Pastor Ed Schuppe graduated from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in 1977. He served in Jacksonville, FL from 1977 until 1990 as part of the Team Ministry experiment of the Board for Home Missions, eventually becoming the founding pastor of Good Shepherd in Jacksonville. Pastor Schuppe served on the South Atlantic District Evangelism Commission from 1978-1990 and served as its chairman from 1980-1990.

From 1990-2001 he served as pastor at Sola Fide in Lawrenceville, GA. Ed has also served on the South Atlantic District Mission Board.  In 2001 Pastor Schuppe was called to be the mission counselor for the South Atlantic and Southeastern Wisconsin Districts.  His duties were later expanded to include a portion of the South Central Distict. He has also served as a presenter for the Schools of Outreach since 2002.

Of his work as a mission counselor, Pastor Schuppe writes, “I provide counsel and guidance for mission congregations.  I offer orientation for new missionaries and pastors.  I offer seminars and consultation to congregations in regard to outreach, structure, and organization.  I have also done presentations and workshops for districts and conferences.  I try to think of myself as a resource for missionaries and pastors can go to for advice or to be a sounding board they can bounce ideas off of.  I am the voice of the unchurched in every mission congregation. I also like to dream with the missionaries as we look at a community or an expanse of open land and visualize what could be by the grace of God and then pray about it and go to work.  I like to sit and talk with lay people and hear how they want to serve the Lord and then let them know they can do that, to create a climate of permission for them. I also like to have fun doing all of this.”

“What does this mean?”  I can remember as a child saying those words, pausing, taking a deep breath, and then getting ready to recite some part of Luther’s Small Catechism.

It really is a good habit for us to be reading our Small Catechism on a regular basis.  You know what I am talking about:  the Ten Commandments, the Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, Holy Baptism, Keys and Confession, and Holy Communion along with Martin Luther’s answers to the questions he himself has asked.

This picture reminds me of a part of the Small Catechism called the Conclusion to the Commandments.  Here it is:  What does God say about all these commandments?  He says, “I the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sins of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to thousands who love me and keep my commandments.”

The little Japanese girl in this picture is named Hinata.  People lovingly call her Hinata-chan.  On September 10, 2008, when she was baptized, the Lord claimed her and called her His child.  He washed away her sins and put her little feet on the road to eternal life.

Hinata-chan is a third generation Christian.  Her grandparents believe in Jesus.  So does her mother.  So do her older brother and sister.  It is our prayer that Hinata-chan will always remain in the saving faith.  It is our prayer that in her lifetime she will be able to lead many others to the Light of the World.

It is our prayer that the Word of the Lord will be handed down in this Christian family generation after generation after generation . . .

Please pray for the people of Japan!

Every Sunday evening, we get together with the other English-speaking workers on the field for an English Bible study. We often cover topics that relate directly to living and serving in Mexico. We also study different books of the Bible. We’re currently taking an inside look at the book of Hebrews.

Since I first arrived in Mexico, the missionaries here have held this type of Bible study. There is something unique and special about getting to study the Bible in one’s native language. And it is a great chance to spend time with co-workers and share our experiences with each other.

Over the years, we’ve done this once-a-week study whenever possible. Recently, we’ve been holding it in our home. After Trinity goes to bed, the adults pull out the Bibles and gather round. It’s something that both Mike and I look forward to, and greatly benefit from.

Here’s a sight that hasn’t been seen for 17 years! There’s water in the Rio Nazas (Nazas River)!

Let me explain…The Rio Nazas serves as a divider between Torreón and its neighboring city, Gomez Palacio. It once was a raging river. However, years ago a dam was built and the water rerouted. That way, the government can better distribute the water in this desert region. So when people here refer to the Rio Nazas, they are talking about a dry riverbed. It even has basketball courts in it!
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Well, it has been an exciting time here on the mission.  The staff has been gearing up for the fall and classes at ACTS have begun, BIC class was started, and our new Kingdom Workers, Gary and Pat Johnson arrived for the semester.  A few weeks ago was the huge Labor Day celebrations on the reservation which included a fair, numerous rodeos, a huge parade, and a carnival.  The celebration lasted almost a week and it was a wonderful opportunity to get out into the community to experience the culture, food, and excitement of the people.  The following weekend Joel Sutton, Vicar Justin Dauck, and I ran in the 9/11 Memorial Fireman’s Run here in Whiteriver.  Joel came in first overall, followed by a member of Open Bible Lutheran Church.  I came in 3rd and Justin came in 4th.  It was a great event which once again served as an evangelism tool.  Another big news story is that my wife went into labor on Tuesday night and our little Ella May-Yun was born on Wednesday evening.  Both mother and child are doing great and we are now adjusting to life as a family of three instead of just the two of us.  It will certainly be another adventure to raise a child but Ella is truly a miracle and gift from God.  This Sunday is going to be full of baptisms for not only will we baptize Ella but we will also have three other baptisms, a confirmation, and communion in our services here.