Page 1

Latin American Lutheran Mission

CLARIONVol. 73, No. 4 “You shall be my witnesses...to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 Fall 2008

I have a friend who likes to repeat his stories. It is not because of “old age” that he does this. He just likes telling his same stories over and over again.

As you look over the years, how many times have you stood to sing the old hymn, I Love To Tell The Story? It is an old, old story. Yet, we are reminded that this old story cannot and will not die because God has come. God has not abandoned us. God invaded our human race. God got inside our skin and hope was born. It is the Greatest Good News ever told! “I love to tell the story…the old, old, story, of Jesus and his love.”

The old, old story, that’s what Advent is all about, it is what Christmas is all about and Lent and Good Friday and Easter and Pentecost. May we never become tired of this story! It is a story that is fresh and vibrant and new and exciting year, after year, after year.

It is because of the old, old story that we support the Latin American Lutheran Mission. It is because of the story that we encourage and uphold the Mexican churches and their pastors. They also are bearers of the old story. Our prayer is that they will continue strong in the Lord and be his servants bringing the Gospel to those who are in need of it.

We thank you for your continued support of LALM’s ministry with the Lutheran Churches of Mexico. It is our hope and prayer that our continued partnership will make the old, old story more dynamically real to our fellow believers in Mexico. May this old, old story never die in them or in us! Christ is our life, our song, our joy, our all. And this Christmas may you not only know that this old story is sweet, may you taste its sweetness.

T he Old, Old Story

Feliz Navidad – Dan Sollie President of the LALM Board

Inside:Extreme Makeover ..............................Page 2Fiesta de Misiones Mexicanas ...................Page 3Mexican Pastors Conference ......................Page 4A Note from our LALM Treasurer ...........Page 5GivingPlus Program ...................................Page 5Gifts Of Love ...............................................Page 7Present Needs...............................................Page 8Prayer Warriors ..........................................Page 8

Page 2

Incorporated in 1936, LALM is a faith mission depending entirely upon God for the supplying of its needs through the prayer and freewill offerings of His people as the Holy Spirit moves them. LALM is an independent Lutheran organization, having members on its Board of Directors from various Lutheran bodies. To learn more about LALM, please feel free to contact the board member nearest you.

Board of DirectorsRev. Dan Sollie, President (10) 952-473-2362 O 6809 Dallas Lane, Maple Grove, MN 55311 763-553-1364 H e-mail: dsollie@graceindeephaven.orgRev. Byron Meline, 1st Vice President (09) 507-824-2155 O 536 S. 3rd Ave., Wanamingo, MN 55983-1449 507-824-2410 H e-mail: bmeline@cannon.netRose Marie Anderson, Secretary (11) 19008 Kingswood Terrace, Minnetonka, MN 55345 952-470-0109 H e-mail: rmanderson1@earthlink.netRev. Ruben Duran 773-380-2700 O 1167 Evergreen Dr., Carol Stream, IL 60188 630-876-1346 HMarjorie Erickson (10) 612-722-0578 H 5015 - 35th Ave S, Apt. 427, Minneapolis, MN 55417 margeerickson@juno.comRobert J. Myller, Treasurer (10) 952-454-4683 H 104 Hidden Meadow Ct., Apple Valley, MN 55124 e-mail: bobmyller@msn.comJohn Sirjord (09) 715-268-9337 H 317 Deronda St, Amery, WI 54001Philip Spaulding, (11) 763-323-7865 H 4605 175th Ave NW, Andover, MN 55304-1723 e-mail: webmaster@lalm-elcm.orgRev. Al Vik (11) 101 Parkview Drive, Decorah, IA 52101 563-382-3385 H jmvik@juno.com 563-419-3649 CDave Copenhaver (09) 18864 Moontown Rd, Noblesville, IN 46062 317-896-9279 H email: d.c.cope@verizon.netDavid Turner (09) 926 Meadowview Lane SW, Rochester, MN 55902 507-288-1832 H email: dwt926@charter.netJim Binneboese (10) 14306 Terisu Ln, Austin, TX 78726-6808 512-826-4119 e-mail: jklbinn@io.com

