Arch Books for the Children of Haiti

This arrived in my inbox yesterday from Concordia Publishing House.

This past Easter Sunday we celebrated Jesus Christ, our Lord’s resurrection. Keep the celebration going by sharing the Gospel with children who’ve recently experienced much trauma.

Did you know that school in Haiti has been canceled—indefinitely?

For just $10, You have the opportunity to impact Haitian children's lives by sending 6 Arch books entitled “Jesus Blesses the Children”, translated into French, and $4 to relief efforts. Money has been donated from dozens or organizations, but together we have the opportunity to provide something else that children desperately need: the Gospel.

To donate, visit www.concordiaoutreach.org or call 800.325.3040. Contributions can also be mailed to Concordia Gospel Outreach/Help for Haiti at 3558 S. Jefferson Ave., Saint Louis, MO 63118.

Understanding "Millenials"...and finding I am not one

I took a quiz today from the Pew Research Center's website asking "How Millenial Are You?" A "Millenial" is the tag given to those individuals born in 1981 or later, according the continuum on which your score is placed after you take the quiz (see graphic below). This is in contrast to "Generation X" (1965-1980), "Baby Boomers" (1946-1964), and the "Silent" generation (1928-1945). My score was 19 which placed me somewhere between Baby Boomer and Gen-X'ers, which, seeing as I was born on the cusp of both of those categories, seems to make sense. Julie (my wife) scored a 7, which puts her between the Silents and Baby Boomers. We got a good laugh at that one, since I'm five years older than she is.

Coincidentally, I ran across this post at the Fearsome Tycoon's blog about the Millenial generation.

Everyone's all hot and bothered now that the generation has a name. Basically, old people are so incredibly impressed that The Millennials all know how to use Facebook, all have cell phones, and all spend 7 years in college that they've decided that this is one whip-smart, super-creative, socially conscious generation. Mark Tapscott thinks that when they see how destructive top-down government is and how stifling it is of their technologically enabled creativity, they'll revolt and all become conservative Republicans or something.

Well, you know I wouldn't be posting about something if I didn't think it was B.S.

Speaking as one who is responsible in part for teaching said generation, their blistering intelligence and stunning creativity is highly overrated. Sure, they've frittered away more years of life in school than any previous generation, but that's in large part because school has become so devalued. If I would characterize the Millennial Generation, here's how I would do it:

1. Knowledge that they have no immediate use for is viewed as a complete waste of time.

2. They expect to have things done for them and for everything they need to materialize out of the sky.

3. Complex things aren't worth understanding. Anything requiring reading a book isn't worth the time it takes to know.

4. They believe that they are never at fault for the consequences of their own actions.

5. They need to be constantly praised.

Mark Tapscott and everyone else who thinks the Millennials will rebel against top-down socialism are sadly mistaken. Quite to the contrary, they have all the necessary prerequisites to embrace and even demand socialism. When socialism fails to deliver, as it always does, they lack the critical thinking skills to associate the failure with the nature of the system and will be naturally inclined to listen to explanations that promise even more handouts and less responsibility. You know who's out there rioting in Berkley, demanding that a bankrupt state somehow magically conjure up more money to spend on them? Millennials. That should give you a foretaste of the feast to come.

Frankly, I'm not all that in to labels. Applied to individuals, they can lead to vicious stereotypes. Applied to generations, however, perhaps there is some benefit to these categories in order to better understand them...not to tailor the Church to their desires, but to reach them with the Word of Truth to meet their spiritual needs, which are the same in every generation.

Compelled by duty, not by love

Surprisingly honest admission from a 19th century missionary to America...

“Sadly, I have to confess to you, that, as far as I know, neither love for the Lord, nor love for the orphaned brothers drove me to America. I didn’t even want to go. I went there against my will, fighting it. I went because my conscience compelled me, because it was my duty. It grieved me then — and still grieves me, that I didn’t — still don’t love the Lord more and that He had to drive me out to work like a slave.”

F.C.D. Wyneken, second president of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, said this.

HT: Mollie Hemingway at SteadfastLutherans.org

Update on Chilean Earthquake and LCMS response

For some reason, the earthquake in Chile has not gotten the same amount of news coverage as the quake in Haiti. Not sure exactly why this is. Could be the closer proximity of the US to Haiti. Could be that people perceive of Chile as being a more prosperous nation than Haiti, therefore the Chileans have more resources to deal with their situation than the Haitians. Nevertheless, the LCMS and other sister churches are responding. What follows is another news story from LCMS World Mission e-News.

