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.

Peace to this house and all who dwell here

 

On August 29, I blessed the new house of Adonay and Ludy Tarazona, members of Corpus Christi Lutheran Church, our sister congregation in the city of Barinas. Corpus Christi currently does not have a regular pastor and since I have known the Tarazonas for 21 years, they invited me to do it. Adonay and Ludy first met in Sunday school at Corpus Christi. They have three children who all still live with them.

The Rev. Ross Johnson, a former missionary to Venezuela, points out that the speaking of a blessing, or benediction, conveys the message of God's mercy and grace in private situations as well and the Divine Service. The blessing of a home as a Christian ritual has a long history. It is often done during the Epiphany season, with customs associate with Epiphany, because of Matthew 2:11. "And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary, His mother, and fell down and worshipped Him." As the Gospel lesson for the blessing of Adonay and Ludy's new home, I read Matthew 7:24-29, which is the parable of the house built on rock versus that built on sand.

More medicines from GLO, Lutherans in Chile

On Sunday, August 11, 2024, we distributed the 12th shipment of over-the-counter medications sent as part of Global Lutheran Outreach’s Venezuela Relief Project. During the project’s initial years (2017-2020), many pharmaceutical companies ceased operations in Venezuela, and medicine had almost ceased to be available at local pharmacies. We still live in an inflationary economy with chronic shortages, but medicine is more readily available although at high prices. Many Venezuelans must decide on a monthly basis between medicine and food for the family.

Since 2017, the base of operations for the Venezuela Relief Project has been Divina Providencia (Divine Providence) Lutheran Church in Santiago, Chile. This congregation is affiliated with the Confessional Lutheran Church of Chile. Medicines are purchased in Chile with the cooperation of a local pharmacy. Then volunteers at the congregation, many of them Venezuelan immigrants to Chile, collate the orders and prepare them for shipment.We give thanks to God for this ministry and also pray that it might continue. As the Rev. James Tino, director of Global Lutheran Outreach (GLO), explained in a recent newsletter, the congregation rents its facilities for around US $2,000 per month, or about double the average monthly wage in Chile).

The congregation has been struggling to meet rent payments and their current rental contract will soon expire. At this point, a suitable property in Santiago will cost around US $450,000 for a basic building, or US $850,000 for one that can house the church and the pastor's family, while also having space for some income-producing activity.

The Rev. Adrian Ventura is the current pastor of Divina Providencia. I first met him in 2002 when he was the pastor of Cristo Rey (Christ the King) Lutheran Church in Maturín, Venezuela. In 2004, he began a second term as president of the Lutheran Church of Venezuela. He commissioned Luz Maria as a deaconess on the national level in 2004; in 2008 he ordained me as a pastor of the Lutheran Church of Venezuela. Since 2018, Pastor Adrian has served as a fellow GLO missionary in Chile.

The lights went out in Venezuela

For years we have to live with local and regional power outages. Typically, lights may go out at any moment of the day for perhaps 10 to 15 minutes, but sometimes for an hour or two. The country's power grid is in a poor state of maintenance and is more than 80 percent depended on a single power station. The Guri reservoir and hydroelectric facility was built on the Caroni River, near what had been the mouth of the Guri River and the village of Guri. The first stage of the facility was completed in 1969 and was designed to be enlarged in two additional stages, whose scheduling would be determined by national power needs. However, electrical demand in Venezuela grew so fast that stage two, begun in 1976, encompassed both later stages, and final work was completed in 1986. In its day the Guri power station was a marvel of engineering, but has had difficulty meeting the continually growing demand for electricity.

Death is swallowed up in victory

Carmen Henriquez de Rivero, celebrating her 92nd birthday with children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