Border MissionariesRev. Dick Erickson, Director 956-722-4047 O 3519 Salinas Ave., Laredo, TX 78041 956-727-0890 H e-mail: bderick@usfamily.netV. Gary Olson, Retired 512-488-2299 H 162 Paintbrush Trl., Lockhart, TX 78644 vgocmo@hotmail.comLALM Guest House 3517 Salinas Ave., Laredo, TX 78041Miss Carrie Smart 3518 Salinas Ave., Laredo TX 78041 701-659-0778

PublisherCarol Dumonceaux, Clarion Editor 218-736-7357 O Contact: carold@clba.org 1020 Alcott Ave W, Fergus Falls MN 56537

Latin American Lutheran Mission ClarionThe Clarion is published quarterly by LALM for friends of the Mission and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Mexico. If you wish to be a prayer helper in this Mission for Mexico and would like to receive the Clarion, please contact the Editor at the address listed under “Publisher.” There is no specific subscription price for the Clarion, but for those who wish to and have the means to help LALM with its cost, it is about $3.00 per year for each mailing address. Please send contributions to our Treasurer at the address listed below.

Publication deadline for the next Clarion issue is January 15, 2009

Donations for LALM should be mailed to:PO Box 17385

Minneapolis, MN 55417-7385

Latin American Lutheran MissionELC-M Partners Who Help Proclaim the Gospel

Our web site: www.lalm-elcm.org

Six members from St. Johns Lutheran Church of Waseca, Minnesota, traveled to Atongo, Mexico, for a short-term mission trip March 6 - March 16, 2008. Group members who participated were Margaret Fleming, Wallace Stelter, Dennis Sommers, Brenda Stelter, and Roger and Dolores Stelter. This group has traveled to Atongo under the leadership of Roger and Dolores Stelter to lend their support to the pastor, his family and the congregation for the past 12 years. They have taken part in the building of the new church in Atongo along with numerous construction and maintenance projects over the years. Last year the group purchased and installed a water heater for the parsonage so that Pastor Jose and Juanita De La Rosa and his family could enjoy hot water for showers and washing dishes. At the time it was also quite noticeable that the De La Rosa family had not a single cupboard in the parsonage to store their food and dishes. It became the goal of the group to bring and install cabinets during the short term mission of 2008. Group members put out the word back home to members of St Johns in Waseca. One parishioner, Dennis Bartz of Waseca, who is a local cabinet maker and also installs cabinets for a major home improvement retailer answered the call. Mr. Bartz was working with a couple from Rochester, Minnesota, on their new kitchen project. They had Amish-built oak cabinets which they intended to replace because of desired design changes in their kitchen. The cabinets were very beautiful and very well made. They asked Dennis Bartz if he knew of any organization to which they could donate their “old” cabinets. Dennis said, “I have just the people for you”. Dennis told them about the Mexsota project for Atongo and they thought it was a perfect opportunity. The cabinets were carefully removed and donated to the church in Mexico.

Extreme Make-Over

continued on page 3

by Brenda Stelter

Page 3

This has been the busiest Fall (September-October) in recent memory. Preparations for the ‘Mission Mexico Fiesta’ to be presented during our visits in the Upper Midwest kept us plenty busy. The ‘Fiesta’ was to feature five learning centers like a recreated plaza from Mexico: a cafe, a market, a game area, a craft area, and a chapel area. Other years our LALM trailer was empty on the way North and full on the trip back, but this year it was full coming and going with items for the Mission Mexico Fiesta. Without the help of our two accompanying pastors, Pr. Marco Antonio and Bersa Rodriguez and Pr. Ulises Lopez, Carrie Smart, as well as volunteers at each place, we could not have done it. We were blessed to be received in six ‘new’ churches and colleges this trip which brought us into contact with many new people and congregations, but we sense a tremendous enthusiasm and energy also in the congregations that have been our long time partners in ministry. The fiesta created a lot of involvement, and excitement. There was a fresh breeze of the Spirit filling our sails. With all the investment in the ‘Fiesta concept’, and the great response to it, we are hoping to take this unique program to many more churches to present Christ’s mission challenge in Mexico. Has your church receeived the LALM Mission Mexico Fiesta yet? Contact us by phone at 956-722-4047 or by e-mail at lalmelcm@sbcglobal.net.

