Fun Times at the LWMS Convention

Wow. What a thrill!

We just got back from the 2009 LWMS Convention in Denver, Colorado. We flew up last Thursday and got there in time for the opening service. On Friday and Saturday I gave a workshop on life in Mexico. We came back to Torreon on Sunday after the closing service.

(A quick note for those who want to know more about LWMS: LWMS stands for "Lutheran Women's Missionary Society." It's an organization that supports WELS' mission endeavors in many, many ways. Trust me, these women are amazing! Learn more about LWMS and how you can join at their website.)

There were so many encouraging things at the convention. For starters, we got to worship in English, which I just loved. We also got to hear about mission work going on in other areas of the world. And we chatted with so many women that are doing great things for missions.

LWMS is such a huge support system for missionaries like us, and I have a deep appreciation for each one of its members.

Here are a few pics from the weekend -

The display on Mexico was just fantastic! The ladies of Valley Lutheran in Sheridan, WY, did an awesome job - check out the full mariachi suit!

Mike took a picture during one of my workshop sessions. In this photo, I think I'm talking about my attempts at killing a big rat in Mexico with a broom :)


Mike and Trinity having fun at the banquet on Saturday night...


Our littlest trooper was so tired from all the fun that she slept most of the trip home! (okay, I'll be honest. I did too!)

5 Things to do at a Mexican Stoplight

Ah, stoplights in Mexico. You never know what you'll find at one. When the light turns red, the vendors come out and the fun begins. Here are five things you can do at a red light here.

1. Buy a newspaper. This is the place to get the morning paper. Here's how to do it: roll down your window, flag the vendor over, dig around for the money while he puts the paper on your dashboard, pay him, and then go. It's best to get this done before the light turns green, but if it doesn't. don't worry. The guy behind you is probably getting a paper too.

2. Watch a juggler (like the one above) or other performer. "Other performers" include guys rolling around in broken glass with no shirt on, men swallowing fire, and people with painted faces acting as clowns. When they finish their act, they walk by the cars. If you've enjoyed the show, you can give them a few pesos.

3. Support local causes. Kids often walk up and down the line of cars holding jars. You can donate a peso or two to your favorite organization. We've seen just about every non-profit, from the Red Cross to government programs and even cancer research.

4. Have your car dusted off. Young men at almost every major light in town offer this service. For a peso, they'll wipe down your car with a rag while the light is red.

5. Buy just about anything. Water, fruits, donuts, toys, roses, maps...you name it, they sell it. I've done some shopping at red lights, and have to say it's a convenient place to pick up inexpensive toys, grab some bottled water, or get a map of Mexico (we liked the first map we got so much that we actually bought a second one). I've never tried the donuts, though. It seems like they'd taste a little, um, exhausty. But that's just me.

A Great Father's Day

This little sweety knows she has a good Daddy. I know it too. I give thanks to God for Mike nearly every single day. He's not only my best friend, he's also a solid Christian father and head of our house.

While we enjoyed Father's Day as a family (and gave Mike a shirt and some ties), we also had a fun church highlight. Mike preached at the mission in Zaragoza Sur. It was the first offical church service held at the new property (more about Zaragoza Sur here and here). 40 people came!!!

Things like this keep us going. They're a strong reminder of why we are here and what our ultimate goal is. Just as we hope our children grow up to be strong Christian girls, we pray that the church body in Mexico continues to grow and mature.

Rain and our New House

A few months ago we moved into a different house here in Torreon. It is in a small, gated community. In some ways, living here feels very different than any other place we have lived in Mexico. The streets are often quiet and we only hear occasional parties at night (unlike the apartment our vicars have stayed at recently, where loud music often vibrates the walls until 2 or 3 a.m. on the weekends).

In many ways, though, it is still Mexico. It rained yesterday afternoon for almost an hour. During the storm, we lost power. It came back on about 5 hours later. (We also were out of power last weekend for awhile, but I don't think there was any real reason why. It just happens sometimes).

Even though we were a bit bummed about no power, we were very excited about the rain. Since we live in the desert, rain is a rarity. And yesterday we had an all-out thunderstorm! We opened the front door (pictured above) and watched it for awhile. Trinity looked into the driveway and saw all the water coming down. Then she asked if the van was taking a bath :).

Paving the Way for the Future

A couple of months ago, Mike traveled to Sonora, where mission work is going on right along the Arizona border. While he was getting ready for worship, he ran into this little guy. The boy was fascinated by Mike's "pastor gear," and even tried on his stoll.

