At home with the Advent wreath

The lighting of an Advent wreath as a countdown to Christmas has become so globally popular that Venezuelan newspapers run articles explaining it as a “Catholic custom.” This is a matter of some debate, as many sources trace it back to the Lutheran Reformation. Roman Catholic apologists agree that it began in Germany, but claim it originated earlier in the Middle Ages. The mystery arises from the fact that the Advent wreath originated as a form of family devotion, not as a rite of public worship. Lighting the wreath as we know it today did not become a widespread practice outside of Germany until the 19th and early 20th centuries, with the tide of Germans fleeing political conflicts and economic difficulties in their homeland. Only then was it incorporated into Advent services in churches of nearly every denomination. That is how I explained it to our afterschool students and youth of our congregation, drawing a comparison of how the migration of Venezuelans is dispersing Venezuelan customs throughout the world. Also, I emphasized the importance of Bible reading and prayer in the home, not just in the building designated as a house of worship. 

 “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down and when you rise up.” Deuteronomy 6:6-7 is a classic verse that illustrates the importance of family devotions in the Christian life. So is Ephesians 6:4, “And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.” Although the parental duty is set forth in terms of the father’s obligation, yet the mother’s rule and responsibility, being included in that of the husband, is just as strongly enjoined. St. Paul, in 1 Timothy 1:5, commends Timothy’s grandmother, Lois, and his mother, Eunice, for raising Timothy in the faith despite the lack of a faithful father. In Timothy 2:15, the apostle says again that Timothy is fortunate in “that from childhood  known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”

With the assistance of Luz Maria’s sister, Rosaura, we presented a special workshop for all the young people in making Advent wreaths for the home. 

A tradition of Christian education

Luz Maria and I are grateful for the opportunity to speak via Zoom on December 4, 2025, to the students of Deshler Lutheran School, Deshler, Nebraska. Our special thanks to principal Todd Voss; Brian Francik, pastor of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Deshler; and José Flores, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, Friedensau, Nebraska. Deshler Lutheran School is one part of the ministry conducted by St. Peter-Deshler and TrinityFriedensau. Both congregations have a rich tradition of providing Christ-centered education. Trinity Lutheran at Freidensau called the first teacher to the Nebraska District in 1879. St. Peter's Lutheran School was established in 1889. In 1966, Trinity-Friedensau and Bethlehem Lutheran Church of Kiowa joined with St. Peter's-Deshler to form the Deshler Lutheran School Association using the 1953 building and grounds in Deshler for its campus. Trinity-Friedensau celebrated its 150th anniversary last year. I attended the centennial anniversary in 1974 which featured my father’s older brother, the Rev. Alfred Ernst, as guest speaker. My great-grandfather, Henry Schabacker, so far holds the longest tenure as pastor of Trinity-Friedensau, having served for more than 30 years. His daughter, Theodora Amanda, married my grandfather, David Julius Ernst, who was the sole teacher in the parochial school and also church organist.

Like grandmother, like granddaughter

While we celebrated the first Sunday of Advent in La Caramuca on November 30, 2025, Oriana Montoya, Luz Maria's granddaughter, was consecrated as a deaconess at Jesus of Los Olivos Lutheran Church in Lima, Peru. Oriana was baptized February 15, 2003, at Corpus Christi Lutheran Church, Barinas, and took first communion October 28, 2012, at Epiphany Lutheran Church of La Caramuca. She graduated from our preschool and was active in the Epiphany youth group. She represented our mission at the national youth gathering of the Lutheran Church of Venezuela in 2016. After moving to Peru in 2017, Oriana enrolled in and graduated from the deaconess program offered by Concordia El Reformador in the Dominican Republic.

Door opens just a crack

While Luz Maria and I can no longer operate our preschool in the same cooperative relationship with public educational agencies, the door is not completely shut. It opened a crack on October 27, when I led a closing devotion for Early Education Week at Rafael Urdaneta public preschool in La Caramuca. In recent years, Venezuela has faced severe economic challenges, which have affected the operation of public and private education. The government’s ability to allocate resources has diminished, leading to overcrowded public classrooms, a lack of essential teaching materials, and deteriorating infrastructure in many public schools. Additionally, salary cuts and inflation have prompted many qualified educators to leave the profession or seek opportunities abroad. Families who once could afford private schooling have found their options limited as economic hardships continue. Furthermore, changing government regulations on tuition fees and operational standards create additional obstacles for private institutions, ultimately affecting their sustainability.

