Our message about God’s gift of life for Jesus’ sake is transforming the world.
Just last month we took this Gospel-motivated voice to the Dominican Republic (D.R.). We visited the Lutheran seminary there, along with their congregation and group home.
Domestic violence is the fourth-leading cause of death among Dominican women. Between January 2008 and October 2014, authorities attributed 1,331 murders of women to gender-based abuse—in a country with a population of only 10,000,000. The government operates just two women’s shelters for victims of domestic violence; in 2014, they accommodated 255 individuals.
Abortion remains illegal; however, one hospital practitioner estimates as many as 90,000 illegal and self-induced abortions occur annually (a figure that, if accurate, translates to an abortion rate in the D.R. twice that of the U.S.A.), and abortion-related complications constitute the third-leading cause of maternal death nationwide.
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What psychological, emotional, and spiritual wounds are going untreated also?
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What lonely guilt and silent grief do hearts struggle under, for decades or even lifetimes?
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What opportunities for speaking God’s truth and showing Christ’s love are passing by?
Missionaries explain that end-of-life situations, death and dying, generally get met with denial. The entire culture needs assistance, sympathy, and support in confronting and conversing about it. And the Gospel of Jesus Christ that leavens Lutherans For Life’s resources can furnish the footing and framework for them.
Change hearts? Save lives? Yes, please!
Your support to date has made this possible. Will you help us keep it going—and do still more? Your gift reaches their hearts with the life-giving difference through Lutherans For Life.
The Dominican Lutheran seminary operates on the outskirts of Santiago De Los Caballeros. A group home for disabled children also sits on the grounds of the seminary, and six children reside there. One of these children, Junior, communicates primarily through sign language (and he has quite a sense of humor as he hints to me that a rather comely and unmarried missionary lady has a particular fondness for him). Estefani, an 18-year-old who travels by wheelchair, sports a wide, bright, and infectious smile and practices pronouncing English phrases. Little Miguel just runs and hugs (even unfamiliar folks like me) while wordlessly leading us through each room of the newly constructed third floor.
Can Lutherans For Life offer them the Gospel confidence to become advocates in their communities for children with disabilities? How life-affirming!
We explored Lutherans For Life’s materials with the missionary community there. The life issues lacked no relevance and the leaders lacked no interest. They serve throughout the region of Latin America. We prepared to care for post-abortive women. We discussed Gospel-motivated approaches to addressing sexuality and gender. We considered how abortion has been decriminalized in several area countries, including Belize, Uruguay, Colombia, Bolivia, Barbados, Bahamas, and Jamaica. We lamented that wealthier nations and worldwide organizations (such as the United Nations) often condition economic aid upon efforts to liberalize abortion laws (a practice called cultural colonialism).
The four sessions (and follow-up conversations) over three days led to a proposal for future partnership and further education, especially as the seminary prepares pastors from several areas around Central and South America (Peru, Paraguay, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Guatemala, Argentina, and Honduras, to name a few). One missionary wife expressed a desire to apply her own experiences to authoring resources that support mothers and marriages mourning miscarriage. Inquiry even arose about the regional leadership opening a Latin American Chapter of Lutherans For Life!
I want you to join us in these celebrations! Your gift right now to Lutheran For Life gives you front-row seats to witness the miracles the Lord works with His Word!
We’re also equipping internationally in Grand Cayman. I returned recently to Safe Harbour Lutheran Church in George Town—a strategically located mission congregation. I had first visited these saints last fall to introduce them to our message that God’s gift of life makes every human being a precious treasure. This year we put that privilege into practice.
The Safe Harbour community is reaching out to 44 refugees from Cuba. They’ve arrived over the last year applying for asylum. Some embarked on small motorized watercraft but ran out of fuel, and others floated the distance of over 200 miles on nothing more than rafts made of rubber tires or water bottles. Sea and storm swallowed several detachments of traveling companions. Most of the refugees left behind children or parents, intending to secure their passage after establishing themselves at their destination.
The refugees reside in a Caymanian detention facility. They completed its cinder-block construction themselves in exchange for the shelter and sustenance they are receiving. A chain-link fence crowned with razor wire separates them from convicted criminals. Cayman’s courts denied the first request for sanctuary. Weeks have become months awaiting an appeal hearing, with little information offered. They hunger for any update. Prison staff provided a list of lawyers, but the Cubans have no currency to afford the fees. The center’s guards treat them well, even occasionally bringing them gifts.
But the few times immigration officials have visited, the refugees have felt laughed at through the gates—“like we’re not even human” (though no one can confirm this suspicion since the officials only speak English and the refugees only understand Spanish). To call public attention to their plight, one of the pilgrims attempted “escape” by scaling the front barrier into the waiting arms of the government agents. Last report had him imprisoned.
Help us assure them they ARE human AND special AND precious to our Almighty Maker! Give today so that we can keep equipping Lutherans to serve them—and so many others!
We sat on picnic benches under a canopy in the dusty yard outside the dormitory. Summer heat (89°F) and humidity (80%) magnified the midday sunshine. Four guys played a beat-up board game given them on one of the church’s previous visits. The crowd included a number of men in their mid-forties, a twenty-something woman, a teenage girl, two or three senior individuals (not older than 65), a gentleman reading a volume of Lutheran theology (translated into Spanish), and one currently expecting couple. She’s in her sixth month, and relatives are caring for the three older siblings. Imagine the complications of fleeing while being with child—but Cuba’s communist history overshadows its Catholic background. The abortion rate there equals almost twice that of the U. S. and amounts to the second highest in the world (only Russia has more).
