LATTE – Taking Seminary Training Across Borders

Nate and I have been tweaking our mission presentation: LATTE-Taking Seminary Training Across Borders for the past two weeks. We are endlessly thankful for the technology to be able to communicate and collaborate our efforts while we are currently in separate countries. We are organizing our content into several presentations to tailor them for each of our different audiences-elementary students, high school students, congregation members, ladies’ groups, men’s groups, and retirees.

If you happen to be in Arizona this month, or planning to attend the LWMS Convention in North Carolina in June, we would love to meet you and share the details about our life and ministry in Latin America in person!

MAY TOUR SCHEDULE – ARIZONA

Sunday, 5/13
9:30 AM WORSHIP SERVICE @ SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH-SURPRISE, AZ
10:45 AM PRESENTATION @ SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH-SURPRISE, AZ

Monday, 5/14
2:30 PM PRESENTATION @ PILGRIM LUTHERAN SCHOOL-MESA, AZ

Tuesday, 5/15
9:30 AM CHAPEL & PRESENTATION @ ARIZONA LUTHERAN ACADEMY-PHOENIX, AZ

Wednesday, 5/16
8:30 AM CHAPEL & PRESENTATION @ CROSS OF GLORY LUTHERAN SCHOOL-PEORIA, AZ

Thursday, 5/17
6:00 AM PRESENTATION @ EMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH-TEMPE, AZ

Friday, 5/18
8:30 AM CHAPEL & PRESENTATION @ EMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL-TEMPE, AZ

Saturday, 5/19
5:00 PM POTLUCK & PRESENTATION @ ARIZONA LUTHERAN RETIREMENT CENTER-PHOENIX, AZ

Sunday, 5/20
8:00 AM WORSHIP SERVICE @ GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH-GLENDALE, AZ
9:15 AM PRESENTATION @ GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH-GLENDALE, AZ
10:30 AM WORSHIP SERVICE @ GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH-GLENDALE, AZ
3:00 PM POTLUCK & PRESENTATION @ CALVARY LUTHERAN CHURCH-CHANDLER, AZ

Monday, 5/21
9:00 AM CHAPEL & PRESENTATION @ GRACE LUTHERAN SCHOOL-GLENDALE, AZ
6:30 PM WORSHIP SERVICE @ EMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH-TEMPE, AZ
7:45 PM PRESENTATION @ EMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH-TEMPE, AZ

Wednesday, 5/23
AM PRESENTATION @ EAST FORK LUTHERAN SCHOOL-WHITERIVER, AZ
5:30 PM POTLUCK & PRESENTATION @ OPEN BIBLE LUTHERAN CHURCH-WHITERIVER, AZ

Thursday, 5/24
TBD ACTS STUDENTS-WHITERIVER, AZ

Sunday, 5/27
11:00 AM WORSHIP SERVICE @ SANTO TOMÁS LUTHERAN CHURCH-PHOENIX, AZ
12:30 PM PRESENTATION @ SANTO TOMÁS LUTHERAN CHURCH-PHOENIX, AZ

JUNE TOUR SCHEDULE – NORTH CAROLINA

Saturday, 6/23
2:45 PM PRESENTATION @ LWMS CONVENTION-WINSTON-SALEM, NC

We hope to see you soon! 

 

Cultural Connections

This week, we have the privilege of hosting two visitors in our American home in México.  Henry is a student-pastor from Medellín, Colombia and Juan Jose is a pastor from Torreón, Mexico. They are both in León to participate in the LATTE workshop of seminary training to pastors.

We have special connections to both of our visitors. Nate has been teaching Henry an online course for a couple of months, so they know each other, but more by voice recognition and not appearance. This is the first time they have met face-to-face. This is a precious time as we get to know Henry and his family as he Skype’s them every night, so we can also chat with his wife and 2 sons. Juan Jose was a pastor in Torreón at a sister congregation while we lived in Torreón. Now, he is also the pastor of the congregation we attended in Torreón, along with his previous congregation and a preaching station.  He is a caring shepherd and good friend.

Since Spanish is the common language between Henry, Juan, Nate, and me, we are only speaking Spanish in our home this week. I am learning lots of new vocabulary from Colombia, as many things have different names in Spanish, depending upon the country. Blueberries are known as moras here in México, but in Colombia, moras are blackberries.  Usually the differences are subtle. Sometimes, however, a word can be completely harmless in one country, but have a terrible meaning in another.

As we eat meals together, Henry prefers things not-so-spicy, whereas Juan is used to spicy foods common in México. So I try to do a compromise as I prepare Mexican food, but in an American style. Our conversations are interesting, comparing differences in education, politics, security, crime, family life, technology, ministry, and personal stories.

Julia, Nate, Henry, & Juan

I enjoy our house guests and look forward to getting to know them better throughout the week. We are thankful to the Lord for our fellowship in Christ beyond borders.

 

Online Learning

This summer online education has become the topic of discussion.

I am currently participating in an online women’s Bible study with WELS women from around the world. It is a great way to study and grow in God’s Word with sisters of the same faith and in my native language.  Five other ladies representing our WELS missions in Mexico, Bolivia, and Antigua are also enrolled in this Bible study.

In the past, I have witnessed the behind-the-scenes development and teaching of LATTE online courses, and now I am experiencing the work involved on the other side as a student.

