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 #16 — Preparing Leaders for Tomorrow — LCMS School Ministries — $80,000

My children were blessed to attend Lutheran schools where administrators promoted a culture of keeping Jesus at the core of all activities for both teachers and students. I sent my children to school confident they were not only in a loving environment where they would receive a great education, but I also knew they would participate in devotions, pray, and be reminded each day that Jesus died for their sins.

One afternoon I received a call from our Lutheran school principal. My nine-year-old daughter Kristen was having a severe reaction to a medication. The principal took her to his office and calmed her until help arrived. One of her classmates, who did not come from a Christian home, later told us the class had immediately prayed for her health and the next morning had said a prayer of thanks for her recovery. What a comfort to know others were praying on Kristen’s behalf and her classmate was learning about Jesus through everyday experiences! Those teachers and students were in an atmosphere where they were encouraged to pray and trust God in all circumstances.

Your donations on Giving Tuesday, December 3, 2019 will help support Mission Grant #16, Preparing Leaders for Tomorrow and will help assure Lutheran schools will be adequately staffed with well-trained administrators who create school environments where Jesus Christ is at the center of all endeavors.

Susan Brunkow

Vice President of Christian Life
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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2019-2021 Mission Grant #18 — Sri Lanka Multipurpose Building Construction — Office of International Mission — $50,000

Construction Site

The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod has flourished in Sri Lanka since the 1920s, with four active congregations and seven preaching stations. The Ceylon Evangelical Lutheran Church has purchased land to construct a building that will house the sanctuary, administrative offices, and theological classrooms, funded with our mites.

Over the years, Lutherans in Sri Lanka have suffered great persecution. Recently Pastor Edward Naumann wrote to us about the deadly bombings at Christian churches on the island. Learning about the bombings during his Easter service, he preached, “We rejoice for these newly baptized infants, no matter what hardships, persecutions, or difficulties they may face because of their baptism, because we know that an everlasting inheritance is prepared for all who are in Christ.”

Pre seminary students praying

After arriving home safely with his family, he wrote to Lutheran Women in Mission: “Please continue to pray for Sri Lanka, commending us to the care of our loving Father. Lord, have mercy! In these last days, may the light of the Gospel of Christ shine into the darkness, and may we be a light to the nations. Amen.”

Even with all that was happening at the time, Rev. Naumann took time to write to us, asking for prayers. Maybe he knew we’re especially good at prayers. And we are. We’re also good at supporting ministries such as this one through our mite offerings. Pray that Rev. Naumann, his family, and his country be lifted up to God’s care. Thank you for giving this Giving Tuesday, December 3.

Susan Donnelly

Public Relations Director
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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2019-2021 LWML Mission Grant — Ministry in Motion, Trinity Lutheran Church, Mobile, AL — $58,000

“Ministry in Motion – Trinity Lutheran Church, Mobile, Alabama,” is one of the grant recipients for this biennium; $58,000 was requested to purchase a handicapped accessible church bus. Why do they need this grant?

What would you do if you knew that children in your community did not know Christ, did not have Christ-centered care, and were not able to receive these things because they could not get to where the care is provided? This grant makes it possible for Trinity Lutheran Church in Mobile to reach children who need to hear about Jesus. These children will be shown Christ Jesus and given the care that they so desperately need.

Giving Tuesday is December 3. Your mites will help Trinity reach out into the community so the children may hear of Jesus their Savior, grow in faith in Him, as well as touch the lives of their families. As you drop your mites into your box, say this prayer:

Lord God, please use these mites to bring the children of the Mobile, Alabama, community into fellowship with You. We pray that Trinity Lutheran Church will be able to purchase the vehicle that they need in order to reach these families. Amen.

Rev. Mitch Schuessler

Senior Pastoral Counselor
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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