North Dakota District Lutheran Women's Missionary League

The Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML), along with Artesian Ministries, announces a new eight-lesson Bible studies series, Your Strong Suit. Written by Artesian Ministries author, Donna Pyle, the DVD series, based on Ephesians 6:10-18, was made with state-of-the-art filming and stunning graphic design. It is scheduled for an October 2011 release.
LWML President Kay Kreklau shared, “This excellent resource only requires a DVD player and a group of women who seek to learn more from God’s Word. Because of its versatility, the series can be used in a number of settings.”
Filmed this past spring at Salem Lutheran Church in Tomball, Texas, in front of a live audience, the Bible study series has gone through the doctrinal review process of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.
Author Donna Pyle has been involved in LWML since 1997, having served as a Zone Young Woman Representative, Society President, Zone President, Texas District Recording Secretary and Vice President of Christian Life. Donna said, “No other women’s organization has impacted my spiritual journey as deeply as LWML. God has blessed me incredibly through the mission and ministry of LWML. Simply stated, I want to pass the blessing forward.” To learn more about this talented author, and her teaching ministry, go to www.artesianministries.org.
The study includes an 85-page color-print workbook with wire binding that makes it easy to flip through and take notes. Additional workbooks are available to order. The eight lessons on four DVDs are entitled:

• His Mighty Strength
• The Powers Over This Present Darkness
• The Full Armor of God
• Truth and Righteousness
• The Feet of God’s Peace
• The Shield of God’s Protection
• Our Helmet and Sword
• Pray Without Ceasing

Pre-orders are now being taken for the DVD series, Your Strong Suit, as well as for additional study guides, online at www.lwml.org/shop, or by calling 1-800-252-LWML (5965).

Youth Home extensively damaged; youth continue treatment in Bismarck, Fargo

Fargo, July 29, 2011: Due to the historic and catastrophic flooding around Minot, about 50 residents of the Minot campus temporarily have been relocated to Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch campuses in Bismarck and Fargo. Minot staff have been deployed on working shifts to these campuses to maintain the quality of care.

Because of the emergency levees that were quickly put in place, the Minot campus did not experience flooding, but suffers from high ground water and sewer damage. These issues should be resolved in the next couple weeks. However, there is no water, sewer or gas service at the Minot Ranch. Residents cannot be moved on to the campus until these services are restored. It is hoped that this will happen by the middle of August, but there are no guarantees.

The Minot Community Youth Home was flooded to the second floor and suffered extensive damage. It will have to be demolished and, in the short term, the program will be moved to the Minot campus. Whether the program is continued on the Minot Campus or a new facility built has yet to be decided.

Dakota Family Services—the Ranch’s outreach mental health service, still operates out of Bremer Hall on the Minot Campus using portable toilets and bottled water.

The Ranch continues to accept referrals appropriate to the present situation. But the residential population is down from where it normally would be, due to consolidation of residential services at Bismarck and Fargo.

In a similar fashion, the Ranch has lost some employees who have relocated to different communities. Every effort is being made to keep as many staff as possible employed and on payroll.

Best estimates indicate that the Ranch will not resume normal operating status until March 2012.

Meanwhile, all the above elements have created cash flow issues, which are manageable due to the wonderful support we have received from donors, church and community toward making the ranch recovery possible. And even with all the flood related issues and problems, DBGR is still proceeding in construction of the residential center and school on its Fargo south site. The completion date is March 2012.

The Ranch is experiencing a very difficult and complex situation, and many agencies would not survive the challenges facing the Ranch. But, the board of directors and President Gene Kaseman are confident that DBGR will weather this crisis and–because of that, become a stronger agency.

The road to recovery will be a challenging goal and will require the efforts of all employees of DBGR. The real test of an agency and its staff is not only to immediately respond to a crisis in the short term, but also then to aggressively work toward the goal of complete recovery.

The Ranch asks for continued prayers for employees and residents whose lives have been directly impacted by the flood, that it may continue its mission of helping at-risk children and their families succeed in the name of Christ.

Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch is a Recognized Service Organization of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod and is an Affiliated Social Ministry Organization of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

Leaders plan preventative measures for future
Fargo, July 8, 2011: Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch continues to assess the flood’s impact on its ministry. Unfortunately, right now, there are many factors that prevent it from having a full understanding of the disaster’s total effect on Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch, and programs and services provided to the Ranch’s children and families.
Yet, at this time– in addition to responding to the present situation, the leadership of the Ranch is beginning to plan for the future and is discussing ways to prevent the impact of disasters like this one in the future.
We will continue to keep you apprised as more information becomes available.
We appreciate everyone’s continued prayers and support.

We have lost 6 schools to the flood here in Minot!! I am asking that everyone sends any and all box tops they can collect from home, friends, family, and workplaces!! This is an incredibly simple way that anyone can contribute from all over the country and all it costs is postage!!
I would like this to be hugely successful.
You do not have to come to Minot to participate. All you have to do is send them in the mail. Please invite everyone you know!!

We will also be collecting:
Campbell’s Soup Labels
Land o’ Lakes Caps
Our Family product UPC’s

Please send them to
Erin Edgerly
15 Vista Dr
Minot, ND 58703!!

EVERY BIT IS GOING TO HELP!!! We will need everything we can to get these schools operating again!!!

Thank you EVERYONE for your support, And remember to SAVE AND SEND!!!

Minot Youth Home devastated,
main campus must be cleaned
Fargo, June 30, 2011: Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch wishes to acknowledge and thank everyone who has expressed concern for our ministry due to the flooding in Minot, N.D. Flood waters are receding, but through July 4, the water will be at historic levels and above flood stage.

The Ranch has lost its Minot Community Youth Home, located near downtown Minot and home to male children with addiction issues.

The ministry is blessed as the main campus, located four miles northwest of Minot, has less property damage then we could have sustained. The Ranch’s dikes were raised six feet and held, which protected much of the residential part of campus.

The main campus has water issues in four of the five cottages, and one administration building. It also had sewage backup in two cottages, which was able to be contained.

In the entire area, many sewer line breaks, and now water line breaks have occurred. Unfortunately, a number of these breaks cannot be fixed as they are under water. Therefore, access to and use of water is extremely limited. The campus will not have running water for several more weeks.

Prior to the flooding, the Ranch evacuated all children from the Minot programs to their facilities in Bismarck and Fargo. It is unlikely that the children will be back on campus until late July or early August.

Over the next week, DBGR will be assessing all damage and the impact on its operations. After that assessment is complete, a more substantial update will be provided on the ministry and its work with at-risk children and families.

With regard to the Ranch’s staff, we have many whose homes have been inundated with water and/or sewage. We are compiling a list to determine how we may best assist them.

It has been reported that more than 4,100 homes in Minot are inundated with water, and that at least 20 percent of these homes have so much water they cannot be repaired and sadly, will have to be demolished.

We appreciate everyone’s continued prayers and support at this time.

Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch is a Recognized Service Organization of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod and is an Affiliated Social Ministry Organization of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

