LHF - The Word at Work; Vol. 30 No. 5

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Vol. 30, No. 5: September/October 2023

The WORD at WORK INSIDE:

PAGES 2-3: Making connections at the LCMS and LWML national conventions

Kenyan parents receive Swahili Bible storybooks

Reuniting families in Kenya Night was falling, and young Kitwana was nervous. Where would he sleep tonight, his first night on his own? He rubbed his eyes, recalling the ugly scene where his mother’s new husband pushed him out of the house. If only his father hadn’t died...

A few miles away, 12-year-old Baraka huddled between a half dozen other street boys as the sun - and the temperatures - fell. Like last night and many nights before, the city’s concrete walkways would once again serve as his resting place. For just a moment, he allowed himself to remember the comfortable bed he’d had at home, before he’d run away in shame...

In Kenya (East Africa), Kitwana and Baraka’s stories are all too common. It’s estimated that more than a quarter million boys between the ages of 11 and 15 live and work on the streets of cities like Nairobi and Kisumu. As one might expect, the boys’ lives are often marked by violence, malnourishment, substance abuse and sexual exploitation.

But one by one and by the power of God’s Word, Capstone Ministries is helping hundreds of children get off the streets, bringing peace and reconciliation with their families.

Finding forgiveness in God’s Word

PAGE 4: Prayers requested for Indonesian translation leader

Though some aspects of traditional Kenyan culture have led to the families’ issues, Kenya’s tradition of being a Christian nation opens doors to forgiveness in Jesus.

Each day, staff from Capstone Ministries walk the city streets, reaching out to young boys who need and accept their help. Other children, including some girls, are referred to the mission by local police. Always, the goal is to reunite the children with their families.

“Reconciliation between people, however, is seldom an event,” remarked Dan Schmelzer, who founded Capstone Ministries in 2005 with his wife, Patty (pictured with group above). “After reconciling 709 street boys in those 18 years, we have learned that it takes time, repeated expressions of repentance and forgiveness, persistence and the spiritual gift of faith to bring a family to a point of being reconciled.”

They start by using a bit of detective work to track down the

Conve Conne

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What an uplifting experience the national LWML and connections were made with LHF’s faithful supporters, L Stopping by LHF’s exhibit booths were:

Rev. Dr. Matthew Harrison, newly re-elected p Director Rev. Dr. Matthew Heise (right) and Rev. Lutheran Church of Ukraine.

2. Päivi Räsänen (on trial in Finland for “incitemen Female He Created Them) signed copies of the En 3. LHF’s mailroom supervisor and LWML member K from California to whom she regularly sends LHF’ 4. Carol Klein, president of the LWML English Dis Spanish-Speaking Families,” an LHF mission gran 5. Rev. Shiu Lau from California got a first look at 6. Hail, hail, the gang’s all here! Spanish-speaking pa congregated with LHF staff to celebrate the upcom 7. Rev. Heise and LHF founder Rev. Robert Rahn ex presidents Patti Ross (left) and Janice Wendor 8. LHF’s coordinator for African projects, Rev. Dr. D Rev. Peter Anibati Abia, bishop of the Evangel LCMS’s newest international mission partner!

9. Rev. Ted Krey, LCMS regional director for Latin Heimer, active in Lutheran outreach along the so 10. Rev. Dr. Juhana Pohjola, bishop of the Evange project coordinator there, inspired LCMS convent 11. Resolution 4-04 at the LCMS National Convention Himnario Luterano [printed by LHF] and comme 1.

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LCMS conventions were this summer! Many, many LCMS leadership and international church partners.

president of the LCMS, met up with LHF Executive . Serge Maschewski, bishop of the Evangelical

nt to hate” for writing an LHF publication, Male and nglish language edition of her book.

Karen Floyd met Rev. Doua Xiong, a Hmong pastor ’s Hmong publications. strict, delivered her district’s mites for “Bible Books for nt adopted at their 2022 convention.

