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From the Ends of the Earth
Chile Mission News from Jim and Liisa Tino
July 2022
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You are receiving this e-newsletter because you signed up for it at a church or event where the Tinos spoke about their ministry in Chile. (If you don't recall signing up, I can send you a copy of the sign-up sheet with your name on it.) If you no longer wish to receive it, PLEASE DO NOT MARK IT AS SPAM! Simply click "unsubscribe" at the bottom of this e-newsletter. Thank you!
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“I saw a picture on Facebook… where are you guys?” |
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We’ve been getting that question a lot lately, so this newsletter will be mostly about “Tino Family News”. Of course, ministry is still going on as well, so there’s a lot to share!
As you probably recall, we have been trying to wrap up our ministry in Chile for at least six months now! There are a few major factors in this decision. First, we feel the need to be closer to family so we can lend a hand with some pressing family concerns. Also, Jim’s role as director of Global Lutheran Outreach continues to require more time and travel. Finally, we feel that the church here in Santiago has matured enough to enable a successful transition to new leadership. So, our plan was to leave Chile during the first half of the year. But as the saying goes, “We plan; God laughs”. (I think that’s a saying! If not, it is now.)
Since God did not agree with our plan, we have had to “divide and conquer”. Liisa traveled to the States on April 1 in order to be with family, while Jim has continued the ministry in Santiago and with GLO. Here are some highlights!
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Jim and Liisa's Newsy News! |
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In April, Liisa traveled to be with daughter Gabi and husband Daniel in Phoenix for the birth of their third child, a daughter! Kaylee Marie Sipp was born on April 14. Liisa was able to stay with the Sipps until the first week of May, helping out with cooking, cleaning, child care, and chauffer services. Also in April, Jim’s duties as GLO director brought him to Michigan for an intensive course on fundraising, led by the Lutheran Foundation. While in Michigan, he was able to spend a few days with his parents, Dennis and Norma Tino.
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Mom Tino, enjoying her flowers on Mother's Day |
(L to R) Jim, Rafael Flores, and Rev. Juan Pablo Lanterna. |
Jim and Victor (2nd from right) with church leaders in Guyana. |
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In May, Liisa travelled to Michigan to spend six weeks with Jim’s parents and to lend a hand. She provided some much-need relief for Dad Tino who is the full-time caregiver for Norma. Norma has advanced memory loss and is in delicate health. Liisa was able to arrive in time to celebrate Mother’s Day with them, and then she stayed until mid-June.
While Liisa was in Michigan, Jim’s duties took him to several places. First, he represented the Lutheran Church of Chile at a Symposium in the Dominican Republic. The Symposium was convened to introduce the new Himnario Luterano (Spanish Lutheran Hymnal), which has been over a decade in the making. The new hymnal is a rich resource for Spanish-language Lutheran churches. Also in the Dominican Republic, we celebrated the graduation from seminary of several new students, one of whom is from Chile. The new graduate - Rafael and his wife Jamielynn – will be serving their vicarage in Chile as soon as they can secure the proper visas.
Next, Jim’s duties took him to Guyana to accompany new GLO missionary Victor Rivas on his “initial field visit”. Victor, wife Belen, and daughter Sophia are from Guatemala and are currently raising support for their ministry, with the goal of deploying to Guyana in early 2023. Since they will be our first missionaries in Guyana, Jim needed to go along to better define their future ministry and to establish channels of communication with our local partners.
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The celebration continued at the Kowalski family home with a cook-out and tons of other food, all put together by daughter Sonrisa and her cousin Lauren. Nika made it out to Michigan (from St. Louis) as well, so the only one of our family who wasn’t there was Ben and Scarlett. Scarlett still has not been able to obtain a visa for travel to the States.
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Once those trips were completed, Jim joined Liisa in Michigan just in time to welcome the arrival of the Sipp family who drove from Phoenix in a rented RV for a visit and for the baptism of Kaylee. The baptism was a great family event, celebrated at Guardian Lutheran Church on June 12. Jim performed the baptism.
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When the gathering was over, Jim returned to Chile in mid-June to continue the ministry while Liisa traveled to New Hampshire to spend some time with her parents, family, and friends. Liisa’s father, Edwin, is suffering from cancer which is causing him a lot of pain, so they welcomed the help. Liisa’s childhood friend, Katy, was recently diagnosed with an aggressive cancer, so they have been sharing some special times together.
Next week, Jim and Liisa will both be traveling to Florida for the annual GLO board meeting (and some grandparent time!). After the meeting, they are scheduled to attend the annual Hispanic Ministry Conference in Orlando where they will continue to promote the work of Global Lutheran Outreach. At the conclusion of the conference, they will return to Santiago in time to lead worship again on August 7th.
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* Pray for traveling mercies. Travel in these post-covid times is a lot different than it used to be. Flight delays of 3, 4 and even 7 hours are common, as are flight cancellations. It’s not fun any more.
* Continue to pray that God would lead us to the next pastor for “Divine Providence” Lutheran Church in Santiago. We have extended three pastoral calls, all of which were declined. We are preparing to extend our fourth call.
* Continue to pray that God would provide us with a permanent “home” for the Santiago congregation. Options continue to appear, but so far nothing has panned out.
* Pray for our loved ones experiencing a “winter” in their lives: Liisa’s father Edwin, suffering from cancer; Liisa’s friend Katy, also with cancer; and Jim’s mother Norma.
* Pray for Jim – for wisdom and time management. After a nearly 2-year covid-induced hiatus from travel, the work of GLO in many countries is quickly ramping back up and is putting more demands on his time.
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* Praise God for the musicians in Santiago that Liisa continues to train “remotely” - Betsi, Oscar, Elianeth, and Domenico. We are very proud of them! Pray that they would remain firm in their commitment to leading worship.
* Praise God that Liisa has been able to be with her parents and Jim’s parents for some extended visits and to lend a helping hand.
* Praise God that the Santiago congregation has remained faithful in worship and in service during Jim’s many absences. Pray for those who have assumed a more prominent leadership role: José, Moisés, Elianeth, and Coralí.
* Praise the Lord that new member classes have continued during this time. Pray for those who are finishing their confirmation instruction: Oscar, Orianna, Leo, Carola, Zenaida, Ivan, and Ezekiel.
* Praise God for our faithful supporting mission partners! Your prayers and offerings sustain our ministry.
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“Don’t be anxious about what you will eat… your Heavenly Father knows what you need.” (Mt. 6:32) Our heavenly Father knows what we need. He knows what YOU need, as well! Together, let’s turn to our heavenly Father and trust in His provision!
Or, you can mail a check to:
Global Lutheran Outreach
6709 Ficus Dr.
Miramar, FL 33023
(put "Tino - Chile" on the memo line of the check")
Global Lutheran Outreach is a not-for-profit corporation under section 501 c 3 of the Federal Tax code. Contributions are tax deductible to the fullest extent permitted by the IRS.
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Do you have a passion to see that the Good News of Jesus continues to be shared at home and around the world? Rather than being spent on immediate needs, a gift to the Global Lutheran Outreach Endowment Fund will be invested under the management of the Lutheran Legacy Foundation, and the gains on the investment will provide resources for Lutheran mission work for generations to come! Learn more here.
GLO CAN NOW RECEIVE DONATIONS OF STOCK!
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GLOBAL LUTHERAN OUTREACH| www.GlobalLutheranOutreach.com |
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