This month we are highlighting the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) mission grant of $75,000 for the Restoration Programs for Native Hawaiians, Lutheran Indian Ministries.

To most Americans Hawaii is a vacation paradise with beautiful beaches, warm sunshine and carefree days. But to the native Kanaka people life has been full of pain and suffering since the island was colonized. Many were victimized in ways similar to the Native Americans of the mainland during the expansion of the west. Now, many social issues face this proud people. In recent years the homeless population has grown. Many of homeless are native Hawaiians who are hardworking people but can’t afford the extremely high cost of living. So, even though they work two jobs, they struggle with poverty and the resulting problems of crime, violence and suicide.

Lutheran Indian Ministries (LIM) is at work in Hawaii with the Kanaka people, but they have found that the ministry works best if it is done by Kanaka people so a Kanaka-to-Kanaka program was started. One of the Kanaka men, Clarence, has completed two years of theological training. He is working with LIM to be a witness of God’s love to his people, to train new leaders in the faith and to address the spiritual, social and emotional needs of his people.

This grant will help pay for Clarence’s theological training; set up a VBS/Teen Camp; provide materials for Bible studies and set up seminars about sexual abuse and leadership training. A former church building is available for these programs provided through this grant. Because of LIM and Clarence, a soon to be LCMS pastor, the Kanaka people will have someone they know and trust to bring the life-saving message of Jesus Christ to them and their families.

Lutheran Women's Missionary League (LWML) is the official women’s auxiliary of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Since 1942, the LWML has focused on affirming each woman’s relationship with Christ, encouraging and equipping women to live out their Christian lives in active mission ministries and by supporting global missions. For more information on each month’s mission focus, visit LWML.org. Saint John’s Mission Guild (LWML) meets the first Tuesday of each month at 10:30 AM in Room 301. All ladies of the congregation are invited to attend.