“Fiesta de Misiones Mexicanas”

On March 6, 2008, the group from St. John’s traveled to Atongo with their trailer full of cabinets. Although they were not designed for the parsonage in Atongo, it took very little retro-fitting to install the cabinets. The results were amazing as only the before and after pictures can show. Standing in front of the new cabinets is a very happy Jaunita De La Rosa. In addition to the cabinets, the group also purchased and installed new heavy insulated exterior wiring between the bathrooms and the old church, which was badly deteriorated. They installed wire in the new bathrooms which are presently being built and helped pour the cement roof on the new bathrooms. The group also got caught up on maintenance and assisted with the painting of the exterior of the new church. In 2006, the St. John’s group donated an ambulance to the community. The ambulance was originally owned by the city of Walnut Grove, Minnesota, and was in excellent condition with only 45,000 miles on it. While in Atongo this year, the group received a visit from one of the local dignitaries who conveyed his appreciation of the entire community, and specifically the mayor of Cadereyta, for the donation of the ambulance. The ambulance will be operated from the regional emergency response headquarters

Extreme Make-Over continued from page 2

Mary Bagne helps organize the Fiesta Mexicana at Lokota Lutheran, Lokota, ND

The Pinãta: A little girl with a big swing The LALM/ELCM ministry tream that left Laredo for the Upper Midwest Sept. 22. Dick & Barb Erickson, Carrie Smart, Pr. Marco Antonio and Bersa Rodriquez, and Pr. Ulises Lopez.

MusicalSombreros

Christian books in the Mercadito

Mercadito (Mexican Market)

The last sombrero wins

Testimony ofCarrie Smart

In October I had a second opportunity to accompany Pr. Brad Aldrich to Mexico, assisting in training at the Lutheran Churches in a unique method for street evangelism. Participating in evangelism in Mexico has stirred up in me a deep desire to know my Bible better. It has also given me a new desire to reach out to my neighborhood here in the States with God’s Word, and I feel more equipped to do so than ever before. With the Lord’s guidance I am stepping out in boldness to seek those “divine appointments” that the Lord has prepared for me.

continued on page 8

Page 4

A high priority of the Latin American Lutheran Mission is to build the capacities of the leaders of the Evangelical Lutheran Churches of Mexico. One of the principal ways is through training events jointly sponsored by the church and the mission. Our curriculum ensures both the integrity of the training and the Lutheran theological distinctives. At present two conferences are planned per year, in October and February to which both

the pastors and their spouses are invited. October 22-24, 2008 was the latest, hosted by Pr. Samuel Diaz and the ‘hermanos’ (brethren) of Bethany Lutheran of Apodaca, near Monterrey. The topic for the pastors’ conference was tremendously practical: “Homiletics – the Art of Preaching”, led by guest teacher Dr. Douglas Groll, retired LCMS professor, who currently resides in Chicago. Dr. Groll spent many years as a missionary in Venezuela. At his recommendation all of the pastors and leaders in attendance were furnished with two books, in Spanish, on Lutheran Hermeneutics and Homiletics. These two were incorporated in his lectures which everyone found both stimulating and challenging. Dr. Groll had a very personal way of making the sessions participative and practical. For those with computer abilities he pointed out additional resources available on-line. Though some of the pastors’ wives participated in the Homiletics classes taught by Dr. Groll, the majority received training in personal evangelism from Pr. Brad Aldrich. After each short training session (interpreted by Carrie Smart), the ladies were divided into small groups where they did role play of an evangelism encounter. Then they went into the neighborhood

seeking ‘divine appointments’, encounters with people whom God had prepared to receive the Good News. In the process, they met their neighbors, and of those visited many willingly received prayer for various needs, problems, and challenges. The ladies came back energized. They had made some friends for Jesus in Apodaca. They had shared the good news with the help of the Holy Spirit. They had grown in confidence. They had been used of God to touch a life. The pastors’ conference, or ‘confraternidad’ is always a time of inspiration and fellowship, as well, with powerful messages shared by various pastors both in the morning and evening services. Each evening the altar is full of hungry hearts surrending to Jesus and receiving fresh grace for the road ahead. Thanks to the Diaz family and the ladies at Bethany for wonderful food and hospitality.

