Download a copy of the most recent update of all world mission fields.

Below is a sample of updates from a few fields…

Nepal – Great progress is being made in sharing the gospel in the country of Nepal where not many years ago few were called Christians.  The Scripture Learning Program continues to provide Christian literature in the Nepali language.  The hunger for the gospel is shown in the 7,000 students, who have enrolled in this program since January, 2006.  300-400 new students are enrolled every month.  The worker training programs held in March and September train more than a hundred workers in the truths of the Bible so that they might instruct others in their spiritual care.  In March a two-track worker training program was initiated.  Last September 28 men were enrolled in the second track and studied the doctrine of justification.  Free medical clinics are held in remote areas of Nepal.  As people’s bodies receive medical care, their souls are fed with God’s word as the Promise is shared with them.  Study groups are often formed as a result of these medical clinics.

Mozambique – While preparing documents and waiting for the paperwork to be completed for the registration of the WELS Mission in Mozambique, the two missionaries and mission families in Portugal have three primary ministry focuses.  Learning and improving Portuguese language skills remains the first priority.  Preparation of ministry materials for use in Mozambique has begun.  Materials from Malawi and Zambia are being translated into Portuguese. Communication is also occurring with the WELS Mission in Brazil in an effort to share materials.  These material preparations are funded by LWMS gifts.  Additionally, the Mozambique missionaries have become more involved in the ministry of the Igreja Luterana de Portugal (ILP).  The ILP normally holds one worship service each month in Lisbon and usually three in Gaia.  Soon, with the help of WELS missionaries, the ILP will hold three worship services every month in Lisbon and worship every Sunday in Gaia.  We pray that the time our WELS missionary families spend in Portugal will be mutually beneficial to the ministries of both the WELS Mission to Mozambique and the ILP.

Asia Lutheran Seminary/Hong Kong – After three and a half years nearly one full cycle of seminary classes has been taught in its entirety, but mostly to part-time students.  Those taught see the need for faithfulness to God’s Word and a church that mirrors faithfulness in its practice.  Our daughter church in Hong Kong needs faithful shepherds.  Semester one of the 2008-09 school year had fifty-four students enrolled in nine courses and eleven sessions.  ALS biblical language initiatives will result in four Hebrew and one Greek second semester class involving 35 students during the coming spring semester.

Thailand - The annual Chiang Mai churches’ Bible Camp was held with the theme “God’s Loving  Embrace.” Plans are to graduate five Bible Institute students and two seminary students near the end of March. Both Kingdom Workers continue to serve in multiple teaching, encouragement, driving, computer, and other capacities.

Bolivia – We rejoice in the relationship that we have been privileged to foster with a confessional group in La Paz, Bolivia. Professor Larry Retberg has taken the lead in providing several instructional visits for approximately 40 participants. Two more instructional visits are scheduled during 2009. One of our tasks is providing the Federation of Evangelical Churches (FIEL) with sound, Biblical literature. The FIEL and the students asked LATTE to thank WELS for allowing the professors to assist them in returning to God’s Word.

Read the complete update.