A newsletter for our partners

1. Page Two: Narasimman’s Story
Page Three: Development Corner;
Publication Notices
Pages Four and Five: Project Education India Sponsorship Statistics
Page Six: Memorials and Honorariums
Page Seven: A Traveler’s Experience
Back Page: C.A.R. Update
LPGM Mission Statement
Summer 2014
By the time you receive this, children and young adults all over the U.S. will be making preparations for their return to the classroom. For the students in India, that “back to school” celebration began several weeks ago.
In June the boarding homes welcomed their students back from a two-month summer break. The hottest months in this part of the world are April and May, hence their school calendar is unique.
LPGM also welcomed new staff in our India office. Four field coordinators, two female and two male, are spending time on the boarding home campuses connecting with the sponsored students. They are helping improve the flow of communication between sponsors and students. The field coordinators will also be keeping sponsors informed of what is happening on the campuses as they share stories of the students’ day-to-day activities.
Back to School in India
The field coordinators are collecting statistics about each student at each boarding home. An exciting improvement for 2014- 2015 is a new student data management system, which is now “in the cloud,” making it accessible from both the U.S. and India offices in real time. These changes have helped us to receive updated student profiles and photos in record time.
Thanks for your prayerful support!
What a sponsor can expect in the next few weeks
If your student has returned to the boarding home you will be receiving an updated student profile, photo prayer card and letter writing guide. If your student did not return to the boarding home for the 2014-15 school year or you were sponsoring a 12th standard student who has graduated, we will be sending you a new student in need of sponsorship, including a student profile, photo prayer card and letter writing guide.
LPGM supports nearly 1500 students in seven boarding homes in India. We currently have over 200 children who are in need of a sponsor. To become a sponsor, visit www.lutheranpartners.org/sponsorship or contact us.
Sponsorship makes it possible for a child to receive an education, where they might not otherwise have this
opportunity. For that, we thank you!

2. Page Two
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Many times, we see God’s hand visibly at work – in a powerful thunderstorm or a colorful sunset. Yet many times God works so subtly that we scarcely take notice. This was the case when the car belonging to ALC Community College director, the Rev. Sebastian Simpson, needed attention. He did what any of us would do, he took it to a local repair shop. In his case, this was located in the southern Indian city of Cuddalore, in the state of Tamil Nadu. He was greeted with a surprise.
Narasimman’s family came to south India from Sri Lanka. Along with his sister and brother, they hoped to better themselves through education and practical
work experience. While their brother worked as a painter, Narasimman and his sister, Gangarishta, enrolled at the ALC Community College in Parangi- pettai. Gangarishta is currently studying for her diploma as a healthcare administration assistant. Narasimman completed the four-wheel mechanism (auto/truck repair) diploma course in 2013.
He made his way to Cuddalore, 24 kilometers away, and found work at the city’s largest auto repair shop. He was equally surprised when Pastor Sebastian entered the shop a few months later. Narasimman, immediately recog- nizing Pastor Sebastian, warmly greeted him and shared his story. The shop owner later joined the conversation.
Impressed with Narasimman’s work, he committed to hiring additional Community College graduates from the next class.
God’s hand quietly at work!
But the story does not end there. Narasimman and his family, so pleased with the opportunities
God’s Hand, Quietly at Work in India
made available through their education, decided to show their gratitude through a very practical gift. Over the recent March-June school break, the two siblings volunteered to paint the Community College buildings! Their brother (the painter) added his expertise as well, reducing his normal rate to demonstrate his thanks.
This chance meeting illustrates the value of Narasimman’s education and how it led to a good job. The Community College helped instill a sense of stewardship, fostering generosity and a willingness to give back. In addition, their en- counter established a relationship between the Community College and an important local business, where future graduates can find employment.
We rejoice in the work of Narasimman, Pastor Sebastian (both in the photo above), the
Arcot Lutheran Church, and LPGM’s partners who help make opportunities like this one
possible.
Thank you!
A bit of background …
On December 24, 2004, a tragic tsunami devastated the coast of many towns near Cuddalore in Tamil Nadu, India. With relief agencies on the ground to take care of immediate needs, $231,820 of LPGM financial support eventually became a few small buildings and the beginning of a new educational center for those whose lives were impacted by the long term effects of the tsunami. Now there are nearly 70 students enrolled in three degree programs.
An extensive expansion of the
campus, now underway, is funded by a grant from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Global Mission.
