The Pittmans need your help to continue their mission in Kenya

To continue their mission in Kenya, Heather and Nathan Pittman need to increase their monthly donation income by approximately $2,000. The reason? Inflation has skyrocketed since they first arrived in the country.

“We had raised what we needed to be out in Kenya for a whole year, but those numbers were based off of numbers that we got 2 years ago. Since that time, the practical inflation (as opposed to the official numbers that are published) has been 25% per year. Before we even arrived in the country, the prices had increased from what we had raised. We need to find more people who would like to partner with us as financial supporters so that we can sustain a longer stay in Kenya,” they shared in their latest newsletter.

Because of this, they had no choice but to return to the U.S. to raise additional financial support.

The missionaries have done the math: to extend their stay beyond one year, they need to find either 20 more partners willing to contribute $100 per month, 40 partners giving $50 per month, or 80 partners donating $25 per month.

“We hope that we are able to find those partners quickly enough to return to the mission field in the middle of April. The two things that might delay that return date are if we don’t raise the funds in time or there is a complication with Heather’s pregnancy, and her doctor tells us that we really should stay here for the delivery,” they explained.

Will you be one of their supporters? Every contribution makes a difference. Learn how you can help: https://globallutheranoutreach.com/support-pittman.html

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Growing together: Afterschool program and Bible study thrive in Venezuela

Since “Mi Pequeña Lucecita” (“My Little Light”) preschool in La Caramuca, Venezuela, was shut down, efforts have intensified to expand both the afterschool tutoring program and the Sunday afternoon youth Bible study, writes Pastor David Ernst in his latest newsletter.

“We have met with some success and there is, in fact, some overlap between the two groups, with some of our new afterschool students attending the Bible study,” the missionary shares.

Pastor David’s wife, Luz María, has enlisted her granddaughter, Anyi Garrido, along with Yusmelvis Salas, a young woman from the neighborhood, to assist with the afterschool classes.

The Sunday youth group continues to learn how to “sing” in sign language, a meaningful skill in a country where an estimated 1.2 million people are deaf, including around 15,000 with congenital deafness. In 2004, more than 3,000 deaf children were enrolled in the national public school system.

Sunday afternoons are dedicated entirely to prayer and Bible study.

The afterschool program provides remedial instruction in language skills, mathematics, and other subjects, while also incorporating daily Bible reading and prayer. “Many of our students have basic learning disabilities as well as having to deal with a shortage of teachers and the legacy of two years of closed schools due to the COVID-19 crisis,” Pastor David explains.

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A 41-year-old newsletter: the Heineys’ journey of consistency

Do you know any personal publication with 41 years of history?

Here at GLO, we can’t think of anything that compares.

Next month, Tim and Beth Heiney’s newsletter will celebrate an incredible milestone: 41 years since its first issue, written in February 1984.

“And aside from a few blanks here and there, it’s been about every month!” they wrote in their latest edition.

This isn’t just any newsletter. They’ve filled two large binders with their faithful updates, plus a smaller one for a children’s edition. It’s a beautiful archive that reflects the countless miraculous ways God has worked through their ministry over the years.

What makes their newsletter unique? It’s like a handmade treasure, featuring colorful, hand-drawn illustrations surrounding the text. Even though it’s now sent digitally to subscribers, it retains its personal, heartfelt touch.

Month after month, Tim and Beth pour their hearts into sharing inspiring stories from their ministry in Guinea, creating a testament to God’s faithfulness and their commitment.

“One of the best things about having that history,” they write, “is looking back and reminding ourselves of all the wonderful and miraculous ways God has worked over the years. He has been amazingly faithful and good to us.”

And retirement? It’s a question they hear often. Their response says it all: “Whenever God decides to retire us!”

Subscribe to the Heineys’ newsletter here.

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A big blessing: Benjamin and Scarlett Tino’s new family vehicle

Exciting news for Benjamin and Scarlett Tino!

After a year of saving and praying, the Tino family has finally purchased their family car—just in time for two significant milestones: a visit from Ben’s parents in Guatemala, who helped with the purchase, and the family’s move to a new home.

“We are ever so grateful for everyone who donated towards the vehicle, I have all your names written down of your support towards this goal of ours,” Ben shared in their latest missionaries newsletter.

The car, which cost $8,444, was entirely funded through donations.

According to Benjamin, the vehicle is in excellent condition. It “couldn’t have come at a better time as the old Tracker needs a good mechanical eye to look at it,” he added.

“This vehicle has been a big blessing to us and we could not thank each of you enough for your support and encouragement in this,” Ben said.

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Over 40 students complete Christian music studies in Guyana

Over 40 students graduated from the “Music for the Churches” program in Guyana last year, according to missionaries Víctor and Belén Rivas.

The Rivas have been running this program in partnership with Guyanese Outreach, a non-denominational Christian organization that collaborates with all Christian churches, offering music training to both equip current church musicians and develop new ones.

In Guyana, most musicians have limited formal training. Between 40 and 50 students of all ages participated in the program.

The program currently serves five churches: Saint Philip Lutheran Church, Agape Full Gospel Church, Olivert Church of the Nazarene, First Baptist Church, and Holy Spirit Fire Pentecostal Church. “More churches have shown interest, and this music program has truly been a blessing to us,” the Rivas shared in their latest newsletter.

“We are hoping that with your help we can continue in 2025. We want to strengthen the music skills in the different churches. Some of the ideas are buying some instruments, like guitars, small keyboards, and violin”, the missionaries wrote.