PEORIA, IL — Delegates to the 34th Biennial Convention of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) convened in Peoria, Illinois, from June 23 to 26, 2011. More than 4,600 Lutheran Women in Mission from
across the nation gathered to conduct business, renew friendships, and rally around God’s Word. The LWML is the official women’s auxiliary of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS), the second-largest Lutheran
denomination in North America.
The theme of the convention was “Being with Jesus – Living on the Edge” based on the Scripture passage: And they realized they had been with Jesus. “For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:13b & 20 NKJV). The organization adopted a mission goal of $1.825 million for the 2011-2013 biennium. The funds raised over the next two years by the organization’s 250,000 members nationwide will be used to support the following mission grants:
1. Support for Lutheran Orphanages – Haiti $70,000
2. Lutheran Braille Workers Plate Embossing Device $100,000
3. Lutheran Bible Translators (LBT) Spread God’s Word Through Print and Audio $97,344
4. Outreach to At-Risk Children – Detroit, Michigan $55,000
5. Cancer Care Package Ministry $100,000
6. Crow Indian Ministry – Montana $69,999.64
7. Exodus 2:6 Project: Spiritual Care in Disasters – Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma $50,000
8. Children’s Nutrition and Care – Vietnam $72,255
9. Grace Place for LCMS International Missionaries $75,000
10. Pregnancy Center: Newborn Protection – Malaysia, Southeast Asia $54,500
11. The Lutheran Malaria Initiative – Kenya, East Africa $100,000
12. Two Graduate Scholarships for International/Minority Students –Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri $50,000
13. Project JOEL – Outreach to Youth – Central/South America $75,000
14. Children’s Developmental Disabilities Group Home and Rehabilitation Center – Dominican Republic $100,000
15. Missionary Family Care and Education $100,000
16. Gospel Outreach Through Open Arms Child Care $65,000
17. Haskell Indian Nations University Lutheran Campus Ministry Expansion – Lawrence, Kansas $100,000
18. Financial Support for LCMS Prison and Jail Ministry Conference $27,500
19. Physical and Spiritual Nourishment for the Impoverished – United States/Mexico Border Partially funded at $27,970.36

Dr. Ken R. Klaus was the designer and proclaimer for the Thursday evening worship service.
Bible study leader Dr. Reed Lessing, Associate Professor and Director of the Graduate School at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, shared insights from Scripture with convention participants.

In her keynote address, Deb Burma, acclaimed speaker and author, inspired and motivated convention attendees to live out the convention theme.

LWML President Janice Wendorf reflected on her four years as president. She encouraged attendees to continue to be in the Word, of the Word, and walking with the Lord. She thanked the LWML for giving her the opportunity to serve as president.

The 585 voting delegates elected Kay Kreklau of Drayton, North Dakota, as the 17th President of the LWML. Other officers elected to help lead the organization for four-year terms were:
• Pat Reichert of Hartford, South Dakota, Vice President of Special Focus Ministries;
• Carolyn Blum of Hartford, Wisconsin, Vice President of Organizational Resources;
• Lois Anderson, Twin Falls, Idaho, Treasurer;
• Rev. John Heckmann, Gatesville, Texas, Pastoral Counselor.

Newly-elected members of the Nominating Committee are Beverly England of Tulsa, Oklahoma, who will serve as chairman; Cheryl Petersen of Elbow Lake, Minnesota; Sheila Lutz of Pekin, Illinois; Marge Bruning of Ashland, Virginia; and Sally Krueger of San Antonio, Texas.

The convention also featured processions with banners from all 40 LWML districts and the flags from countries where the LCMS has missionaries; activities for children and youth; singing led by Lana Gibbons; a “Mission in Motion” pledge walk and exercise; inspiration from speaker Katie Stam, Miss America 2009; presentations by Lutheran missionaries and luncheon speakers; and a performance by Sibling Harmony. The closing service featured Dr. Joe Meyer, Senior Pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Peoria, Illinois, as proclaimer.

The 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 to support global missions.
For more information about the convention or the LWML, visit the website www.lwml.org.

Final preparations are under way for the 34th Biennial Lutheran Women’s Missionary League Convention held in Peoria, Illinois, June 23-26, 2011. Thousands of Lutheran Women in Mission will be attending and participating in the many activities and events at the convention.

New at this convention will be the first live streaming of the convention sessions. For those not able to attend the convention in person, the streaming will allow an opportunity to catch up on all the convention sessions via the World Wide Web using home or office computers.

Computer viewing will require adequate Internet speed from your Internet provider (Broadband or DSL connection of at least .765 Mb/s is recommended). If you are unable to view the convention online, or if the video has a number of pauses in it, it is likely that there is not enough speed to support the live stream. If viewing the convention live is not an option, daily updates will be posted at www.lwml.org and on LWML Facebook page at www.facebook.com/TheLWML. Archived videos will be included with selected portions of each day.

