More than a metaphor

When I describe Epiphany Lutheran Mission as a “light shining in darkness,” it’s not entirely a metaphor. This month, as we deal with an intensification of Venezuela’s electrical crisis, I would like thank our financial supporters for the funds to upgrade our solar auxiliary power system.

Power outages have been a problem in Venezuela for all of the 23 years that I have lived here. The root causes are lack of investment in an aging power grid and over-reliance on centralized energy production. Six hydroelectric plants supply over 60 percent of Venezuela’s electricity, with just one, the Guri Reservoir plant, accounting for over 60 percent of that production. Built from 1963 to 1969, the Guri Dam on the Caroni River stretches 7,426 meters in length and is 162 meters high. It creates a reservoir with a surface area of 4,250 square kilometers (1,641 square miles), one of the largest man-made reservoirs on earth. At one time, the Guri hydroelectric power station had the largest generating capacity in the world, but since has been surpassed by similar plants in other countries.

From 1980 to 2000, Venezuela's electricity consumption almost tripled. Years of drought lowered the water level in the reservoir, while only some of the Guri plant’s turbines could be kept in service. Poorly maintained transmission lines and substations also set the stage for a nationwide power outage, the worst so far, in March 2019. 

On March 7, 2019, nearly all of Venezuela’s 23 states were left without electrical power for seven days, causing serious problems in hospitals and clinics, industry, transport and in water service. Power was restored to parts of the country on March 12 and to most of the country on March 14, but local outages persisted for some days after March 14. Between 14 and 16 of Venezuela's 23 states were again without power from March 25 to March 28. Another blackout started in the evening of 29 March, followed by another 24 hours later. During the month of March, Venezuela was without power for at least 10 days overall. Another major national blackout occurred on July 22, 2019.

In August 2019, we had four solar panels installed on the roof of our house. We had relied on a portable gasoline-powered generator for brief periods before that. But given the periodic scarcity of gasoline and safety concerns, we decided that solar panels with storage batteries would be the best long-term choice. Time passed and our community adapted to the reality of daily power outages ranging from several minutes to an hour or two. Nearly all businesses in La Caramuca have some type of backup generator. The use of rechargeable flashlights and lamps is common.

But now we have had the hottest summer since 2019 and electrical demand has again peaked. In Barinas and seven other western states, we were put on a schedule of rolling blackouts: five hours a day without public power at different times within different sectors. In September, this plan was extended to two periods of four hours every day. 

It was at this point, that the batteries in our backup system began to fail. Fortunately, solar energy technology has advanced since 2019 and we were able to upgrade the system with better batteries and inverter. Originally, our system only allowed us to keep the lights and security cameras on. Now, with the same solar panels, we have backup power for a refrigerator and ventilation fans. We can also keep our lines of communication open. Cell phone signal is lost when the power goes down, but our fiber-optic cable provider also has auxiliary power, so we do not have to interrupt Zoom conferences and the like.

Again, God bless everyone for helping us maintain our ministry!

 

Get wisdom! Get understanding!

On Monday, September 21, 2026, we welcome students with their parents and representatives for the 2026/2027 session of "Mi Pequeña Lucecita" House of Study. Ten students have begun afterschool tutoring with Luz Maria and her granddaughter, Anyi Garrido, with four more expected to join us later on.

The verse for our opening devotion was Proverbs 4:5-13. The Book of Proverbs, along with Job and Ecclesiastes, belongs to a category of Old Testament texts called "wisdom literature" with focuses on the moral and ethical teachings necessary for living a life pleasing to God. But the Old Testament understanding of wisdom (often personified as a woman) is not simply practical knowledge and moral discipline, but a recognition of God as the true source of wisdom. The skills needed to build and furnish the tabernacle is called wisdom. This includes the craftsmanship to devise artistic designs, to make Aaron’s garments, to work with gold, silver, and bronze, to cut stones and carve wood (Exod 28:3; 31:3–5). These skills are said to come from the Spirit of God. They are also skills that would need to be developed through training and experience.The wise say­ings in Provers are directed to all men, but especially the believers, so to order their life and conduct as to please God and promote their welfare here on earth. 