Religious freedom is written into Venezuela’s Constitution. Various faiths can hold regular rites and services. But although there is no declared policy of discrimination against faith-based organizations, those whose beliefs do not completely conform to current public policy, may face challenges. Yet, unlike in the United States, there is no ban on prayer in public schools. Thus our opportunity to continue influencing education beyond the walls of our mission.

I walked the children through the Apostle’s Creed, especially the Second Article. This, I said, is the reason why we have Christmas and Easter. (Because public Christmas displays are already being set up and the merchandising of decorations and gifts for the home is underway.)

Communion of the saints

We celebrated one long festival of the Reformation and All Saints from Sunday, October 26, when we distributed medicines sent by Global Lutheran Outreach Chile and studied the 95 Theses at our afternoon youth Bible study, to Sunday, November 2, when we celebrate the Reformation and All Saints Day in the morning at Epiphany Lutheran Church of La Caramuca, and in the afternoon at Corpus Christi Lutheran Church in Barinas. In La Caramuca, we not only distributed the medicine to those who needed it, but also homemade soap and food items that we had collected as part of the regular Sunday offering to everyone who attended.

The feasts of the Reformation and All Saints are closely linked. Martin Luther posted the 95 Theses on October 31, 1517, All Saints Eve, on the doors of All Saints Church in Wittenberg, Germany. In his theses, Luther raised questions about Roman ideas of penance, purgatory, the value of good works, the authority of the Pope over the souls of the departed, and the definition of a “saint.” These questions resonate to this day, for we celebrated the Reformation in the midst of a national celebration across Venezuela of the canonization of the first two Venezuelan “saints”: José Gregorio Hernández Cisneros and María del Carmen Rendiles Martínez.

On Sunday, October 19 (which happens to be my birthday) Pope Leo XIV proclaimed seven new saints on before an estimated 70,000 people in St. Peter’s Square, including the first saints from Papua New Guinea as well as Venezuela. The canonization Mass unfolded with Venezuelan flags waving across the square. The canonization was followed in real time from different parts of Venezuela, with gatherings in squares, temples, and homes.

It was an opportunity for us to celebrate the true “communion of the saints”, which is the whole church on earth and heaven. We all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (as it says in the epistle for Reformation Day, Romans 3:19-28. But we are all saints who have been clothed with the righteiousness of Christ in baptism. We all have the promise of eternal life with HIm immediately upon leaving this world.

Celebrating our 34th baptism

 At a Matins service on September 20, 2025, Eidan Andrés Garrido Albarrán was baptized into the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Romans 6:3-6). This was the 34th baptism at our mission. The first was Elias Isaac Montoya Santana on June 26, 2005.

“Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? If I wash in them, shall I not also be clean?” (2 Kings 5:12). 

“Without the Word of God, water is mere water, it is not baptism; but with the Word of God, it is baptism, that is, it is the water of life, full of grace, and a washing of regeneration by the Holy Spirit, as Saint Paul says to Titus.” (The Small Catechism and Titus 4:4-6).

When Naaman did as the Lord commanded, he was healed. “Then he went down and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God; and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.” (2 Kings 5:14).

Grand opening of “Mi Pequeña Lucecita” House of Study

On September 15, 20205, we opened “Mi Pequeña Lucecita” (“My Little Light”) House of Study with an orientation meeting for the families involved. The expanded afterschool tutoring program is from 3:00 to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Sixteen students are enrolled, from first to sixth grade, all of whom have academic knowledge below the level they should have for their grade level. There are third-graders who do not know their numbers, and sixth graders who read at a first grade level. There are other families who would like to enroll their children in the program, but Luz Maria feels that those who are enrolled need the most help that she and her assistants can give. We share God's love in Christ by improving literacy, language, math and vocational skills.

Our program remains the only one in our entire region that integrates instruction for Christian living with basic skills for learning.

Although circumstances have forced to shift our emphasis from preschool education to a more diverse group of students, remains unchanged:

• Encourage academic performance by addressing academic needs with fun and motivating resources to develop learning skills and abilities.

• Promote the comprehensive development of each student in accordance with the values ​​of Christian education established in the Holy Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions.

• To guide parents on the importance of the family's leading role in raising children in the reality of the Venezuelan context.

In addition to Luz Maria as chief teacher, there are three young ladies who help tutor students: Diana Torres, Yusmelvis Salas and Anyi Garrido. All who came up through our preschool program and are now communicant members and high school students.