For 2025, the Rivas outlined several goals: developing an app for the Lutheran Guyanese Hymnal, continuing with the five music groups, and “visiting the brothers and sisters to pray with them and study the Bible together.”

Join this inspiring music project today!

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A double blessing: father and son confirm their faith together

Anthony and Alfonzo Freitez, father and son respectively, were confirmed to the glory of the Lord at Divine Providence Lutheran Church in Chile, a congregation led by missionary pastor Adrián Ventura.

Both were beneficiaries of the Temporary Shelter Program for Immigrants run by the Fundación GLO Chile (GLO Foundation in Chile). Now, this father and his young son from Venezuela are official members of the congregation.

But the remarkable detail doesn’t end there. The confirmation was also officiated by a father and son duo, Pastor Adrián and Josué Ventura, who was visiting Chile at the time.

Regarding this pleasant coincidence, Pastor Adrián stated: “This is the first time in 28 years of ministry that I’ve seen a pastor father and his pastor son officiate the confirmation of a father and his son as they become new members of a Lutheran congregation. Thank you, beloved God!”

We give thanks to the Lord for this joy!

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Greet a missionary on their birthday!

Greeting missionaries on their birthdays is such a wonderful opportunity to show they are in your thoughts and prayers. If you missed the chance to do this with our October-December birthdays, no worries! Another opportunity is just around the corner!

It is a very easy process – you do not need to create an account, log in, or remember a password. Simply go to wishwell.ai/glo, find your name in the “donor name” drop-down list, the click on “select wishes”. A list of GLO missionaries and personnel who have birthdays in January, February and March will appear. You can choose to greet any or all of them. Even if you do not personally know the missionary, we have been told by them that it is VERY ENCOURAGING just to see the abundance of Christian brothers and sisters praying for them!

Your name will automatically be added to the e-card that the missionary will receive on his/her day. The cost is just $1 for each name that you choose to greet. If you would like to have a list of those birthdays to print out as a prayer list, there is an option to select to receive that as an email.

If you are NOT able to participate right now, it’s not a problem. You can go to wishwell.ai/glo at any time during the year and see whose birthday is coming up! Each quarter we will also send you a reminder. If you feel like this is not something you ever want to do, you can also choose not to receive these emails by clicking “unsubscribe” at the bottom of this email.

We do encourage you to prayerfully consider being part of this new initiative. It is an easy, painless way to be an encourager and part of God’s mission around the world!

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Help christian missionaries transform lives

A missionary is a servant of Christ who, driven by the Gospel, brings a message of hope to those in need—and you can help transform lives through their work.

From 2:00 PM on December 17, 2024, until 2:00 PM on December 18, the Fundación GLO Chile (GLO Chile Foundation) will launch the campaign “Join In: Support the Mission in Chile” to raise funds and encourage more missionaries to go to communities where they are needed most.

The Fundación GLO Chile, a nonprofit organization, was founded in 2017 in Santiago to continue serving God through various social programs. It is an extension of Global Lutheran Outreach (GLO), an organization with over 15 years of experience in sending missionaries. Currently, 32 servants are working in 11 countries.

While it is not a church, it professes the Lutheran faith.

Thanks to the work of missionaries, between 2017 and 2023, more than 70 immigrants in Chile’s capital benefited from temporary housing in suitable spaces, where they also received spiritual care and found a family in Christ.

Similarly, for the past seven years, medications have been sent to Venezuela to help patients suffering from chronic illnesses who, due to the living conditions in that part of the Caribbean, face challenges affording their treatments.

Reverend James Tino, founder and director of GLO, shares: “Our mission is to mobilize the Lutheran Body of Christ to be witnesses of Christ, sharing the light of the Gospel in Chile and to the ends of the Earth.”

How can you contribute?

Visit apoyaglochile.org for all the details about this fundraising event. Those outside Chile can also support this initiative through platforms like PayPal.

Every contribution increases the chances for God’s servants to impact lives through the Gospel.

The goal is to reach 2,000,000 Chilean pesos (approximately $2,000 USD). Every peso received will be tripled by a special sponsor.

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Bringing comfort to the sick and their families in Bolivia

Missionary Pastor Osmel Soliz shares in his latest newsletter that since November, he has been visiting a public hospital in Bolivia alongside Pastor Freddy Otuvo, bringing comfort to the sick and their families through the Word of God.

“Sometimes, church members have joined us, and it has been a time of great learning and comfort for all of us,” he comments.

He writes about a special case involving a little girl named Micaela and her mother, Marisela. They have been in the hospital for a month because Micaela suffers from hydrocephalus and also had a fall at home.

“From the moment I met her, her health was very delicate, and her mother didn’t know what to do or how to help her daughter. She has stayed by her daughter’s side, never leaving her for a moment. I encouraged her to rest in God’s promises, as stated in Psalm 23:4: ‘Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me,’” describes Pastor Osmel.

Micaela’s mother asked him to baptize her daughter after he preached, saying, “When our children are born, they are under our care, but when they are baptized and born again, they are under God’s care, for they are His children.”

“Micaela’s baptism was very special, as it brought great comfort to her mother and sparked curiosity among the doctors and nurses who witnessed it. They took photos and listened to the Gospel. We told them that we would visit the children and adults every Wednesday and Friday and that we are available to share the Word of God and pray for the sick,” says the missionary pastor.

“I ask for your prayers for the families we will visit in the hospital, so that we may be the feet, hands, and voice of Christ among His suffering people,” says Pastor Osmel.

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