English classes were started in Pachuca, Mexico, in January 2007. This outreach tool will be used for one full year. Currently, two WELS Kingdom Workers teach these free classes. In the following interview, Michael Schneider (pictured on left) tells us about living and working in Pachuca.

What is the city of Pachuca like?
Pachuca is a town northwest of Mexico City. It has a little over 200,000 people. It is a pretty big city, but since we live so close to Mexico City, everyone thinks it’s very small. Pachuca has pretty nice weather all year round. It doesn’t get too cold or extremely hot.

How many classes do you teach each week?
I personally teach seven classes of students each week, as does the other teacher here. In those classes I have a total of about 35 students per week.

What has been your most memorable experience in Pachuca?
Thus far, my most memorable experience in Pachuca was when my classmates and I had a fiesta. They taught me about their favorite foods like chalupas, bombasos, flan and pastes. We watched a movie in English, and talked while we tried the food everyone brought.

What is your favorite part about being a WELS Kingdom Worker?
My favorite part is being able to help people. They come to classes with so many questions about English that they don’t understand, especially pronunciation. I am more than happy to help.

But even more important than teaching English is teaching God’s Word. We have been able to start Bible classes here, and I am really excited to be a part of it. We offer five Bible studies each week. We’ve had about 25 people attend these studies.

Placeres has a job as a maid, cleaning houses and taking care of small children. For the past several years she has worked for several of the missionary families here in Santiago, DR. Many opportunities have arisen to witness to her and invite her to visit or attend our services and Bible studies. Another such opportunity arose when Placeres had her gallbladder removed this past month.

We visited her several times at her home while she recuperated. On one visit we were able to again offer a law and gospel presentation to her. At the beginning of the presentation she said she hoped to go to heaven because she was trying to live a good life and do God’s will. After hearing about sin and how it has contaminated everything is us, she admitted that her life was too full of sin to be able to help her get into heaven.

We then spoke about the Savior, of Jesus as our substitute, and how His life and death have paid for our sins. When asked a second time if she thought she would go to heaven, Placeres responded, “Yes, because of all that Jesus has done for me.”

Glory be to Him who through a gallbladder operation opened the door to witness to this precious soul. Glory to Him!

(Article submitted by Kathy Strackbein. Thanks, Kathy!)

The Lord bless you with his Peace,
NW

A couple of weeks ago we drove past a dry cleaning place here in Mexico. Its owners had chosen a name in English for it. It was called “Pretty Clean.”

Names like this are often seen here – English words are used because they look fun, or professional, or sound catchy. But they do not always translate the best – as in the case of “Pretty Clean.” While trying to portray a good image, the name sounds like a mediocre service is provided.

As missionaries, we have plenty of stories of our own language blunders. I once tried to order a sandwich at a restaurant, but instead told the waiter I was in love with a Cuban man (to which he smiled and replied, “That’s nice. Would you like to eat anything?”).

The bottom line is that communication in different languages can be tough. While blunders in daily life can be humorous, we want to be as clear as possible when we discuss God and his Word with others. Communicating the free gift of eternal life is essential.

We use the Bible in Spanish and other materials from MLP (Multi-Language Publications) to help tell others the good news. MLP works hard to provide doctrinally-sound translations of biblical material.

Ever since the Tower of Babel, men have struggled with language barriers. It is important that we stress clarity when sharing the Gospel with others, no matter what language we are speaking in. When we reach heaven, we can join fellow believers and praise God in unity. What a joy that will be!

Our choir sang for worship on 3/23 and will sing again on Easter. This song is called “Lamb of God” and is sung in Mandarin. The last phrase of the final refrain got cut off as the camera would not record more than 3 minutes in video mode. Enjoy!

I arrived in Mexico City on January 5, 2000. As a WELS Kingdom Worker, my plan was to teach English for a year and then return to the United States to finish college. Now, seven years later, I’m still here! What happened?

The answer is pretty simple: God had a plan for me. It involved staying in Mexico. The night I arrived in Mexico City, I joined other missionaries for dinner at a taco stand. There I met Missionary Mike Hartman. Two years later, we got married. Today, we are still serving in Mexico.

A few nights ago, we took our new daughter (born Feb. 1) to a taco stand near our house. After we ordered, I thought of how “my” plans changed over time. Seven years ago, had someone told me I would still be here today, with a husband and daughter, I would have laughed. But here I am, more content than I thought possible, marveling at God’s plan and guidance.

Isn’t that how God works in our lives as Christians? We make our plans, and then we place them at God’s feet. God then directs those plans. Sometimes our earthly goals are carried out; sometimes they change. Regardless, God asks us to continue to serve Him in our lives.

It has been a joy for me to do so during this time in Mexico. I have plans for the future – they include more children and more years in Mexico. Yet I know that God will direct my life, just as directs the lives of other Christians.

May God continue to direct your life. And may you find joy in finding out his plan for you!

– posted by Rachel Hartman