You can read more at
lutheranpartners.org/community college

3. office@lutheranpartners.org  lutheranpartners.org  facebook.com/lutheranpartners Page Three
Regular
Business Hours
The office is regularly staffed
Monday through Friday
9:00 am—5:00 pm *
We observe most
National Holidays
* In June, July & August
we close at noon on Friday
A quick call in advance
of a visit is admired
but not required
Publication
Notice
PARTNERS is an occasional
publication of
Lutheran Partners
in Global Ministry.
If you have content you
would like to share with
LPGM constituents,
please contact us at the
LPGM office.
612.823.5058
office@lutheranpartners.org
Lutheran Partners in Global Ministry
Board of Directors
Betsy Starz Thayer, Board Chair | The Rev. Mark Holman, Chair-Elect
Marilyn Christensen, Secretary | Thomas Luukkonen, Treasurer
Corinne Engstrand, Executive Committee At Large
Mary Beenken | Dave Dynneson | Tricia Hall
Michele Johnson | The Rev. Rick Meier | Ann Moe
Jim Noss | The Rev. Joel Quie | The Rev. Lynne Rigg
Nola Storm | Peter Thomas
Gordon Olson, Founding Director
Naomi Staruch, Managing Director
Paul Steen, Development Director
The Rev. Mark Warpmaeker, Executive Director
LPGM is a 501(c)3 organization.
Your contribution is tax deductible
to the fullest extent allowed by law.
If you have any
questions,
please contact us.
A Gift that Keeps on Giving ...
The Mission Development Fund
At one time, our friend B.J. was sponsoring 55 students in India. In today’s
dollars, that is $1,375 each month or $16,500 each year. He was a single,
gentle man with no children of his own. He had a passion for helping those
who needed assistance. What a gift!
At his death in November of 2011, B.J. left a sizable financial contribution to
LPGM through his estate. The Board of Directors made a promise to use this
gift for programs that need a boost. In other words, to “pay it forward” as
they say. The Board of Directors created the Mission Development Fund
with the proceeds from B.J.’s generous gift!
In 2012 the amount granted was ~$50,000 and in 2013 it was ~$46,000. It is
the plan to spend all of B.J.’s money to fund global ministries, over time, so
even with prudent investing it will be depleted one day unless you and
others choose to add to it!
May you be inspired by B.J.’s generosity to make decisions about your own
tithing and charitable giving.
Contact Paul Steen at LPGM to learn about legacy giving opportunities.
Email: paul@lutheranpartners.org or 612.823.5058

4. Page Four
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Project Education India was started October 1, 1996
This list indicates those who have been sponsors continuously since 1999
Those marked with asterisk (*) are currently sponsoring more than one student
As of July 31, 2014
Amy & Bryce Narveson
Amy & Curt Hollan *
Amy & Daniel Thorson
Ann & Doug Sewich
Ann & Tim Moe *
Anne & David Gran *
Anne & David Johnson *
Anne & Ed Towey *
Arleth & Dale Anderson *
Barb & Chuck Swanson *
Barb & Gary Akgulian
Barb & Norman Olson *
Barbara & Ed Wistrand *
Barbara & Skip Chapin
Ben Janke & Jess Clyde
Beth Hauge
Bethany LC WELCA,
Grantsburg WI
Bethlehem LC Sunday School,
Minneapolis MN *
Betty & Gordon Olson *
Beverly Deak
Beverly Evans
Beverly Lundeen *
Bonnie & Verne Winter *
Brian Batzli *
Carol & Ken McKenzie
Carol & Ron Burmeister
Carol & Tad Hauck
Carol Pfleiderer
Carole & Jim Knudsen
Carole Tota *
Carolyn Bliss
Carolyn & Bill Kobler *
Carolyn & Jerry Van Every
Carolyn Lageson *
Celeste & Jim Gibson
Cheryl & Chris Quello *
Christi Bystedt & Gary Bebeau *
Christine & Jerry Moench
Connie & Michael Braun
Connie Manske & Bruce Redmon *
Constance & Howard Reinschmidt
Corinne & Dan Engstrand *
David Soli
Deanna & Jon Dunbar
Debbie & Mark Heyne *
Debbie & Rich Gortowski
Deborah Carbaugh
& Christopher Nelson *
Debra & John Silva *
Deirdre & Dake Chatfield *
Dianna & Peter Olson *
Donna Piehl
Donnel & Matt Schlosser
Dora & Philip Quanbeck
Doris Jorgenson *
Dorothea Tenney
Dorothy & Greg Hoffelt *