“The October 22-24 semi-annual pastors’ ‘Confraternidad’ in Apodaca was a wonderful time to reconnect with the pastors and leaders of the ELCM. . These conferences are always the occasion to hear about what is happening in their families, churches and communities: their financial challenges educating their senior high youth and college age kids, the pastor starting a church in his home, the pastor who couldn’t come because of his wife’s illness (there are several families like this, I mention this prayer concern in ‘Prayer Warriors’). The pastor who would like to move to a new assignment but God has given them a new opening with married couples and a new surge in the ministry. One door has closed and another has opened. It’s encouraging to see new worship leaders stepping forward. To see the faithful participation of our last class of graduates from the Bible Institute who are growing in the Lord, using their gifts and conceiving new ways to communicate the Gospel. It always touches our hearts the way the older pastors are honored who have served the Lord for half a century (there were three present). We came home from the conference with a long list of needs, requests, and updates to factor into our prayers, and yours, for the pastors and congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Mexico.” Pr. Dick Erickson, LALM Director

October 22-24, 2008 Mexican Pastors’ Conference

Ready to Meet the Lord : A Story From the Gospel Bookstore In Laredo we see a lot of panhandlers and street people. They station themselves at busy intersections, often carrying a placard asking for help. Some appear able bodied but a few look rather strange, some even frightening. One of the stranger panhandlers who circulated in our immediate area, occasionally came into our bookstore. This would frustrate our employees who didn’t know how to handle him. He would just take things (like little crosses that glow in the dark). The employees didn’t know if they should challenge him or whether he would get physical. Beside that his clothes were dirty, and he smelled bad so everyone got nervous when he showed up. One day our manger, Rosy, recognized that this man had actually been a high school classmate. Over the years life for him had been reduced to the ‘borrowed’ grocery cart he pushed around, nights exposed to the elements, and panhandling. About a month ago he paid us another visit. Another client immediately engaged him in conversation. It turns out this client had himself at one time been destitute and on the street. But someone had the strength and love to see beyond the rough exterior, shared the love of Jesus Christ with him, and reached out to help him. The long and short of it, he rediscovered hope and a new life. This was the message that he shared with Rosy’s former classmate. Later, the two men, and Rosy, bowed in prayer and he turned his desperate life over to Jesus. He needed a Bible and she gave one from the bookstore shelf. He received it gratefully and went his way. Late one night, less than two weeks later, he was killed in a hit-and-run incident near the corner he frequented the most with his panhan-dling. Today a cross is planted there with his name on it. It seems that the merciful and omniscient Lord had awakened his heart to his need for Jesus and to get ready for heaven. His timely response brought him where he was confident someone could help him get right with God.

Page 5

A note from the LALM Treasurer….I give thanks to God daily for our faithful supporters! Income has almost kept up with expenses so far this year but that includes some estate giving. Keep LALM in your thoughts and prayers as you consider your year end giving and for those of you who are Thrivent members remember to send the Thrivent Giving Plus form with your gifts. Keep our country’s leaders in your prayers, too, as they seek answers to our nations economic woes. We are clearly in tough times but pray that God will use these times to help His people focus on His Kingdom’s work.

Bob Myller, LALM Treasurer

Page 6

Page 7

The following persons and organizations provided gifts, donations, or bequests to the Latin American Lutheran Mission in August, September, October 2008. The LALM Board of Directors and Staff are grateful for all these gifts as well as those gifts of time and talents. (If you do not want to be recognized by the Clarion for your gift, please send a note along with your contribution to the Treasurer/Financial Secretary stating your desire for anonymity.) We apologize for any errors or omissions.

