Urgent Need: Bibles in Spanish & English- posted April 7, 2008
YLM distributes
paperback Bibles as part of its Jail & Detention Center Ministries
as well as the television ministry. There continues to be a
tremendous weekly need for Bibles at the Border Patrol detention
center in El Paso, as new men arrive each week. We are quickly
running out! The jails and detention center require paperback
editions for security reasons. Spanish Bibles
are also needed at San Pablo Lutheran Church and the missions in
Mexico. The Bibles can be new or used; however they should be
in good condition.
If you are able to help,
you may follow the links above, place an order and have them shipped
to us at:
Ysleta Lutheran Mission
Human Care
301 S. Schutz Dr.
El Paso, TX 79907
Please
contact us and
let us know about your order or plans to send Bibles so we can update our need posting and
know that help is on the way. Thank you so much!
New Christian
Mariachi CD from YLM Friends: Mariachi Isai
Many visitors
to YLM a few years ago remember the Elizalde family (father, children, and
nephews) who all enrolled in music classes here and joined Mariachi San Pablo.
They have since formed their own independent family mariachi ministry and
travel widely. We are pleased to make their first professional CD
available for purchase here on our web site.
Buy your CD today!
Together with the University of
Texas, El Paso’s Omega Delta Phi Chapter, we were able to complete
the repairs of the roof and put up new walls inside the Rodriguez
family home. This home was the most affected that we have
served so far. The rain and flooding in 2006 affected interior and
exterior walls, roof, floors, and almost every aspect of this
family’s dwelling.
Ms. Rodriguez sees our intervention
as a blessing for her and her daughter Jasmine. The Love of Our Lord
has truly touched the life of this nine year-old girl. She was
diagnosed with a rare type of leukemia. Her prognosis was not very
promising, but her oncologist tried an innovative treatment that is
still under investigative clinical trial. The treatment and the Our
Lord’s immeasurable mercy has kept Jasmine alive to enjoy seeing her
humble home being repaired.
Michael and Marcia came to Ysleta
from Iowa to help specifically in our colonia project; however while
here, they assisted other projects of YLM as well. They
discovered our project from a posting on the El Paso’s United Way
Volunteer Solutions web page from which we have had a tremendous
response from persons interested in volunteering. Michael and
Marcia were camping in their RV somewhere in Arizona but felt they
could “do something better” and started surfing for opportunities
and stumbled upon our page. They were very excited to come, and they
started working at our sixth colonia home the morning after they
arrived at Ysleta Lutheran Mission.
We continue working at this site with great confidence that Our Lord
will continue sending the volunteers, such as Michael and Marcia, to
assist in achieving our goal to keep spreading His Word and love
through the restoration of these damaged houses.
In Jesus Christ,
Jorge L. Viramontes, project case worker
note: The Colonia Project is
a joint effort of YLM, Lutheran Social Services of the South, and
LCMS World Relief and Human Care-Disaster Response.
St. Paul's Lutheran Completes
15th Trip in 7 Years - posted March 20, 2008
In February 2008, St. Paul's Lutheran
Church, Des Peres, MO, had a team leading a Medical Clinic at San
Lucas and at Cristo Rey. They have been keeping records for their
clinics since 2005, and have had 1872 patient visits. Their February
trip was the 15th trip by St. Paul's since 2001, including youth,
VBS, building, and medical groups.
Music Ministry Students
Perform in Spring Recital - posted March 14,
2008
The boys, girls, teens, men, and
women of YLM's music classes came together on March 13th to perform
in a Spring Recital. Forty students were enrolled in the
violin, guitar, guitarron, trumpet, and voice classes. In
addition several have joined the beginning mariachi ministry:
Mariachi Adelante. Here are some pictures from the past
classes and recital:
Rev. Karl Heimer
Awarded Doctor of Divinity - posted March 2008
We have been informed that the Board
of Regents of Concordia University, Irvine, upon the recommendation
of its faculty, has voted unanimously to bestow on Rev. Karl Heimer
the Doctor of Divinity degree. The award is presented to
individuals who have "made significant contributions in the area of
churchmanship." The award will be formally presented this year
at a date to be determined. In response to the award letter,
Rev. Heimer said, "Like everything in my life, this is a gift from
God." Rev. Heimer has served as a LCMS pastor for 36 years.
The past 26 years have been in El Paso at San Pablo Lutheran Church
and Ysleta Lutheran Mission.