This summer the LWML will Play in Peoria. It is not too late to be a part of the many events at the convention. Servant Events, Gifts from the Heart, Mission in Motion, special worship services, speakers, entertainment, friends, fellowship and more are all waiting. For more information on the convention, go to www.lwml.org/conventions. Late registrations are still being accepted for the convention.

The Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) presented a check totaling $245,482 to the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS) World Mission for final payment on three mission grants for the 2009-2011 biennium. To date, all mission grant recipients for the 2009-2011 biennium that have requested money have been paid. The grants paid in full include:

• Ten Chapels, Transportation, and Pastoral Training in Tanzania – $63,000
  This grant will be used to purchase materials for ten chapel roofs, motorcycles for pastors, and bicycles for evangelists; and to prepare five men for pastoral ministry in Tanzania.
• Earthquake Relief Aid and Church Plants in Peru – $100,000
  This grant will enable LCMS World Mission to reach out with God’s love through humanitarian aid and church planting in the forgotten, earthquake-ridden part of Peru.
• Humanitarian Aid Opens Mission Field in North Korea – $82,482
  The grant will be used to begin new mission work in North Korea, so that LCMS missionaries can share the love of Christ, both physically and spiritually, with thousands of North Koreans.

LWML President Janice Wendorf expressed gratitude to Lutheran Women in Mission who have funded the grants through their mite donations. “Even in these challenging economic times, LWML women have joined together and by the grace of God have been able to fund these three mission grants. God will surely use these gifts to further His kingdom throughout the world.”

By now many of you have some information regarding the devastating tornado that struck Joplin, Missouri, Sunday evening. The reports that I have received indicate that up to 75% of the city of 50,000 has sustained some damage with much of the damage catastrophic. As of 7:00 a.m. Monday, the media was reporting 89 confirmed deaths and it is anticipated that that number will increase as search and rescue efforts continue.

Immanuel Lutheran Church is the only LCMS congregation in Joplin. The Principal, Jeremy Schamber, reports that the school is damaged and at this time is unsafe to enter. It appears that the church did not sustain significant damage. The parsonage received structural damage including the loss of its roof.

The pastor of Immanuel Rev. Gregory Mech, and his wife, are uninjured. Likewise, the principal of the school and the DCE are both safe. Jason Glaskey, DCE, just sent a message via Facebook that all of Immanuel’s staff are now safe and accounted for. The homes of three of the Christian Day School teachers were destroyed. The brother of one of the teachers was killed.

Only approved emergency responders are permitted to enter Joplin. We have no information regarding specific needs and ask that all desiring to provide assistance please wait for a list of needs to be published. We will provide a list once that it has been developed. In the meantime, even for those with insurance, there will be immediate need for cash assistance. You can send cash assistance to:

The Missouri District Disaster Fund
The Missouri District – LCMS
660 Mason Ridge Center Dr. – Suite 100
St. Louis, MO 63141

Lutheran World Relief and Human Care
1333 S. Kirkwood Rd.
St. Louis, MO 63122

Lutheran Disaster Response
39330 Treasury Center
Chicago, IL 60694-9300

We give thanks and praise to God for the countless lives that were spared. We pray God’s comfort and blessings upon all of the families that mourn the death of loved ones. We ask God to bless the ministry to the injured and upon all the recovery efforts. Please keep all the residents of Joplin in your prayers.

Through this disaster in Joplin we are once again reminded how temporary this world is. Thanks be to God that through faith in His Son Jesus Christ, all who believe in Him have His promise of a life that will never end. As the Scriptures teach, “For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.”

++The ND District Board of Directors is searching for a designer of a new masthead (top of page 1) for this publication, The Messenger. We’d like a more “North Dakota” look to our newsletter. Please submit your entry (at least 200 pixels resolution) via e-mail to the Editor or via the form below by June 10th. Of course, the BOD will make the final selection.