Mariachi San Pablo to Perform in Alamogordo

Come experience the music and message of Mariachi San Pablo as they perform in concert at Trinity Lutheran Church in Alamogordo, NM.  The concert will be held on Saturday, October 10th begining at 6:30pm.

For up to date concert information, contact Trinity Lutheran Church at 505-437-1482.

Address:  1505 College Avenue, Alamogordo, NM 88310

Grant Received from the Gottlieb Foundation of Texas

If you have been following the recent news of our financial crisis, you’ll know just how much this grant is an answer to prayer.  On September 21st, the Gottlieb Foundation of Texas decided they wouldn’t send the $25,000 requested from a member on behalf of Ysleta Lutheran Mission Human Care.  They decided to send $29,000!  They wrote, “We pray that this grant will be useful to your ministry and enable the expansion of His Kingdom through your work…”

The gift has come at the perfect time to aleviate much of the financial deficit that has grown as we address the troubles of El Paso and Juarez head-on this year.   We give many thanks to the Gottlieb Foundation as well as the many churches and individuals who are sending financial support as we stand tall with the Gospel this year.  God is answering our prayers.

Vital Partners: Lutheran Hispanic Missionary Institute

Even before the dust settles in today’s violent conflicts and economic troubles, we realize there is both a short-term and long-term need for well educated, Christian, Spanish-speaking teachers and pastors in our valley.  Deep damage is being done in the lives of  Juarez residents, especially the children and youth, by the cartel violence.  We praise the Lord for the current pastors, church workers, and volunteers that are holding high the cross of Christ and shining his light in Juarez.   More leaders are needed  who can bring God’s Word to bear in people lives for a long time to come.  For this reason, even as we make plans to bring physical aid to more families this year and as we pray for and support the current pastors and missionaries who work in Juarez, we realize that we must work together to raise up more leaders for ministry.  To this end we are blessed to have Pastor Schlak and the Lutheran Hispanic Missionary Institute as partners working by our side in El Paso and Juarez.

Please pray that God would bring more students into the Institute to be educated in the Bible and practical church planting skills.  As we seek out potential leaders from the YLM missions and churches, please consider donating funds for scholarships or other needs.  The courses and curriculum are excellent and the teachers are exceptional.  God has placed this Institute here in this El Paso/Juarez valley at a crucial time to send out leaders who can bring God’s promises and saving presence in to the lives of hurting people.

Pastor Schlak is Director of the Missionary Institute

Rosy Lira, has taken what she’s learned and trained Sunday School teachers in Juarez.

Pastor Javier Lozano is completing his education at the institute and serving three missions in Juarez

All these young Sunday School teachers have been trained by Rosy and Javier with materials received from the Institute.

Miguel Muñoz’ leadership of YLM’s mariachi ministry and Sunday School teaching is enhanced through the Theological training

Vicar Stephen Heimer enhances his seminiary education with intensive courses at the Institute.

Save the Dates:

Reformation Festival

On October 31st, LCMS churches AND the  Juarez Lutheran churches will gather together for the first time for a joint worship service celebrating the reformation.  Lunch will begin at 12noon in the YLM dining hall and the service at 1:30 in the San Pablo sanctuary (both at 301 S. Schutz Dr., El Paso, TX map).  Choirs, Mariachi, Praise Band, and Keyboard will lead music in what promises to be a most diverse and united gathering of God’s people.  Lunch tickets can be purchased in advance for $7.00 /plate.  A special offering will be collected at the service to benefit the excellent work of the Lutheran Hispanic Missionary Institute.

YLM Human Care Golf Tournament

Mark your calendars and make plans to attend the YLM Human Care Golf Tournament on November 2, 2009  at the Vista Hills Country Club in El Paso, TX.  The 4-man scramble will begin at 12:30pm.  Mexican buffet dinner with door prizes and entertainment by Mariachi San Pablo will begin at 5pm.  This event is being held to raise funds to bolster outreach to the El Paso/Juarez valley during this time of conflict and crisis.

Back to School with Scholarships and Supplies

Volunteers Sorting Donations

Volunteers Sorting Donations

Volunteers Sorting Donations

Elvira Coordinates volunteers and distribution to Mexico (and sorts in the warehouse too)

Scholarship Recipients with their School Kits

He says, “Gracias!”

“Muchas Gracias!”

Children are returning to school this fall with school supplies and scholarships.  Nineteen youth received scholarships to pay the costs of middle school and high school (free public school ends at 6th grade in Juarez).  In addition, 1,336 school kits and hygiene kits have been given out (800 in Mexico and 536 in Texas).  Each includes two note books, a package of loose leaf paper, crayons, color pencils, scissors, 5-10 pencils, a bottle of glue, and a backpack.  This year’s backpacks are especially nice packs donated by Dell Computer.  The hygiene kits include soap, a toothbrush, toothpaste, a washcloth, and a pair of new underwear or t-shirt.

