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International Mission Trips 1. Orphan Grain Train shipped 256,608 “Kids Against Hunger” meals to Haiti on January 19 and again on January 26. The meals cost 25 cents each. If you would like to help with the continuing relief effort you can send monetary donations directly to Orphan Grain Train, PO Box 1466, Norfolk, Ne 68702-1466. Checks should be made payable to Orphan Grain Train and write “Haiti“ on the memo line.
2. Possible Mission Trips for 2010 Tanzania – early June – working in villages near Mwadui and the Ulowa area south of Isaka – east and south of Mwanza (Lake Victoria), Tanzania Contact Pastor Gillam for more information. Thailand – partnering with Lutheran Hour Ministries doing work in Bangkok and other areas of Thailand. Contact Pastor Gillam for more information. Russia and the Baltic countries in April to work with social ministries such as orphanages, prisons, hospitals, and nursing homes – trip is nearly full – contact Pastor Reehl for more information. Guatemala to work wit Servant's Heart Ministries with people who live near the dump in Guatemala City – Dates are open. Contact Jon Heinrich for more information. El Paso, Texas and Juarez, Mexico to work with the Ysleta Mission to conduct Bible schools had help with social ministries. Dates are open. Contact Jon Heinrich for more information. Alaska next July or August to teach Vacation Bible School. Contact Jon Heinrich for more information. All of the above trips except for Alaska require a valid current passport. Some scholarship money is available by application through the Trinity Mission Team and the Nebraska District Office. Fund raising efforts are also possible.
3. The Mission Team is looking for more people in our congregation who would like to be a part of this exciting and God-centered work of carrying out the “Great Commission” through our congregation. If you would like to be a part of our dynamic and active Mission Team, contact the church office at 382-0753 or Jon at 381-6327.
4. You are invited to join Pastor Ron Benson of First Lutheran Church (Papillion, NE) on an unforgettable encounter with your Christian heritage! This summer, he will be hosting an 11-day tour to Oberammergau, Germany for the Passion Play and will tour Germany following the footsteps of Martin Luther. The trip includes visits to Berlin, Wittenberg, Eisleben, Erfurt, Eisenach, Rudesheim, Mainz, Worms, Hedelberg, Rothenburg, Augsburg, Oberammergau and Munich.. The tour is July 21-31 and the tour cost (excluding air) is $3199 per person. The Passion Play only happens once every ten years, so don't miss out. Contact Pastor Benson if you would like to join him on this amazing tour or if you would like more information. He can be reached via e-mail at pastorron@1st-lutheran.org. _____________________________________________________________________________________
PAST MISSION TRIPS
Ysleta Lutheran Mission—El Paso, Texas – Juarez, Mexico -- a ‘heart for service on the border.' The members of the Ysleta Lutheran Mission team are back home. Our hearts are filled to the brim with Jesus' love for millions of people who have so little earthly goods but are eager to hear about this Jesus we are priviledged to know. We provided a VBS program for 316 children and 92 adults in 4 different locations in Juarez, Mexico. We also helped with projects around the YLM campus in El Paso. Thanks to everyone that helped us with support, donations and prayers. "May the people praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you." Psalm 67:3 __________ Pastor Revenel, Gonaives Haiti 2008 Following are some excerpts from an update on the situation in Gonaives, Haiti from Pastor Revenel Benoit, pastor of a Lutheran church there. Several years ago mission teams from Christ Lutheran in Lincoln and including some people from Trinity worked with Pastor Benoit to try to improve life for his parishioners. Recently, hurricanes have devastated the area. The story illustrates how we at Trinity continue to carry out the Lord's Great Commission. For many years our adult Bible study supported missions in Haiti with their offerings. Our support for the Orphan Grain Train has also assisted the people in Haiti. God is at work in Haiti. As the water has now receded in most parts of the City of Gonaives, the people now face the challenge of cleaning up all the mud inside and outside their homes; the whole city is busy cleaning up mud that is everywhere. Nearly all of the church buildings in town were flooded. For the past three weeks there have not been any church services in the whole city, and as a result the people's spiritual lives are way down. Most Christian are seeking a place to pray and worship the Lord, but no such place exists that is not filled with mud, yet the people are hungry for the Word of God. About three weeks ago (a week after the flood), I went to St. Marc to get food and water for my children. I had to walk most of the way. While I was there I went to a local bank. A friend of mine who was in line came over to greet me. He saw I had mud on my shoes and wet clothes, so he asked me, “Pastor, how are you?” I told him that things were very bad in the City of Gonaives. He then aske me, “Why are you still in Gonaives? You don't have to stay in that cursed city. You should leave.” He went on to remind me that I have a green card and that all of my children were born in the U.S. He encouraged me to leave Gonaives and go to the U.S. since most of my belongings were lost and my house is damaged. I looked at him and said, “I am not in Gonaives for myself. I live in Gonaives, and will continue to live there because God called me to be in the midst of the people to serve them in the ministry of His Word, while also assisting them with their social physical needs. I want to help them break the cycle of poverty that Satan is using against them.” He listened closely to what I said, then shook his head and left. Despite the fact that all of our family belongings are lost, and that we have not even had a bed to sleep in, we are not feeling alone. Despite the fact that I now have no operational vehicle to get around in to do ministry, I am not discouraged, and will continue to serve the people of Gonaives. I was encouraged by my dear brothers and sisters in the U.S. and Canada. Several of them called to encourage and assure me of their prayers and support. My ministry received some food for distribution from the International Red Cross and Haiti Lutheran Ministry and Mission Fund. I know there are brothers and sisters in both Canada and the U.S. who are working hard preparing pallets of food, health kits, clothing, and shoes to be sent down for the Haitian people. I know other Christian organizations are preparing to send down 20' and 40' containers of much needed items for the flood victims. That is why in the midst of this tragedy, I do not feel alone. I am assured of the Lord's presence in my ministry and that all things will work together for the good of we who love God. I am also assured by the support of my brothers and sisters in North America.
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