Young mission member leads first aid supplies distribution in Venezuela

In anticipation of their high school graduation in July, Eduar Garrido and his classmates have completed a project to distribute first aid supplies to educational institutions in the surrounding area of the Epiphany Lutheran Mission La Caramuca, in Venezuela.

On May 23, they visited their preschool for this purpose.

David and Luz Maria Ernst say that Eduar is a communicant member of that mission congregation and a past recipient of scholarships from LeadaChild, one of their sponsoring organizations.

The other students are Cindy Escalona, Yandry Gómez, Tatiana Niño, Franyelis Martínez, Reinaldo Ramírez and Luisana Yañez.

Read more news in the newsletter.

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The Pittmans: Officially in Kijabe!

In a new issue of their newsletter, Heather and Nathan Pittman, along with their son Jay, share their experiences after arriving in Kenya and starting their new life at the Rift Valley Academy (RVA) campus in Kijabe.

“We arrived in the country on April 25th… We were met at the airport by Rich Finch (our host dad for RVA) and a great driver named Philip… We had been warned about some potential difficulties of getting all of our bags through the airport. Some people are hassled quite a bit by border control agents. Thankfully, they only checked a couple of our bags and we were on our way. We thank God for the quick trek through the airport, as we were all exhausted after spending almost 24 hours straight traveling,” they recount.

It’s interesting to read about how they were welcomed on campus: “RVA has a great system of pairing new, incoming families with a family who has lived at RVA for a while already.”

We invite you to read much more in their newsletter, which describes many details of the surrounding nature in their new home.

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Trials and testings

The missionary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Kenya, Rev. Amos Otula, together with his wife Evelyn, and their 4 daughters, have suffered many trials since accepting their missionary commission ─one affliction after another.

Why, O Lord? 

From not one – but two – eye surgeries, to their daughter in ICU almost dying, to surgery for Evelyn, to colon cancer for Amos with surgery and multiple (ongoing) rounds of chemotherapy, with further complications, to a dislocated knee, and several other health issues among the children.  These have been complicated by large medical bills that are way beyond their means and the little health insurance Eveylyn gets as a teacher. It has taken a toll on the family and the ability for the children to be consistent in school for payment of school fees.  On top of that, the family has been separated on opposite sides of the country due to Evelyn’s job placement. 

With one trial after another, as many persist in prayer for them, we know that this is not because God is sleeping or unconcerned about his children. No! Rather, we are directed to His Word:

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2-4).

Knowing Satan opposes God’s working to bring the Gospel to all people, one can see how this suffering could be intended to discourage and tempt them to abandon the call to Gospel ministry. How Satan would love to thwart the move of Lutherans in Kenya in sending their own missionaries to other countries! But what Satan means for evil, God turns for good — allowing the “testing of your faith” to develop perseverance, so that “you may be mature and complete”! 

Though tested, even questioning God through tears, Amos has not abandoned his faith and confidence that God is still unfailingly faithful. Amos has not ‘thrown in the towel’, but continues to trust himself and his family to God and his commitment to proclaiming the Gospel as the lost. But he and Evelyn and their daughters need our prayers.  And if anyone is willing and feels so led, the family needs help as they continue to struggle with paying medical and other bills, including another expensive surgery needed to correct a urinary problem resulting from the cancer surgery and treatments.  

If you would like to assist with their medical needs, please contact us: dale.talsma@globallutheranoutreach.com

Want to read more stories from Dale and Cheryl Talsma? Click here.

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Baptized five students into God’s family

Just like in 2022, this year we celebrated another beautiful ceremony where five students were baptized into God’s family on February 22nd.

It was a blessing to have Pastor Ralph Patrick (or “Uncle Ralph” as we call him) from America conduct the baptism alongside my Dad (Nora).

Witnessing our students’ growth in faith fills our hearts with immense joy.

Although we missed Joe and Viya, we felt their presence with us. We followed the same process as before, with Nora guiding our students on the significance of baptism.

The ceremony was emotional for everyone, and each student received a cross necklace as a reminder of God’s love.

We wrapped up with a small celebration, including ice cream and soda. What a memorable day!

In addition to the baptism, we organized a day trip to a natural resort, approximately 82 km from our center. The day was filled with fun and laughter as we enjoyed the refreshing waters and explored historical sites. We returned to our center for sandwiches, cherishing the memories created together.

Thank you to Jesus, our friends, family, and sponsors for making these experiences possible. Your support means the world to us.

Read more about other stories from Cambodia’s Ray of Hope in the latest issue of their newsletter.

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A tribute to Venezuelan women

Despite unreliable high-speed internet access, periodic power outages, and difficulties finding transportation to in-person classes, 35 women from Venezuela completed their deaconess formation program between 2017 and 2024. Currently, 23 Venezuelan women are enrolled, both numbers higher than those of any other participating country.

This accomplishment was reported by Concordia El Reformador Seminary in the Dominican Republic.

Theodore Krey, regional director for the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod mission in Latin America and the Caribbean, highlighted this achievement.