Individuals Beverly Aalgaard, Bricelyn, MNDonald & Lillian Aarsvold, Kasson, MNRobert & Elizabeth Abkes, Austinville, IAWayne & Sharon Akland, Beresford, SDRuben & AnnaAlvarez, Ada, MNWalentyna Andersen, Lake Benton, MNCharles & Emily Anderson, Story City, IADon & Lois Anderson, Minneapolis, MNHarold Anderson, Chester, SDLila Anderson, Balaton, MNMary Anderson, Lakota, NDNorman & Rose Marie Anderson, Minnetonka, MNO K Anderson, Lakota, NDPhilip & Joyce Anderson, Ruthton, MNRaymond and Lorraine Anderson, White Bear Lake, MNRuth Anderson, Wentworth, SDVirgil & Norma Anderson, Brooklyn Center, MNGail Baez, Minneapolis, MNMary Bagne, Lakota, NDSusan Bahe, Lakota, NDCharles & Barbara Baker, Frost, MNGary & Vanice Bakko, Wanamingo, MNRev Steven & Mary Berntson, Jamestown, NDJames & Anne Bickle, Rochester, MNJames Borden, Zumbrota, MNClifford Boyum, Arden Hills, MNKermit & Norma Boyum, Havre, MTRose Brien, Bismarck, NDJeffrey & Barbara Buettner, Sinai, SDArlene Burbank, Windom, MNRobert & Jane Burmeister, Roseville, MNErland & Eleanor Carlson, Eagan, MNPhilip Carter, Green Valley, AZMel & Ardith Christenson, Minneapolis, MNJim & Connie Cichy, Zimmermann, MNDavid & Carol Copenhaver, Noblesville, INPaul & Rebecca Copenhaver, Stillwater, MNHarvey & Dianne Dahl, Borup, MNScott & Bridget Dinnel, Lake Benton, MNBob Dvorak, Minneapolis, MNDavid & Arleen Dyrud, Saint Paul, MNAnn Eide, Viroqua, WIAnnette Eide, Bloomington, MNBernis Elverum, Faribault, MNEdna Bernice Emerson, Minneapolis, MNReynold & Lois Eneboe, Canton, SDGregory & Debra Erickson, Wanamingo, MNHarriet Erickson, Madison, SDMarge Erickson, Minneapolis, MNRichard & Barbara Erickson, Laredo, TXRobert and Lola Fedde, Sioux Falls, SDDon and Vi Fladland, Seattle, WADuncan Flann, Iroquois, SDDouglas & Cynthia Flitter, Mankato, MNOman & Doris Fosberg. Rochester, NYScott & Tracy Gill, Rochester, MNShaun & Julene Glinz, Jamestown, NDFrances Greven, Minneapolis, MNPastor Paul & Ruth Guldseth, Moorhead, MNDon & Marilyn Gunderson, New Brighton, MNDr Curtis & Faye Hallstrom, Buffalo, MNPatricia Hallstrom, Maple Grove, MNSonja Halvorson, Saint Paul, MN Thomas & Sandra Hanna, Shoreview, MNTod & Rebecca Harrington, Grandin, NDMarie Hauge, Viroqua, WIAlice Hedin, Sioux Falls, SDJohn Hedin, Charlotte, NCAlan & Judy Hendrickson, Hackensack, MNArdis Henriksen, Arco, MNMarie Henriksen, Arco, MN

