Be still and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10a).

I am excited to celebrate our Savior’s birth with family this year as always. However, I also feel anxious because it’s so busy with extra activities like setting up the Christmas tree, decorating, writing Christmas cards, determining what gifts to buy, and, of course, the actual shopping. With luncheons and dinners with friends and attending extra events at church — it’s exhausting! I’m sure that you have a lot on your plate, too.

Then, a nudge comes into my mind, reminding me to just chill out for a few moments and remember why we are celebrating. There is a great, appropriately named, short devotion on the LWML website, Be Still. Share it with others, especially those you see hustling and bustling about. Take a look at the other Christmas devotions on the LWML website that you can share with your friends and family.

Take moments to be still this week, and remember Jesus, God’s perfect gift to us.

Merry and blessed Christmas!

Marie Chow

Vice President of Organizational Resources 
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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If you enjoyed a traditional Thanksgiving, you may have feasted on roasted turkey and gravy, with pumpkin pie for dessert. You may have spent time with family and friends and worshipped, thanking God for all His blessings.

Now let’s think of thanksgiving as a verb instead of a noun. We often give thanks for the blessings God has showered on us: our health, family, faith, friends, and even challenging circumstances that lead us to feel compassion for others. But let’s not forget about the second half of the word — giving. As we have been blessed, God calls us to bless others by giving. We can give by serving, by listening with understanding, and through donations so the Gospel message can be shared around the world.

This Tuesday is Giving Tuesday. You have the opportunity to give. Take the focus away from commercialism and celebrate our Savior by sharing His mercy and grace through LWML Mission Grants. Click here and share Christ!

In His service, surrounded by His grace,

Debbie Larson

President
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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2019–2021 Mission Grant #20 — Music Outreach, Classes, and Resources on the Border — Ysleta Lutheran Mission Human Care, El Paso, Texas — $98,400

This project touches my heart because of my love for music. Praising my Savior all the day long nourishes my soul, especially when the tribulations of life weigh me down. Our church purchased a Mariachi San Pablo CD for our Sunday worship services, and, being a bilingual person, it brings me joy to hear traditional Lutheran hymns and contemporary praise songs in Spanish. It reminds me of attending worship services with my mother.

There is an ongoing need for music in languages other than English in our multicultural churches. The Ysleta Lutheran Mission Human Care music ministry in El Paso, Texas, has been successful in reaching out to the unchurched through music education classes, training musicians for service in the church and in the community. Mites given to this project will enable them to improve and expand their important work. Remember this mission on Giving Tuesday, December 3.

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! (Psalm 100:1-2).

Angelina Jauregui

Vice President of Gospel Outreach
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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2017–2019 Mission Grant #4 — Tanzanian Sewing Center — $25,000          

Hear, O women, the word of the Lord, and let your ear receive the word of his mouth; (Jeremiah 9:20a).

Sewing was a skill I learned at age 8 while sitting next to my mother at the sewing machine. It was just something I enjoyed doing; I never earned a living from it. However, the young women who graduate from the Bishop Makala Sewing Center in Tanzania learn how to sew, acquire life skills, and, most importantly, hear the Gospel. After graduating, they have the skills to generate an income for themselves and thus avoid a life of starvation or prostitution.

This LWML Mission Grant allowed the building of classrooms and a dormitory at the sewing center. The school’s first year saw a graduating class of 53, when the goal had been 50.

One of the rooms at the Sewing Center — it has electricity and supplies!

At the 2019 LCMS Tampa Convention, Bishop Makala tearfully thanked us for this school and for the help it provides for the young women in his country. He went on to tell us how it gives them the opportunity to share the Good News and teach life skills that the graduates then share with their families.

I now have a greater appreciation for sharing the Gospel and how learning life skills can transform a person’s life. Your mite gifts help the LWML support grants like the Tanzanian Sewing Center. Thank you for your support on Giving Tuesday, December 3.

Arlene Naasz

Meeting Manager
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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2019–2021 Mission Grant — Teach Me Too — Preschoolers with Learning Needs — Lutheran Special Education Ministries — $100,000

One of the most incredible experiences of my life was supervising a staff who worked with exceptional children ages two months to five years old who were born with physical challenges. To support these children and their families, our staff went to their homes and assisted their parents with exercises and techniques to help them crawl, walk, eat, socialize, and learn. Research indicates that the biggest increase in improving developmental skills in children is during the preschool years. When the right strategies and techniques are employed, children learn mobility, self-feeding, how to interact with others, and become successful learners.

Missing from the agency I worked for was the ability to share God’s Word with the children and families we served. My heart leapt for joy when I learned about the Let it Shine Academy sponsored by Lutheran Special Education Ministries (LSEM)! This organization works directly with children, equipping them with the tools and strategies needed to become successful learners. In addition, the staff trains preschool educators around the country, assisting them with the strategies and skills needed to work with exceptional children. They do this while sharing the hope of salvation found in Christ Jesus.

Praise God that He moved the delegates at the LWML Convention in Mobile to support the mission grant, “Teach Me Too – Preschoolers with Learning Needs.” To learn more about this grant, go to http://www.lwml.org/2019-2021-mission-grant-2. Please prayerfully consider supporting exceptional children this Giving Tuesday, December 3 with your mite offerings.

Michelle Jenks

Strategic Plan Facilitator
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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