Patagonia Andina Mission

Dear brothers in Christ, LHM Argentina:

                                                                       Peace of our Lord be with you.

The purpose of this letter is to inform you regarding the experiences we have lived when sharing the material (from LHM Argentina) which you have sent us. (Booklets “Caresses for the soul” and “Strength for difficult times”).

About the middle of last year, 2011, a volcano in Chile became active and because of this, several cities of the Southern area of Argentina (Patagonia Andina) were severely affected by the ashes it erupted. For the inhabitants of this area, it was as if it suddenly became night, because the sky was immediately covered in ashes, making it difficult to breath and affecting eyesight. As the days passed by, everything became covered in volcanic ashes and all of the beautiful landscape designed by God was painted in gray.

As time goes by and the situation worsens, discouragement and needs become more apparent. It seems as if they are passing through the valley of the shadow of death, because these ashes are drowning the grass and also killing the animals in this area. As if this were not enough, there is a drought and a lot of wind, which indicates the rivers in these places are drying out, everything is losing strength, people are sad and discouraged, despair surrounds them.  

In view of the needs and driven by Christian love, the members of the Patagonia Andina Mission and the parish of Cipolleti decided to help one of the poorest and most affected towns (with low financial resources, Comallo). This town, Comallo, is about 150 km from San Carlos de Bariloche, a dirt road, difficult access, but with the Lord’s help we have arrived with physical (merchandise) and spiritual (our Lord’s Word, preached by the booklets mentioned above) food.

LHM Argentina’s booklets have been and are a great tool for the growth and diffusion of the Lord’s Kingdom. We are very happy and pleased to be able to work with you, calming and satisfying the needs of the people who surround us.

When we reached the town, people slowly started to approach us and then they surrounded us is search of food and help. They needed to someone to hear them and to receive words to comfort their souls. Their needs were not only material things, but also spiritual. Many came and requested the booklet and told us about the animals dying and losing their work sources since most of them worked in the country.

Ashes are very intense in this place, forcing us to enter a building to be able to continue with our mission.

The people were very grateful for what we did, for LHM Argentina’s materials, and the food we bought with IELA’s national offering.

Only a few days have gone by and we have already received a message from the people in Comallo, asking us to pray for them.

We are very grateful to the Lord for this opportunity to help others with what we have and what we are. And we wish to thank LHM Argentina for supporting and accompanying us in our mission of spreading the Good News to all nations.

We wish to encourage you to continue with your work. There is nothing more important than sharing and teaching the Word of God.

 God bless you.         

                                                                                    Patagonia Andina Mission

                                                                                         Pastor Walter Mayer

Our Ministry Center received a visit!

Our Ministry Center received a visit from our area counselor, Pastor Nilo Figur. He accompanied us from February 13th to 17th. During these days, in addition to sharing with us our work at the office, he also had the opportunity to visit the Director of the Concordia Seminary, Rev. Sergio Fritzler, as well as the President of the IELA, Rev. Carlos Nagel (Photograph)

A meeting with our local Administration Board took place at our Ministry Center. It was a very pleasant gathering, during which they were able to meet each other, talk about the origin of LHM, its current situation, opportunities and challenges. We also discussed future plans and projects regarding our local work. It was a very positive meeting for all.

Sharing and receiving his advice is always of great importance for us. Thank you Nilo for your time with us!

The National Youth Gathering of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Argentina

From January 18th to 22nd we had the possibility of sharing wonderful moments with approximately 850 youth who gathered together at the National Youth Gathering of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Argentina in GeneralCampos,Province of Entre Rios.

An excellent organization allowed us to enjoy Bible studies, recreation, sports, music, and programmed activities. The county campus was especially prepared for this event, and had all the necessary things to make this event very comfortable. Only a little rain complicated the tents, but it also helped to cool

down the high temperatures we experienced during those days.

Many people approached our stand, interested in our work and materials. We shared experiences with them and invited them to participate in our programs.

Here are some photos of the National Youth Gathering, we hope you enjoy them as much as we did! We thank our Lord for all the young people who participated and also congratulate the adults who worked so hard to make this great event possible!

 

 

 

On December 2011…

On December 2011, at the Congregation  ”Del Pilar de Jesús”, we presented the Program “Red Boots for Christmas” based on the book from C.P.T.L.N. Foundation. The Program was adapted to be shown as a theatrical play and a final message related to the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ, the visit of the pastors, angels and wise men, was included at the end.

After the play, the children and each family that participated in the event received a copy of the original book.

We wish to thank our loving God, for allowing us to share this experience, to work together to commemorate this beautiful day as a family in faith.

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At the public school…

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ:

My name is Sandra Dorsch and I am a member of the “Savior” Congregation from San Salvador, Province of Entre Rios.

I would like to share with you an activity I performed last year at the public school where I work as a 2nd grade teacher.

As you probably are aware of, in our country public education is secular; therefore we have to be very careful about sharing a religious message with students. I say religious, because I have learned that although I have that “limitation”, it does not stop me from sharing God’s Word, as a message of love and salvation with my students and co-workers.

Throughout the past year, I gave classes about moral values and sex education, always from my position as a Christian, and many times the students themselves would introduce issues such as eternal life, sin, bad deeds, and even Jesus’ second coming!!!  You may be wondering how is this possible… many of them have parents who take them to catechism classes or prepare them for first communion, therefore these issues are mentioned among their families and the children then bring them to school. These situations have given place to wonderful conversations, always with due respect and care. I also perceived that for some of them, it was the first time they heard about Jesus.

Towards the end of the year, along with another 2º grade teacher, who is also Christian and a person who is very committed to the Church and working with children, we decided to carry out some activities related to Christmas. We requested permission from the vice-director, who loved the idea and we began to plan this event.

