From Latin America to Asia: 5 Projects GLO Is Working On

The Church of God is global, and its resources are scattered throughout His Church.

On the other hand, sometimes God’s people in one country have just what His people in another need.

It is for this reason that at Global Lutheran Outreach we have projects connected to the places where our missionaries live and serve.

All of these projects are sponsored by a GLO missionary or board member; that is, we do not support independent projects.

Currently, we have five active projects you can support: three in Latin America and two in Cambodia.

Hope for Residents of Siem Reap

Led by GLO missionary to Cambodia Sharolyn Frahm and Pastor Ravy Van, this is a community development project of Hope Church that will provide adults with practical skills such as sewing, engine repair, English, computer literacy, hotel and restaurant management, livestock farming, and handicrafts for tourism in Angkor Wat.

The goal is to open doors to sustainable employment in Siem Reap and share hope in Christ in an area lacking opportunities.

Learn more about this project here.

A Lighthouse in Costa Rica

Although Costa Rica is known for its beauty and tourism, many communities face severe problems, such as abandonment, human trafficking, gang violence, family instability, and a lack of access to education.

These social realities contrast sharply with the country’s international image regarding quality of life and retirement opportunities.

Because of these needs, LightHouse Transformation Ministries was born, founded by missionaries Ethan and Amanda Hutton—newly joined to the GLO family—and Zach Barz.

Its programs include teaching English in public schools, mentoring and tutoring, extracurricular activities, family support, community outreach, and spaces for discipleship and spiritual growth.

Learn more about this project here.

Mobilizing the Mission

Returning to Cambodia, Shary Frahm and Pastor Ravy Van’s ministry faces transportation limitations in reaching rural communities.

The lack of a suitable vehicle hinders movement for discipleship, training, and community support in these isolated locations.

For this reason, a vehicle acquisition project was launched. This will allow the transport of equipment and materials for community projects, facilitate pastoral visits and discipleship in remote villages, and support technical and ministerial training programs.

Learn more about this project here.

A Home for a Congregation

“Divina Providencia” Lutheran Church faces the challenge of finding a permanent home of its own after years of serving immigrants in Santiago, Chile.

Founded in September 2017 by Rev. James Tino, director of GLO, the previous spaces of “Divina Providencia” served not only for divine services (in a temporary wooden chapel), but also as temporary housing for immigrants (mostly Venezuelans), a low-cost thrift shop, spaces for English classes, workshops, and Bible studies, the office for Fundación GLO Chile, and operations for the Venezuela Relief Project.

Today, the congregation meets in a space provided by a member family’s home, which was adapted to hold divine services every Sunday.

However, this is a temporary solution while this Lutheran community secures a permanent location.

The main obstacle is financial. Properties in downtown Santiago cost between $250,000 and $400,000, requiring a 30% down payment (approximately $75,000).

The brothers and sisters of this church continue working to find a property, trusting in God’s provision and the generosity of donors.

Learn more here.

Relief for a Country in Crisis

Venezuela is a country facing severe economic and social challenges.

This situation led to the launch of the “Venezuela Relief” project in 2016. That year, we began sending funds to help people buy food, as shortages were severe.

Thank God, the relief program worked. However, an even more urgent need soon emerged: acquiring medications.

Through the Venezuela Relief Project’s medication program, we provide medicine to those most in need, focusing on chronic illnesses and life-saving treatments unavailable in the country.

All medications are purchased in Chile, and all logistics are handled through Fundación GLO Chile. They are sent to Venezuela, where receiving Lutheran communities organize to distribute them to patients.

Furthermore, in the wake of the double earthquake on the central coast of Venezuela on June 24, 2026, we have also dedicated ourselves to helping those affected by this tragedy, which has already claimed more than 6,500 lives (according to official figures).

Currently, we continue to raise funds to send to the South American nation to meet basic needs.

Learn more about the “Venezuela Relief” program here.

Transitions and a seat at the table for everyone

In their most recent newsletters, Ethan and Amanda Hutton, missionaries in Costa Rica, tell us about their transitions in that country and the purchase of a property for LightHouse, the organization they lead in a highly vulnerable area.

“Of these many transiciones (transitions), one of the most exciting is the LightHouse property. There is a 37,000 sq foot lot immediately adjacent to our new house, and the LightHouse board has decided to purchase it! And, LightHouse paid the deposit on July 31!,” they explain.

This space will help them “to better meet the needs of the people of Parrita, develop meaningful relationships with them, and intentionally share the Gospel,” they add in the newsletter.

This is a project they have named “Sueño” (Dream).

“The ‘sueño’ is simple: A place where people who feel overlooked, rejected, wounded, or disconnected can discover that they belong. A place where practical needs are met, dignity is restored, and faith is nurtured. A place where all in Parrita may learn the great love of Christ for them. A place where everyone has a seat at the table!,” they say in one recent newsletter.

Ethan and Amanda mention that they were inspired by the song “Sueños” by the Christian band “Un Corazón” to name this project.

It has become “an anthem for this vision. One line captures our heart perfectly: ‘Everyone to the table, no one left out,’” they share.

LightHouse needs to raise an additional $114,000 by December 31, 2026 for the purchase of the property.

Ethan and Amanda Hutton recently joined the missionary staff of Global Lutheran Outreach. For nine years, they served with the support of the organization Mission of Christ Network.

Former high school teachers in the public school system in Nebraska, United States, Ethan and Amanda live on Costa Rica’s central Pacific coast along with their children Aubree Rose, August Roland, and Ezekiel Thomas.

Join the Hutton family’s missionary project. Support them with your donations and prayers.

GLO celebrated God’s mission and faithfulness at the Hispanic Convention

Global Lutheran Outreach celebrated God’s mission and faithfulness at the VIII National Hispanic Convention LCMS.

This event took place from July 28th to 31st 2026 at Concordia University Irvine, California, USA.

Representing GLO were James Tino, Director of our organization, and his wife Liisa Tino; Maíra Ferrari, member of the GLO Board of directors; and missionaries Benjamin and Scarlett Tino, who serve in Guatemala.

According to the organizers, more than 200 church workers, lay leaders, congregation members, organization leaders, and ministry workers from 17 U.S. states and 7 countries participated in this edition.

The National Hispanic Convention LCMS is the main gathering of congregations and ministers of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod who are committed to Hispanic ministry in the United States, which marked its 100th anniversary.

GLO was one of the sponsors of the Convention.

As part of its participation, our organization raffled a quilt featuring the Luther Rose. This beautiful piece was handmade and donated to GLO by our sister Isabel Medina, a member of the Iglesia Luterana Confesional de Chile (Confessional Lutheran Church of Chile). The winner was Reverend Rodrigo Fernández, a Chilean pastor serving at a church in Texas.

The proceeds from the raffle went to GLO’s general fund.

We are very happy about the space this convention provided to discuss the mission opportunities that GLO represents.

We pray that the Holy Spirit touches hearts so that more people support the work of all GLO missionaries around the world.

By Moisés G. Hernández