Dorothy & Robert Rust *
Ed Wagner
Eileen & James Roebke
Eldonna Christensen *
Elizabeth & Arnold Carbaugh
Emily & Paul Block
Esther Circle, Bethlehem LC
Minneapolis MN
Faith & Mike Burris *
First English LC VBS, Appleton WI *
G. Lois Ringquist
Gail & Phil Minerich *
Gayle & Jim Harrison
Gloria & Roger Tamte
Gwenn & Steve Branstad *
THANK YOU to the 957 sponsors that currently support students in India through PEI
Helen & Jim Barrett
Hope LC Sunday School,
Ladysmith WI
Hosanna LC Sunday School,
Rochester MN
Janelle & Jason Skinner *
Janet & Dale Johnson
Jean & John Westberg
Jeanne & Thomas LeFevere *
Jini Mortensen
Joan & David Olson
Jody & Tim Klabunde
Judy & Michael Morris
Judy Tonolli
Julie & Kent Forss *
Julie & Paul Pena
June & Harold Hayer
Karen & Gary McGraw *
Karen & Merlin Hanson
Karen & Philip Olson
Karen Ann Roesler
Karna & Bob Hauck *
Kathleen & Doug Hokemeir-Seim
Kathryn & Jon Lammers
Kathy & Jim Bratly
Kris & Jim Clyde
Kristin Blomquist
Kristin Fitzpatrick
Kristina Gehrman
Laurie & Dan Hauge *
Leanne Kopp & Alain Verdier
Linda & David Ness *
Linda Sifford & Thomas Sautter
Lisa & Jeff Sandgren *
Lois & Gerry Edinger *
Lois & Rich Gehrman
Lori & Kirk Muhlenbruck
Project Education India has
connected 2304 sponsors with children in India
since 10.01.1996

5. Page Five
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Please notify us of any errors so we may correct the oversight
donors@lutheranpartners.org
Lorraine Baker (deceased)
Louise & Dick Klawitter
Luann & Wes Haugen
Lynae & John Olson *
Magie & Bob Carlson
Maria Bucka
Marian & Dave Skaar
Marilyn & Larry Fogdall *
Marion Lien
Marlene & Andy Dieterich *
Mary & Dave Hauck
Mary & Joseph Dynneson
Mary & Peter Knoll
Mary & Terry Maves
Mary & Vaughn Ver Steegt
Mary Ann Matson *
Mary Beth & Dale Woodrow
Mary Kay & Peter Thomas *
Mary Olson
Mary Tinkham & Robert Kean *
Mavis & Conrad Aas
Melissa & Paul Steen *
Mellisa & Nick Mattsson
Michael Garland
Now in its 18th year,
Project Education India
was started in 1996;
451 sponsors have been
involved more than
10 years!
Nan & Dave Grube *
Nancie Handorf
Nancy & Charles Stewart *
Nancy & Mark Bjork
Nancy & Rob Norris-Weber *
Nancy & Tom Bruch
Nancy Allen
Nancy Pearson *
Naomi & Steven Staruch *
Noreen & Stephen Thompson
Norma & Dave Amundson
Our Savior's LC Youth, Neenah WI *
Pam & Scott Gauerke
Pat & Dick Hansen
Patti & Eric Grube
Paula & Dan Bry
Paulette Beise
Peg Hassett
Peggy & Jim Cunningham
Phyllis & Al Charlson
Phyllis & Elwood Tiller
Phyllis Brynestad *
Priscilla & David Strom
Rebekah Circle, Our Savior's LC,
Neenah WI
Regina Christopher
Rosemary & Jim Dean
Ruth & Paul Hauge *
Ruth Bruch *
Ruth Knudson
Sally & Jay Johnson
Sally & John Koepsell *
Sandra & George Anderson *
Sandra & Phillip Edwardson
Sara & Lee Goldstrand *
Sarah & Chris Blatchford
Sarah & Steve Pfile
Sevrin Steen
Sharon & Barry Mason *
Sharon & Keith Ingle *
Sharon & Richard Klabunde
Shelly Franz & Tom Waddell
Shirley & Roy LaFayette *
St. Peter WELCA, Denver IA
St. Petri LC, Evansville MN *
Sue & Jack Swanson
Sue & Keith Hanson
Susan & David Lindvall
Susan & Kent Oachs
Susan & Larry Miller
Susan & Paul Grover
Susan Ahlswede
Susan Snell
Susanna & Poul Bertelsen
Suzan Petersen *
Tania Haber & Bob Wertz
Tom Deason
Toni & David Boie
Valerie & Todd Ellis
Vange Gunderson
Vernice & Keith Knudsen *
Vicki & Vance Brandt
Willamae & Duane Swenson
Wilma Ann Wallin Sagers
Women of the Word,
St. Luke's LC Alexandria MN
Project Education
India has sponsored 5512
children since 10.01.1996
LPGM sponsors support students by providing funds for shelter, food, clothing, medical care and school supplies. Children come from
families in India that value educa- tion but cannot provide the kind of opportunities they would like for their children. The church boarding homes provide excellent care,
exposure to the love of Christ, a quality education, nutritious food and a safe environment for children ages 5 to 18. Above all, the schools and homes give the children hope for a better future.