When Advent began, we prepared crowns and explained why they are placed on the doors of our houses and their meaning. On another day, we watched the movie “Red Boots for Christmas”, from CPTLN. After watching the movie, we talked with the children about the story and it was wonderful to see how they were able to understand the true meaning of Christmas. Afterwards, they made drawings and sentences describing what they liked most about the movie.

What else can I say? We prayed a lot before, during, and after this activity, it was beautiful. Many parents thanked us at the end of the year, because we not only taught their children about Spanish, science, and other subjects, but we also gave them something “that nobody can take away from them” (as a mother said to us).

Many times we are scared about sharing God’s Word, in our case we advanced slowly and observed how we could advance in this aspect. I firmly believe that our Lord opens doors for us and takes care of us. We must put our projects in His hands, and He will act.

Sandra

From San Nicolas

This lady, who participates in the Text mesage  program , wrote us:

 

“My name is Sonia Mattei Weisheim and I am from San Nicolás, Province of Buenos Aires…

…I cannot find enough words to thank CPTLN for their messages, since they have helped me and many other people as well.

I save the messages on my cell phone, and I send them to people based on the their problems, choosing the message I believe is most convenient. I also have materials from “Enfoque” which I share with these people.

Sometimes when I receive a message I ask myself who I could send it to. I start to look at my list of contacts and something tells me to send it to a specific person. Afterwards, many times people thank me because they needed those words of encouragement at that moment. We are the Lord’s instruments (both you and I), and we wish to continue with this “mission” helping so many people.

 

Thank you very much!! God bless you!!”

We present to you our Administration Council

Argentinean law established that in order to constitute a Foundation, an Administration Council must be organized. Members of this Council have the necessary faculties to fulfill the purpose of the foundation, within the conditions established in the statutes.

In accordance to the statute which rules us, our council is formed by 5 members:

President:Daniel Bustamante  (computer programmer)

Vice-president:Héctor Fester  (Pastor)

Secretary: Beatriz Hohn (Teacher)

Treasurer:Oscar Arntzen(Metalworker)

Vocal:Cynthia Patiño(Administration assistant)

All of them, without exceptions, are active members in congregations belonging to the Iglesia Evangélica Luterana Argentina, willing to serve God in their congregations as well as in our institution.

Without any hesitation, we can say they are a group which shows their collaborative spirit and selfless service at every meeting. They are always willing to give good ideas in order to improve our work day by day.

God bless them all!!

Graduates from The Concordia Institute

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Once again, God has given us the opportunity to greet the new group of high-school graduates from the Concordia Institute. CPTLN was present together with the Congregation “La Concordia” delivering a message of hope by means of a booklet to each student who finalized this beautiful moment.

“This Is Love”

February 14, 2012

In this is love, not that we have loved God but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 1 John 4:10-11

There are Valentine gifts and there are Valentine gifts.

When I asked some ladies about the best Valentine gift they ever received, they thought and smiled. When I asked about the worst, they laughed — now, they laughed — and began shouting out bad presents like they were machine guns. Just some of their bad gifts were

* a five-pound box of candy: the kind he loves and she hates;

* an ironing board;

* a shotgun that he wanted. (She added, “I have never shot a gun in my life.”);

* lingerie which was five sizes too big or four sizes too small;

* jumper cables;

* ten years of nothing.

One rather interesting Valentine’s gift this year was given in Burbank, California. There a man presented his wife, whom he calls “the boss” with a $1 million lottery ticket. They’re going to buy a new home and a new car.

So, what kind of gift can a person give to say, “I love you”?

The answer to that question, dear friends, is provided by the apostle John.

In one short sentence the beloved disciple tells us Jesus Christ, our heaven-sent Substitute is the embodiment of real love. John has it right.

How can anyone remain unmoved by the love the Savior showed in the Garden of Gethsemane? There He received the weight of every sin humanity has ever committed. Even though He was greatly burdened, Jesus still rose up to meet His betrayer. Even though He knew what was ahead, Jesus went forward to be beaten, lied about and spit upon.

What is the best gift of love we have ever been given? Look at the cross. See the Savior who was laughed at; watch as His clothes were dispersed among His executioners; listen as He forgave His murderers, took care of His mother and promised salvation to a dying thief. Watch as He died the death we had deserved.

What is the best gift of love we have ever been given? Stand at the empty tomb and know that because He lives we shall live also.

Yes, we have been given a great gift of love in the Person of Jesus, and now it is our privilege to show our appreciation by offering Him a thankful, repentant heart.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, the world talks about love, but You have — in the life, suffering, death and resurrection of Your Son — shown what real, sacrificial love is. May I, in all I am and say, show my gratitude. This I pray in my Savior’s Name. Amen.

The Horacio’s Story

This is a case I have attended at LHM Argentina during my volunteer work as a third-year student at Concordia Seminary.

One of the most remarkable cases I have attended was from a man named Horacio S. from the province of Corrientes. He tells us that he spent many years in prison, and that he learned about the Gospel while he was in prison. The reason why he contacted us was to ask for help and advice. A girl who works for him and is his friend, has problems at home and he wants to help her but he doesn’t know how to do it. The husband of this friend is a drug and alcohol addict, and in addition to this, their young daughter passed away not long ago, which makes the problem worse. She is very distressed and is rejected by her neighbors, and this is why Horacio believes she found emotional support with him. He is looking for good advice to handle this situation since as God’s child he knows that the only thing that can help this girl is God’s Word and love. He thinks our advice and materials can help him guide her to learn about our Savior and change her life.

                                                                                               Claudio Fredrich