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—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.

LHM Employee Kidnapped and Robbed

Every so often we are reminded of the dangers that our staff face in other parts of the world. Last month, for example, Lutheran Hour Ministries (LHM)—Brazil director, Paulo Warth, reported that he and his wife, Lucia, had been kidnapped and robbed.

Paulo and Lucia were driving to a wedding on a Friday evening, and stopped to pick up a friend. While they were parked on a busy street outside the apartment building, two armed men ordered Paulo into the back seat where he was joined by one of the criminals. The other man drove, with Lucia in the front.

The men demanded cash, jewelry, and credit cards (which they handed off to accomplices in another car). They then drove around the city of Sao Paolo for over two hours. Meanwhile the accomplices used the credit cards. According to Paulo, the robbers even stopped twice to buy drugs.

The ordeal finally ended when, much to the Warth’s relief, the criminal abandoned the car in a rough part of town leaving Paulo and Lucia to drive off unharmed. In all the robbers charged over $2,000 to Paulo’s credit card, but given the circumstances he was glad they still had their lives.

Coming on the heels of this incident was the recent news that Victor Verruck, the director of LHM—Paraguay, was robbed as he boarded a bus to return home from a ministry convention in Asuncion, Paraguay. The thief grabbed Victor’s cell phone and escaped before he could give chase.

Sadly, this is not uncommon in Paraguay.

“While I was waiting to give a police report two people came in saying that one of them had also had their phone stolen,” said Victor. “It is very sad but here you will hardly find someone that has not been robbed of their cell phone or wallet.”

Incidents such as these highlight the problem of crime in Latin America, and the need for programs like LHM’s Project JOEL which reaches out to youth with the Gospel message. JOEL volunteers visit schools, hospitals and organize events where young children and teens learn about and discuss issues such as crime, alcohol and drug abuse, teen pregnancy, and self-esteem.

Please pray for LHM staff and volunteers around the world as they carry out ministry activities in some very dangerous places.

LHM in Argentina Welcomes New Manager

We would like to welcome a new ministry center manager the Lutheran Hour Ministries family.

Gloria Tolisano is the new Manager of Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones, the LHM office in Argentina, replacing Rev. Alberto Groh. She was born in Argentina, and came to the church when she attended Concordia High School, in Buenos Aires. She worked for 12 years as the administrative secretary for the Colegio Luterano Concordia, in the city of Córdoba, and in addition to this she worked on producing radio spots for the Lutheran Hour in Argentina.

From 2002 to 2007, Gloria lived in Montevideo, Uruguay, where she worked at her husband’s Cyber/Internet Café, as well as at the new LHM office, as administrative secretary. She has a professional degree from the Universidad Nacional del Litoral, in Argentina.

Gloria is active in the Lutheran Church and a leader in her congregation. According to her pastor, “Gloria has a mission vision which she has shown in all what is related with the challenge that the congregation has, regarding to the mission and its context.”

Inauguration of the JOEL-Bugambilia’s Sports Field

The sports field was inaugurated on Saturday with one soccer game and three foot races. Three teams (two with young children and one of youth) were formed on Saturday for an active day of sports that brought together a total of 20 young people. They also got to enjoy a hot dog lunch.

The purpose of the JOEL sports field is to connect with youth people living in the area called “Ojo de Agua” (Eye of Water) so that relational bridges can be built for the presentation of the Gospel message.

Each Saturday Project JOEL leaders will schedule recreational activities (soccer games, races, martial arts) as well as educational activities (sharing lessons based in biblical values, classes for parents on parenting, classes of nutrition, etc).

It is important to connect not only with the young people but with their whole family as we meet the whole child needs: physical, emotional, spiritual.

For more stories from Mexico, visit the CPTLN—Mexico blog.

BCC Graduates Receive Surprise Gifts

Last week LHM—Nicaragua held a graduation ceremony for people who had completed Bible Correspondense Courses in Pastal and surrounding communities. Graduates were pleasantly surprised when, in addition to the certificates, they received various items of clothing, courtesy of Orphan Grain Train. We thank God that these gifts were there to share with people in that community.

President Mick Onnen in Panama

Here are a few photos from Mick and Nila Onnen's recent visit to the LHM-Panama ministry center. They were accompanied by the Area Counselor for Latin America, Nilo Figur.

