The LHM International blog has moved!

We have moved the Lutheran Hour Ministries blog to it's new home at http://www.lhmint.org/blog. Please save the new address to your bookmarks. Thank you!

New LHM International Site Goes Live

We are very excited to tell you that the newly redesigned LHM International Ministries website is now live. The new site is a portal to detailed ministry information and resources specific to each country in which LHM serves. Also featured on the website are blogs, photos and videos from the different countries – all highlighting ministry activities.

We invite you to visit www.lhmint.org and experience the website for yourself.

Global Impact Volunteers Get Right to Work

The Global Impact Volunteer team that is currently in Nicaragua wasted no time in getting down to work, as shown by the photos here sent by the LHM director in Nicaragua, Ricardo Arguello. The team, led by led by Pastor Ray Scheer of Covington, Louisiana, will spend one more day in Nicaragua before returning home.

Devotion: Jesus Is Our Hope

Before the time of Christ, life was very difficult and people searched for something in which to place their hope. They had the Law, but that only came with accusation. No one could fulfill the Law, and the result was death.

This crisis covered all aspects of life: politics, economics, health, even spiritual life. This is similar to the situation today, with one exception: Jesus has brought us the hope of forgiveness and eternal life. Through His death on the cross, He took the condemnation of our sins upon Himself. Through His resurrection from the dead, He gives us complete forgiveness.

The world we live in is ruled by a physical law. Decay is a natural ending to any living thing. But scientists are trying to prolong human life by developing cryogen systems and clone technology, spending huge amounts of money on rich people who are afraid of death and are hoping to avoid it.

There is, however, something very simple - and remarkable -- that gives us hope. Whether you have money or not, faith in Jesus Christ alone provides hope. The apostle John wrote, "I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life" (1 John 5:13).

But, how can one believe if they have not heard? This is where God uses us -- to tell others about what He has done through Jesus Christ!

THE PRAYER: Thank You for the love and life You have given us through the death and resurrection of Your Son, Jesus. Give us the opportunities and words to share Your Good News with others. Amen.

Biography of Author:
Igor Savich, director of Lutheran Hour Ministries' Russian office, wrote this devotion. In this enormous country spanning ten time zones, LHM-Russia connects with people through a variety of Gospel-centered programs, such as LHM's Bible Correspondence Courses (BCC) that Savich and his staff are now organizing. Such mission work gives people in distant villages a wonderful opportunity to access the Bible and hear the message of Christ as their Savior.

To read more daily devotions please visit the Daily Devotions page or subscribe to receive daily emails.

Global Impact Volunteers Heads to Nicaragua

Global Impact Volunteer Team led by Pastor Ray Scheer of Covington, Louisiana will be traveling today to Leon, Nicaragua to assist our office in building a “rancho.” The eight members of the team are from the Southern District, and include Scott Scheer, Joseph Arthur, Gerard Haulard, Dixie Lee, Elizabeth Alford, Carl and Katherine Baeuerlin.

The roof and metal supports for the “rancho” are already in place. This group will be working on the construction of the walls. The “rancho” will be completed by another Global Impact Volunteer Team next year. Please keep this group in your prayers for safe travel, a wonderful week of work and meeting with local people, and bless this project as it is being built to serve LHM for outreach events and establish a church for worship.

To learn more about LHM short-term mission trips check out the Global Impact Volunteer page.

LHM—Uganda Delivers Messages to Youth on the Go

Mobile phone usage is the largest growing avenue of communication for people in Uganda between the age of 13 and 35 years. Out of more than six million mobile users in the country, young people use cell phones for more than just sending and receiving text messages (also known as SMS). They share pictures, listen to music, and exchange emails. A few even surf the Internet or hear radio broadcasts directly on their phones.

Recognizing this importance of mobile phones, Lutheran Hour Ministries in Uganda has begun using this new avenue of communication to reach out to young people and expand ministry outreach into different communities. For example, at the end of each radio program, listeners are encouraged to respond via SMS with questions or comments.