When Mike came back and showed me the pictures from his trip, this one really stood out. Besides the fact that I think it's super cute(!), it is a good reminder of one of the vital aspects of mission work. Mike and the other pastors here are training tomorrow's leaders.

Will this little one grow up to be a pastor? A lay leader? A strong Christian father? Our goal is to keep him, and others like him, strong in God's Word. May the Sunday School lessons and worship of today stay with him, and be his guide throughout all the days he spends on this Earth.

Active Members in Monterrey

Our church in Monterrey, called La Santa Cruz (Holy Cross) has a lot going for it. For starters, it is located on the Alameda (similar to a town square) in the heart of Monterrey. Talk about an ideal setting!

It is also our oldest congregation in Mexico, as well as our largest. It currently has around 120 members. The congregation has a long history of active ladies' groups, youth gatherings, and musicians.

The congregation continues to be an active one. Below is a picture of some of the women in the congregation, taken in April of this year. That Sunday, members handed out flowers as a way to recognize those who had helped give the church a thorough spring cleaning.

We attended the service, and I thought the presentation of flowers was quite touching (plus I am a firm believer in showing appreciation for helping hands!).


We are thankful for these active members and the way they use their gifts to bring praise to God. Keep this congregation and their pastor, Israel Rodriguez, in your prayers.

Not Enough Chairs

On Sunday, May 31st, the congregation "Santa Trinidad" (Holy Trinity) in Gomez Palacio had a good problem: they ran out of chairs! Four people had to stand because there simply weren't enough chairs to accomodate everyone.

This, whenever it happens, is an encouraging sign. It means that the congregation is growing, and it's growing fast. Pastor Juan Jose Olvera currently serves this group, and as I've mentioned before, he is a strong evangelist in the Mexican Lutheran Church. His congregation currently worships in a rented house.

Pastor Overa's congregation is going to host an upcoming quincenera, which is a celebration given to Mexican girls when they turn 15 years old. It usually includes a church service and reception (think of a wedding minus the groom). The congregation is expecting such a large turnout that they are going to hold the service outside in order to accomodate so many people - they simply won't all fit in the house!

We rejoice with the members of "Santa Trinidad" and wish their group continued growth. May God bless their efforts and bring even more souls through their doors.

Look for us at the LWMS Convention in Denver, Colorado

If you're headed to the upcoming LWMS (Lutheran Women's Missionary Society) convention, look for me! I'll be there, with Mike and the girls. This year's convention will be held in Denver, Colorado from June 25h - 28th.

We're very excited about the convention. The last time we attended one was about five years ago. To this day, it remains one of the most uplifting, encouraging experiences we've ever had.

I'll be giving a workshop on life in Mexico. We'll also be around to talk to people during some of the free time at the convention. We're bringing our two little girls along, which should be a good experience for both of them.

So if you're headed to Denver, look for us! And when you find us, be sure to say hello, as we'd love to chat with you.

Using their Gifts

One of my favorite devotional topics involves using the gifts God has given us. I love the "body of Christ" concept, with individual members doing different things, yet together acting as one unit.

And that's exactly what's happening in the Mexican Lutheran Church. Mike and I recently mused on how Mexico's different pastors have unique strengths. Put together, these men hold a strong-looking future for the Mexico church body.

Here's a glimpse at three of our pastors and their unique gifts.

Pastor Juan Jose Olvera, All-Star Street Evangelist
Almost every Sunday, Pastor Olvera has new visitors step through the church doors. This is a man that wears his faith on his sleeve. A natural-born leader, I often think that if Pastor Olvera were part of WELS, he would be touring the country, giving workshops on how to do evangelism. As it is, he might be doing just that in Mexico in a few years.

Pastor Israel Rodriguez, Language Whiz
He's our youngest pastor, but one of the brightest. Pastor Rodriguez has a gift for picking up languages, and he really knows his Greek and Hebrew. This ability shines through in his sermons. Check back in a few years and he just might be back at the Mexican Lutheran Seminary, teaching language courses.

Pastor Esequiel Sanchez, the Visionary
Pastor Sanchez envisioned a seminary right here in Torreon in 2004. Just a year later, there was one. He has also been a top recruiter for the Mexican Lutheran Seminary. He has a gift to spot opportunities, and the ability to share his thoughts with others, who can help carry them out. If I were writing a history book on the Mexican Lutheran Church, Pastor Sanchez would be listed as one of the church's founding fathers.

We thank God for these men and for the other Mexican pastors. Keep them in your prayers, asking that God bless their efforts and use their talents to carry out his good will here in Mexico.