Down to the river to pray

There were no power outages in Ciudad Guayana, which is very close to the Guri Reservoir. Luz Maria and I spent September 3 to 5 at a retreat center by the Caroni with more than 30 women who either graduated or are currently in the deaconess program sponsored by Concordian El Reformador Seminary and the Juan de Frías Theological Institute. The occasion was a workshop on reconciliation led by the Rev. Freddy Otuvo of the Christian Evangelical Lutheran Church of Bolivia (Iglesia Cristiana Evangélica Luterana de Bolivia – ICEL).

The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod at it 69th regular convention July 18-23, 2026, in Phoenix, Arizona, formally ratified its recognition of altar and pulpit fellowship with the ICEL. LCMS President Matthew Harrison had recognized fellowship with the Bolivian church in 2025, but the LCMS is required to ratify such declarations at its next convention.

Preaching at Prince of Peace

On September 6, 2026, the fourteenth Sunday after Trinity, I had the privilege of preaching at la Iglesia Luterana "Príncipe de Paz" (Prince of Peace Lutheran Church) in Sierra Caroni. I helped Eliezer Mendoza, director of the Juan de Frías Theological Institute and pastor of Cristo es Amor (Christ is Love) Lutheran Church in Barquesimeto, administer the sacrament of the altar.

Príncipe de Paz is one of the oldest congregations in the Lutheran Church of Venezuela, established by LCMS missionaries in 1965. Some of the first national pastors came from Sierra Caroni, but in recent years, the congregation has not been able to find a full-time pastor. Nevertheless, there is an active group, with two women who have graduated from the deaconess program and four who are currently in the process. Because of the remote rural location, some of the ladies have had to walk 40 minutes to an hour to find Internet access. 

Recognizing the rights of children

Children's Day with VBS students.

Every third Sunday in July is Children’s Day in Venezuela a date chosen to coincide with the close of the school year. In 1936, the Venezuelan Federation of Teachers first promoted the idea of a date that recognized the rights of children. That year, a table of children's rights was drawn up, much of which is incorporated into the current national constitution and Organic Law for the Protection of Children and Adolescents. These rights. by the way, include the right to life conception. Abortion in Venezuela is currently illegal except in cases where the mother’s life is in danger. Penalties range from six months to two years in prison for women who seek abortions and two to three years for medical personnel who perform them. Also the right to live as a family, with priority on the biological family. Right to identity: Includes the right to a name, nationality and knowledge of family origin.

This year, Children’s Day fell on July 19, the seventh Sunday after Trinity. We held vacation Bible school on the preceding Thursday and Friday with the theme “Rescatados por Cristo para su gloria” (“Rescued by Christ for His glory”). A dozen children attended the first day and 17 the second day, mostly Luz Maria’s afterschool tutoring students, plus friends and family that they had invited.

Bible stories were the crossing of the Red Sea (Exodus 14) and the Apostle Peter being saved from drowning by Jesus as our Lord walked on the water of the Sea of Galilee (Matthew 14:22-33). The miracle of Jesus walking on water is also recorded in Mark 6:45-52 and John 6:15-21, but only Matthew includes the detail of Peter walking on the water toward Jesus until overcome by doubt. The crossing of the Red Sea is referenced in Hebrews 11:29 as an example of faith, but the example of Peter shows we are not saved by the strength of our faith, but by the power of the object of our faith, Jesus. In 1 Corinthians 10:1-4, St. Paul makes a direct comparison between the crossing of the Red Sea and baptism, and, while St. Peter does not describe his own experience, he speaks of being saved by the Lord’s action in baptism as Noah and his family were saved from the waters of the Great Flood (1 Peter 3:20-21).
 

The Feeding of 4,000
and fried rice

Sixteen children also attended the July 19 service, where we distributed school supplies to all and prizes to those who did the best at memory work. The service was followed by a meal of fried rice with chicken (often called “arroz chino” or “Chinese rice” and a birthday cake for Elzo Meza, one of the students.