The sponsorship rate is $300 per year or $25 per month.
To join this educational initiative, please call the LPGM office or write to sponsors@lutheranpartners.org to become a sponsor today.

6. Page Six
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Special contributions received
May 1, 2014 through July 31, 2014
Please notify us of any errors so we may correct the oversight
donors@lutheranpartners.org
IN MEMORY OF
Remembered by
LORRAINE BAKER
Mary Beth Cavert
Shirley & Loren Espeland
Michael Garland & Bill Hogan
Robert Hoisington
Christine & Jerry Moench
Gordon & Betty Olson
Sue Reaney
Beth & Mark Warpmaeker
Gudrun & Geoffrey Witrak
RON EDENBORG
Susan & David Lindvall
SHIRLEY JOHNSON
Mary Canakes
Kim Holdsworth
Marcia & Brian Johnson
Phyllis Johnson
Ellen Bragg & Patrick Lucking
Betty & Gordon Olson
Neil Ostlund
Pam & Matthew Sveen
Carol & John Talley
Beth & Mark Warpmaeker
Wendy & Tad Weiss
IN MEMORY OF
Remembered by
JIM JORGENSON
Margaret & Ken Beenken
Deanna & Dwayne Broe
Marilyn & Ken Christensen
Dee & Don Cusack
Rosemary & Jim Dean
Jan & Bill Dubats
Corinne & Dan Engstrand
Mary & Curt Fandrey
Amy & Jason Folvaag
Ivanell & Luther Monson
Betty & Gordon Olson
Carole & Bob Peterson
Sandy & Dennis Peterson
Mary Swanson & Darrell Gubrud
Barb & Frank Thissen
Phyl & Bob Whitney
DAVID OLSON
Annette & Steve Wildenauer
TIM OLSON
Mary Kay & Peter Thomas
DAVID PALM
Grace & Wayne Palm
LPGM Ministry Celebration
Bethel Lutheran Church
1321 North Avenue, Northfield MN 55057
Plan to join us for a ministry celebration on
Thursday, September 25, 2014, beginning at 6:30 pm
No need to RSVP, just show up!
More details at lutheranpartners.org/outandabout
IN HONOR OF
Recognized by
LEONARD BATALDEN & the ANNUAL MEMORIAL DAY LUAU
Anne & Brent Johnson
MICHAEL GARLAND & BILL HOGAN
Gudrun & Geoffrey Witrak
GREAT GRANDCHILDREN
Ardell & Dennis Rettmann
JANE & DOUG KOONS
Sue Reaney
JENNY KOONS & CAMERON QUINN
Sue Reaney
VAL MICHEL
Grace & Douglas Schroeder Scott
PASTOR CHRISTOPHER NELSON
Margaret & Ken Beenken
Delores Randby
Phyllis Brynestad
Colleen Sehnert
PASTOR CHRISTOPHER NELSON & DEB CARBAUGH
Ruth & Paul Hauge
VIRGINIA “RIF” NELSON
Grace & Douglas Schroeder Scott
REV LOREN & ROBERTA NIELSEN
Carolyn & Bill Kobler
PAUL & MARLENE RASMUSSEN
Bonnie & Verne Winter
PASTOR BETH WARPMAEKER
Ruth & Paul Hauge
Cleo Kriesel
Dora & Philip Quanbeck
GUDRUN WITRAK
Michael Garland & Bill Hogan

7. Page Seven
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Laura Johnson has lived her whole life in Chicago, but her passion is travelling the world. So when she heard that Edison Park Lutheran Church in Chicago, which she’d been visiting, was sending a group of people to a partner congregation in Argentina, her ears perked up. Though she wasn’t a member of the church, Laura asked if she could go with them. “They said, ‘Sure, you don’t have to be a member to go to Argentina with us,’ and I just thought that was really beautiful.”