Lawrence & Outhay Hoff, Brooklyn Park, MNMary Ann Holman, Eau Claire, WIArnold & Louise Hope, Arlington, SDMarvin & Lois Hope, Volga, SDEsther Hovland, Blue Earth, MNAllen & Marilyn Hubin, White Bear Lake, MNSteve & Grace Hughey, Manchestor, MORev Raynard Huglen, Newfolden, MNAlbert & Martha Johnson, Lakota, NDGalen & Sara Johnson, Dodge Center, MNJerome & Geraldine Johnson, Lino Lakes, MNMargaret Johnson, Kasson, MNMr & Mrs Lester Johnson, Wanamingo, MNO’Neal B Johnson, Petersburg, NDThomas Johnson, Morris, ILLuverne & Laurie Johnsrud, Rochester, MNDean & Brenda Klaus, Amboy, MNStanley & Kathryn Koppang, Jamestown, NDBarbara Kopperud, Zumbrota, MNPat Kryder, Green Valley, AZIvan & Tracy Kuhlman, Ruthton, MNAllen & Ruby Larin, Bloomington, MNKevin & Carmen Larson, Lamoure, NDSharon Larson, Arlington, SDMary Lehan, Roseville, MNDagney Lerseth, Beresford, SDPhilip & Edna Lerseth, Beresford, SDScott & Lisa Lervoog, Vadnais Heights, MNJohn & Esther Ludewig, Apple Valley, MNJohn & Marie Lykken, Alcester, SDCleon & Loretta Main, Roseville, MNGregory & Heidi Mann, Hendrum, MNAdeline Marty, Minneapolis, MNNorris & Marion Mattsison, Lamberton, MNLaura Meline, Wanamingo, MNRev Byron & Lois Meline, Wanamingo, MNMorris Moan, McIntosh, MNPatrick & Billie Moat, Russell, MNDonna Monson, North Fort Meyers, FLBob & June Myller, Apple Valley, MNDavid & Jonetta Negstad, Arlington, SDAllen & Beverly Nelson, Yankton, SDDonald & Avis Nelson, Tyler, MNRev Carla Nelson, Beresford, SDRichard & June Nelson, Eagan, MNLaVonne Nerge, Eagan, MNColleen Ness, Kasson, MNHerb & Lori Nygren, Bloomington, MNBob & Lois Olson, Minneapolis, MNJohn & Virginia Olson, Brocket, NDPhil & Karen Olson, Minneapolis, MNV Gary & Carol Olson, Lockhart, TXAllen & Dolores Orwick, Michigan, NDArlene Paulson, Roseville, MNMartin Pederson, Bennington, NERebecca Pergotski, Jamestown, NDJames & Caroline Peterson, Hendricks, MNVirgil Peterson, San Antonio, TXNathan & Julie Prahlow, Avon, INTimothy & Cara Prescott, Jamestown, NDJune Pries, Muscatine, IARobert and Ardis Prosser, Minneapolis, MNWarren and Trudy Quail, Volga, SDWilliam Quehl, Minneapolis, MNNancy Raths, Wanamingo, MNMr & Mrs Joe Rickenbach, Minneapolis, MNCurtis & Roxanne Roemhildt, LeCenter, MNMarlin & Ardis Rolland, Pekin, NDHarold & Marydell Ronning, Alcester, SDClara Ronningen, Binford, NDJerry & Liz Rosdahl, Bloomington, MN

James & Carol Rosenwinkel, Stillwater, MNRuth Rydquist, Fargo, NDNorman & Marie Schaefer, Wanamingo, MNJanet Schelzel, Minneapolis, MNGreg & Trish Schilling, Halstad, MNGunhild Schmidt, Lakota, NDRev Ernie & Ginny Schoenborn, San Antonio, TXHarley & Bonnie Scholl, Grandin, NDGreg & Lorrie Schuchard , Rochester, MNEleanor Schwanbeck, Tyler, MNEverett Shaw, Forest City, IAJohn & Kathy Sirjord, Amery, WIPhyllis Skogen, Saint Paul, MNJordan & Amber Smart, Moorhead, MNMichael & Karen Smart, Hendrum, MNLarry & Coralis Sowles, Minneapolis, MNLoren & Thelma Spaulding, Alexandria, MNElvina Steffenson, Anoka, MNRichard & Marlys Stensaas, Vermillion, SDEdwin Stensland, Wanamingo, MNTerrance & Judith Stratton, Trego, WIMark & Helen Svaren, Sioux Falls, SDAdele Thompson, Mankato, MNBernice Thompson, Minneapolis, MNGordy & Eileen Thompson, Lakota, NDMyrna Tostenson, Pine River, WIDavid & Cindi Jo Trahms, Janesville, MNDaniel & Kathryn Tvedt, Volga, SDBruce & Carole Underhill, Saint Paul, MNBetty Valtinson, Fridley, MNGeorge & Dorothy Wagner, Sun City, AZJohn & Grace Wangberg, Sinai, SDJoel Westby, Lakota, NDRichard & Gail Wilbur, Kearney, MODavid & Julianne Wilkinson, Lakota, NDEdward & Barbara Wing, Mendota Heights, MNLois Winther, Park River, NDWilliam & Beverly Witt, Hudson, WIStuart & Margaret Ystebo, Moorhead, MNTheodore & Glenyce Zipf, Minneapolis, MNDavid & Sharon Zirbes, Shoreview, MN Honorariums Verna Akland Memorials Hilda & Henry Aos Esther Brustad Joel Gaplin Arnold Hedin Audrey Moan Eleanor Shaw Organizations Bethel Lutheran Church, Rochester, MNBrooklyn Park Lutheran Church, Brooklyn Park, MNCommunity of Hope, Tucson, AZFertile Lutheran Church, Fertile, IAHighwater Lutheran Church, Lamberton, MNImmanuel Lutheran Church Mission Society, Estherville, IALake Madison Lutheran Church, Rutland, SDNorth Heights Lutheran Church, Roseville, MNPlatteville Lutheran Church, Minooka, ILPontoppidan Lutheran Church, Fargo, NDSinai Lutheran Congregation, Sinai, SDSinai Mission Club, Madison, SDSouth Zumbro Lutheran Church, Kasson, MNTrinity Lutheran Church of M’haha Falls, Minneapolis, MNUnited Lutheran Church Women, Lake Lillian, MNWest Prairie WMF, Kindred, ND