LHF’s Chinese Book of Concord translation. astors and missionaries from throughout the Americas ming 2nd edition of Himnario Luterano. xpressed their thanks to former national LWML rf for their long-standing support of LHF’s work.

Dinku Bato, spent time in translation planning with lical Lutheran Church in South Sudan/Sudan - the

n America and the Caribbean, and Rev. Stephen outhern border, discuss LHF’s Spanish resources. elical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland and LHF tion attendees to bravely witness the faith. n: “To give thanks for Spanish language hymnal end its use” passed with 99.54% of the vote!

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Kenya

continued from p. 4

children’s closest relatives - sometimes a parent, other times grandparents or uncles. The children’s reasons for running away are many and varied. Sometimes they have sinned against their parents by stealing money from a pocketbook and they cannot face the shame. In other cases, parents have died due to HIV, or a widowed mother has remarried and the new husband doesn’t accept her first husband’s children.

As Capstone staff brings family members together, they begin therapy using an important tool: A Child’s Garden of Bible Stories, translated and printed by LHF in the Swahili language.

A culture of home devotions “We teach the parents how to use the book for home devotions,” explained Dan. “We’re working to create a culture where parents sit down with children in the evening, even if by candlelight or lantern, and read Bible stories and pray. This book is perfect, because even though it’s designed at a child’s reading level, many [impoverished Kenyan] parents are also at that level.”

A devotion might cover the Old Testament story of Joseph being reunited with his 11 brothers after the death of their father, Jacob. Retaliation and revenge was a family weakness then, as it often is today in many rural Kenyan homes. Families learn how the cycle is broken, when Joseph renews his promise of forgiveness and chooses to love instead of hate.

“Our hope and prayer for these children is not what the typical American might think,” said Patty. “We aren’t striving to create scholars, doctors and lawyers. We want people who are stable at home, who value their family and value their faith in Christ. If we can get that much, that’s a happy life!”

Thank you, Ohio students!

“The Lutheran Schools of Ohio were thrilled to be able to partner with LHF for our 20222023 Hearts for Jesus project.

Just as our Lutheran Schools throughout The LCMS share God’s Word with their students each and every day, the Lutheran Schools of Ohio were blessed to be able to support LHF’s Juan 3:16 Project and the printing of children’s Bibles in the Spanish language.”

- Kevin Creutz, superintendent

PRAYERS REQUESTED:

LHF translator injured Please keep Rev. Bonar Lumbantobing, LHF’s lead translator in Indonesia, in your prayers. Rev. Bonar remains hospitalized with significant injuries resulting from a train striking his car in late August.

There have been signs of improvement over the past few weeks, and we pray that God would return Rev. Bonar to full health.

Also pray for the families of two recent seminary graduates who were in the same vehicle with Rev. Bonar. Those new pastors have now gone to eternal joy with Jesus in heaven, even while their families mourn their loss here on earth.

Pray that God would send the families His comfort and peace and provide for their earthly care.

And finally, we thank God for the invaluable translation work done

by Rev. Bonar and his team in Indonesia on the recently-printed Indonesian Book of Concord, Volume 1 - a historic first in this predominantly Muslim land! An LHF introductory seminar for Lutheran pastors and church leaders is planned for November.

NEW DONORS:

Double your gift with a $1-for-$1 match!

If you’ve never given a mission gift to LHF before, your gift (up to $5,000) will be matched, dollar for dollar, until the limit of $125,000 has been reached.

Your $25 gift will double to $50 (giving 10 new Christians a book about Jesus)! Learn more at www.LHFmissions.org/lhfmatching-gift.

LUTHERAN HERITAGE FOUNDATION 51474 Romeo Plank Rd. Macomb, MI 48042 ■ 1-800-554-0723 ■ info@LHFmissions.org ■ www.LHFmissions.org ■

“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; Anna Irwin, staff writer)