Mick and Nila with the some staff and volunteers.

Mick and Nila prepare to enjoy a delicious meal.

Enjoying the traditional culture and entertainment.

Click here to see more photos from the trip

Bible School’s First Night!

Over the weekend, LHM—Mexico staff invited some students and teachers to be the first to make use of the first level of the newly-built Miriam and Mareli Day Care/Community and Learning Center in Tijuana, Mexico. The children participated in a Bible school held in a large mutli-purpose space.

Prior to the event staff member, Tere Montoya, met with the teaching staff to go over lesson plans and prepare activities and songs. They also brought in furniture and lots of educational toys, thanks to a donation from Concordia Lutheran Church in Chula Vista, CA who recently closed their west side preschool and opened a new preschool in East Chula Vista.

Nine teachers and 30 children who attended the first night, and more are expected throughout the week.

"Pray for the children that will learn about Jesus all week," said Melissa Salomon, director of LHM—Mexico. "pray the seed that is planted will grow and multiply fruit one hundred fold."

For more stories from Mexico, visit the CPTLN—Mexico blog.

Follow President Mick Onnen's Trip on Twitter

We invite you to check out Twitter updates from Nicaragua, Panama and Brazil to get the most up-to-date information as LLL President Mick Onnen and his wife, Nila, visit LHM ministry centers in these countries. Just click on the links below:

In Nicaragua Aug. 16-19 LHM-Nicaragua on Twitter

In Panama Aug. 20-22 LHM-Panama on Twitter

In Brazil Aug. 23-28 LHM-Brazil on Twitter

Global Impact Volunteers Give Resouces Time and Energy in Guatemala

A group of Global Impact volunteers from Faith Lutheran Church in Michigan visited LHM—Guatemala in July. Pastor Todd Biermann, senior pastor, led 13 members of his church as they performed service projects including painting at rural medical clinics, as well as the Holy Cross Lutheran missionary in Amatitlan, and the inside of the World's Redeemer Lutheran Church in Santiago Zamora.Vacation Bible Schools were also carried out in orphanages at REMAR and AGUA VIVA.

For more information and photos please visit the LHM—Guatemala blog.

15 Years of Ministry

Today, LHM celebrates 15 years of ministry in Guatemala. Please join us in thanking God for blessing us with many years of sharing the Gospel with the people of that country. And pray for Rebeca de Franco and her dedicated team of staff and volunteers, that they remain encouraged in their work.

Limalama Love

The Limalama (a form of martial arts) program is yielding positive results. This LHM—Mexico sponsored outreach, through Project JOEL, to youth in marginal communities in Tijuana connected with local a Lutheran congregation. Interesting fact: Since the youth have received their uniforms (and walk from their homes to the church where the classes are held) the class size has increased by almost 100%. The children without uniforms are the new children who joined within the last few weeks.

The photo below was taken inside San Pablo Lutheran Mission in Tijuana.

Welcome Nilo!

We have a new addition to the staff. As of Monday, Nilo Figur has taken on the position of Area Counselor for Latin America and the Caribbean. Nilo, originally from Brazil, most recently served as a professor of communications at Concordia University in Austin, Texas, and has been a great friend of the ministry for over 20 years.

Nilo was a pastor in Brazil and served in several leadership positions in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Brazil (IELB) including Secretary and Vice President of Communications. He has extensive experience in communication, as well as training as a pastor, and a journalist. He holds a degree in communications from Webster University and is finishing his doctorate in communications at the University of Texas at Austin.

With the arrival of Nilo, we bid a fond farewell to Ken Peterson who retired from that position. Ken served the Lord through LHM for over 25 years: first as an office director in Venezuela; then as International director and, later, Ministries director (combining the U.S. and international departments); before moving to Panama in 1995 as the Area Counselor.

Michigan Team Visits Nicaragua

In March, LHM—Nicaragua received a visit from a Global Work & Witness team from Martin Luther Chapel, Michigan. The volunteers participated in the construction of a small structure where children in a rural area are learning Bible courses. People from the community of “El Pastal” expressed their gratitude for the young volunteers who took the time to help them.

But it was not all work for the visitors. They visited different high schools and elementary schools where they shared the Message of Christ during presentations to students. Some of them also made time to play soccer with students.