We would like to develop more intensive seminars in mathematics and other topics; more instruction for adults; support and advice for high school students on projects to be completed for graduation; training sessions in home economics; hosting of group sessions for online courses, such as those provided by Seminario Concordia El Reformador in the Dominican Republic.

To further improve our learning and worship spaces, we are seeking funds for two more study tables with six chairs each; 20 additional plastic chairs; printer ink and a new computer monitor; additional educational materials; four wall-mounted ventilation fans; and a water purifier for the kitchen area of the former preschool. Perhaps our biggest capital improvement project for the near future is the repair of public sanitary facilities built 10 years ago to host large groups in our open patio/playground. These have not been used since the COVID-19 lockdown, but we think there soon will be use for them again.

You may donate to our mission online at Global Lutheran Outreach.

How shall they hear without a preacher?

“How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent?” Romans 10:14-15.

Corpus Christi congregation gives 
baptismal gifts to Eidan Garrido.

As the only called and ordained pastor of the Lutheran Church of Venezuela within a tri-state area, I continue to preach and administer the sacrament of the altar at Corpus Christi Lutheran Church in Barinas. As of the last census, Barinas has a population of approximately 350,000 people. Besides being a regional trade center and the headquarters of state government, the city is home to an important agricultural research and teacher training university. La Caramuca is a town of around 8,000 people, located 20 to 30 minutes drive from the city of Barinas, depending on the traffic. There is plenty of work for another pastor in Barinas, but Corpus Christi has not been able to call a full-time pastor in nearly two years.

At the 2025 World Conference of the International Lutheran Council in the Philippines, Eduardo Flores, president of the Lutheran Church of Venezuela, outlined the serious problems that still face the nation of Venezuela, resulting in “profound social, economic, and cultural implications,” including for the Lutheran church. There has been a significant decrease in the number of members in Lutheran congregations, mostly among young people and their families. This not only impacts the spiritual life of those who leave, but it also causes serious issues with paying pastors and the financial sustainability of congregations.

Finally I felt the earth move

One fond memory of my youth is listening to Carole King sing “I Feel The Earth Move”, one of the most popular cuts from her milestone 1971 album, “Tapestry”. But I never really knew the sensation until September 24, 2025. There was a minor tremor in Caracas while I was there in 2007, but I was taking a nap and slept through it. At 11:51 p.m. on September 24, my chair began vibrating and the teacup on the table rattled. That was the impact in La Caramuca of a 6.0 magnitude earthquake with its epicenter near Bachaquero, Zulia, 178 kilometers or 111 miles northwest of us. This was only one of 10 distinct tremors and 21 aftershocks that shook western Venezuela that evening. But its magnitude made it not only the main feature of the night, but one of the three strongest earthquakes to rock the country in the 21st Century. The others were in Carabobo state in 2009 (6.4) and Sucre state in 2018 (6.9). None of these three claimed any lives, although there was property damage in the areas most affected. Perhaps the worst ever in loss of life was the Maundy Thursday earthquake of 1812 (between 7 and 8 magnitude with its epicenter in Caracas) which claimed from 15,000 to 26,000 lives. A 6.7 magnitude earthquake that struck Caracas in 1967 claimed 256 lives. In years past, the mission has hosted workshops on how to avoid injury during an earthquake. Thank you, Carlos Teran!

Earthquake safety seminar in 2014.

Caught up in the clouds

 The celebration of the Ascension brings to a close our annual reprise of the earthly ministry of Jesus. He walked among his disciples for forty days to testify to His resurrection. But it was necessary for Him to return to the Father so that His exaltation was complete (John 16: 5-15) . As we confess in the creed, Jesus "ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; and from there he will come to judge the living and the dead." We have no difficulty seeing in the ascension and enthronement of Jesus to the right hand of God the fulfillment of the prophetic words of Psalm 110. That Jesus is to the right of the Father, as a mediator and lawyer, means that forgiveness and sanctification are possible (Acts 5:30-31).

 resurrection of Our Lord was not simply the miraculous revival of a single man. The Scriptures contain other similar stories: the resurrection of mothers’ sons by Elijah and Elisha; the son of Nain's widow; the daughter of Jairus; Lazarus, brother of Mary and Martha; and more. God, in His mercy, restored these people to their families, but in the end they were taken from this world. There are also stories in the Old Testament of men who did not die physically, but were taken to heaven. In particular, Enoch, descendant of Adam (Genesis 5: 21-24), and Elijah, in the Old Testament lesson appointed for the Ascension (2 Kings 2:5-15).