YLM Students Enroll in
Missionary Institute - posted
Feb. 26, 2008
On
January 14, 2008 the Lutheran Hispanic Missionary Institute opened
its doors for classes and seven students connected to ministries of
YLM have enrolled. Students who enrolled in the “Old Testament”
course are studying the scripture and how it relates to worship
today as we praise and glorify our Lord Jesus Christ. The “Worship &
Song” class is teaching students the fundamentals of worship and
liturgy and the importance of each component. As a final project,
students are designing and leading Spanish worship services for San
Pablo Lutheran Church during Lent. Also, every Friday, both classes
meet together to take exams and to complete a study on conflict
resolution. The students are excited to use this knowledge in
practical ways as they serve at YLM and the mission churches. By
learning more about God and what He’s done from the beginning of
time, they are becoming more comfortable teaching the Bible to
children, youth, and adults. God will use these students in a
marvelous new way as they continue to serve Him.
Photos from the Lutheran Hispanic Missionary
Institute dedication on January 4th:
Making a Building
into a CHURCH - posted Feb.
26, 2008
In December, St. Paul Lutheran from Caro, Michigan
brought 13 people to continue work on the new sanctuary in Anapra.
The LCMS Servant Event website is utilized by this group to include
people from other congregations. The group, who stayed in Anapra,
completed the wiring in the new sanctuary, insulated the ceiling and
installed drywall. The drywall was taped, textured and painted. A
platform was built for the altar as well as kneelers and communion
rails. What an accomplishment in one week! This is the same group
who put the roof on the new sanctuary this past May. Thanks to
this group and other groups who have worked on the project the past
few months, the structure looks like a sanctuary instead of just
another building. Several other projects remain to be done at the
mission campus in Anapra. Other buildings need repair & up keep as
well as small details that need to be completed to personalize this
worship space for the congregation.
Delivering More
Aid than Ever - posted Feb.
26, 2008
The
2007 Christmas outreach included the communities surrounding
Santisima Trinidad, San Francisco, San Marcos, Martin Lutero, Cristo
Rey, San Lucas and San Pablo Lutheran Church. 1138 toys, 433 jackets
and 504 health kits were given to those in need. In the brisk
December cold, 1,650 blankets were distributed and 1,825 food
baskets were given out in El Paso and Mexico. The Christmas
toy distribution was larger than ever and it was difficult to obtain
the necessary permits to transport donations into Mexico. Ultimately
the permits were acquired and all the toys, jackets, health kits and
blankets were delivered. This year, for the first time, UPS
employees sponsored Ysleta with toys for 101 children. They were
inspired by the many boxes of toys they were delivering from
churches to YLM. San Pablo Lutheran church members provided 75 toys,
employees from SAM Corps (a construction company) sponsored 36
children, and other individuals sponsored 68 children. What a
blessing! Fundacion Lucerna received 4 pallets of food
including enchilada sauce, chile, raisins and jalapenos. Sertoma
International (in Juarez) received 200 blankets, 42 hospital beds,
medical equipment, 10 boxes of disposable medical supplies, 15 boxes
of medications, 1 pallet of notebooks, 5 boxes of book bags, and 6
pairs of crutches.
Each month, the mariachi ministry of YLM makes it a
priority to visit nursing homes, and the residences of people who
would benefit from a special reminder of God’s love and grace. In
January, the mariachi visited the homes of two women to sing hymns
and some popular songs to them. One elderly woman was especially in
despair due to her illness and some deaths in her family. She
listened to the music from her bed near the front window of her home
as the mariachi singers came and serenaded her. Pastor Heimer stood
at her bedside, visited with her, prayed, and served her communion
at the end of the serenade. It was a moment of joy and assurance of
God's love. She passed away two days later and the mariachi group
played at her funeral at San Pablo Lutheran Church. It is beautiful
to see how God used His people as His voice of love and mercy for
Mrs. Rosas, her family, and neighbors. In times of struggle and
times of peace, these serenades from the mariachi group help remind
people that every day is a gift from God.
Detained by the Border
Patrol - posted Feb. 26,
2008
“Do you have a Spanish Bible that I can take with
me when they send me back to El Salvador?”
This question was asked after a worship service held at the U.S.
Border Patrol detainment center in El Paso. January 5th was the
first Saturday that Pastor Heimer and his son Stephen entered the
secure facility to lead a group of 60 men in weekly worship. The
Saturday worship service is held in both English and Spanish. After
each service, men return to their barracks and are allowed to keep
the song sheets, printed devotions, and Bibles we provide for their
daily use. People detained by the Immigration and Naturalization
Service are brought to this holding center from throughout the U.S.
to await trial and possible deportation. Men, women, and children
are sometimes held there for more than a year as they await their
court dates. Pastor Heimer commented on the services: “We go and
feed these men God’s Word. We have met men from Africa, China,
Mexico, and Latin America who attend. Perhaps God will use these
times of worship to plant seeds of faith and passion for Christ that
will reach others in their home countries.”