Everyone hugged Yolanda, the Safe Harbour member serving as translator. She’s less than two decades removed from coming as a Cuban refugee herself. We handed over some shopping bags full of donated clothing (including many infant items) as well as a few fresh fruits and veggies to ensure sufficient nutrition for the mother-to-be. Relying more on Yolanda’s gift of tongues than my three years of high-school Español, we recited the Apostles’ Creed and the Lord’s Prayer together. Many of the refugees had not encountered Christianity or Scripture before landing at Grand Cayman. With words from Matthew 6:25-33, Romans 8:31-39, and Luther’s explanations to the First and Second Articles (all read in Spanish!), I assured them that the Heavenly Father will sustain them in both body and spirit for Jesus’ sake. Then they poured out the concerns of their hearts to me for over an hour.
As we departed, Yolanda double-checked her list of shoe sizes. She and her fellow parishioners would be shopping in advance of next week’s visit. What a blessing that Lutherans For Life could accompany her in embodying the Gospel of Life, especially because Safe Harbour—like the Cubans—presently has no pastor of their own. And what an opportunity perhaps to impact the secular culture of Cuba with Christ’s compassion toward all people!
I know you are grateful for abundant blessings the Heavenly Father has showered on your life. I know you are eager to participate in the rescuing activities that bring Him such joy. Why not partner with Lutherans For Life in this very thing! Please send your gift before these chances go by!
Our office administrator, Deby Freese, does more than answer phones and file papers. Like all our national staff and our entire nationwide network, Deby speaks Gospel truth, shows Gospel love, and shares Gospel life. She also took our Gospel-motivated mission—the message of God’s devotion to every human being—overseas. Her congregation enacted their affirmation of each person’s infinite worth by sending representatives to serve a vacation Bible school program in Hong Kong.
The lessons, games, and crafts emphasized what value God graciously knits into all people by creating, redeeming, and connecting them to Himself—no matter what their age, appearance, or ability. Local youth participants and volunteers as well as visitors from mainland China—an environment notorious for not respecting and protecting the least of these—responded enthusiastically. The VBS staff and volunteers received special encouragement from a devotion Deby offered them reflecting on the sanctity of life using a set of Touch of Life fetal models (the same babies our Owen’s Mission project presents free of charge to every Lutheran elementary and high school in the country).
But you don’t need convincing of that, do you. You’ve already experienced the reward of standing courageously and giving compassionately. We’re inviting you to enjoy it again. Don’t let one more interruption delay you from giving your offering through Lutherans For Life!
Of course, we haven’t abandoned our domestic efforts. Our neighbors and our nation are of utmost importance to us. That includes especially our young people. How favorably will we influence the future of life issues in our land once we foster Gospel roots and wings for our high school students?
Our Y4Life initiative is expanding to Lutheran secondary institutions so that we can replicate the success we’ve reaped on college campuses. They’re already impacting their campuses, families, and workplaces with the appreciation for life they’ve received through Y4Life! This means some 90 schools across the country and over 20,000 students will be carrying the message of what precious treasures God has created, redeemed, and called every human person to be! And they’ll sow it among their friends and colleagues. And they’ll grow it into their children and communities. And the next generation of parents and servants and voters and neighbors will proclaim and perform the better way than death that God’s grace gives.
Our Word of Hope hotline (888.217.8679) keeps healing post-abortive souls. We’ve welcomed an enthusiastic new director: Christina Gillet, PsyD., wife of Rev. Stephen Gillet, mother of seven, deaconess-in-training, veteran of both military and community crisis interventions and counseling. She’s already bringing fresh energy and ideas to this crucial ministry of forgiveness and hope. One (of many!) caller’s thank-you letter reads:
“Before connecting with Word of Hope I thought my life was over, and I felt I had no reason to live. My husband had just died of a heart attack and I had two young children. I felt God was punishing us for the abortion we had while in college. I couldn’t tell anyone what I was feeling because I thought they would think I was terrible. Because of Word of Hope I know my God has truly forgiven me. My life has changed through this ministry, and the counselors not only helped me but my children as well. Thank you for showing us God’s love, grace, and mercy can overcome anything.”
Will you please invest in saving lives with us? We’ll turn your gift into the Gospel conversations and relationships by which God weaves survivals and immortalities.
Our work has become more important than ever before. Every moment and every interaction represent new possibilities to make the eternal and decisive difference between death and life.
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The government of Canada is pledging $650 million over the next three years to expand abortion in developing countries (adding to similar ventures from the United Nations Population Fund and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation).
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New data from Chinese officials documents 336,000,000 unborn human lives ended there in abortions performed since 1971 (exceeding both the American tally of nearly 60,000,000 and the current total population of the U. S.).
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“Deaths of despair” – alcohol-related or resulting from suicide – increased by 130% among men and 381% among women nationally in the last two decades. Suicides of young adults alone have tripled since 1950.
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Activists have begun promoting “do-it-yourself” abortions with a new website (launched here but funded by a Dutch association).
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Major newspapers and talk shows have flatteringly profiled self-proclaimed Christian abortion doctor Willie Parker (author of Life’s Work: A Moral Argument for Choice).
Our Savior Jesus Christ has already won victory for us. Indeed, in His dying and rising, life has triumphed for all humankind. The full outcomes and wonders of His kingdom remain to be seen—and the best is yet to come. We’re looking forward to having you witness it with us!
P.S. We can’t do it without you. Lutherans For Life receives no income or support except gifts, contributions, and charitable donations like yours. Together we are transforming the world with our Gospel-motivated message of life, so please give generously!