But even these miracles of God did not change the common fate of human beings, which is the eternal separation of God because of original sin. Both the Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus changed everything for all. They were signs and stamps of His victory, a victory that He won when He died on the cross. It was a victory over sin, the power of the devil and death itself. Those who believe in Jesus Christ may die physically, like everyone else. But for those who believe in Jesus Christ, there is the promise that we also will be raised to life on the last day, not only to see Him return in the clouds as He was taken up (Acts 1:9-11), but also to be "caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." (1 Thessalonians 4:17)

Education program continues

On Sunday, May 11, 2025, we presented seven students and three assistant teachers with scholarships from LeadaChild. The assistant teachers who help Luz Maria with afterschool tutoring are all confirmed members of the mission: Anyi Garrido, Yusmelvis Salas and Diana Torres. The students who brought their mothers for Mother's Day also received packages of school supplies. God's providence, the Gospel reading for the fourth Sunday after Easter is John 16:16-22 and the sermon was based on verses 16 to 21:  "A woman when she is in labor has sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembers no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. Therefore you now have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man will take from you."

Luz Maria's students are advancing in their studies and have shown distinct improvement in their grades. We have reopened what had been our preschool classroom before its forced closure for afterschool tutoring. We plan to remodel the preschool so that it is more of library and study center for older students.

We were pleased to learn of the high school graduation of Frenyerlin Naleska, a former recipient of LeadaChild scholarships. She was one of Luz Maria´s afterschool tutoring students, attended Sunday afternoon Bible class, and took first communion at our mission on January 8, 2017. Frenyerlin now lives in the city of Coro, Falcon state.

Frenyerlin Naleska, Escarleth Ruíz and Elias Montoya with LeadaChild scholarships.

Ready to serve as deaconesses

From May 1 to 3, 2025, Luz María served as an instructor at the final in-person seminar of the second cycle of the deaconess program sponsored by Concordia El Reformador Seminary and the Juan de Frías Theological Institute in Barquisimeto, Lara state. Other instructors were Deaconess Ginnatriz Vera de Mendoza, and Pastor Eliezer Mendoza, director of the Institute. On Sunday, May 5, eight women graduated from the program and are ready to serve as deaconesses.

The women who graduated from the deaconess program are: Matilde Castillo, Cristo es el Camino Lutheran Church, Barcelona, ​​Anzoátegui state; Cinthia Moreno and Ysaela Cedeño de Lozano of Fuente de Vida Lutheran Church, Puerto Ordaz, Bolívar state; Migdalia Veliz, Cristo el Vencedor Lutheran Church, La Pica, Monagas state;  María Ramírez de Coronado, La Fortaleza Lutheran Church, Maracay, Aragua state; Ana Gómez, Belkys Castellanos and Graciela Peraza de Coronado of Fuente de Vida Lutheran Church.

 

Trabajad, luchad y orad, No. 1037 in Himnario Luterano, is a hymn written by Stephen Starke and translated by Antonio Schimpf.

Three pastors reunited before the altar

On Sunday, May 4, five pastors celebrated the divine service together. Eduardo Flores, Sergio Maita, and I were ordained together at El Salvador Lutheran Church in Caracas on December 8, 2008. The three of us were together once more before the altar. Sergio is now missionary pastor of Cordero de Dios Lutheran Church in Bayamón, Puerto Rico, and professor at Concordia El Reformador Seminary, while Eduardo is the pastor of La Santa Trinidad Lutheran Church in Caracas and president of the Lutheran Church of Venezuela.

Pastor Maita preached the sermon for the Third Sunday of Easter on the Gospel (John 10:11-16) and the Introit (Psalm 33:5-6; 33:1; 33:18-20). The Hebrew word translated "mercy" in Psalm 33:5 is חֵסֵד (hesed). It can also be translated as steadfast love, loyalty, faithfulness, or kindness. But in the same verse, the psalmist says that the Lord loves justice and judgment. This blend of attributes is seen in the figure of the Good Shepherd, who does what is right for his sheep because he loves them.

The other pastors present were Eliézer Mendoza, pastor of Cristo es Amor Lutheran Church in Barquisimeto and director of the “Juan de Frías” Institute; and Juan Carlos Silva, assistant pastor of Cristo es Amor Lutheran Church.