Nate is also taking an online course this summer, on how to teach to an online course.  In the past, he has participated in online course development classes, but found it difficult to continue while he was teaching students in areas that do not offer Internet access.

Online education is a great way to study when the classroom resources aren’t available locally.

 

New Features on LATTE Blog

We wanted to share a brief update regarding the new information tools on the LATTE blog. There is a gadget in the left hand column marked “Learn More”. Under this heading you will find additional links to learn more about LATTE and what we do.

The first item is “View Photo Gallery” which takes you to a Flickr gallery of almost 200 photos. The next item takes you to “Check Out Recent Updates” posted on the work of LATTE. Then there is the opportunity to click on “Meet The Students” to find interviews and updates of past and current LATTE students. We are planning to post more interviews in the near future.

For those who like to cook, you can “Try Authentic Recipes” originating from the different countries we serve. We welcome any comments, recommendations, or requests about the recipes. The following link provides teachers or group leaders to “Utilize Classroom Resources“ for activities in school or at special events.

The remaining two items put you in touch with WELS World Missions. Click on “Request a Mission Speaker” to schedule a mission speaker on LATTE at your congregation, school, ladies group, LWMS rally, or other special event. (If you are unable to open the pages on WELS Connect, please contact Peg Thiele directly at 414.256.3293 or email her at peg.thiele@wels.net.) Through the Mission Information Center (MIC), you can “Order a Mission Kit“ on LATTE. We are currently updating the materials in all the LATTE kits this summer. In the near future, keep an eye out for the new “Timeline” link that will provide the history of LATTE.

As many requested, there is a current map along with ministry details under the tab near the top of the blog page called “Where We Serve”. The goal of the LATTE blog is to inform you of the past, present, and future work the LATTE missionaries are doing throughout Latin America as well as staying connected to you. Thank you for your continued support!

 

New Trimester at Mexico Seminary

The seminary in León, México just began a new trimester.  Nate continues to teach four days a week.  His schedule varies between 8:45 in the morning and 2:00 in the afternoon. He is currently teaching Homiletics, Pastoral Theology, New Testament Isagogics, and Reformation History. Most of these classes require additional preparation time for it is the first time Nate has taught them.

In additional to the onsite classes here in México, Nate also teaches a student in Puerto Rico through Skype two times a week. They try to maintain a regular schedule, but due to the nature of the student’s occupation, internet availability, and weather effecting utilities, often times classes are rescheduled.

As this is the second week of the new schedule, we are still in adjustment mode. We are continually thankful to be a part of training reliable men to teach others the true Word of God.

And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. – 2 Timothy 2:2

 

Training to Teach

This weekend Nate led a two day workshop requested by members from Cristo Glorificado, one of our congregations in Puebla, Puebla, México.  This workshop was the second of a three-part series on children and youth ministries. LATTE Professor Larry Schlomer led the first one in February and Missionary Mike Hartman will lead the third one in the near future.

The first part of this session began early Saturday morning.  The theme was children’s ministry with a focus on making Sunday school interesting.     Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to attend this session, as I stayed behind sick in the hotel bed with the flu.

On Sunday, I was feeling better and was thrilled to participate in the day’s activities.  We began session two by looking up Bible passages. Then broke out into small groups to work on discussion questions.  Through a series of discussion questions, the group identified opportunities for the youth to serve, both within the congregation and in the community.

We took a break at noon for coffee and sweet bread followed by an abbreviated worship service. Student-Pastor Gonzalo led the service and Nate preached a message on Jesus giving us spiritual sight, based on John 9.

After the service, we continued with session two, focusing on how to select opportunities for youth to serve.  Nate worked with the members on setting up project criteria and prioritization.  Afterward, we moved onto session three, studying how the congregation members can use their time and talents to support the children and youth ministries.

The workshop concluded with a potluck of rice, cheesy macaroni, fried chicken, tortillas, chipotle peppers, and green jello. It was a wonderful opportunity to work together to discover additional ways to serve in God’s Kingdom.

Please keep the members of Cristo Glorificado in your prayers as they plan ways to serve children and youth of their congregation and in the community.

 

New LATTE Seminary Graduate

This month, Nate participated in a ministry workshop in Puebla, México led by Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary (WLS) Professor Ken Cherney.  Attendees included seminary students from WLS and México along with Mexican pastors and church leaders.

Adult Education was the theme of the workshop, offering interactive activities. Many enjoyed this special opportunity to learn and share ideas culturally in class and during fellowship time.

A highlight of the trip was the graduation of LATTE seminary student, Jorge, from the Iglesia Evangelica Luterana Confesional (IELC) – Evangelical Lutheran Confessional Church Seminary in México.  Jorge just completed his four years of ministerial training, which included his final year as a vicar serving in Puebla.

Seminary Graduate Jorge, LATTE Professor Schlomer, IELC President Sanchez

This trip to Puebla was a time to meet many old and new friends.  Jorge’s fiancé, Kerry, was my teaching partner in Torreón, México in January of 2009. It was fun catching up from the past two years and also meeting Jorge’s family who lives in Huamantla. Nate and I are looking forward to attending Jorge and Kerry’s wedding in Puebla in mid-February.

Erika-sister, Kerry-fiancé, Jorge-seminary graduate, & Margarita-mom

After their wedding, Jorge and Kerry will be moving to Mahahual to serve the new mission.  Please keep them in your prayers during this precious time!