Rainy days and Sundays

From Global Lutheran Outreach missionaries David and Luz Maria Ernst (serving in La Curamuca, Venezuela ):

As I grew up in a Midwestern U.S. farming community, I learned to expect a special prayer for spring rain on Rogate Sunday, the fifth Sunday after Easter. This seemed just common sense, since April to May was the time for tillage and planting of spring crops. Many years later I learned this was a vestige of a tradition dating back to 470 A.D.

True meaning of the rainbow.

The farmer’s prayer typically is for just enough rain at just the right time to assure a bountiful harvest. In Venezuela the Rogate Sunday petition often is to hold off a little on the rain. We live on the western plains, where there difference between the dry and rainy seasons is especially sharp. During the rainy season, the prairie turns into a network of wetlands and the cowboys who work the region’s large ranches often wear rubber-soled boots.

April and May of this year have proved true to form for us, with many days of torrential rain and strong winds. More frequent, prolonged power outages probably are a result of this and we are grateful for our solar panels and a pedal-powered emergency backup system, courtesy of K-Tor.

Celebrating Mother’s Day and Luz Maria’s birthday.
Friday, May 27, was the day after the actual Ascension Day (40 days after Easter, but we celebrated the Ascension on Sunday, May 29). That is when we began, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, a series of consultations with pregnant women of the community, offering them moral support and advice. An opening devotion is my responsiblity, and I began with prayer on meditation on classic pro-natalist texts. That is to say, texts which explain that children are a blessing from God, life begins at conception and all human life is precious to God at all states of development.

Project Miracle of Life.
Our lives belong to God by the order of creation. As He directly formed Adam from the dust of the earth and breathed life into him, He gives the gift of life to all people using human parents as His instruments. That is why the first of all commandments in Scripture is “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it, have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth” (Genesis 1:27). Marriage was instituted by God before the fall of Adam and Eve into sin, and procreation was to result from God’s blessing.
Every new life also belongs to God by the order of redemption, because Christ died for the sins of all human beings.

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May news from Ben and Scarlett

From Global Lutheran Outreach missionaries Ben and Scarlett Tino (Serving in Zacapa, Guatemala)

The last two months have been exciting ones for the both of us in Zacapa. The group consisted of 2 flutes, 2 trumpets, piano, guitar, cajon, and 2 singers. This was a much larger group then what would normally be seen on any given Sunday. With 9 advanced students we now have a rotation of 3-4 musicians playing each Sunday.

Scarlett has been busy leading the Sunday School programs in our church in Zacapa and in two nearby villages where we have mission churches. Scarlett has brought back to life the kids program in the village of La Trementina after more than 2 years of inactivity. For Easter she coordinated and Easter egg hunt for the kids, something which they had never done. I got to hide the eggs! Scarlett has also been an encouragement for the youth group in motivating them and creating an enjoyable atmosphere when they all get together. And her beautiful voice has also been a blessing for me as she joins us musicians in leading the congregation in worship.

During my work week from Tuesday through Sunday, I teach about 20 private lessons. Some lessons are in groups of 2 or 3, but most are one-on-one classes. Now that many of my students are advancing as far as reading basic chords and developing a good ear, I have began teaching almost all my students to read music. One of my newest students, is Antonio. Antonio is nephew to the Lutheran Pastor in the nearby city of Gualán (45 min drive). Musically talented does not only mean having a good ear or being naturally gifted, but having the proper discipline to practice on your own, something that I express to ALL my students. I thank Pastor Luis for seeing that in his nephew and bringing him to lessons. Click here to watch him play!

Click here to read the latest newsletter from Ben and Scarlett Tino