"So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” 1 Corinthians 15:54

Carmen Henriquez de Rivero, Luz Maria’s mother, passed to eternal life on June 2, 2024, the second Sunday after Trinity, in Barrio El Cambio, Barinas, Venezuela. She was born on September 21, 1930, in Las Bonitas, Ciudad Bolívar, a city located in southeastern Venezuela on the banks of the Orinoco River. She would later live in the Venezuelan states of Apure and Guarico (Luz Maria was born in Valle de Pascua, Guarico), but lived nearly the latter half of her life in the city of Barinas. She had eight children, of whom seven survive, and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In the 1980s, she became part of the nucleus of the original Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod (LCMS) mission in Barinas. She joined the Lutheran Church along with four of her children: Luz Maria, Rosaura, Moisés and Robert. Eventually she and Rosaura joined a Baptist congregation, although Roamird Castillo, Rosaura’s son, remains a member of Corpus Christi (Body of Christ) Lutheran Church in Barrio El Cambio, and now serves as secretary and legal adviser to the national Lutheran Church of Venezuela. Señora Carmen continued to welcome LCMS missionaries in her home and always supported our mission in La Caramuca. When, in her last years, we would look after her at the mission for a few days at a time, she would insist on attending our Sunday morning service, even though she had to be carried up the stairway to our sanctuary. (Our sanctuary is on the second floor, because the civil law requires the preschool to be on ground level.) She would teach the young people and their parents some of her sewing skills, which included making dolls from whatever scraps of fabric, buttons and other household materials might be available. 

As her health began to deteriorate more rapidly, the family often would call me to pray with her and anoint her with oil, according to James 5:14-16. “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” We would pray with her and sing her favorite hymns, then I would hear her confession and apply olive oil to her forehead in the sign of the cross to recall the promise of eternal life in baptism. This was always done as if it might be the last time, but she nevertheless feel much better afterward. The most dramatic occasion was on June 1, when she refused to eat or drink, or move from her bed, seeming barely conscious. After our period of prayer, she immediatel sat up and, with assistance, walked to the table to eat and drink. However, this would be the last time, as she died peacefully the following morning. 

Following Venezuelan custom, the body was prepared for a wake (velorio) that lasted through the night until burial the next morning. I conducted a funeral service in the home for the Lutheran members of the family, including members of our mission in La Caramuca. 

How to give shelter from the storm 

With the deaconesses of the Lutheran Church of Venezuela. 

On June 25, Luz Maria and I traveled to another city on the Orinoco River, Puerto Ordaz, 67 miles (108 kilometers) east of Ciudad Bolívar. In 1961, Puerto Ordaz united with San Félix de Guayana, an older port on the Caroni River, to form the metropolitan complex of Ciudad Guayana, or Guayana City. The name is derived from the Guiana Highlands, a region of forested plateau and low mountains that covers the southern half of Venezuela, nearly all of the Guianas (three nations to the east of Venezuela), the northern part of Brazil, and a portion of southeastern Colombia. Ciudad Guayana is located at the confluence of the Orinoco and Caroni, the most economically important rivers in Venezuela. Ciudad Guayana also is home to the Guri Reservoir and Power Station, a hydroelectric facility that provides electricity for the major part of Venezuela’s public power grid. 

We were met at the airport in Valencia (four hours drive northeast of Barinas) by women from the cities of Barquisimeto and Maracay, and Eliezer Mendoza, pastor of Cristo es Amor (Christ is Love) Lutheran Church, Barquisimeto, and director of the Juan de Frias Theological Institute, and his wife and deaconess, Ginnatriz. Our group flew from Valencia to Puerto Ordaz, where we were hosted for the night by members of Fuente de Vida (Fountain of Life) Lutheran Church. On the morning of June 26, we boarded a bus to a secluded campground for three days of intensive coursework for both graduates and currently enrolled students of the three-year deaconess program sponsored by the Juan de Frias Institute and Concordia El Reformador Seminary in the Dominican Republic. In addition to Barinas, Barquisimeto and Maracay, there were women who represented our congregations in Caracas, Barcelona, Maturín, and other congregations in Ciudad Guayana. 

The 15 women currently enrolled in the deaconess program received instruction in the theological fundamentals of the diaconal ministry. This course was taught by Sergio Maita, who serves as the pastor “Pan de Vida” Lutheran Church in Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic, and who also is a faculty member at Concordia El Reformador Seminary. In Acts 6 we find the first example of the apostles delegating mercy work to responsible laymen. While the primary ministry of the church is preaching of the Word and administration of the sacraments, the fruit of this ministry is good works that demonstrate God’s grace and mercy to the world (Matthew 5:16; Ephesians 2:10; James 1:27). While the pastoral office was instituted by the Lord Himself and neither its requirements nor its responsibilities may change, the auxiliary offices instituted by the church and their responsibilities may change to fit the circumstances of a particular place and time. 

Sergio was born in Maturín, Venezuela, and was raised as a member of Cristo Rey (Christ the King) Lutheran Church there. Sergio and I were ordained together with Eduardo Flores, pastor of La Santa Trinidad (Holy Trinity) Lutheran Church in Caracas, and president of the Lutheran Church of Venezuela, December 13, 2008, at El Salvador (Savior) Lutheran Church in Caracas. Yoxandris, Sergio’s wife, designed and made the liturgical stoles that I wear.