Chilean church plans for post-earthquake ministry

In the midst of the chaos following the Feb. 27 earthquake and resulting tsunami, leaders and members of the Confessional Lutheran Church of Chile (IELCHI) remain focused on how they can minister to each other and to others in their communities.

An earthquake hit Chile in the early morning of Feb. 27, with its epicenter near Concepción, Chile's second-largest city. The resulting tsunami, looting, lack of water and electricity, road closures, and airport closings have affected millions of Chileans.

On March 2, Rev. Carlos Schumann, president of the IELCHI, wrote an e-mail to President Kieschnick, expressing thanks for his concern and encouragement during this difficult time. President Schumann wrote, "I enormously thank President Kieschnick for putting all the support force of the Synod to our service."

Schumann also shared that after a special meeting of the IELCHI, plans are emerging for ministry in this post-disaster situation. Schumann shared that the church will take advantage of contacts that they have in areas badly affected by the earthquake to visit and see how they can help. He also stated that they hope to establish a base of operations in one of the affected areas and that the church hopes to respond to both urgent and long-term needs, both material and spiritual. Schumann shared that the IELCHI hopes to minister to smaller communities where damage is proportionally higher than in some of the larger cities-communities that have been "forgotten by TV cameras" and have suffered damage from the tsunami that followed the earthquake.

Rev. Dr. Jorge Groh, regional director for LCMS World Mission in Latin America and the Caribbean, and Olga Groh, director of project management in Latin America and the Caribbean for LCMS World Mission and LCMS World Relief and Human Care, have been in contact with President Schumann and others from the IELCHI since the earthquake hit. The Grohs, and potentially, other LCMS representatives, plan to visit Chile on March 12 to help evaluate the opportunities for post-disaster ministry and to encourage the leaders and members of the IELCHI.

Rev. Christian Rautenberg, an IELCHI pastor serving in Santiago, Chile, expressed thanks for the support the Chilean Lutherans have received from their brothers and sisters in other countries, and shared an update on the IELCHI's steps to minister to people in their communities. On March 2, he wrote, "Thanks for the message and support in the times that we are living. Thank God we are already quite recovered from the destruction. The electricity is gradually returning, along with the water. As it was reflected yesterday in an urgent meeting with IELCHI, God has been our refuge and strength despite the forces of nature. He is still sustaining us every moment with His grace.

"I'm still making visits to people who have suffered badly. This morning, I visited several families in the community of La Florida, a neighborhood with many poor households where one family that goes to church lives. We are still in the stage of gathering information and making a list of people that we are going to visit-especially in the south. We are bringing the encouragement of the Word to all those we meet."

The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Argentina, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Brazil, Lutheran Church-Canada, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Paraguay, and The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod have pledged to support their Chilean brothers and sisters in various ways in this time of need.

On behalf of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, LCMS World Relief and Human Care (the mercy arm of the LCMS) is working cooperatively with LCMS World Mission (the mission sending arm of the LCMS), LCMS congregations and districts, and U.S. and international partners to provide immediate and long-term relief for the people of Chile and Confessional Lutheran Church of Chile (IELCHI). Learn more about the LCMS' partner/sister church, the IELCHI, at www.ielchi.cl.

LCMS response to the Chile earthquake

This is from the LCMS World Mission e-news.

LCMS offers prayers and support for Chile and partners

The president of the LCMS' Chilean partner church body said his members and pastors are safe following the Feb. 27 8.8 magnitude earthquake even as the church body's assessment of damage continues.

"By God's grace, [none] of our church members and pastors' families have suffered," wrote Rev. Carlos Schumann, president of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Republic of Chile (IELCHI), in an e-mail to the LCMS.

The LCMS is monitoring the needs of the partner church and has pledged assistance in the aftermath of the earthquake that claimed more than 700 lives, toppled thousands of buildings and homes, and left an estimated 2 million people homeless.

Dr. Gerald B. Kieschnick, president of the LCMS, expressed sorrow and concern for the Chilean people and the IELCHI in an electronic letter Sunday to Schumann.

"We thank God that He remains faithful to His promises, and we pray that He will give you strength and wisdom for the challenges of today, tomorrow, and for many days and years to come,'' Kieschnick wrote. "May the peace of God that passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds through faith in Christ Jesus our Lord!''

The IELCHI, while still assessing the earthquake's effects on its members, buildings, and schools, has reported no serious damage from the quake to its congregations and schools. The earthquake is one of the worst on record.