Stephen and Krysia Heimer’s first child, a son,
“Jaden Timothy” was born on February 4th. (6lb13.9oz) We praise God
for the new addition He has given to the family of these dedicated
staff of YLM. Stephen continues his pastoral studies through the
Cross Cultural Ministry Center and is serving as a vicar at San
Pablo Lutheran Church.
What Do Basketball &
Building Houses Have in Common?
- posted Feb. 26, 2008
The
answer is absolutely nothing unless you are part of the Mayer
Lutheran High School Mission Team. Mayer Lutheran H.S. brought 43
people, mainly high school students, to work on construction
projects in Anapra. Two homes were built on this trip. They were not
able to complete the stucco, but the materials were purchased for
the families to complete the work. In addition to construction, this
mission group did something very unique. They held a basketball
clinic for the neighborhood children. Thirty children showed up for
the clinic. Cory Curran, clinic leader, said it was a joy to watch
Lay Pastor Lozano with the kids because “He’s got a little game in
him.” Mayer Lutheran H.S. is establishing a long-term relationship
with the San Lucas Mission congregation as this is their third year
of serving. They are looking for ways to help the mission open a
school in Anapra.
.JPG)
.jpg "Preaching during the Christmas posada at San Pablo")
On
January 14, 2008 the Lutheran Hispanic Missionary Institute opened
its doors for classes and seven students connected to ministries of
YLM have enrolled. Students who enrolled in the “Old Testament”
course are studying the scripture and how it relates to worship
today as we praise and glorify our Lord Jesus Christ. The “Worship &
Song” class is teaching students the fundamentals of worship and
liturgy and the importance of each component. As a final project,
students are designing and leading Spanish worship services for San
Pablo Lutheran Church during Lent. Also, every Friday, both classes
meet together to take exams and to complete a study on conflict
resolution. The students are excited to use this knowledge in
practical ways as they serve at YLM and the mission churches. By
learning more about God and what He’s done from the beginning of
time, they are becoming more comfortable teaching the Bible to
children, youth, and adults. God will use these students in a
marvelous new way as they continue to serve Him. 
The
2007 Christmas outreach included the communities surrounding
Santisima Trinidad, San Francisco, San Marcos, Martin Lutero, Cristo
Rey, San Lucas and San Pablo Lutheran Church. 1138 toys, 433 jackets
and 504 health kits were given to those in need. In the brisk
December cold, 1,650 blankets were distributed and 1,825 food
baskets were given out in El Paso and Mexico. The Christmas
toy distribution was larger than ever and it was difficult to obtain
the necessary permits to transport donations into Mexico. Ultimately
the permits were acquired and all the toys, jackets, health kits and
blankets were delivered. This year, for the first time, UPS
employees sponsored Ysleta with toys for 101 children. They were
inspired by the many boxes of toys they were delivering from
churches to YLM. San Pablo Lutheran church members provided 75 toys,
employees from SAM Corps (a construction company) sponsored 36
children, and other individuals sponsored 68 children. What a
blessing! Fundacion Lucerna received 4 pallets of food
including enchilada sauce, chile, raisins and jalapenos. Sertoma
International (in Juarez) received 200 blankets, 42 hospital beds,
medical equipment, 10 boxes of disposable medical supplies, 15 boxes
of medications, 1 pallet of notebooks, 5 boxes of book bags, and 6
pairs of crutches.
- posted Feb. 26, 2008
The
answer is absolutely nothing unless you are part of the Mayer
Lutheran High School Mission Team. Mayer Lutheran H.S. brought 43
people, mainly high school students, to work on construction
projects in Anapra. Two homes were built on this trip. They were not
able to complete the stucco, but the materials were purchased for
the families to complete the work. In addition to construction, this
mission group did something very unique. They held a basketball
clinic for the neighborhood children. Thirty children showed up for
the clinic. Cory Curran, clinic leader, said it was a joy to watch
Lay Pastor Lozano with the kids because “He’s got a little game in
him.” Mayer Lutheran H.S. is establishing a long-term relationship
with the San Lucas Mission congregation as this is their third year
of serving. They are looking for ways to help the mission open a
school in Anapra.