Gustavo Arturo Maita, Sergio’s brother, taught the 26 deaconess program graduates in a more advanced study of responding to natural disasters. Arturo currently the pastor of Príncipe de Paz (Prince of Peace) Lutheran Church in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, and is director of disaster response for the Puerto Rican Lutheran mission. Since he took the call to Puerto Rico, the island has been hammered by hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017; earthquakes in late 2019 and early 2020, and the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020-21; Hurricane Fiona in 2022; and in May 2024 Puerto Rico’s governor declared a state of emergency following heavy rains, widespread flooding and landslides. 

Arturo had a little trouble getting his PowerPoint presentation projector up and running, but received some unexpected help in illustrating the desperation of people caught in natural disasters. On the afternoon of June 29, a thunderstorm brought strong winds and torrential rain, resulting in a loss of electricity to the campground. There was no backup generator and the campground’s electric water pumps were no longer able to replenish the water supply. Thanks be to God, power was restored later that evening. 

Arturo brought a wealth of printed material about organized disaster response. It was translated into Spanish from material developed by LCMS Disaster Response. After the seminar, many of the women who returned to their homes near Venezuela's northeastern coast expressed their gratitude for all of the information, as Hurricane Beryl, the first storm of the 2024 hurricane season, brushed Venezuela, causing heavy rain and wind, flooding and power outages. Two deaths were reported in northern Venezuela’s Sucre state, where authorities said another five people are unaccounted for and a total of 25,000 have been affected by heavy rains, winds and river flooding from the outer bands of the storm. Venezuela’s Vice President Delcy Rodríguez was injured after being hit by a falling tree while visiting one of the affected towns. 

Good fences make good neighbors

 In our case, we built a stout fence as a gesture of good will toward the civil authorities. There is the possibility that we may be allowed to expand our preschool program to allow more children to attend (there is a waiting list). But we were told fencing the steeper section of our property was a prerequisite. The property is in the shape of the letter L. The short leg of the L, parallel to the street, is where we now have our house, church/school, playground and outbuildings. The long leg slopes down toward the river, and is where we have our well and plantings of fruits and vegetables. If it was cleared off and if there was ever snow, it would be a terrific sledding hill. But not in 20 years has anyone fallen down and hurt themselves on it. But we built it, and now we have the advantage of keeping our growing chicken flock out of everyone’s way. They have a back door to their chicken house by which they come and go.

The Lord's house as refuge

The introit for the second Sunday of the Eastertide (April 7 this year) is taken from 1 Peter 2:2: “As newborn babes desire the pure milk of the Word.” Here is how it is rendered in Latin: Quasi modo geniti infantes, rationabile, sine dolo lac concupiscite. That is why, in Victor Hugo’s classic novel, “The Hunchback of Notre Dame”, a deformed newborn left on the doorstep of the cathedral on the Sunday after Easter is given the name “Quasimodo”. He is taken in because caring for widows and orphans is something Christians have always done (James 1:27). So I think of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” every time Quasimodo Geniti Sunday rolls around.

But other people may be less interested in the origin of the hunchback’s name and more in that great dramatic moment when Quasimodo rescues Esmeralda from the murderous crowd and carries her to the cathedral, crying, “Sanctuary! Sanctuary!” This also resonated with me this month as we discussed with our youth Bible study group the church as a refuge for both the spiritually and physically afflicted.

Quasimodo claimed for Esmeralda the “right of sanctuary” for fugitives unjustly accused of crimes until they could obtain a fair hearing. When the Roman Empire in the fourth century A.D. granted Christians the right to build public houses of worship, churches offered temporary shelter to such people under certain conditions. This perhaps was inspired by the Old Testament law which established “cities of refuge” within the land of Israel. The descriptions of the cities of refuge are found in the Numbers 35:5-34; Deuteronomy 4:41-43; 19:1-13; and Joshua 20:1-9. Passing references to these cities are found in Joshua 21:13, 21, 27, 32, 38; and in 1 Chronicles 6:57, 67.

By the early Middle Ages, the right of sanctuary in churches was written into law throughout Christian Europe. In continental Europe the right of sanctuary, though much restricted in the 16th century, survived until the French Revolution. Although the medieval right of sanctuary never had the force of law in the United States, it provided the basis for modern notions of asylum for religious and political refugees.

