FROM OUR PRESIDENT

Jesus Soothes the Stings in Life

By Lorilee Mundfrom

National WMF President

I love to “give advice”. It seems when someone comes to me with a problem or a concern, I like to have an answer! Much of the time, however, the person coming to me is not looking for AN ANSWER, but a LISTENING EAR or someone who can actually help them!

Perhaps you have experienced a physical ailment. You share this difficulty with a friend. What do they do? They go looking for a cure!

I read a story recently of a lady who had been walking in her yard and all of a sudden felt this strange sting between her toes. As she took off her sandal, a bee came crawling out of her sandal. The bee had stung her. The next thing she knew, her other foot began to hurt and sure enough, a bee had stung that foot too. As she was trying to get away from the bees, they chased her and kept on stinging her. She was in dreadful pain by the time she got to her house. The bees had stung her several times. Her husband helped by giving her a bag of ice and then went on the internet to look for medical advice. One of the first things listed was “avoid the bees’ nests!” Obviously, this woman would have avoided the bees’ nests if she had known they were there! She wanted someone to help her.

When we have friends or family who come to us because they are having problems, do we give advice or do we introduce them to Jesus, the One who can help them? If we really listen, they often are not looking for advice but someone who will bring them to Jesus. Do you pray with them? Do you pray for them?

As women ministering to women in the WMF, the most important ministry we can have is to bring the women to Jesus. Maybe your friend knows Jesus as Savior, but has forgotten that He cares for her as she focuses on her troubles. Sometimes it is so easy to get overwhelmed with our responsibilities and problems that we forget to “run” to Jesus. We keep trying to dig ourselves out of these overwhelming piles, but often find the piles just keep getting deeper! We keep trying to run away from the stinging bees, but they just keep stinging harder and harder. We need to “run” to Jesus so that He can soothe our aches and carry our burdens. So, when a friend comes to you for help, she may need a listening ear and one who will bring her to Jesus. Will you introduce her to Jesus?

DEVOTIONAL

Trust in the Lord
Margaret Loken

On October 6, 2008, we received a phone call at 11:30 PM. My 85 year old mother had fallen. We later learned that she had suffered a compression fracture of a vertebra in her back. Since that date, we have gone through many unforeseen situations and faced many difficult decisions. Through it all, I have been sustained by scripture and prayer support.

One of my greatest struggles has always been in the area of decision making. I always try to do the right thing, but during these times I was often not certain what was the right thing. Many scriptures have been significant to me, but none more so than Proverbs 3: 5 & 6.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart

and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways acknowledge him,

and He will make your paths straight."

The Amplified Bible expands on the words "trust in" in verse five by adding two additional phrases. The first is the phrase "lean on". In tough times, this encourages us to rest the literal weight of our troubled minds on Him. The second phrase is "be confident in". To me this implies a strong sense of certainty. God will support us when we are tried and tired. The second part of verse five tells us to "lean not on your own understanding". Here is one of my personal downfalls. I find myself constantly trying to figure things out, in order to create a game plan. But our faithful Father is showing me that there are not always earthly answers or strategies for the problems we face. I now believe I am supposed to do what I can, and accept what is. I am learning to rely on God and trust what I cannot know to Him. And yes, it is hard. Yet at the same time, it is the greatest comfort to remember that He is in charge. And as verse six implies, straightening out my uncertain and crooked path. As I move forward into uncharted territory, I am remembering to seek Him first and foremost. I praise Him for His constant support. And I repent of my sin of control. When I do this, peace and strength follow. And not surprisingly, game plans come to mind that I did not conceive. The book of Isaiah says it so well in chapter 30, verse 15:

"In repentance and rest is your salvation,
in quietness and trust is your strength."

My mother's back has healed, but we learned recently that she has Alzheimer Disease. I know that many have walked this path before me. I am grateful to the Lord for the wonderful support both human and divine which He has provided and will continue to provide for me. I hope that these words from scripture will encourage some of you as they continue to encourage me.

FROM OUR MISSIONARIES

Dear WMF friends,

Another Christmas has come and gone and it's finally starting to warm up here in the mountains of Central Mexico. This year at our Christmas outreach we gave away 50 quilts to women who came to the service and another 20-30 beyond that to children and young people. There have been numbers of groups of women in the AFLC who have helped us in this outreach over the years and we are so grateful to each one of them. We are also very grateful to all of the WMF's for their continued generous support of our ministry and for your faithful prayers for all of us here in Mexico.

One of those who has seen this ministry up close is retired missionary Lois Raser. Lois worked for years with children in feeding centers where kids were given a meal for their stomachs and a Bible story for their hearts. We have greatly appreciated her encouragement since we've been in Jerez. Lois attends the English Bible study and also comes to our Spanish services. After the outreach service this last Christmas she decided that she wanted to write to you herself. Her letter follows.

In Christ,
Todd and Barb Schierkolk

Letter to the Free Lutheran Quilters

December, 2008

Dear Friends:
It has been my privilege, as fellow missionary with Todd and Barbara Schierkolk, here in Jerez (Mexico), to observe the phenomenon of dozens - hundreds - of beautiful hand-made comforters, quilts, afghans and baby blankets, all made by hand, for the poor of Mexico. It is a joy to know that in the modern, automatic society of today, hundreds of caring women from several hundred church bodies, are actively, happily and efficiently sewing for families poorer than their own. For a country beeing overridden by terrorism and poverty, Free Lutheran quilters are fulfilling the words of our Saviour, . . . "the poor always ye have with you." Struggling mothers eagerly await the gift of a hand-made blanket in this mile-high rural city, poorly equipped to face a cold winter. For them, we send their heart-felt thanks to the women in the United States who cared.

