New mission project for Lutheran schools & Sunday schools:
“How Can I Understand?” Bible storybooks for children in Ethiopia
2,000 years ago, the Ethiopian eunuch couldn’t understand what the Bible was teaching. As he sat in his chariot puzzling over the Book of Isaiah, God sent His disciple, Philip, to help. Today, Ethiopian children have the same problem. And just like Philip, your Sunday school, VBS or Lutheran day school students can help!
For children, the Bible’s hundreds of pages can seem overwhelming. They need books, written on their level, to introduce them to the love of Jesus. For young children, brightly illustrated, easy-to-read Bible storybooks can tell them in a simple way about the Savior Jesus and how He died for them. For teens who are old enough to start reading the Bible for themselves, Luther’s Small Catechism answers the question first posed centuries by the Ethiopian “What does for thisthese mean?” At St. Paulago Lutheran High School ineunuch: more digestible students,” Concordia, Missouri, international stu- Lutheran Colwellschools said. “Then theyschools gradThere are hundreds of Ethiopian andonce Sunday dents arewith learning theyoung Lutheran faith and goface backahome, takingthey the packed eager students, butuate teachers dilemma: through LHF-translated catechisms books back to share with family have no Bible storybooks from which to teach. From week to week,memthey thanks to a Thrivent Financial Action bers is a big deal.” must make do with teaching the lessons to the children orally. Team grant. When learning about SPLHS, “I saw “We call ourselves a global mission a real opportunity for these students in the heart of Missouri,” explained to have good Lutheran literature in Even the smallest Sunday can every–$5 Clint Colwell, admissions directorschools at theirhelp. own For language both for studySPLHS. “We have just over 200 stuing and for taking home with them,” your students can send to LHF, we can print a Bible dents, and 60 them Catechism come from 17in the languages said Rev. Rod storybook orofSmall ofBenkendorf, LHF develdifferent countries.” opment associate. Ethiopia, such as Amharic, Oromo, Kambaata, The international students As a Thrivent member, Rev. BenkenHadiyya, and many more!come to SPLHS from a variety of religious dorf knew he could apply for a $250 backgrounds, but while at the school, Action Team Grant, which Thrivent ofthey are required to take a Lutheran fers to all members as seed money for To order your freesemester. Resource Kit (including a shortfundraiser, service activity religion class each Many a one-time DVDlittle about the project, bulletin photos, have or no knowledge of the boardor educational event that will make a Christian faith. activities), call LHF at positive impact in the community. and classroom “So to have the 10 Rev. Benkendorf completed the (800)554-0723 orCommandments send an email with your and theirchurch/school meanings in their own heart short application for the $250 Action name, and shipping language makes the material a little Team gift card, which he then used address to info@LHFmissions.org.
Your students can help change that – for just $5 per child!
Order your FREE Ethiopia Resource Kit:
to order more than two dozen books from the LHF website.
SPECIAL EVENT SEED MONEY Other Thrivent members have chosen to use their Action Team seed money to cover the costs of a special event, which in turn raises awareness and support of the LHF mission. In November 2018, the Thumb East and West Circuits of the Michigan District hosted an educational mission rally, attended by more than 300 people. A Thrivent member applied for an Action Team grant and used the $250 seed money to purchase food for the event. The freewill donation collected at the dinner is helping LHF to publish Lutheran books for the people of Ukraine. “We have found that Thrivent is ready and willing to support projects,
WE’RE NEARLY THERE!
LUTHERAN HERITAGE FOUNDATION 51474 Romeo Plank Rd. Macomb, MI 48042 ■ 1-800-554-0723 ■ info@LHFmissions.org ■ www.LHFmissions.org ■
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“The Word at Work” is the official publication of the Lutheran Heritage Foundation. Permission is hereby granted to excerpt from this publication for not-for-profit purposes. The Lutheran Heritage Foundation is a Recognized Service Organization of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. LHF translates, publishes, distributes and introduces confessional Lutheran materials throughout the world so that people can be brought to Christ. LHF is not subsidized by the LCMS or any other church body. It is entirely supported by individual donations and grants. (“Word at Work” staff: Rev. Dr. Matthew Heise, executive editor; Jennifer Bagnall, managing editor and graphic design)