There are Christian organizations that minister in a Scripture-based and legal way to the spiritual and material needs of Venezuelans who have fled their native land, and we give thanks for those efforts. But we are not in agreement, or in fellowship with organizations that facilitate illegal entry into the USA or any other country by Venezuelans or any other nationality. Rather, we provide a refuge for those who remain in Venezuela, a safe place to receive Christian education, needed food and medicine, and Word and sacrament ministry for the strength to live in faith, hope and love amid suffering.

Nutrition crisis continues

On April 22, 2024 we received a visit from Dr. Tibisay Medina (nutritionist), Dr. Yesika Flores (general practitioner) and registered nurses, Thais Castillo and Charly Zerpa: all of this on the occasion of a day of vaccination, and nutritional and medical attention to the boys and girls of our preschool. As a result of the day, we found that 16 of our 28 enrolled students between the ages of one year and three years showed signs of acute malnutrition. This is a reflection of Venezuela’s continuing nutrition crisis.

According to a 2021 article published in “The Lancet”, a peer-reviewed medical journal, high food insecurity present in more than 80 percent of Venezuelan households affects children under five and of school age. The World Food Program's 2020 food security assessment on Venezuela, recognized that food security is a countrywide concern, and that nearly one household out of five has an unacceptable level of food consumption. Surveillance reports from Caritas Venezuela show that acute global malnutrition in children under five has increased by 73 percent during the COVID-19 pandemic. Even in 2017, a study by Bengoa Foundation for Food and Nutrition and Andres Bello Catholic University, reported that 33 percent of children between 0 and 2 years old were already stunted in their growth. Although Venezuela’s inflationary economy has stabilized for the time being, minimum wage is by far the lowest in Latin America. It is barely enough to buy a loaf of bread and a liter of milk, four rolls of toilet paper, or 30 pills of generic hypertension medication. It is not enough to pay for a home’s electricity, water and telephone services. Some 50 percent of Venezuelan households live in poverty, according to a national poll carried out by Andres Bello Catholic University, and 41 percent of those polled said they skip one meal per day.

At our preschool we prepare two balanced meals, breakfast and lunch, Monday through Thursday, for the children who attend. We delivered food packages to the families of our enrolled students even when classes were suspended due to the COVID-19 crisis. The preschool receives a certain amount of food from the United Nations World Food Program, which began delivering food baskets to schools in Venezuela in 2021. We also supply the preschool with our homegrown fruits, vegetables, eggs and chickens, and with food that we purchase thanks to donations from mission societies, congregations and individuals in the United States. Please consider supporting this work with an online donation!

A tribute to Venezuelan women

Concordia El Reformador Seminary in the Dominican Republic recently reported the results of its deaconess formation program from 2017 to 2014, noting 35 graduates from Venezuela and 23 Venezuelan women currently enrolled, both amount greater than any of the other countries involved. Luz Maria continues to mentor these women. In April, we participated with them in three online conferences:

• A Bible study on the role of women in the church hosted by the Martin Luther Institute of Mexico, led by Dr. Roberto Bustamante of Concordia El Reformador Seminary;

• A Bible study on Deuteronomy, presented by Joel Fritsche, previously a member of the Concordia El Reformador faculty and now director of vicarage and deaconess internships and assistant professor of exegetical theology at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis;

• A Bible study on stewardship presented by Theodore Krey, region director for Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod mission in Latin America and the Caribbean;

• A meeting between mentors of the deaconess program in 10 countries and the faculty of Concordia El Reformador Seminary.

In response to a question from Teresa Leombruni of Caracas, Pastor Krey gave a moving tribute to the women of Venezuela. He praised their dedication to the deaconess program despite lack of reliable, high-speed access to the Internet, periodic power outages and difficulty in finding transportation to in-person classes, all while continuing to serve the national church through works of mercy.

Roosters crow like clockwork

One of the most poignant moments in the Passion story is when the Apostle Peter realizes that he has denied his Lord three times before a rooster in the vicinity of Pilate’s courtyard has finished calling the watches of the night. Listening for cockcrow as a way of marking the passage of time between midnight and dawn is an ancient and worldwide practice. Roosters will crow several times soon after midnight, and again at the dawn of day. The birds have an internal rhythm that tells them when to crow. Although roosters can occasionally crow at any time of day, the majority of their crowing is like clockwork, peaking in frequency at time intervals roughly 24 hours apart.