Kieschnick asked staff from LCMS World Mission-led by Rev. Dr. Jorge Groh, regional director for Latin America-and LCMS World Relief and Human Care, to remain in contact with the IELCHI. "While already committing human and fiscal resources to relief and rebuilding in Haiti, we stand ready to be of assistance in any way possible in the aftermath of this very powerful earthquake in your country,'' Kieschnick wrote in his electronic letter.

Rev. Christian Rautenberg serves at the IELCHI's mission site in the Chilean capital, Santiago, which was also affected by the quake. In an e-mail to Groh on Monday, March 1, he wrote, "Today we are having an emergency church meeting to analyze the situation and the requests for help and support because this situation is also an opportunity to bring the Gospel message in an integrated manner to those who are suffering."

Schumann thanked the LCMS' "brothers and sisters that are praying for us and our country.

"So, just [one] thing remains firm: God's merciful and powerful hands where your life by faith quietly rests,'' he wrote in a reply to Kieschnick. "I'm really [appreciative of] your kind, warm and friendly concern about us and the whole Chilean church.''

On behalf of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, LCMS World Relief and Human Care (the mercy arm of the LCMS) will work cooperatively with LCMS World Mission (the mission sending arm of the LCMS), LCMS congregations and districts, and U.S. and international partners to provide immediate and long-term relief for the people of Chile and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Republic of Chile.

To subscribe to any LCMS e-news lists, click here.

Blogging about the relief efforts in Haiti

Read the latest posts as of today on the blogs or sites linked below for some personal perspectives on the relief efforts in Haiti, specifically the work of teams put together and sent by LCMS World Relief and Human Care.

Mercy Journeys with Pastor Harrison

The ABC3s of Miscellany

LCMS World Relief: Haiti Earthquake Relief

Nord Est Haiti Lutheran Mission Orphanage Updates

Haiti Update from Emily Bartelheimer

Here's a follow up from a previous email received from Emily Bartelheimer regarding Pastor Daniel Paul and the orphanage in Ounaminthe.

Hello,

School will be canceled for one month; however, the orphans will still have classes, but not the other children in the community to attend school at the orphanage.

The road from Ouanaminthe to Port-au-Prince in impassable. As a result there are no public buses. Samuel, Pastor Daniel's brother-in-law, has no way of returning to Ouanaminthe and will stay with family near PAP until the roads improve.

Pastor went to work in the garden on Saturday. People cut down one of his trees in his garden to make charcoal. He was devastated. The price of charcoal has doubled in one week due to the rain and the earthquake. People have also stolen cassava and sweet potatoes from the orphanage garden. He harvested some of them and planted more. Food prices have already began to soar and people are desperate.

Some people were asking if specific people were alive. Here is an update:

-Rico and David, Pastor's brothers, are alive. However, like all Haitians in PAP, the economical situation is devastating. There is no food.
-Pastor Daniel's sister's cousin died.
-Nelson is alive.
-Danya is alive, but her father is still missing.

Emily

There are many ways to help the people of Haiti. The easiest is simply to donate directly to LCMS World Relief and Human Care. Click here for a form to fill out and donate.

Also, since prices for goods have skyrocketed, you can send monetary donations that will directly be sent to the orphanage in Ounaminthe. Donations can be sent to NEHLM, c/o Faith Lutheran Church, 104 S 12th Street, La Grande, OR 97850. More information can be found at www.NEHLM.com .

Harrison on Haiti

A post entitled "Holding Steady in the Chaos" from Pastor Matt Harrison's Mercy Journeys blog:

Urgent patience is our mode now. It’s been a completely chaotically normal first three days after a horrific disaster. Seismic indicators registered the event. Silence from Port au Prince, then trickling info, third hand. Then by Wednesday night voices were arising who’d seen it first hand. Total devastation. People in the streets immediately after the event, looking, calling desperately into the rubble. Most hearing no reply. Reports of the airport closed, then open, then choked with traffic, then closed again. Reports of the port filling with ships, of hastily prepared relief cargo slipping into the ocean on the way, of other ports suitable and not. A sporadic message or two began coming from this cell phone or that within Haiti, but mostly busy signals – all one metaphor for an infrastructure unequal to the challenge in the best of circumstances.

The theological loons began. “Haiti made a pact with the devil.” “Something in its past.” I’m sorry, but I have little time for prognosticating, would be “prophets” who can’t get the basics of the Christian faith right (justification, Baptism, Lord’s Supper, a-millennialism). This event is just as much a judgment upon the Christian community in America for largely ignoring the screaming need in our own hemisphere. In God’s economy it is most often the righteous who suffer, and the evil that “prosper.”