The  theme fit in well with the Gospel reading appointed for the seventh Sunday after Trinity, Mark 8:1-9, St. Mark’s account of the miraculous feeding of 4,000 people. In Matthew 15:32-39 as well, Jesus walking on the water is sandwiched between the feeding of the 5,000, mentioned in all four Gospels, and the feeding of the 4,000. In both cases, the multiplication of loaves and fishes prefigures the institution of the Lord’s Supper (the Lord gives thanks, eucaristia, breaks bread and gives it to His disciples to distribute), while the multitudes following Jesus into the desert reveal that He is the Prophet greater than Moses (Deuteronomy 18:18). The difference being that the feeding of the 5,000 was for a predominantly Jewish crowd, while the feeding of the 4,000 took place in non-Jewish territory, indicating the Gospel was first for the Jews, then all nations.

The following week (July 20-24), we made our kitchen available for Luz Maria's sisters, Deniece Vergara and Rosaura Castillo, to prepare more chicken and fried rice for 55 students graduating from the main preschool in La Caramuca. Deniece is a certified gourmet chef and runs a restaurant, "La Mazorka", with her husband and daughter.

The banner we used to advertise our vacation Bible school online was designed by Anyi Garrido, Luz Maria’s granddaughter. Starting in September, Anyi will begin her last year of “liceo” (equivalent to high school). She completed an extracurricular course in graphic design, as well as earning the second-highest grades in her class.

Señora safe and sound

We give thanks for the safe return of Rita Zapata from receiving cancer treatment in Barquisimeto, which is about three hours north of us. Rita was staying at “Cristo es Amor” (Christ is Love) Lutheran Church when the double earthquake struck on June 24. Barquisimeto was much closer to the epicenter so she experienced the walls and her bed shaking, but was unharmed.

Earthquake recovery continues
 

Venezuela as a whole continues to recover from the devastating earthquakes. Therefore, Global Lutheran Outreach has expanded its Venezuela relief program to include help for earthquake victims, as well as continuing the shipment of non-prescription medicines from Chile. To find out more, please visit the GLO earthquake relief page.

Luz Maria's daughter named deaconess

On August 1, 2026, Luz Maria's daughter, Yepci Santana, was consecrated as a deaconess at "Castillo Fuerte: Casa de Misericordia" ("Mighty Fortress: House of Mercy") in La Victoria (Lima), Peru. Yepci is director in charge of the afterschool program, assisting 40 children  , sports, musicin, crafts, cooking and workshops on Christian values, national identity, coexistence and personal improvement.

On July 11, Luz Maria and I had our first meeting, via Zoom videoconference, with the Reverend André Luiz Müller, GLO regional director for Latin America. Born in Brazil and raised in Paraguay, André has more than two decades of church and missionary service. He credits the support of his faith and his family—his wife Maíra Ferrari Reis and their three children, Helena, Martín, and Francisco—with helping him carry out his responsibilities. For more information, see his GLO page.

Consecrate a fast (Joel 2:15)

“Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly” (Matthew 6:16-18).

At first glance, this might seem an odd Gospel reading for Ash Wednesday. Making the sign of the cross on one’s forehead with ashes is what this verse forbids. Or, is it? In Matthew 6:5-15, our Lord gives similar instructions on prayer: “But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.” This is followed by Matthew’s account of Jesus teaching His disciples the Lord’s Prayer, which Christians all over the world and for hundreds of years have prayed in public as well as in private. There are other verses in Scripture to meet regularly to pray and worship God regularly and as openly as possible (Hebrews 10:23-25: 1 Timothy 2:1-7).

In fact, St. Matthew begins the entire section by saying, “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise, you have no reward from your Father in heaven” (Matthew 6:1). “Charitable deeds” is a translation of δικαιοσύνην (dikaiosynēn: righteousness, justice) which refers to good works in general. Yet in 1 Peter 2:12 we are told, “Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.”

Then Matthew 6:2 reads, “Thus, when you give to the needy (ἐλεημοσύνην, eleēmosynēn) sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.” Yet 2 Corinthians 9:13 describes the gathering of offerings for the poor and for the work of the kingdom as “proof of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the Gospel of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and with all men.” From the earliest days of the church, offerings have been brought forward and placed on the altar as sacrifices of thanksgiving during public worship.