Lois Raser, veteran missionary



Dear Friends and Prayer Partners,
Most of you who receive this update are still battling snow and cold temperatures – one thing I have never missed during all these 24 years in Brazil . Here we are having a bright sunny day and our hopes are high for a wonderful week of Youth Camp! I have wanted to write for ages, but there really has not been a free minute. Our house has been full of company ever since Christmas. Lots of wonderful things happen day by day and I would love to tell you all about them, but that is an impossibility right now. I just want to leave a few prayer requests for those of you who are dedicated to pray for us and for our ministry.

1) Youth Camp. We are expecting 150 youth (ages 13-30) on Friday night through Wednesday morning. Pray for this wonderful spiritual opportunity. Pray for conversions, for consecration, for unity, for protection, for blessing. We once again have a great staff of dedicated, prayerful people who are willing to invest in the lives of young people for eternity.
2) Our short-term assistant Alisha Benton who is doing her Missionary internship here. She is adapting well and doing great with her limited Portuguese and enthusiastic attitude. Pray that these five intense days of immersion in the camp setting will be a blessing and not too overwhelming.
3) Pray for Agnaldo, a recovering alcoholic who has been living with us for three weeks now and is in victory.
4) Pray for Gabriel, Yara’s nephew, who will have to have a surgery in the next couple of weeks to relieve the pressure of the liquid that has accumulated in his brain. He is having trouble with his vision and headaches. We are praying for a miracle! (We were encouraged to hear of God’s grace of healing for Ingrid Giles and pray that God’s mercy would be poured out upon Gabriel in the same way.)
5) Pray for John and Ruby Abel as they fly to Brazil in Monday to join us for a few months.
6) Pray for our son Matthew who has been sick for cough and cold over a month with a bad. Wish I could be close to help the healing process with chicken soup and Mom’s TLC.
7) Pray for Edival who has started his pastoral internship with us.

Guess that’s plenty for you to think about for now. I promise to get a letter out after the camp is over.

Our love to you, Becky for the Abels

2009 BIBLE STUDIES

2009 WMF Bible Study

Living Water

By Bunny Meyer



As believers we look forward to the eternal rest where we will see the River of Life flowing from the throne of God and the Lamb.“Come , all of you who are thirsty, come to the waters;…”Isaiah 55:1



____Number of books ordered ($8.00 each).Please include payment with order (checks made to National WMF).



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Please order your books as soon as possible.Send your book order to Executive Secretary, Dawn Johnson, 2991 30th Ave, Wilson, WI 54027, ctk@wwt.net or 715-772-4454.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The WMF website is up and running. Be sure to check it out.



June 16, 2009 Annual WMF Day! Be sure to join us in Fergus Falls, MN.

DEVOTIONAL

By Carol Hensrud

Isaiah 41:10 “So do not fear, for I am with you, do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Life is fragile; we know not what tomorrow holds for any of us. I was once again reminded of that when a friend was recently diagnosed with brain cancer. All of us, at some point, face “storms” in our lives and they can seem overwhelming. It may be a health issue, like my friend, or it could be work related, financial problems, or family troubles. Whatever it may be, how will you handle that “storm” when it comes your way? It is easy for us to profess our Christian faith when all is going smoothly, but trusting in the midst of a fierce storm? Yet, the Lord wants us to trust Him even when we can’t understand. In our constantly changing world, we can trust in Someone who does not change! ” Mal. 3:6 “I the LORD do not change.”

When those storms come, (and they will) we can be assured that the Lord is with us, even though we may not see Him. Is. 43:2-4 “I have called you by name. You are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.” No matter what lies ahead of you, you can be secure because of God’s presence. He knows you by name and loves you!

In the devotional book Be Still and Know, by Millie Stamm, she wrote “Although our outward circumstances may be stormy, Jesus gives us that inner quietness of heart that steadies us in our storm beaten path.” Through Christ, our Lord, we can find that inner quietness (peace) and the strength to continue on through the storm.
Col. 3:15(LB) “Let the peace of heart which comes from Christ be always present in your heart and mind.”
Is. 26:3 “You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.”
“When you keep your mind on Him, He will give you peace of mind.”
Ps. 46:1 “God is my refugee and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
Ps. 29:11 “The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.”
In Millie Stamm’s devotional, she also wrote that someone stated, “The strength of the Lord enables us to bear the pressure of the storm; the peace of God keeps the disturbing elements of the outer storm from penetrating our inner being.”

He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength when the labors increase;
To added affliction He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.

May you find the strength and peace you need to face your “storm” in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

New National WMF Treasurer

INTRODUCING OUR NEW NATIONAL WMF TREASURER:

Lois Grothe
Astoria, OR

Lois is from Astoria, Oregon. She is married to Kelly Grothe, and mother to two children, a daughter, Melissa and a son, Matthew. She is the daughter-in-law of Rev. and Mrs. Alvin Grothe.

Lois has served as treasurer for her local congregation, Bethany Free Lutheran in Astoria, and as the treasurer of the local and district WMF.

Lois is employed as a bookkeeper for a business in Astoria and does taxes at a local accounting office during tax season.

Lois has been a member of Bethany Free Lutheran since 1984. Besides serving the Lord as treasurer, Lois has been a Sunday school teacher, VBS Director, and helped to create activities for one of the younger grades of AFLC Sunday School Materials. She is thankful for these opportunities to serve God in many different ways.

We are grateful to God for Lois’ willingness to serve as WMF treasurer. Her job will be made much easier, if you send her the contributions from your WMF to her at her address: 3745 Franklin Ave., Astoria, OR 97103. Please be sure to complete your transmittal form and mail it with the contributions. Because Lois is new and might have questions please jot down your phone numbers too.