LHM—Thailand Staff Visits Flood-survivor Village to Join in Children’s Day Festivities

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The village of Bang Pood Samakee 3 had been under water for more than two months when Lutheran Hour Ministries—Thailand (LHMT) staff arrived with Flood Relief Packs in December. After staff members had delivered the emergency supplies, a community leader extended an invitation to the ministry center staff to return on Children’s Day to lead special activities for the village’s children.

When the LHMT staff arrived on Children’s Day, many of the Bang Pood Samakee 3 residents greeted them with warm smiles and friendly handshakes. Several of them mentioned how much they appreciated the help that LHMT gave them.

Nearly 100 children and more than 100 adults attended Bang Pood Samakee 3′s celebration, which for the first time was designed to bring all participants together in one place rather than hold events in neighborhoods. LHMT’s staff began their portion of the festivities by teaching the children several songs to sing together. They led games, distributed door prizes and promoted the ministry center’s Bible Correspondence Course for children and SMS text messaging programs. They concluded their time with the children by praying for them and for their families.

Pleased with LHMT’s contribution to the village’s celebration, Bang Pood Samakee 3′s community leaders presented the ministry center staff with gifts and invited them back for Children’s Day next year—an invitation that Director Monta (Boom) Ekwanit-Denow was happy to accept!

Children’s Bible distribution a hit in Sri Lanka

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Bibles were distributed recently in Sri Lanka to a Lutheran church in Gampaha, a city in the west-central part of the country. The church is led by Rev. Rajah Fernando, and the Bibles were given to about 30 children in the congregation. Their response was one of great joy and thanks, and Rev. Fernando thanked Lutheran Hour Ministries-Sri Lanka for the gift, by organizing a small program for LHM’s staff and volunteers. Those involved in the project said, “It was our pleasure to share the love of God with the children and adults who were gathered there for this occasion.”

From its ministry center in Nuwara Eliya, Lutheran Hour Ministries-Sri Lanka, known locally as Lanka Hope Media, has been serving the people on this strategic island off the southern coast of India since 2001. Staff and volunteers use Bible Correspondence Courses (BCC), which are available in the Sinhalese and Tamil languages. At these BCC events, cassettes and CDs are distributed. Equipping the Saints (ETS) workshops are held to strengthen local congregations, train Christian people to share the Gospel and help promote ministry center outreach efforts in this country of 20 million people. Additional LHM-Sri Lanka mission efforts have centered on providing assistance to area tsunami victims, through radio programming, Project Connect booklets and dry good items.

Bible certificates and toys for kids in Nicaragua

Since 1998 Lutheran Hour Ministries-Nicaragua has operated as Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. From its ministry center in Chinandega, it shares the Gospel with the citizens of this Central American country of about six million people. Recently, its satellite office in Matagalpa concluded a series of Bible courses it was offering kids in elementary schools. Along with the Bible course certificates these children received for their participation, they were given toys from the Orphan Grain Train.

Lutheran Hour Ministries-Nicaragua utilizes Project JOEL, Equipping the Saints (ETS), Bible Correspondence Courses (BCC), holistic ministry projects and prison visits in this extremely poor country, which has experienced years of corrupt dictatorship, natural disasters, revolution and civil war.

Kids connect with the wonder of the Christmas message in Lebanon

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This Christmas, Lutheran Hour Ministries-Lebanon—known in that country as Middle East Lutheran Ministry (MELM)—held a Christmas program for kids in Jal el Dib, a suburb of Beirut. The program was presented by Ms. Katia Sahyouni and was full of activities, Bible lessons, Bible stories, games, crafts, and some animations. The MELM donated a Christmas story booklet, Baby Jesus is Born, to every kid. The children enjoyed the program, loved the stories and were happy to hear about the true meaning of Christmas.

Beginning in 1950, LHM-Lebanon continues to use a variety of media tools to share the Savior’s story of salvation. Locally produced Arabic-language radio programs deliver Bible studies, meditations with hymns, Bible readings, commentaries and plays to spread the Gospel in 22 countries in the Middle East and North Africa. From its ministry center in Beirut, local Bedouin receive the Gospel message as well.

Underprivileged in India celebrate Christmas visit

In December the staff of Lutheran Hour Ministries-India—known in country as Christian Media Centre-India—visited the Missionaries of Charity Home for Ladies at Ennore to celebrate Christmas. This home, which is operated by nuns, is located about 30 kilometers from Chennai, along India’s southeast coast. Most of the destitute ladies at the home are mentally challenged. Nonetheless, they were thrilled to see the LHM staff and volunteers—one of whom was dressed up as Santa Claus. They enjoyed themselves with both dancing and singing. The Christian Media Centre-India distributed cakes and new clothes for 120 ladies. Lunch for the day was sponsored by another organization that joined LHM in the celebration at the home.

For 60 years Lutheran Hour Ministries has served the people of India by preaching and teaching the Good News of salvation in Jesus Christ. In this country of one billion people, LHM-India broadcasts the Gospel in both Tamil and Hindu. Additionally, LHM staff use devotional songs, short dramas, dance, stage plays and Bible Correspondence Courses (BCC) to convey the message of God’s love for all people. Outreach rallies are also held for large audiences in villages and major urban areas.

LHM-Paraguay teams with MOST Ministries to present clinic

On November 21-24 Lutheran Hour Ministries-Paraguay and MOST (Mission Opportunities Short Term) Ministries offered a spiritual health and personal hygiene clinic. In addition to information shared and distributed on health and hygiene practices was the good news that God cares for us spiritually and physically.