Luz Maria's granddaughter graduates

On the same Sunday in Lima, Peru, Oriana Montoya, the granddaughter of Luz María, graduated from the same diaconal program. Oriana was born February 7, 2003, baptized that same month at Corpus Christi Lutheran Church in Barinas; and took first communion October 28, 2012, at our mission. On May 7, 2021 we said goodbye to Oriana; her mother, Yepci; and Aaron and Elias, her brothers. Like many Venezuelans, they sought a brighter future in another country. We give thanks that they were found by the LCMS Mission in Peru.

Bookending birthdays

On the evening before the deaconess seminar started, we celebrated Pastor Eliezer Mendoza's birthday with Pastor Eliezer, his wife, Ginnatriz, their two daughters and the deaconess students. The day after the graduation ceremony, we celebrated Luz Maria's birthday. 

Our time in Barquisimeto also included outiings to local attractions, including Tintorero, a village known as a center for folk art and crafts, especially colorfully dyed hammocks. Luz Maria purchased a traditional Venezuelan coffee maker (see below).

Our time in Barquisimeto also included outiings to local attractions, including Tintorero, a village known as a center for folk art and crafts, especially colorfully dyed hammocks. Luz Maria purchased a traditional Venezuelan coffee maker (see below).

The Word of the Lord endures forever

On October 3, 2024, we celebrated, along with our preschool children and their families, 21 years of our Christian preschool. On October 7, local authorities shut it down. We knew we were approaching a turning point and had been hopeful that we might be able to expand our community education program this school year. But the decision went the other way.

What happened? Since mid-September we were involved in the latest round of a struggle that continued for more than a decade. To begin at the beginning, we started our preschool with the help of a non-governmental organization that existed in the early 2000s. This philanthropic enterprise, Fundación del Niño, provided foodstuffs for preparing nutritionally balanced breakfast and lunch, and certified teachers to establish neighborhood preschools in private homes that met certain standards for health and safety. Luz Maria enrolled her home in this program and we were off to the races. The foundation was quite pleased with our ability to meet the material needs of the children, and had no problem with the fact that our daily routine included prayer, Bible readings, Christian songs and Biblically oriented crafts.

As time went on, the Ministry of Education of the state of Barinas took over more and more of the funding and administration of the program. Eventually, all of the in-home preschools but ours were closed. We were able to keep ours open because of overwhelming support from the surrounding community. But every year since 2012 we have had to contend with a faction within the state bureacracy that wants to close our preschool. Every year we have won the argument with support from the families of our preschool children, although with constantly changing, at times arbitrary regulations. From 2003 to 2020, children attended our preschool from two to six years of age, with a graduation ceremony to see them off to first grade. Since 2020, the parents, although they prefer our preschool, have had to transfer their children to state-run preschools at three years of age with no farewell.

We have long suspected this oposition was ideological in nature. Luz Maria recalls how, some time ago, a representative of the school district told her that we should be prepared to be assigned a homosexual teacher. Luz Maria told the representative that was a non-negociable “No”. 

This time we were told plainly that the only way our preschool could continue to operate was if a) we turned our property over to the state; and b) eliminated all the religious content from our educational program. Once again, the community rallied to our support. More than 200 people signed a petition to keep our preschool open. For awhile it seemed like the fight was in our favor, with the possibility we might even be able expand beyond the preschool level. Then came the October 7 announcement and, two days later, the confiscation of preschool furniture and equipment that had been lent to us in 2003. The families staged a protest at the preschool to which their children had been transferred. They have not given up and plan to make further appeals.

So we are considering ways to continue our ministry in a somewhat different form. One option still open to us is registering as a completely private school. This would require, first of all, that we would have to charge tuition. Since the community wants what we have to offer, at least some parents may well be willing to pay minimal tuition. Third, we would be completely responsible for paying at least one teacher with full benefits. 

Otherwise, we still have Luz Maria´s afterschool tutoring. We could expand that program to include weekend workshops in remedial mathematics and English, for example. Also, there is the possibility of seminars in other subjects of interest to the community, such as gardening and food preparation. In any event, we will have to turn the page and start a new chapter in our ministry, God willing. We have walked in faith since the beginning, and, by His grace, have stayed the course for 21 years. Thanks be to the Lord for that, and we trust that the future is in His hands.