Our Lord is addressing what we would today call “virtue signaling”, ostentatious displays of piety without genuine faith in God. “Sees in secret (κρυπτῷ; kryptō)” implies seeing that which is hidden, or within the heart.

The outward acts, even giving away all one’s possessions to the poor avail nothing if not done in sincere faith and love (1 Corinthians 13:3). They do not gain for us salvation, nor blessing from the Lord. But if done in faith and love, and in common confession with others, not drawing attention to ourselves as individuals, they testify to God’s love and mercy.

One suggested Old Testament lesson for Ash Wednesday, Jonah 3:1-10, illustrates the ancient association of sackcloth and ashes with a fast, or time of repentance, and the other, Joel 2:12-19, speaks of the entire people of God declaring a season of fasting.

We began our observance of Lent on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, with a vespers service of public confession and absolution with the imposition of ashes. Our catechism teaches that we may confess our sins before the congregation as part of the liturgy, or to the pastor in private. Either way we have the assurance that the word of absolution are as sure as if we heard them directly from the Lord Himself.

The imposition of ashes is a more elaborate form of making the sign of the cross, which Lutherans have done since the 16th Century. Martin Luther strongly encouraged Christians to make the sign of the cross as a daily devotional practice. He also retained the practice at the beginning of the service as Trinitarin invocation, during baptism, confession and absolution, during the Lord’s Supper and the closing benediction. Luther viewed the sign not as superstition but as a spiritual weapon against the devil and a proclamation of faith in Christ’s victory on the cross. He believed it strengthened the conscience and reminded believers of God’s promises. Ashes remind us of our sinful nature that will not pass away until we die physically. “For dust you are, and to dust you shall return” (Genesis 3:19).

Third cycle of deaconess program

Luz Maria has again been asked to mentor deaconess students in the third cycle of the diaconal program offered by Concordia Seminary "El Reformador" in the Dominican Republic. On Tuesday, March 3, we partipicated in an online orientation meeting for "Practical Diaconal Guidance I". Exis Freites and Mineida García, ladies of "Prince of Peace" Lutheran Church, Sierra Caroní, represented Venezuela among the more than 50 women from other Latin American countries.  Concordia Seminary "El Reformador", established in 2017 by the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, serves Spanish -speaking Lutherans from all over Central and South America by training pastors and deaconesses . 

Pray for victims of tragedy in Chile
We received word from our fellow Global Lutheran Outreach (GLO) missionary, Pastor Adrian Ventura, that on Thursday, February 19, a truck carrying liquefied gas overturned, spilling its entire cargo onto an avenue in the Renca district of Santiago, Chile. Following the spill, a raging fire engulfed several cars, including their occupants; four people died at the scene, and several others suffered burns over 90 percent of their bodies. One of the young men caught in the flames was Luis Miguel Gómez, a Venezuelan and son of Belkis Mendoza, a member of “Cristo es Amor” (Christ is Love) Lutheran Church in Barquisimeto. Luis passed away on Wednesday, February 25, at the Workers' Hospital. Belkis was able to obtain a humanitarian visa and spend her son Luis's final days with him. We ask for your prayers for the Gómez Mendoza family, who are grieving the loss of a loved one.

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.

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).

Pray to the Lord of the harvest

On February 22, 2026, we celebrated the thirtieth anniversary of our sister congregation, Corpus Christi Lutheran Church, at its current location in the city of Barinas. Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod missionaries began evangelistic work in Barinas began in 1983. The Lutheran Mission in Barinas, as it was known, congregated in various places, including the house of Luz María's mother, Carmen Rivero de Henríquez, and alternately at Luz María's house in La Caramuca, approximately 12.8 kilometers east of the center of the city of Barinas. With the help of missionary Pastor Rudolph Blank, the congregation obtained its own premises, inaugurated on February 19, 1995.