The objective behind these informational in-services was to provide attendees with current health data and helpful hygienic strategies to make life better for them and their families. Among the issues discussed were best methods for washing, teeth-brushing and other areas of personal hygiene. Also addressed was how germs, parasites and other microbes can be combated by applying consistent and thorough habits of personal hygiene.

In South America, LHM-Paraguay is known as Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones (“Christ for all Nations”). Established in the capital city of Asunción in 2000, LHM-Paraguay is active in door-to-door ministry, radio programming, Project JOEL, Bible Correspondence Courses (BCC), and Equipping the Saints (ETS) training.

Bible Correspondence Courses help students learn English in Ghana

Lutheran Hour Ministries’ Bible Correspondence Courses (BCC) benefit users with more than Scriptural instruction. For students in Ghana these courses are helping them learn the English language as well.

Mr. Clemence Boadu, headmaster of the Methodist Junior High School in Bawjiase, a rural area in Ghana’s central region, said that in addition to the Gospel message students receive from the BCC, using them has markedly improved their speaking and writing of English. Confirming this, Methodist JHS’s most recent national examination scores for junior high schools recorded a pass percentage of 88 percent against 44 percent for the previous year. Boadu attributes this in large part to the utilization of the BCC.

Though English is Ghana’s official language, in rural areas like Bawjiase students may only formally learn English in school. In their communities, one of the country’s local languages is likely used on the radio, in students’ homes and in citizens’ day-to-day communications.

Boadu informed a headmaster colleague, Mr. Dominic Dotse of Bontrase District Assembly JHS—another school in the region—of the BCC’s educational value in respect to English. Dotse has since met with LHM-Ghana’s area coordinator and received 20 BCC lessons to begin using the program with his students.

In this West African country of more than 24 million people, LHM-Ghana shares the Good News of Jesus through music, dance and storytelling. One important and popular ministry is The Harps—a group of men and women who perform musical programs for the public. Spiritual assistance is offered to local inmates too, as LHM-Ghana volunteers share the Word of God and pray with those in jail.

Russian prisoner positively impacted by Bible Correspondence Courses

Lutheran Hour Ministries’ Bible Correspondence Courses (BCC) are making a big difference in the life of one prisoner in Russia named Dimitry.

Dimitry tells us he was not a Christian before going through the lessons of the BCC. Unable to find peace and racked with torment inside, he pleaded his case before God, who heard his prayers and taught him how to forgive.

“First of all, these lessons helped me to understand God’s triune nature: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. I’ve also understood that each believer is God’s temple and the Spirit abides in him. These lessons helped me to know about the Christian faith. Reading through these materials, I began thinking and meditating and—what’s even more important—I began applying Christ’s teaching and God’s will to my own life,” he said.

Dimitry enjoyed how the BCC’s lessons are structured, helping students grow in their faith and giving them a chance to contemplate the depth of each lesson. These learning modules are strengthened by the memory work given for the student to master. Dimitry now understands that Jesus Christ is the sovereign Lord of his heart. The BCC helped him to believe and become stronger in his faith.

“I want to begin a new life—the life with Christ—and this life is the eternal one. I am not separated from God now. As soon as I am released from prison I’ll come to church. No matter what people might say, I am a Christian, for there is one God and Christ is my Lord! May His Name be hallowed forever!

Lutheran Hour Ministries-Uruguay thanks God for ten years of ministry

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Lutheran Hour Ministries-Uruguay recently celebrated its tenth anniversary of ministry operations in South America. Known locally as Cristo Para Todas las Naciones, LHM-Uruguay enjoyed a special service honoring the event at San Pablo Lutheran Church in Montevideo. Attending the festivities were friends, area contacts, and brothers and sisters in the faith. The LHM staff extends their warmest regards and appreciation to everyone who gathered for this uplifting evening of joy and praise. One staff member said it is their hope “the Lord will continue blessing this beautiful ministry that He assigned for us!”

With its ministry center established in Montevideo in 2001, staff and volunteers conduct monthly outreach programs targeted to different demographic groups. For example, a program called “Kids Mission” invites children to participate in a weekly Bible study. Additionally, LHM staff regularly offer programs on various subjects, such as fear, women’s issues, loneliness and dealing with the loss of a loved one. The ministry center also uses radio, topical booklets and other printed material to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ in this country of 3.5 million people.

Equipping the Saints in action in Ethiopia’s Meta Robi District

An Equipping the Saints (ETS) workshop was held November 4-5, 2011, at Meta Robi Evangelical Congregations. There were 120 registered; 110 of these individuals were commissioned for having successfully attended all the ETS modules given by Lutheran Hour Ministries-Ethiopia Director Berhanu Moges, who was assisted by Tesfaye Dinssa. More than half of those commissioned responded in writing how the workshop had benefited them personally and increased the potential for further ministry advancement within their communities. Forty-four attendees offered prayer requests for LHM-Ethiopia.

Films were shown over three nights with evangelism rallies conducted during the day. We are thankful for the news that the films and messages resulted in a renewed trust in God on the part of two people, who had drifted away from their faith. Also, 23 Bible Correspondence Course (BCC) students were honored by the director at the Sunday worship gatherings, where over 2,000 people joined the event.

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In Ethiopia, Lutheran Hour Ministries (LHM) operates as Berhan Media Ministry, with its ministry center established in Addis Ababa in 1996. Mass evangelism rallies such as described above are central to sharing the Gospel in this nation of more than 82 million located in the Horn of Africa. Thousands of people regularly attend these weekend events, where audiences are educated and entertained by Christian films, music and drama. Additional on-the-ground assistance is rendered through LHM’s International Ministries Partnership program, which gives volunteers from the United States the chance to go abroad and serve those in need in this East African country.