In any case, we now begin down the path of tending to our brothers and sisters in Christ in Haiti, and as they are even now and have been from the moment of the earthquake, caring for their neighbors, we will come along side and increase their capacity to do so. And midst all the weakness and pain, the strength of the Lord will be made perfect in weakness.

Matt H.

Pastor Matt Harrison is Executive Director of LCMS World Relief and Human Care.

Haiti Relief

As you well know if you have been watching the news, the people of Haiti are in dire need of help following a devastating earthquake. While there are many worthwhile relief agencies to support, please consider making a donation to our own LCMS World Relief and Human Care. Here is a video with Pastor Matt Harrison (Executive Director of LCMS World Relief and Human Care) discussing the issue.



Click here to go to the Disaster Response page of the website of LCMS World Relief and Human Care. There you will find links to articles about the situation in Haiti. At the bottom of each article, there is a "Give Now" button where you can donate, or simply click here to go directly to a form by which you can give directly to the efforts on behalf of Haiti.

Haiti Earthquake

One of the missions our congregation has supported is the Nord Est Haiti Lutheran Mission which is located in Ounaminthe, Haiti. The Rev. Daniel Paul has been operating an orphanage there for a number of years and teams from our area have travelled to help in the construction.

Ouanaminthe is in the northeastern corner of the country. The capital of Haiti was struck by a large earthquake yesterday with much destruction and loss of life. Here is an email which was forwarded to me written by Emily Bartelheimer, an active supporter of the mission.

Bonswa,

I spoke with Pastor Daniel today. They felt the earthquake in
Ouanaminthe, but there does not appear to be any damage to the
orphanage especially the new construction. Pastor and his family
lived in Port-au-Prince until 2007. As a result, he has many friends
and family members in Port-au-Prince. All Haitian communication lines are down and he has not been able to reach any of them.

Please continue to pray for the country. As Pastor Daniel said, "The
Lord still is at work. We just have to have faith."

Emily

Please continue to pray for the people of Haiti and for our brothers and sisters in Christ who are faced with such tragic losses of life and property ... what little, that is, the people of that impoverished nation have.

Nord Est Haiti Lutheran Mission

Lately, I've been posting Pastor Sam Wiseman's email updates about the mission work in Ouanaminthe, Haiti ... specifically the orphanage begun by the Rev. Daniel Paul. I won't be posting these updates regularly any longer unless there is one which I feel the need to highlight. However, you may wish to bookmark the website of the Nord Est Haiti Lutheran Mission (NEHLM), www.nehlm.com. There are regular updates available there. Here's a description of NEHLM from their website...

Pastor Sam Wiseman of Faith Lutheran in La Grande, OR met Pastor Daniel Paul from Haiti in seminary at Ft. Wayne, IN. Pastor Daniel Paul, being an orphan himself, shared his vision of building an orphanage in his home country to shelter, feed, and educate orphans of Ouanaminthe, Haiti. Feeling a call to aid in this effort, Pastor Wiseman introduced this mission to Lamb of God Lutheran Church (Everett, WA) and Faith Lutheran Church (La Grande, OR). Together, these churches formed a stateside organization, Nord Est Haiti Lutheran Mission, to support Pastor Daniel Paul’s ministry in building an orphanage and school.

From 2003 to 2009, seven mission teams have traveled to Ouanaminthe in northeast Haiti to expand Pastor Daniel Paul’s hope of serving the children of Haiti. La Maison de Agne aux de Dieu Orphanage (MADO) is a quarter complete and houses over 25 orphans. A multi-purpose building serves as a church where over 200 children attend VBS on Sundays. During the week, 80 children from the orphanage and community attend school.

Lamb of God in Everett is a sister LCMS church in our circuit. That's how our congregation heard about the work in Ouanaminthe and decided to highlight the mission there. Perhaps there are some folks from our congregation who will one day consider going along on one of the trips sponsored by Lamb of God and Faith, La Grande.

I will also include the link to NEHLM on our church website links page which you can navigate to by clicking here.

Pastor Wiseman's Oct. 27 update from Haiti

Here's the latest on Pastor Daniel Paul's ministry to the orphans in Ouanaminthe, Haiti...

Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Rev. Daniel Paul called today--it was nice to talk with him and share that I had snow falling outside my window. I asked him if they were getting any snow. "No, do what you can to stay warm, " was his response. The snowy weather that he experienced when he was at the seminary in Fort Wayne, IN was a challenging cold to him. However, he appreciated the furnaces. What he did not appreciate was air-conditioning in the summer. He would show up to class with a big winter coat when it was about 90 degrees outside. "Why do they make us sit in refrigerators for class? It is so nice outside!"

His is still shopping for a generator. He thought he had one in Cap Haitian; however, when he arrived it was not available. Port au Prince has a good deal, but the transporting of it would not be very easy. He was encouraged to keep looking for a good deal closer to Ouanaminthe.

They ask for our prayers for their health. Delyse, Archline and Cliney have had to go to get medical help and "some of the little ones" are also dealing with colds and fevers.

The House of the Lambs of God Orphanage is looking forward to the mission team from Lamb of God LCMS coming in December. I understand there are seven dear souls sign up to serve with that team. Let us pray for their service, travel, and plans.

The Lord be with you,

Rev. Sam Wiseman

Haiti Orphanage Update Oct. 16

Here's the latest email from Pastor Sam Wiseman about Pastor Daniel Paul's orphanage in Ouanaminthe, Haiti.

Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ--our Lord and Savior. Amen.

We are so thankful for dear souls who share in this ministry of caring for people in a terribly deprived country. Please remember that as you are led by the Holy Spirit to be involved with "good works" that in those works God is at work in you as one of His dear servants (children, friends). I am honored to have you read about, pray for, and serve with the Nord Est Haiti Lutheran Mission.

Rev. Daniel Paul had a cold for several days, yet is now feeling much better.

They have received some good rains, therefore there has been a lot of work going on in their gardens. Rev. Paul and Pepe (the twenty something year old who does a huge amount of physical labor at the complex) work hard to have the available land produce food. The orphans are often called on to help.

Please pray for Rev. Paul as he is "shopping" for a generator and refrigerator. He was sent funds this past week through Fonkoze--a banking system that allows him to receive funds is USA currency. He can barter more effectively with the US dollar.

Please consider or encourage the sponsorship of a student ($240.00 per year) or an orphan ($600.00 a year) as you prepare for the Christmas season. We have received several sponsorships as gifts for someone else.

The Lord be with you as you keep these dear souls in your thoughts and prayers,

Rev. Sam Wiseman

Haiti Orphanage Update 09-09-09

Here's the latest email I received from Pastor Sam Wiseman...

Greetings,

Check out the date 09-09-09--this catches my attention a bit extra since it is Charlotte's (my wife's) birthday.

We praise God as He continues to work through people--especially people of the faith in Jesus Christ--to love and care for the dear souls involved with Rev. Paul's ministry in Nord Est Haiti!

In a previous e-mail I shared that Rev. and Cliney Paul were concerned for school uniforms, curriculum and other supplies for school starting in September. I expressed that he could use $1075.00 immediately. In the past week NEHLM has received special donations for school expenses of $1250.00! Praise God! There are sure to be other expenses that the "surplus" will go to. Thank you.

Rev. Paul told me yesterday: "They are talking about hurricanes--September is a hurricane month--please pray for us and Haiti."

Rev. Paul shared that his batteries that store electricity from a couple solar panels are over two years old. "They are not working properly." He is looking for a "good deal." The bartering is an interesting skill in Haiti--I have proven to not be skilled at that practice--Rev. Paul does pause, look around, hum, etc.

School will start next week. They have applied for a "feeding program" to receive funds through an international agency for the school. However this will take time--up to a year. He would like to do something. School runs from 8:00 a.m. --2:00 p.m. It has been a desire of NEHLM's leadership to have the students fed a meal; however, with less than 25% of the students sponsored this is a financial challenge. Let us take this concern to the Lord in prayer.

Emily Bartleheimer is scheduled to visit us at Faith Lutheran the last weekend in September--we are looking forward to having her share in person about her two month experience at "The House of the Lambs of God."

The Lord be with you,

Rev. Sam Wiseman

LCMS Pastor elected to office in African church

An LCMS pastor has been elected as general secretary of the Ethiopian Evangelical Lutheran Church, the largest Lutheran body in Africa and second largest in the world. Click here to read the story in The Reporter, the newspaper of the LCMS.

Right here in the Puget Sound there is an Ethiopian Lutheran mission church. It meets in the old building of Zion Lutheran Church in Seattle's Greenlake neighborhood. Click here to see a video of Pastor Berhanu Seyoum explaining the mission of his congregation.

