave them sticks of sugar cane as they were heading out the gate.

A wonderful night of fellowship with some new contacts as well as many familiar faces and opportunity to share the joyous story of Jesus’ birth.

 

Days with Dad

Nate’s dad spent the last two weeks of December with us here in León.  It was a special treat since he is our first family visitor in our home in México!

As he resides in the Phoenix, Arizona area, the climate wasn’t too big of an adjustment, at least not as much as the language.

The first week included daily tennis matches between Nate and Dad along with completing our list of small projects around the house. We also participated in several mission activities (posts coming soon) throughout the week.

The second week included a little sightseeing around the city of León and surrounding areas.  Some of the highlights included Cañada de la Virgen (Pyramid), historical and picturesque tours of the cities of San Miguel de Allende, Dolores Hidalgo, and Guanajuato.

It was so special to celebrate Christmas with family.  Thank you, Dad, for coming to visit.  We miss you already.  Come back soon!

Go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/myrlinmexico for photo titles & descriptions.

 

Celebrating Confirmations in Christ

On our second Sunday back home in León, México, two men, Javier and Victor, were confirmed in our worship service.

Over the past year, Nate and I have gotten to know these two confirmands as they studied God’s Word and grew in faith. These two men have become active with our mission and take ownership of the church and reaching out to the community.  Both of their families attend various church activities and some are studying with local Missionary Brad Krause.

This month, the children of both families have been attending Sunday School. It has been an awesome privilege sharing God’s Word with them, especially the Christmas story of Jesus’ birth.  It was so sweet watching them retell the nativity story using finger puppets.

After the worship service, we had a convivio — joint potluck.  Pastor Brad Krause and his wife Heidi supplied bratwurst and everyone else brought side dishes, salads, and desserts.

Afterwards, many stayed to decorate the church. I will admit, I struggled quite a bit with the language.  Every time I tried to have a conversation in Spanish, Portuguese words came out.  Some gave me confused looks, while most just chuckled time after time.

It was a great day of friends, faith, and fellowship.

Click here for more details of this joyous event!

 

Brazil Wrap-Up

The remaining days of our WELS representatives’ visit in Brazil continued to be full of activities.

Discussions reviewing the past, visiting the present, and exploring future possibilities of mission work for WELS and Igreja Luterana Brasilera (ILB) in Brazil filled the next few days in Dourados.

Missionary Charlie Flunker covered much of the mission’s history and current ministries on the first day, including a tour of the city of Dourados.

Brazilian Pastor Roberto traveled 8 hours from Presidente Prudente, where he serves as a home missionary to take part in the discussions.  During the second day, he shared highlights of his ministry including current opportunities as well as challenges in his new mission.

The last day included a brainstorming session on how to serve the souls in Brazil in the future with both current and possible additional resources available.

After a 4 hour commute to the airport in Campo Grande, MS; Missionary Flunker and Nate said farewell to our visitors as they headed back to the USA.

The 14-day field visit was a bit of a whirlwind tour, but gave our guests a chance to get to know faces, current places, and possible upcoming spaces of our ministry in Brazil.

May the Lord continue to guide our leaders as they make decisions to further the gospel ministry in Brazil and the world.