We have firsthand experience of this. Backyard chicken flocks are a staple in Venezuela, as they were in the rural South Dakota of my childhood. Once, during a Skype call, my mother, who grew up on a farm, heard one of our roosters crowing and closely guessed its age by the tone of its crow. I was quite impressed.

Besides the crowing rooster in the parallel Gospel accounts of Peter’s denial of Christ, our Lord speaks of a rooster in Mark 13:35. Hens and their chicks are mentioned in Matthew 23:37 and Luke 13:34. There are no clear references to chickens in the Old Testament. The Hebrew word, zarzir, in Proverbs 30:31 is sometimes translated “strutting rooster”, but other translations render it, “greyhound”, while in Job 38:36 the word, sekvi, also is of uncertain meaning. Sometimes it is translated as “rooster”, but otherwise as “heart”.
In 1932, an onyx seal was found on a tomb 12 kilometers northeast of Jerusalem, dating back to the the seventh century BC. It features a fighting rooster, with the inscription: “Belonging to Jaazaniah, servant of the King”. This could be the man named in 2 Kings 25:23 and Jeremiah 40:8.

Why roosters are worth the noise

Our flock has grown to 20 hens, two roosters and 60 chicks. We sacrificed four hens who were no longer laying (not in a propitiatory sense) for Easter dinner for our congregation. It has been some time since we have had to buy eggs (which are selling for $5 for a carton of 30). In fact, Luz Maria has sold eggs to people who want a farm-fresh, organic product. Once I got into an online debate with people who tried to tell me that it’s not worth the trouble to keep roosters. They are noisy, when there’s more than one, they fight over the hens, and hens will lay eggs anyway. But the hens are healthier when they maintain their natural reproductive cycle, you do not have to buy new hens to replace the ones that have stopped laying, and many people here consider eggs produced with the help of roosters to be of higher nutritional quality. In addition to providing eggs and meat, free-range chickens help us control termites and biting ants.

César Delgado confirmed on Easter Sunday

On Easter Sunday, March 31, 2024, we received into communicant membership César Miguel Delgado Rojas. He chose as his confirmation verse Isaiah 41:13, “For I, the LORD your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, Fear not, I will help you.” The second part of the book of Isaiah, chapters 40 to 66, is known as the Book of Consolations and pictures the restoration of the remnant of Israel, the messianic King, and the final glory of the Church. “Fear not, I will help you” or “Fear not, I am with you” is a favorite phrase of the prophet.

Deborah, woman of God
On March 8, 2024, we concluded “Old Testament I”, an online course for deaconesses in training, with a study of the Book of Judges. Deborah, prophetess, wife and judge, was a woman who loved Jehovah and his Word. God gave her wisdom from her and she used it for the good of her neighbors, giving them advice from her.

We know more about Deborah than about the five Old Testament prophetesses, including Miriam, Moses' sister; Huldah, advisor to King Josiah (2 Kings 22:8-20; 2 Chronicles 34:22-28); Isaiah's wife (Isaiah 8:3); and the mother of King Lemuel (Proverbs 31:1). Prophetesses mentioned in the New Testament include Anna, the widow who blessed the Baby Jesus in the temple (Luke 2:25-35); Philip's daughters (Acts 21:9); and the prophetesses of Corinth (1 Corinthians 11:5).

Although the Scriptures mention prophetesses, none were public speakers during a meeting of God's people or priests in his temple or apostles or pastors of the church. In fact, St. Paul's reference to prophetesses in 1 Corinthians 11 occurs in a passage that emphasizes the leadership role of a husband. The Scriptures always distinguish the roles of men and women. Women can proclaim God's Word publicly through song (like Miriam and Deborah) and privately through counsel. Furthermore, the Scriptures strictly warn against false prophetesses (Ezekiel 13:17) such as Noadiah (Nehemiah 6:14) and Jezabel (Revelation 2:20-23).

Continuing deaconess training

On March 19, the Rev. Dr. Sergio Fritzler from Concordia El Reformador Seminary in the Dominican Republic began the orientation of 16 pastor various countries for the next course, "Diaconal Practice 2" with a devotional on the mercy of God. The next step was the orientation of more than 40 women from Venezuela and other countries on March 21, 2024.

Medicines from GLO distributed

On Sunday, March 3, 2024, we distributed the bulk of non-prescription medicines received from Global Lutheran Outreach. The rest were distributed through in-person visits to those whose disabilities prevented them from leaving the house.

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.