NATIONAL LWML AWARDS LHF $100K GRANT FOR AFRICA The rolling hills of Kentucky provided a stunning backdrop for the journey to the 2021 National LWML Convention. Our LHF staff were in a state of perpetual activity. One must have his batteries charged to keep up with the relentless energy of the LWML ladies! When we asked if they knew of LHF, I was pleasantly surprised that most attendees answered in the affirmative. Still, no one could possibly know all that LHF does in 90 countries and approximately 128 languages around the world, so the ladies listened attentively, asking good questions as we shared books and stories of the work of the Holy Spirit around the globe. I was personally approached by several ladies working with Burmese immigrants to America. It is always a joy to hear this as I remember the plethora of Buddhist idols that I encountered upon a journey to Burma a few years ago! God’s Word is being proclaimed by His missionaries in the Church and LHF is blessed to provide such resources! As the convention came to an end, we were overjoyed to learn that LHF was the recipient of a $100,000.00 grant from the National LWML, placing third in the balloting. Praise be to God! The project — Thirst to Learn: Bible Books for Africa’s Children — will provide us with the support we will need to translate, publish, distribute and introduce these books to children in Africa. We are so thankful to the ladies of the LWML for their partnership in the Gospel! Soli Deo Gloria! — by Rev. Dr. Matthew Heise, LHF executive director Hundreds of enthusiastic LWML members stopped by the LHF booth, including Carla Russell from Ohio, pictured here with LHF Executive Director Rev. Dr. Matthew Heise .
LHF BEG For where two or three gather in My name, there am I with them. – Matthew 18:20 In most parts of the United States, finding a Lutheran church to join can be taken for granted. But imagine living where the only places to worship are high Roman Catholic cathedrals and the Kingdom Halls of the Jehovah’s Witnesses. Suddenly, a Sunday morning begins to feel much more isolating. When Americans Michael Morizio and his wife Nancy Jane moved to Italy to open a touring business 25 years ago, they faced exactly this situation. Located 100 miles from Rome, their region of Abruzzo consists mostly of Catholics and Jehovah’s Witnesses. “After six years in Italy, we began to feel pain in our hearts that so many of the people with whom we had made contact and become close friends with in Italy had never heard the Gospel – not really,” said Michael, who is now studying for the ministry. “They might have grown up in the Roman Catholic Church, but they were stuck trying to work out their own salvation.” The Morizios joined the LCMS’ Office of International Mission (OIM) Eurasia team to better share the Gospel with their friends and neighbors, as well as to help build the first confessional Lutheran church in Italy. Now, they have connected to LHF to translate the books they need to share the Gospel in Italian.
Left: Michael Moriz Right: Luiz Lange a an Church of Italy. M pastors!
Luther returns to Rome It was a perfect fit for LHF. Rev. Dr. Matthew Heise, LHF’s executive director, said, “If we see a project where we can get confessional literature into the hands of present and future believers, LHF will do it. Luther, of course, came to Rome while he was living, and now he’s coming back with his teaching!” Before the Morizios began working in Italy, Rev. Sorin Trifa from Romania would fly there once per month, bringing the Divine Service to one, single Lu2
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