Reason enough for Thanks

Jim leading a full-day “catequetical retreat”!

In our last newsletter we asked you to pray for new adult believers who were beginning to learn about Lutheran doctrine. As the group progressed, they decided they wanted to pick up the pace and spend a whole Saturday studying God’s Word. So, Pastor Jim lead a workshop called “Knowing God” from 9 am to 5 pm where there was time to delve into the catechism! Praise God, 11 people participated! As a result, we have 5 people who are ready to get confirmed, 2 adults who want to be baptized, and 2 more who are thinking about becoming members! Plus, there is a 13 year-old studying the catechism and a few others who want to continue studying. Praise God for planting the faith in these people! And THAT is reason enough for thanks!

Members and friends doing the “Luther Rose” craft after the service.

Celebrating the Reformation!

Did you know that October 31 is a national holiday in Chile? Since there are multiple Catholic holidays throughout the year, in 2008 the government named October 31 as the official PROTESTANT holiday. Another law says if a holiday falls on Sunday, you automatically add either Friday or Saturday. Therefore, this year, Reformation Day fell on a long weekend and MANY people in Santiago left the city to enjoy a mini-vacation on the coast. However, we were happy to have 37 people in worship on Sunday!
With the sanctuary adorned in red, we celebrated the re-birth of the Scripture-based, Faith-founded, Grace-driven church. There were Venezuelans, Argentines and Chileans present so our music reflected this cultural mix. Yes, you could hear “Castillo Fuerte” (A Mighty Fortress) resounding from our tent walls as well! You also heard the Bell Choir accompanying worship. Click here for a sample!
The congregation planned an afternoon of fellowship with a meal of Arroz con Pollo and a “Luther Rose” craft. A neighbor, who visited church for the first time, said he didn’t know there were Christians close by who had a Reformation Service. We pray that he accepts our invitation to come back! And THAT is reason enough for Thanks!

Music makes the World go ’round!

Fortunately, on the mission field there are plenty of opportunities to use those gifts. Once a week she does “music therapy” at Casa Bethesda. It is amazing to see how music touches these students and allows them to express themselves, to explore new things, and to unite them as they make music together. Click here to hear a recent performance of Beethoven’s Ode to Joy and find another REASON for giving THANKS to God!

To learn more about James and Liisa Tino, click here to read their latest newsletter! 

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An everlasting Gospel proclaimed to all nations

Reformation Sunday 2021 was the day of first communion for Diana Carolina Torres. Diana was baptized on January 8, 2017, which was Epiphany Sunday and the day that our chapel was consecrated.

Diana attended our preschool from age 2 to age 6, during which time she received scholarships from LeadaChild, an Olathe, Kansas- based Lutheran mission agency dedicated to sharing the Good News of Jesus’ love to children through Christian education. LeadaChild gathers gifts and donations from supporters and use the funds to provide scholarships, school registration, and supplies for children so that they can attend Lutheran schools and after school programs. The scholarships allowed Diana’s parents to purchase school uniforms, backpacks, crayons, notebooks and other supplies. Since 2006, LeadaChild has provided scholarships to our preschool students as well as older students in our afterschool tutoring program.

Preschool opens October 25
We had hoped to open the preschool on October 11, but the opening of all schools was delayed until October 25. Biosecurity measures, such as facemasks (even for the youngest children) and mandatory handwashing remain in place. The number of students is limited to five at one time, so we have two shifts of five students every day, one group of 10 students on Monday and Tuesday, and another group of 10 on Wednesday and Thursday, with Friday as a free day.

A host arrayed in white

On October 29, 2021, Marisol Torrealba died after a long struggle with cancer. She was the sister of one of our members, Yudrica Torrealba, and the aunt of another, Karla Frias Torrealba. Luz Maria and I visited her during her illness, praying with her and studying the Bible and the Small Catechism. She confessed to us her faith and her desire to attend our church, but never recovered in time. At her burial on October 30, I read John 11:25-26.

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life.Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”

Click here to read the latest newsletter from the Ernst!

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Greetings to all our friends, family, and supporters!

God’s blessings to all of you as we are reaching the peak of rainy season here in Cambodia. This newsletter has been a little tricky as every time I tried to write it we had unplanned changes happen here due to the ever changing Covid regulations and restrictions. We fully expect our current situation to change month by month so we are putting this newsletter out now just to keep everyone updated on what been happening at Ray of Hope over the summer.

Due to all the positive feedback from our previous newsletter, we are continuing our new “video newsletter” format in this issue. We hope you enjoy the video and we pray that God would continue to guide our ministry and the lives of the children we are here to serve.

In Christ,
Joe Stoltenow
Ministry Director
Ray of Hope Cambodia

Click here to watch!

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