“Text messaging is a great way of enhancing response from recipients as it’s less intrusive than a phone call,” said Charles Bameka, the director of LHM—Uganda. “Plus by using a web-based text messaging interface, we have a detailed record of our SMS ministry.”

Bameka reports that the SMS ministry yields about 40 responses for every message sent to a thousand individuals.

“Many of the respondents appreciate receiving a reassuring Christian message in the midst of life’s daily challenges,” he observed.

To read more news and updates from Uganda please visit the LHM—Uganda blog.

Devotion: Fragrance On The Hand Of The Giver

The owner of a large estate once gave his gardener some red roses to take home to his wife. The flowers, however, never made it to their intended recipient. On the bus that afternoon, the gardener sat next to a widow who spoke of her loneliness. Knowing his wife would understand, he gave the roses to the lonely widow and brightened up her day.

But the widow didn't get home with them either. At the grocery store, she came upon a tearful young girl. The girl's mother was very ill. "Here," the widow said, handing the flowers to the girl. "Give them to your mother; tell her I'll be praying for her tonight."

Gratefully, the girl accepted them and took them to her mother. The roses cheered the bedridden woman, but even she didn't keep them. "They're too beautiful not to share," she told her pastor when he came to visit the next day. "I'd like the church to have them." So the pastor took them and placed them in the sanctuary where his congregation could see and enjoy them. After the service, the minister gave single roses to some of the church members as they left. The beauty of the flowers was extended once more before they wilted.

There's a beautiful poem entitled, "Flowers Leave Their Fragrance on the Hand of the Giver," and the words are true. Every good deed, every selfless kindness, every thoughtful action which comes from a heart full of faith -- a heart touched by the abundance the Lord has freely given -- has a way of blessing the giver and multiplying the gift. Like the ripple effect of a stone tossed into water, the circles that emanate can reach many unseen shores.

So it is with the greatest love of all. Jesus' redemptive work on the cross comes to us through God's Word. By the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit, we are made clean and acceptable to God through faith in the salvation Christ has won for us. God's fragrance, the perfect sacrifice of His Son, is offered to everyone.

It is free. Share it the next chance you get.

THE PRAYER: Thank You, Father, for Your love. Help me today and always to have the courage to pass it on. Amen.

Biography of Author: Pastor Charles Bameka has directed LHM-Uganda since 2002. From an office in Kampala, volunteers and staff help people in need through Equipping the Saints, Bible Correspondence Courses, and the This is the Life TV program. Ministering to those living with HIV/AIDS in Uganda (more than 500,000 are afflicted with this disease) is a critical aspect of LHM's mission there.

LHM—Brazil Director Robbed… Again

Several days ago we reported that Lutheran Hour Ministries (LHM)—Brazil director, Paulo Warth and his wife Lucia, had been kidnapped and robbed in September. Unfortunately, this past Sunday the couple was robbed once again outside their home.

Paulo and Lucia were returning from a weekend trip to Buenos Aires, Argentina. The flight was delayed and the plane arrived in Sao Paulo at midnight. They took a cab from the airport, and when the taxi stopped on the street in front of their home, two men on a motorcycle approached them with guns. The criminals took one of their suitcases containing clothing and gifts they had bought for their children. The men also took their hand luggage, along with documents, credit cards, and money before getting away on motorcycles.

Despite reported improvements, Brazil continues to have some of the highest crime rates in the world. Much of the crime and violence in that nation has been linked to drugs and alcoholism. According to the US State Department robbery and “quicknapping” outside of banks and ATM machines are common. In a “quicknapping,” (which is what happened to Paulo and his wife last month) criminals abduct victims for a short time in order to receive a quick payoff from the family, business or the victim’s ATM card.

"We are really living under fear all the time. It is even affecting my health, which seems to be getting worst,” Paulo said. “But in the midst of all this we are thankful to God for preserving our lives. The rings are gone, but the fingers still remain. God is merciful. Praise the Lord!"

Please join us in praying for the safety of Lutheran Hour Ministries employees around the world.

Paulo and Lucia Warth at the 2008 Int'l LLL Convention.