507 years of the Reformation

On Sunday, October 27, we observed Reformation Sunday at our mission in La Caramuca. It was a low-key event this year, although in the past a number of people have received first communion at our Reformation service. These include Diana Carolina Torres, Jeckson Gabriel Marquez, Kimberly Marquez, Sandro Perez, Noel Alexander Marquina, Pedro Santana, Karelis Santana, Jimmy Perez, Angi Perez, Deisi Torres, Yovanny Torres, Yhonny Torres, Jeison Manuel Arellano, Anyi Garrido and Oriana Montoya, 
On October 31, we observed Reformation Day with an evening service at Corpus Christi Lutheran Church, our sister congregation in Barrio El Cambio, Barinas. Corpus Christi currently does not have a full-time pastor. After the service, we celebrated with cake and popcorn, not only the Reformation, but 25 years of marriage for Ludy and Adonay Tarazona, members of Corpus Christi.
The sermon text was the same for both services: "Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting Gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth -- to ever nation, tribe, tongue, and people -- saying with a loud voice, Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water" (Revelation 14:6-7). 
This verse teaches that evangelism involves proclamation of God's righteousness (the Law) and God's mercy (the good news or Gospel of salvation through faith in Christ). All have sinned and fallen short of God's righteous, but Jesus paid the penalty for all on the cross. But for forgiveness to be received, there must be recognition of sin, which the Law brings, and repentance which flows from faith in God's Word.

Lex orandi, lex credendi: 500 years of Lutheran hymnals

Prosper of Aquitaine, a disciple of St. Augustine, coined the Latin phrase, "Lex orandi, lex credendi". Literally it means, "Rule of prayer, rule of belief". More broadly, the structure and content of worship both reflects and shapes personal belief. This has been the guiding philosophy of 500 years of Lutheran hymnals, as we learned from the Rev. Dr. Sergio Fritzler, director of Concordia El Reformador Seminary in the Dominican Republic. Dr. Fritzler presented an overview of the development of hymnals up until the time of Johann S. Bach in a October 30 Facebook conference.The first distinctly Lutheran hymnal was published in 1524. Although it was a complete paragraph of German text, it was more widely known as "Achtliederbuch" ("The Book of Eight Songs"). Five songs were written by Martin Luther, two by Paul Speratus and one by Justus Jonas. The Luther songs are included, in Himnario Luterano, the new Spanish-language hymnal published by the Lutheran Heritage Foundation.

On October 25, Luz Maria and I participated in a Zoom conference in which Dr. Douglas Rutt, professor emeritus  at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. Missouri, spoke on the "Reformation in its Global Contact", particulary with reference to the European colonization of the Western Hemisphere.

Anniversary after the ashes

 