This wouldn’t be possible with out the generous contributions of scholarship donors and supply donors, and the steady work of Elvira Viramontes (YLM staff) and numerous volunteers who worked in the warehouse.

If you are interested in YLM’s  scholarship program, please let us know.  We have a long list of children in Juarez who need assistance and firmly believe that education is key to escaping poverty as well as raising up the leaders we need in society and the church.

YLM Staff, Presenters at Evangelism Conference

Vicar Stephen Heimer, COO/Music Minsitry Director

Rev. Jesus Astorga, Ministry Faciliator/Educator

Krysia Heimer, Outreach Director

Mariachi San Pablo, Directed by Miguel Muñoz

YLM is pleased to have two of its staff and Mariachi San Pablo participating as presenters at the 2009 Conversations of Grace evangelism conference.  This annual conference of the Rocky Mountain District, LCMS, will be held this year on Nov.6 & 7th in Albuquerque.

Pastor Jesus Astorga, YLM’s ministry facilitator & educator, will lead the “Leadership Development and Church Planting” workshop and another called, “Speaking the Truth in Love to Jehovah’s Witnesses.”

Vicar Stephen Heimer, YLM’s COO and Music Minsitry Director, will lead the workshop, “Outreach Through Music Ministry.”

Mariachi San Pablo, directed by Miguel Muñoz, will perform several times throughout the conference.

Krysia Heimer, YLM’s outreach director who recently completed her MA in Christian Outreach, has also been asked to assist Albuquerque planners in the preparation of the conference’s Spanish Track.

Warehouse Volunteers Needed

If you would be available to volunteer this fall, please let us know.  Between now and Thanksgiving, we are expecting to receive several truck loads of food, clothes, toys, blankets and other items.  We need help sorting donations, creating food baskets, cleaning toys and preparing gift packages.   We especially need help on weekdays in the day time hours.  If you are able or if you would like more information, please contact Elvira Viramontes by calling (915) 858-2588 or writing to volunteer@ylm.org.

Juarez Lutherans Building Sunday School

Members of the Juarez Lutheran Churches (San Lucas, Cristo Rey, & Santisima Trinidad) are pursuing the dream of providing Sunday School classrooms for the children the new mission in Anapra.  On Sundays, begining at 5am, families from the Mexico Lutheran churches began to gather at the mission site to volunteer their skills.  Many of the men are unemployed (or work only a few days a week) during this economic downturn.  They have received help from the church in the past and are happy to lend their skills to the needs of the church now.  These hard-working men in the past worked long hours, six days a week in construction and in factories.  While the men build the retaining wall, their wives and children help divide bulk food donations in to food baskets for their families and others in the community.  They also prepare a meal for the men in the kitchen.  Sixty-five different families have taken part in the construction effort, and YLM is providing funds to purchase construction materials and food for this necessary project.  Bulk donations for the food baskets come from various U.S. donors.

One of the first tasks was breaking up the huge rocks needed for the retaining wall. Pastor Martinez pulls out the sledge hammer.

The land above the retaining wall is cleared to make space for the future classrooms.

Pastor Lozano leads the volunteers in a morning devotion.

Clearning land and digging the path for the retaining wall & property boundary

Group shot of that week’s helpers.

Retaining wall as of Sept. 9th. The wall extendes over 2 meters below ground.

The Sunday School teachers and Pastor Lozano.

Enrique Carrejo, at Home in Heaven

Sr. Enrique Carrejo, the man who many volunteers came to know and love as their driver and translator for servant events,  passed away and went to be with his creator early on the morning of Wednesday, September 16, 2009. He was 68 years old.  Enrique had been suffering from brain and lung cancer for almost a year and was placed in hospice care a few months ago. We praise God that he repeatedly beat every odd he was given throughout his illness, and we rejoice that, as the master in the Parable of the Talents (Mat 25)  invites the faithful servants to, “Come and share your master’s happiness,” Enrique is doing this as we speak.

Gordita Dinner Fundraiser – Blue Hair for Pastor Heimer?

Ysleta Lutheran Mission will be hosting a Gordita Fundraiser to support mission programs. This event will take place on October 4, 2009 from 12:30-3:00pm. Tickets are on sale at our offices located at 301 S. Schutz and are $5.00/plate, family packs will be available. Our goal is to raise $5,000.00. If you are an Ysleta Lutheran Mission supporter, now is the best time to help. Rev. Dr. Karl Heimer has promised to dye his hair blue if we are able to raise $5,000.00 So even if you can’t be in El Paso to eat some delicious Gordita’s, you can watch how Pastor Heimer’s hair will be dyed blue on our webpage!!! If you would like more information about our Gordita Fundraiser or would like to donate food for this event, please call our office at (915) 858-2588.