Page 8

Latin

Am

eric

an L

uthe

ran

Mis

sion

PO B

ox 1

7385

Min

neap

olis

MN

554

17-7

385

AD

DR

ESS

SERV

ICE

REQ

UES

TED

Non

-Pro

fitO

rgan

izat

ion

U.S

. Pos

tage

PAID

Ferg

us F

alls

, MN

Perm

it N

o. 1

4

LALM Prayer WarriorsFall 2008Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow...

Thank you, God...1. For the enthusiastic responses to the ‘Fiestas Mexicanas’

presented in the Midwest earlier this Fall.2. For the fellowship and service of Carmen and Jesse Hernandez

who left LALM employment September 1.3. For the blessings of the October 22-24 ELCM Pastors and spouses

conference in Bethany of Apodaca, MX.4. For the ministry of Carrie Smart who has continued her service

with LALM after completing her Summer internship. Thank you Lord for Brian Smith and Servant Unique Family Ministries who yearly brings a large trailer of donated items from the Association of American Lutheran Churches annual conference.

5. For the donations of blankets, clothes, materials for school kits, computer equipment, bicycles, domestics, recyclables and cards.

Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will be Done...Pray for God’s blessing and guidance in the following areas :1. For the health of several of our pastors wives, Petra wife of Bul-

maro Velazquez, Rosalina wife of Jesus Velazquez, and Mari wife of Hilario Castro.

2. For plans being made for a joint meeting of leaders of the LALM-board and the officials of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Mexico in February.

3. For the four graduates of the ELCM Bible Institute as they make important decision about their lives and ministries. For the future leadership of the Bible Institute and the development of a new model for preparing emerging leaders for the Lutheran Churches of Mexico-.

4. For Pastor David Aguillon and new work being done in Tula, Tam-aulipas, Mexico.

5. For Carrie Smart as she seeks the prayer and financial support needed for her continued ministry with the LALM.

Needs List:1. We need puppets

for the January Christian Education Workshop.

2. We need a good washing machine here at the border station.

3. We need a 12 or 15 passenger van.

Sponsor a Bible Institute Student :-Recently a church stepped forward to offer scholarship help for developing future leaders for the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Mexico. Is God calling your church to partner with us in this important priority?

in Cadereyta and will also serve the community of Atongo. The representative said that they were very much surprised by the excellent condition of the ambulance and that it was very much needed, and that they actually are in need of an additional one. It is very evident to the entire group that God has his hand in their work and that all glory should be to His name. Anyone that has made a short-term mission trip into Mexico knows that they never leave unchanged by the work that God does through them.

Extreme Make-Over continued from page 3