Luz María Ernst, from Epiphany Lutheran Mission in La Caramuca, continues to mentor these women.

Read more details about this story here.

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Relocating … as God leads

Dale and Cheryl Talsma are thrilled to share some important news: they will soon be leaving Nigeria and relocating to the US.

Cheryl has had a fulfilling 8 years teaching 4th grade and serving as the elementary school principal at Hillcrest School in Jos. Although they planned to stay another year, family circumstances have led them to make this decision.

Want to know more? Read their latest newsletter here.

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Let’s get it on

First of all, a general apology for not providing you with the most up-to-date news from our missionaries in the field. That doesn’t mean that we stop working here. God continues working and so do our missionaries.

Now I will give you a brief update and the opportunity to continue learning more details about the works in the field: We are in May, David and Luz Maria tell us about the food crisis that is occurring in the country according to statistics and is reflected in their community, including 16 of 28 regular kindergarten students.

Learn more details by clicking HERE!

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Dear Prayer Warriors

From Global Lutheran Outreach missionaries Tim and Beth Heiney (Serving the Lord in Guinea):

I can’t tell you how encouraging it is to get your nice letters of support and assurances of prayer. Tim and I both appreciate those so much. Instant communication is still something I can’t take for granted. We had so many years where letters went back and forth through the mail taking sometimes weeks to get to us. By the time we sent out news, it was just that.. .news — of what had already happened and was finished. But we always trusted that God was raising people up to pray from afar, calling them sometimes in the night, bringing us to mind at all hours when the need was there. He’s still doing that, for He knows best where and when the prayers are needed. Thank you, Holy Spirit! !

After steadily meeting with 4 groups, there was a sudden death in one group and students in another group graduated and left the area before finishing their study. Theres a men, probably one of the most resilient students we’ve seen so far, however, always with a positive outlook. As he’s getting ready to finish generation 1, the first study, he already has 4 men picked out to start their own studies. He himself would like to start another group which would make 5, and he’s also interested in getting a women’s group started. Please keep all these possibilities in prayer!

To protect the safety of many, we do not provide details in the information in this newsletter, but if you want to know the details on the Heiney family’s mission, CLICK HERE!

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SHAKEN AND STIRRED

From Global Lutheran Outreach missionaries James and Liisa Tino (Serving the Lord globally):

Thanks you for praying! Global Lutheran Outreach was invited to present a mission conference to stir the church in Argentina to become a missionary-sending church.
The conference – titled “The Great Commission Convocation” – was a huge success! In June, a capacity crowd of over 200 Lutherans gathered to hear and participate in presentations by Jim, Liisa, Rev. Antonio Schimpff (professor at the Lutheran Seminary in Buenos Aires) and GLO board member, Wondimu Game.

Following the mission conference, the GLO board had its yearly in-person meeting in Buenos Aires. Since some of the board had travelled from Uruguay, Guatemala and Nigeria, it was a convenient opportunity.

Women in Mission!

Also in June, around 4000 Lutherans (mainly women!) gathered in Milwaukee for the 40th LWML Biennial Convention…GLO was present as an exhibitor! What an awesome experience to meet so many women with true hearts for mission and to worship and celebrate the Lord of the Nations together.
Our booth highlighted two opportunities. First, we are actively recruiting people who are called to be missionary teachers. GLO has received six requests for native-English speaking teachers! We pray that some will seriously consider answering God’s call and say “Here am I. Send me!” If you know of someone who might be interested in becoming a missionary teacher, please email Jim directly: director@globallutheranoutreach.com.

1200 Students!

In August, Jim travelled to Montevideo, Uruguay to participate in the “mission Foro”, a gathering of mission partners who support the ministries of the Lutheran Church in Uruguay. GLO has been a mission partner there for many years. Though it is a very small church body with only one congregation and 4 missions, they are making a BIG IMPACT in this secular nation through San Pablo school. With over 1200 students, San Pablo is one of the largest Lutheran schools in the world! Guess what they requested of GLO? TEACHERS! Since San Pablo offers bi-lingual education, they need certified English-speaking teachers to teach a number of subjects, including Physics, Computers, and others.

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June through August

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

August means an end to summer and back to school for the kids! Here in Guatemala although we are having summer weather we are not on “summer break” yet as the students just passed the halfway point in the school year. We have had a good amount of rain these last couple months. The rivers are full sometimes causing flooding, and the mosquito population has tripled bringing the numbers up of people infected with the deadly dengue fever. But we have been healthy and well, and baby Jaakko continues to grow just fine.

Sunday school
Scarlett continues to teach out in La Trementina and El Maguey on Saturday and Sundays. Sometimes the group is three little boys, but regardless she always leads the class and when the group gets thin she goes around knocking on doors to get the kids up and out.

Growing the church… one baby at a time

Us with some of our friends at a gender reveal party in June. No, it wasn’t for Scarlett but for our Pastor’s wife Ana, who is third from left in the picture. It has been great to have a pregnancy buddy for Scarlett and their due dates are just two weeks apart!

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

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