50 Years in Puerto Rico

Retired Missionary Ralph and Roxanne served souls in Latin America for the majority of their ministry. Recently, they joined other missionaries who served in Puerto Rico to celebrate 50 years of ministry in Puerto Rico. They gathered together with local congregation members and pastors in Guayama, Puerto Rico to celebrate the 50th anniverary and participate in the annual Reformation retreat full of Bible studies, devotions, and fellowship.

More than once during the celebration the sentiment was expressed as in the Sunday worship text, "Not to us, oh Lord, not to us be the glory, but to your name, for your mercy and truth" - Ps.115:1.

The Iglesia Evangelica Luterana Confesional (the Puerto Rican national church) and particularly Christ Lutheran Congregation in Guayama had worked hard to put the property in optimum condition: the grass was cut, new paint everywhere, and Rafi (one of the members)  had installed a one-step concrete and tile riser for the chancel/altar area. The choir was impressively organized (burgundy colored tops for all nine members) directed by Mary. They sang for both the Saturday evening tribute to national Pastors Sergio and Manuel and for the worship service on Sunday. The music was generally praise songs sung to prerecorded sound tracks, but we did get a pretty rousing rendition of "A Mighty Fortress" on Sunday. We were some 90-100 people on Sunday with members from the San Juan, Humacao and Guayama congregations participating in Holy Communion.

Traditional foods (rice and gandules/chick peas, roast pork and chicken, fruit, ham & cheese sandwiches on criollo bread, and more) were served both for breakfast, lunch and suppers. The ladies of the IELC had organized the Saturday tribute and awarded plaques of recognition not only to their pastors, but also to faithful laborers who had and have served over the past 50 years--people like Kelly and Miguel, Rafi and a number of young men--and gifts for the expats.

Former Missionary Paul & Carol

Retired Missionary Ralph & Roxanne

Retired Missionary Ron & Karen

 Former Missionary John & Barb

Former Missionary Tim & Lorna

Former Missionary Steve & Brenda

CELC President - Dan Koelpin

WELS WM Administrator- Larry M. Schlomer

WELS World Missions Administrator Larry M. Schlomer, Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference President Dan Koelpin and Multi-Language Publications Coordinator Paul Hartman greeted and reported to the people for WELS, CELC and MLP respectively. Pastor Roger Sprain of the original Missioner Corps who came to the island in 1964 sent his greetings by mail which were read to the assembly on Saturaday when each of the expats were given an opportunity to share an update on their life and family.

The expats were housed at Pastor Sergio's house bringing the total occupancy to some 27. Those who arrived on Thursday were greeted by a torrential downpour and the remainder of the weekend was beautiful tropical weather: clear skies, heat and humidity. 

The Lord's mercy and truth have preserved a little flock in Puerto Rico for 50 years, and we pray they will continue to preach the good news wherever they may be.

Photo Credit: Former Missionary Steve & Brenda

Journey to Jerusalem

Exactly five weeks ago today, I was in Jerusalem.  I'll share why I was in Israel next time. In this post, I want to share pictures and some thoughts on Holy Week after actually being there. 

Tomorrow is Easter Sunday. We went to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher (a possible and even probable site of Christ's crucifixion and burial). The tomb is still empty. Christ is risen!

Church of the Holy Sepulcher - He is not here; He is risen! 

Since Jerusalem is surrounded by valleys, you always travel *up* to Jerusalem, but that doesn't mean Jerusalem is the highest point. The Mount of Olives is actually higher, which means as Jesus approached Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives on Palm Sunday and wept over the city (Luke 19:41) he was looking down across the Kidron valley and could see the whole city in front of him. Jesus didn't cry over buildings and walls, but over the people in the city who had rejected him.  It's about people.

Mount of Olives - Overlooking Jerusalem

Jerusalem in Jesus' time really wasn't that big. You can walk from one section to another in a matter of minutes. All of the events from the Last Supper to Gethsemane to the high priest's house to Pilate's Praetorium to Golgotha happened in a relatively small area.

Close Proximity  
Gray Dome (Left) - Church of the Holy Sepulcher.  Gold Dome (Right) - Temple Mount 

My faith is based purely on God's Word, and I don't need archeology to prove the validity of God's Word for me. Yet being on site and seeing archeological discoveries helped me visualize, understand and appreciate God's Word even more.

Wishing you a joyous Easter celebration. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. He is risen indeed!

Nurture & Admonition of the Lord

Recently, here in the congregation Santísima Trinidad of Medellin, Colombia, Pastor Tonny had a special privilege. He officiated in the confirmation of his son, Mateo.

 Pastor Tonny confirms his son, Mateo

A father and son hug

This is always a joyful occasion for every pastor, parent and congregation. This has been an emotional year for this particular family in that their oldest son, Daniel, also confirmed a few years ago, died unexpectedly in January. That was a poignant reminder to Tonny and his wife Marta and all of those of this congregation of the importance of instructing their children in the Word and encouraging them in their faith from cradle through adulthood. 

 Mateo's first communion

We rejoice in the wonderful example this couple are in their dedication to this most important work of parenthood!

 Pastor Tonny, Marta, & Mateo

  “Bring your children up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4)

Time of Grace

 This past Sunday as I (Marlene) came forward for the Lord's supper here in Medellin where my husband is teaching this month, I was amazed to see a face I never thought I would see among the members. A man with whom my husband shared the gospel more than 30 years ago. 

Libardo had resisted the gospel and confirmation all those years. His family (all long time members), many missionaries and pastors had shared God's good news with him over those years. But this last month, God changed this heart with his Holy Spirit through His word and he was confirmed in the faith. This man has been near death many times in the past years. As I look at his weathered body and face, I praise our Lord that he extended Libardo's time of grace so that he might believe and be saved. And I thank Him for allowing us to witness one more of His miracles as this dear friend stood with us at His altar.

The Five Solas of Reformation

Sola Scriptura — by Scripture alone  

• You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about [Jesus]. (John 5:39)

• From infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.  All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. (2 Timothy 3:15-16)

Sola Gratia — by grace alone  

• So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.  (Romans 11:5-6)
• For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.  (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Sola Fide — by faith alone

• But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.  (Romans 3:21-22)
• For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law.  (Romans 3:28)
• Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness. (Romans 4:4-5)
• Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.  (Romans 5:1-2)
•  What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.  (Philippians 3:8-9)

Solo Christo — by Christ alone

• These are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.  (John 20:31)
• Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name [Jesus Christ] under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.  (Acts 4:12)
• God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!  (Romans 5:8-10)
• No one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.  (1 Corinthians 3:11)
• You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.  (Galatians 3:26-27)
• [God] wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men—the testimony given in its proper time.  (1 Timothy 2:4-6)

Soli Deo Gloria— glory to God alone  

• So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.  (1 Corinthians 10:31)
• At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,  and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.  (Philippians 2:10-11)