Haiti Orphanage Update

Here's the latest email from Pastor Wiseman of La Grande, OR on the Pastor Daniel Paul and the orphanage in Ouanaminthe, Haiti.

Greetings,

Just a quick note to let you know that through faithful donations to Nord Est Haiti Lutheran Missions (NEHLM) Rev. Paul has been told to purchase a generator (one strong enough to use to pump water for household and irrigation purposes), to check on a propane refrigerator, and to check on windows to keep the hurricane rain from soaking them this year. These moneys were received above and beyond the monthly sponsorship donations that allow NEHLM to feed, cloth, and educate those dear souls.

In mentioning monthly sponsorships I have been informed that some sponsors appear to be challenged financially-we pray that the Lord guide them as they make their decisions for their own necessities, their support of their local church, and their sponsorship of an orphan.

We might end up with a couple orphans not sponsored and their are 40 plus students still waiting to be sponsored. (Students--Rev. Paul said that he could use $1075.00 immediately for uniforms, curriculum and books--school starts next week!)

Thank you for your interest and concern for these dear souls.

Rev. Sam Wiseman

News from Haiti

Here is Pastor Wiseman's latest email (August 4) about the goings-on at the orphanage in Ouanaminthe, Haiti.

Greetings,

I received a call today from Rev. Daniel Paul and Emily Bartelheimer today. They both were doing well as are all in their care--Praise God!

Rev. Paul is able to rent garden that is very close to the orphanage. This is the fourth garden spot that they are working--it is good to see the orphanage teaching a strong work ethic and being industrious. This plot is about 150' by 160'. The plan in to have it planted with plantains using their own seed. Plantains are nutritious (good for all at the facility) and if there is an ample crop they can be sold (good for all at the facility).

Emily has been working diligently on speaking Creole. She is modestly confident as she talks with the children; however, still reserved when it comes to speaking Creole to adults. May she continue to pursue this discipline.

Emily started the call with saying she was "doing really well". I asked when she is scheduled to return to the USA. She expressed--"it is only three shorts weeks (August 20)-I would like to stay longer." This is a wonderful report since she is the first missionary to be with NEHLM for an extended period.

The Lord be with you,

Rev. Sam Wiseman

One of the many reasons why we support Issues, Etc.

Click below to read a recent post at the Brothers of John the Steadfast website...

http://ping.fm/fCNTX

The latest from Ouanaminthe, Haiti

Here's the latest update from Pastor Sam Wiseman about the work that Rev. Daniel Paul is doing in Ouanaminthe, Haiti. For more information, click here.

Greetings,

In the last e-mail, I told you that Rev. Paul was looking forward for an "official paper"--he has received one--Praise God! This gives the orphanage, school, and ministry an official number that allows them to receive aid through international agencies. We trust that donations to some of those larger agencies (such as USAID, CRS, etc.) will be accessible for "The House of the Lambs of God."

Rev. Paul reports that they are in their rainy season. They have not seen the sun for four days. "We are getting a lot of rain--even now you can hear the water." And sure enough it did sound as though water was pouring into puddles.

One of our NEHLM sponsors--Beverly Frasch--had a severe heart attack and died Friday, May 22. Rest her soul in peace. She was one of the very first to sponsor a child and ended up encouraging three more people to sponsor children.

Rev. Paul is planning to meet with the teachers this week to talk about pay for next year and classes. I explained that since we have returned from the February 09 Trip monthly sponsorship has increased a $100.00 or so. We are looking to have 35-40 more students sponsored which will allow consistent money to pay the teachers. (The teachers are paid $40-50 a month.) We pray for continued support of student sponsorship which is $20.00 a month and very similar to the benefits that many of the larger sponsorship programs provide.

Rev. Paul did receive positive news of a 75% chance of being part of the lunch program for schools through the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Haiti (which is sponsored by other LCMS churches).

Let us continue to lift these dear souls up in prayer. Jesus' words in John 17 (His High Priestly Prayer) for His disciples--"Holy Father, protect them by the power of Your name--the name you gave Me--so that they may be one as We are One" John 17:11b. Praise God for our oneness with Him and with fellow disciples of Christ.

The Lord be with you,

Rev. Sam Wiseman

Polish Lutherans found in Eastern Siberia

Concordia, Oak Harbor featured this in a recent newsletter. It speaks of the resilience of faith and the importance of catechesis, especially when ready access to Bible, Catechism, and pastoral presence is removed in times of persecution. This comes from The Siberian Lutheran Mission Society's newsletter. Click here to read the article from their December 2008 newsletter.