Three of Luz María's children, Pedro, Charli and Sarai, were baptized in the Corpus Christi sanctuary. Two of her grandchildren, Aaron and Oriana Montoya, children of Yepci, her eldest daughter, and Eliezer Montoya, were also baptized there. The Corpus Christi congregation supported my pastoral formation through my ordination in 2008. Regrettably, since Pastor Raimundo Brito left the country in 2024, Corpus Christi does not have a full-time pastor. That is why it was an honor for me to lead the Divine Service on this important occasion.

The leaders of Corpus Christi are waiting to meet with the pastoral counselor of our Western Zone to decide who they might call as pastor. The Lutheran Church of Venezuela as a whole does not have enough pastors to fill all existing pulpits, much less establish new missions in unreached parts of the country. Let us pray that the Lord of the harvest raises up a pastor for the Lutheran Church “Corpus Christi” and faithful pastors who will preach and teach the Gospel throughout Venezuela.

The Word gives life

I read and preached on the appointed Scripture readings for Sexagesima Sunday (that means “60 days before Easter”). The common theme is this: The Word of God is filled with His omnipotent power, and the Holy Spirit is active in it and through it. We must understand this to be true for the divinely inspired Scripture read privately or preached publicly. Hebrews 4:9-14 says that the word of God is living and active and also sharp, penetrating, and judging. To the believer these are comforting words, but to the unbeliever, terrifying words. The image in Isaiah 55:10-13 is the Word of God as life-giving rain that causes crops to grow and bear fruit. In the parable of Luke 8:4-15, a sower went out to sow his seed. In this case, the Word of God is the seed that gives life. The image is that of a farmer who scatters seed upon the earth every year with new diligence and hope, just as the patience and kindness of the heavenly sower does not tire despite much seemingly wasted labor.

Giving thanks for life and loved ones

On Sunday, February 23, we celebrated together with our youth group the birthday of one of the most faithful members of our mission, Sotera del Carmen Zapata. She is now 84 years old, the same age as my mother. Her sister, Rita, is the other grandmother to Aaron, Oriana and also Elias Montoya. Elias was the first child to be baptized at our mission on June 25, 2005. The other two siblings of Sotera and Rita were present for the birthday party, but Aaron, Oriana and Elias live with their mother in Lima, Peru. I told Luz Maria how in our family, not only the siblings of our parents, but also the siblings of our grandparents were known to us as “Aunt” or “Uncle”. Luz Maria replied that because of the exodus of 7.7 million Venezuelans to other countries, many young Venezuelans may not have the blessing of being that familar with their extended families.

A window on the New Testament
Luz Maria continues to mentor Venezuelan women enrolled in the deaconess training program developed by Concordia El Reformador Seminary in the Dominican Republic and presented here by the Juan de Frias Theological Institute. The current online course, “Luke-Acts: A window on the New Testament”, looks at two central books that articulate the narrative of the redemptive work of Christ and the beginning of the Christian church. The study of these two books will help to understand the main doctrines of the New Testament. At the same time, the course provides the opportunity to practice fundamental principles of the interpretation of the Holy Scriptures. About 50 women are enrolled in the course.

Widening our circles of mission

Since 2003 we have relied on a small circle of individuals and congregations who have supported Epiphany Lutheran Mission through prayer and donations. Most of our partners continue with us to this day and we thank God for them. As we face a future filled with opportunities as well as challenges, we would like to include more people in our circle. We would love to answer questions about our mission in person, but it is uncertain when we might be able to travel outside Venezuela (the last time was in 2019). However, there are many videoconferencing options (well, except for Skype, as of the end of May).

You can partner with us in a variety of ways. Either one-time or regular donations are welcome. One approach that works for many Global Lutheran Outreach missionaries is the formation of local groups who meet regularly to combine prayer, Bible study on cross-cultural missions and fundraising. GLO has developed a guide to forming such a group that I would be happy to send by e-mail upon request.

You also may help us widen our circle of mission by sharing information about our work. Anyone may subscribe to this newsletter. We also have a Spanish-language Web site and Facebook page, as well as an English-language blog. My sermons (in Spanish) are published weekly on Spotify and YouTube. Anyone may donate to our mission online at Global Lutheran Outreach.