The group from Chicago was going to Argentina to visit a congregation that they were partnering with through LPGM: the Lutheran Church of San Lucas in Grand Borg, Argentina. Laura’s group had oppor- tunities to visit beautiful sites and enjoy Argentinian culture, but it was the conversations with parish- ioners of San Lucas that she found most meaningful. “We were able to really get to know the people and I realized that they are the same as us, they just live in a different coun- try,” she said. “They have the same aspirations, desires, goals in life, and needs.”
A few months later, Laura learned about another LPGM trip, this time to visit Arcot Lutheran schools in India. She signed up for the trip, despite the fact that she didn’t
Laura Johnson takes her faith global!
know anyone else who was going. “I had never been on a trip where I didn’t know anyone, but I thought, ‘you know, God’s at work here so it’ll all be good,’ she said, “It was the best group I’ve ever travelled with.” Her favorite memory from the trip to India was a ceremony in which students were presented with new school uniforms. While most of the children received uniforms, Laura’s group noticed that around 30 to 40 students did not. When they in- quired about why, they learned that there wasn’t enough money to buy uniforms for the students who lived in the village rather than at the school. “My travel group decid- ed that those children should have uniforms also,” she said, “so we went in our wallets and put that money together and gave it to
Pastor Priscilla to buy those
children uniforms.” A few weeks after their return, the group
received photos from the school of the remaining children receiving their very own uniforms. “It made the whole trip worthwhile,” Laura said.
While she felt that the India trip was vastly different from her Argentina trip, with its own bless-
ings and challenges, Laura was struck again by what her group had in common with those they met in their travels. During a church ser- vice with a Lutheran congregation in India, she recognized the melo- dies of three of her favorite hymns: “Beautiful Savior,” “What a Friend We Have in Jesus,” and “I know that My Redeemer Lives.” The con- gregation was singing in Tamil, but she sang along in English. Despite the language barriers, the distance, and the cultural differences, they connected through music and faith. That’s the lesson she carried back home: “It’s fascinating how much we are the same every- where, rather than different.”
Laura Johnson is pictured (above) with
students at Siloam in Tirukoilur, India. Each traveler from Laura’s group was paired with school children
to plant and water a fruit tree.
Many thanks to LPGM Development & Communications Committee
member Beth Beenken for interviewing Laura and writing this piece.
Are you ready to
TAKE YOUR FAITH GLOBAL?
Contact Mary at the LPGM office
mary@lutheranpartners.org

8. Address Service Requested
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office@lutheranpartners.org
lutheranpartners.org
facebook.com/lutheranpartners
Lutheran Partners in Global
Ministry is a movement that
engages individuals and
communities in
transformational partnerships
across the globe.
Centered in faith and
dedicated to service,
LPGM is called to action
by sharing resources and hope.
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Connecting and
Encouraging through Faith
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best way to stay current on the
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C.A.R. Update—Good News!
Last month a group of partners gathered for an annual C.A.R. Consultation.
Individuals representing ELCA Global Mission, companion synods Eastern
North Dakota, Western North Dakota, and Texas Louisiana Gulf Coast,
Global Health Ministries and LPGM, as well as current and former mission-aries
to Central Africa, sat around the table and discussed the situation
facing brothers and sisters in the Central African Republic and how we can
be supportive from afar.
Those who live near and work with
President Andre Golike, leaders and
members of the Ev. Lutheran Church in the Central African Republic were
able to share stories and instances where the church is continuing its work,
despite the hardships. From an official report from the LPGM supported
Village Savings & Loan project dated 07.22.14: Today 80% of the partici-pants
of the project have received their assistance and are active in their
enterprises which in return generate revenues that are reinvested in
savings within their respective association.
The ministries and programs have been affected and there are times when
the impact is limited; however, your support of our appeal for financial
support of their rebuilding and recovery has already been effective. Thank
you for your prayers and your financial support.