A Time to Review Hebrew

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven. That includes a time to review Hebrew, even though it is not listed specifically in Ecclesiastes 3.

During my recent furlough, I had the opportunity to attend two weeks of intensive Hebrew review and practice at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary's summer quarter. I have always enjoyed Hebrew ever since learning it in college and using it almost every day during my time at the seminary. But, I must admit, my Hebrew has gotten a little rusty over the years.

It was so refreshing to join 28 of my brothers in the ministry (14 each week) and focus on our Hebrew skills as we translated the books of Ruth and Ecclesiastes. Thank you to Professors Paustian and Nass from Martin Luther College for their guidance! It was good to review the different forms of the verb in Qal, Nifal, Piel, Pual, Hifil, Hofal, Hitpael (and occasional Hishtafel and Pilpel) and how those forms influence the meaning and translation of a verse. I benefited from seeing newer resources available for both teaching and studying Hebrew, and I hope to pass that benefit on to our LATTE students in our studies of the Old Testament.

There is a time for everything... Now the time has come to end furlough and continue our LATTE ministry of preparing pastors for God's people in Latin America. Time spent keeping my own Hebrew skills up will be well spent as I pass these skills on to our students.

"Lord, it is good for us to be here!"

Echoing Peter's reaction to Jesus' Transfiguration (Matthew 17), a small group of pastors and evangelists of the Brazilian Lutheran Church (ILB) met on October 10 and 11 to bask in our Lord's glory through study of his Word.  Despite an 8 hour drive for one pastor and a 22 hour bus ride for another, the fellowship, encouragement and renewal in the gospel was worth the effort.  In my role as WELS Friendly Counselor to the ILB, I had the privilege to attend, and -- despite a four day delay between flights to get here -- I agree it was worth the effort.  It was good to be here!

I shared a study on 1 Kings 19:9-18, reminding us that God continues to work through his "still, small voice" in the gospel to save sinners.  Pastor Roberto, an ILB home missionary in Presidente Prudente, led us in a discussion on evangelism.  Pastor Elcy of Jesus Salvador congregation in Gravatai, guided our review of lay ministry.  And Pastor Charles of Estela de Belem congregation in Dourados, provided a summary of ILB history from 1986 to 2011 and opened the discussion for future plans under God's grace.

But just as Peter, James and John could not stay because there was still work to be done, we also "came down from the mountain" to return to our ministries -- refreshed and renewed.  For me, that means a few weeks of study with Evangelist Gilberto reviewing what the Bible says about Church and Ministry, and then guiding members of our Administrative Committee of Latin American missions on a field visit in the beginning of November.

Pastor Elcy, Pastor Roberto, Volunteer Missionary Charlie, 

LATTE Missionary Natán, & Evangelist Gilberto 

Thank you, Jesus, for our time together with you and each other!

Growing in Brazil

LATTE continues work in another country in South America, Brazil. Missionary Natán serves as WELS Friendly Counselor, working with the Igreja Luterana Brasileira (ILB) to maintain their current ministry and provide training for future church leaders at local and national levels. 

This young Brazilian Church is served by two national pastors and a lay evangelist. They are committed to faithfully applying God’s Means of Grace in the cities of Dourados (Mato Grosso do Sul), Gravataí (Rio Grande do Sul) and Presidente Prudente (São Paulo). Missionary Charlie Flunker continues to reside in Brazil after his retirement, serving the ILB as a volunteer.

LATTE Prof. Natán, Pastor Elcy, Volunteer Missionary Charlier

The Brazilian Lutheran Church is slowly growing. The church is growing numerically with seven baptisms, an adult confirmation and sixteen in instruction class. Growing spiritually as members mature in personal evangelism and participate more in their local ministry.

Congregation in Dourados

Having completed two years in the city of Presidente Prudente, the Brazilian church has to decide whether to continue mission efforts there or direct its efforts elsewhere.

Pastor Roberto

Please keep our brothers and sisters in Brazil in your prayers as they plan for the future to share the good news of Jesus Christ our Savior.

Steel Sharpens Steel

Today I'll be joining together with the three other missionaries who reside in México for our monthly pastors' study group.

Two of us serve on LATTE, focusing on ministerial education in Mexico and beyond. Two serve as local missionaries, focusing on outreach and the development of the Mexican national church. But all four of us want to hone our skills in the study of our Savior's Word and seek each other's input on plans and ideas to improve our service in God's kingdom.

So today, we'll continue our exegesis of 1 John from the Greek, we'll discuss a paper we're reading on being Confessional Lutherans, and we'll encourage each other as we make plans for the next few weeks.

As steel sharpens steel, so one man sharpens another. We want to "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen" (2 Peter 3:18).