Thanks to Gary Thies, Mission Counselor for LCMS Foundation/Ministries Support in Iowa and Nebraska, and to Rev. Paul "Bo" Brink, Hispanic Missionary in LCMS Iowa District West, for the information leading to this story.
When you think about Hispanic ministry and two brand new, struggling Hispanic church plants, does the state of Iowa jump into your mind? Yet there they are in Storm Lake and Denison, Iowa.
In March 2002, these congregations learned about what God is doing through LCMS World Mission in Central Asia. Aware as anyone...and more aware than most...of the wonder, joy and value of hearing the precious Good News about Jesus, each congregation voted independently to buy Bibles for children in Russia and Kazakhstan! Each congregation will buy 50 children's Bibles in the Russian language.
The Bibles cost $3.00 each, so the total gift from each congregation is only $150, but that word "only" is relative. Remember that these Christians, many of them just recently first coming to faith, are just beginning to learn about stewardship and giving. Their first introduction to mission giving was simultaneous with these decisions!
Remember also, as Gary Thies pointed out: "These gifts are some of the largest I have ever received, because these folks don't have any extra funding for Christ's mission [they need it for His mission right in their midst]. It is truly an example of giving like the widow giving her 'mite.' They have given much out of little."
Their hearts for Christ's mission and their giving hearts and giving attitudes also make them a wonderful subject for a giving story. If you know a similar story, send it to the Webmaster today! Jesus told His disciples, "Freely you have received; freely give" (Matt. 10:8).