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! 

 

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.

 

Easter Day

Easter morn. Easter afternoon. Easter evening. Easter night. What a glorious day to celebrate the resurrection of our dear Savior Jesus Christ!

My day began with 3 brand-new Sunday school students!  Yeah! At first, these three boys were shy, but after reading the Bible story, they just beamed with smiles. They joined the other students to retell the story of Jesus’ empty grave with finger puppets and a sketch of the tomb, a road, and Jerusalem on the whiteboard.

Then we reviewed the story with worksheets and drew pictures of the door to heaven. The first one-the door was closed, the second one-the door was closed, but with a deceased person waiting to enter, and the third-featured heaven’s door wide open with Jesus in the entrance welcoming the deceased person into heaven, both with huge smiles. The purpose of this activity is to show that we have eternal life in heaven through Jesus, but we must die first (if the end of the world doesn’t come first).

We ended the class with a project. We made paper crowns of victory with the Bible verse, “Because I live, you also will live.” – John 14:19.

A joyous Easter worship service followed Sunday School. The curtains behind the altar housed paper butterflies the students made the week before as we talked about new life in Jesus.

Our mission Cristo Resucitado (Resurrected Christ) in León continues to grow in many ways:

•  2010 - Mission team arrives in León and gathers to worship on Easter in one of their homes  (Nate and I were in Brazil)

• 2011 – Mission celebrates first Easter worship service with 29 in attendance – 17 of them were Mexican visitors

• 2012 -  Sunday’s Easter worship service has 50 people in attendance – over half are active prospects, many taking membership classes with Pastor Brad

• 2013 – Looking forward to what blessings God has in store for next Easter!

May the joy of Christ’s resurrection brighten every day of your life!

Multi-Language Publications now offers a CD of worksheets in English and Spanish for the Bible Stories in Pictures Book.  The children of our mission love the books, worksheets, and projects!

 

 

 

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.

 

Heaven is my Home

Today, in a small town in Minnesota, there was a victory service.  This past week, Missionary John Janosek was called home to meet his Savior in heaven.  He served our WELS mission in Malawi, Africa from1964 to 2004.

Missionary Janosek touched the lives of many as he shared the Gospel with them and also encouraged others to do the same. He was a dear friend who taught me many things about living in a foreign land and sharing Jesus with the souls living in that land.

I will always admire and remember his courage, zeal, and persistence of mission service. He will continue to have a place in my heart for his love for people and serving as a witness to Christ!

Please keep his wife Yvonne and their daughters and families in your prayers that Jesus continues to give them comfort, strength, and trust in Him.

Missionary John & Yvonne Janosek and Julie (Blantyre, Malawi, 2001)

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” — Romans 10:14-15

This past Saturday, December 31st, a special victory service was also held at Living Savior congregation in Asheville, North Carolina.

 

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!