The season of Lent is supposed to a serious, solemn time with an emphasis on repentance and confession, meditation and prayer. But after an Ash Wednesday service which recalled the sackcloth, ashes and fasting of the Old Testament (Jonah 3:1-10; Joel 2:12-19), we joined in a celebration. Our mother congregation, Corpus Christi Lutheran Church, marked 29 years at its current location. Due to the recent departure of Pastor Raimundo Brito (who has announced his intention to emigrate to Brazil because of the economic hardship in Venezuela), I officiated at a eucharistic service with members of our mission and Corpus Christi present on Saturday, February 17, 2024. After the service, the youth and children went out to play games in the street. The Corpus Christi congregation sponsored me as a candidate for pastoral training so that our mission in La Caramuca could continue growing through baptisms and confirmations. When I made my grand tour of Lutheran churches in Venezuela in April, 2003, I stayed the night in the guest room of Corpus Christi. The following morning I found Luz Maria sleeping on of the pews in the church. Corpus Christi is not far from the public bus terminal, so upon returning from a trip to Caracas, she decided to stay at the church rather than look for a late-night bus to La Caramuca. We went out for breakfast and she introduced me to her mother, Carmen Rivero de Henriquez, who also lives close to the church. That was how we first met. While there is much that can be said about our mother church over the last 29 years, the connection between Corpus Christi and La Caramuca dates back many more years. While Corpus Christi acquired its own house of worship in 1995, Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod (LCMS) missionaries began evangelistic work in the city of Barinas in 1985. The first missionary to visit Barinas was Philip Bickel, who, as missions pastor at St. Michael's Lutheran Church, Bloomington, Minnesota, convinced me to travel to Venezuela on a short-term mission trip in 2002. Lutheran worship services in Barinas first were held in the home of Luz Maria’s mother. Luz Maria and two of her brothers, Moises and Robert Henriquez, were confirmed as Lutherans. Moises would move to Caracas and become a member of El Salvador Lutheran Church, director of Christian education at its Concordia Lutheran School, and served a term as treasurer of the national church, the Lutheran Church of Venezuela. While living in Barinas, Luz Maria took courses in theology by extension provided by the Juan de Frias Theological Institute (this was a form of distance learning before the Internet was widely available). She moved across the country to the city of San Felix de Guayana and, while living there for a time, continued the formation that would lead to her certification as a deaconess. This included practical experience such as teaching Sunday school and other volunteer work in Ascension Lutheran Church of San Felix. She continued her work and study after her return to Barinas in the 1990s. Carmen, her mother, eventually joined a Baptist church in Barinas, but continued to host LCMS missionaries and Lutheran worship in her home until Corpus Christi established itself at the present site. At 92, Carmen is no longer capable of living on her own. Luz Maria and her six siblings are cooperating in caring for their mother, since placing her in an assisted-living unit is not an option. Every week we deliver food to her mother's house, and when Luz Maria’s siblings need a break for their family and work, we keep her mother here for a few days. That is why Carmen was with us for Ash Wednesday worship. We wish Godspeed to Pastor Raimundo and his wife, Sandra, who is one of the women that Luz Maria mentored through four years of the deaconess training program sponsored by the Juan de Frias Institute and Concordia El Reformador Seminary in the Dominican Republic. Our relationship with them was one of mutual support, even through the worst of the COVID-19 crisis. It began with Pastor Brito's installation and a joint Reformation Day service in 2019 and was last highlighted by a joint activity with members of Corpus Christi during Holy Week of 2023. Former missionary leads online class Speaking of former missionaries to Venezuela and distance, Daniel Conrad on February 29 (Leap Day!) taught a session of “Readings in the Confessions”, a course I am monitoring at Concordia El Reformador Seminary in the Dominican Republic. Pastor Conrad teaches at the seminary, which draws students from 11 countries in Latin America. Before that, he served as a missionary for 20 years in Venezuela (1984–2003), including the city of Barinas. While in Venezuela, he focused on the formation and mentoring of national pastors. Pastor Conrad also served as the pastor of Zion Lutheran Church, Terra Bella, California, (2003–2014) prior to receiving the call to serve again as a theological educator, first in Mexico and now in the Dominican Republic. The February 29 class continued our study of the Apology to the Augsburg Confession, and included not only seminarians in the Dominican Republic, but also a visiting group of seminarians from Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Sweethearts of the science fair We give thanks for past recipients of LeadaChild scholarships who continue to excel in their academic pursuits as well as grow in their faith. Anyi Garrido and Yusmelvis Salas represented Samuel Robinson high school in the seventh Scientific Exhibition Challenge at the local level. Then they proceeded to take first place in state competition. The two will compete at the national level in Caracas at a date to be announced. The topic of their project is: "Solution or Toxin? Calling for reflection on substances that can be toxic to the body, such as tattoos or permanent makeup." Anyi’s brother, Eduar Garrido, and his classmates, Yandry Gomez and Franyelis Martinez, won a similar mathematics competition representing Samuel Robinson among three high schools at the local level, but did not place in state competition. It was said their topic, “Better Strategies for Learning Mathematics” was more suitable for teachers rather than students. Anyi, Yusmelvis and Eduar are all communicant members of our mission. Another shipment of medicine received from GLO We have received another shipment of non-prescription medicines from Global Lutheran Outreach (GLO) to distribute among the families of our mission according to need. This GLO project benefits not only Epiphany Lutheran Mission of La Caramuca, but all of the congregrations of the Lutheran Church of Venezuela. Since 2017 volunteers in Chile have packaged and shipped needed medicine to Venezuela. Luz Maria works closely with Corali Garcia  Ramos and Elianeth Pineda, Venezuelan expatriates in Chile, to coordinate requests for medicines from all the Lutheran congregations in Venezuela. Recipients can choose from a list of 18 common medications (up to three medications per patient). Each of those medicines are available in Chile without a prescription. Additionally, every congregation in Venezuela receives a supply of seven common medications. Medicines are purchased in Chile with the cooperation of a local pharmacy. Volunteers collate the orders and prepare each congregation’s shipment. Medicine is shipped using a globally-known shipping company. After arriving in Venezuela, the medicines are sorted and packed for distribution to each beneficiary.