Missionary Mike Hartman was called to serve in Mexico in 1999 when he graduated from the seminary. I asked him to take a few moments to reflect on his work here in Mexico. Following is a brief interview with him. (see below if you’d like another question answered!)

1. What’s your role as missionary in Mexico?

My primary role as missionary is to serve as field coordinator to Mexico. The field coordinator is the go-between for WELS and our sister synod in Mexico, The Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Church. I also teach classes at the Lutheran Seminary in Torreón and lead the mission efforts at Jesus Bread of Life Lutheran Church.It would be impossible for me to do all this on my own. In Mexico we’re blessed with the help of L.A.T.T.E. (a group of traveling missionaries in Latin America). They assist with the seminary training. I also have the blessing of a WELS vicar and a Mexican seminary student who help out at Jesus Bread of Life. My work very much revolves around and depends on good team ministry.

2. What Bible verse comes to mind when you think of mission work in Mexico?

Without a doubt Psalm 108:13. This verse is the theme of the Mexican Lutheran Church. It shows up regularly on their official letter heads, documents, and in other places. In Spanish the verse reads, “En Dios haremos proezas” which roughly translates to “With God we will do great things.”

It’s a good reminder that all the blessings, growth and accomplishments really come from God. It’s also a good reminder that with God we will do “great things,” even when, day to day, it might not always feel that way. And when we look back and see how far the church has come over the years, we can say, “Great is God! Great things He has done!”

3. What’s your favorite part about being a missionary?

That’s a tough question! There are so many things! I guess one of the aspects I really enjoy is participating in mission work at the ground level. Whether it’s watching the Holy Spirit take someone from unbelief and develop them into a strong Christian leader, or working with the Mexican believers to develop a strong national church, you can really see God at work. It’s a privilage to be a part of it.

Do you have a question for Missionary Hartman? Email it to me at rachelmhartman@gmail.com

Missionary Mike Hartman recently took a trip to Puebla. While visiting with the congregation there, he was offered a special drink – beet juice!

Shortly after he returned from the visit, he was in downtown Torreón with a seminary student. He saw a stand selling “jugo de caña,” which his student explained was sugar cane juice. Missionary Hartman bought some to sample. After just a few sips, he felt much more energized!

Mexico has a wide variety of juices. Stands on the street often sell pineapple, peach, carrot, guayaba, and pear juice. If you’re offered a green-colored drink, it’s probably prickly pear juice, another common one here.

Most of the juices here are deliciously refreshing – they help beat the heat on a hot summer day!

God is good!

This morning we celebrated the baptism of Ester Robert, infant daughter of Helve and Millianard (”Tabitha”) Robert.

“You are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ….If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” — Galatians 3:26-29

The Lord bless you with his Peace,
NW

“I’m a wanderer,” Carlos once told me, joking about the many moves he’s made in his life. Born in Paraguay but raised in Mexico, he has lived in 7 of its 31 states.

Now a seminary student, Carlos Rosales currently lives in Torreón. While he may not be permanently settled (pastors travel long distances in Mexico – learn more about it here), he has found his grounding in God’s Word.

Being a pastor was not always a dream for Carlos. He says, “I’d always been told I’m a natural leader. In fact, I wanted to be the President of Mexico when I was young. But I didn’t seriously consider being a pastor until recently.”

Then, three years ago Carlos began attending one of our Lutheran churches in the Torreón area. “I immediately identified with the doctrine,” he says.

As he grew in God’s Word, he recognized the strong need to share the Gospel with others. Of all the worries in life, he realized that “the relationship people have with Christ is the one that matters the most.”

Carlos has been studying for a year and a half at the Mexican Lutheran Seminary in Torreón (see a picture of the seminary here). A typical day begins with classes. In the afternoon, Carlos goes to a guitar class. Then he spends time with students from the music school. “We get ice cream or go somewhere to chat. I’m always looking for evangelism opportunities.”

And those opportunities often lead to results. On Mother’s Day, three of his friends from guitar class came to the mission Jesus Bread of Life. They serenaded the mothers.

Carlos is very involved at Jesus Bread of Life. He helps out with the youth group, teaches Sunday School, and assists with liturgy and preaching.

The road to becoming a pastor is not easy. When Carlose entered the seminary, he remembers, “I lost many friendships. People tend to categorize you and stay away.” This is a common occurence in Mexico, where Catholocism dominates. Leaving the Catholic church to join a Lutheran one almost always leads to isolation and broken friendships.

Carlos has found new friendships in the Lutheran Church. “For me, the greatest blessing of the Lutheran Church is the “compañerismo” (fellowship) that we have. I know that here and elsewhere there are others that share my faith.” How true those words are!

Carlos asked me to share his e-mail with other Lutherans. Feel free to drop him a line. English is fine, as he’s fluent in it.

I encourage you to write him. It is so uplifting to hear from fellow Christians, and to know that we are one in Christ, no matter where we are or where we wander. Carlos’ email: carlosaros@yahoo.com.mx

I just returned from a one week vacation in Arizona to celebrate my parents’ 40th Wedding Anniversary. God is good!

The whole family was able to get together in Camp Verde, AZ (between Prescott and Flagstaff) where there were plenty of mountains to climb, Native American ruins to hike to, and swimming holes to cool off in.

I thank God for 40 joy-filled years of marriage for my parents, and for their fine example of Christian love and parenting for my two brothers and me. God is good!

The Lord bless you with his Peace,
NW