Mariachi San Pablo their first distance rehearsal attempted via FaceTime

With quarantine disrupting so many group activities, Adelante Ministries of Ysleta Lutheran Mission Human Care (YLM) has been working to continue meeting with music students and holding Mariachi San Pablo rehearsals via technology.

Mariachi San Pablo music is recorded and shared via YouTube and Facebook for outreach purposes

“It’s been hard,” Miguel Muñoz, Assistant Director of the Adelante Ministries, shared regarding the continuation of the music education and outreach YLM is dedicated to provide, “We’ve had to find the right combination of programs and number of people to be able to rehearse.”

Miguel meets weekly via Skype with fifteen-year-old Gabrielle, one of two guitarron players in the Mariachi San Pablo, “She’s eager to learn and master her instrument, so we dedicate time to meet and practice together.”

Another form of music ministry being done by Adelante Ministries is hymn and music videos, recorded in conjunction with Zion Lutheran Church, which are shared via Facebook.  With the help of the equipment purchased, thanks to an LWML grant, Miguel has been helping record, edit, and post San Pablo Lutheran Church’s worship services, both in English and Spanish.

“It’s been a learning process, but we keep improving every week,” Miguel stated as he worked through yesterday’s recording for this coming Sunday’s service.

Rev Dr. Karl Heimer, pastor at San Pablo Lutheran Church and CEO of YLM, shared regarding the slow opening process of churches, “Even though we’re preparing to open for in-person services, with maximum physical distance protocols in place, we want to continue offering on-line services.  They have been very well received.”

Miguel and Pastor Stephen (Zion) work together to record music for online worship service

With support from YLM’s music ministry, San Pablo Lutheran Church continues ministry via online services

The timing on the reception of the LWML grant, which has allowed for needed equipment to help San Pablo Lutheran Church rise up to a new form of outreach, and has been a blessing for all involved.

“It wasn’t easy not to be able to meet to play or worship together, and it was especially hard not to be able to do what we usually do for Mother’s Day,” Miguel mentioned the Monday after May 10, referring to the traditional serenades Mariachi San Pablo would present to mothers throughout the weekend and at the San Pablo church service.

As the uncertainty of quarantine continues, YLM continues to seek and dedicate time and effort to help the surrounding community find hope during times of difficulty, and with the help of so many supporters of YLM’s mission to change lives through simple acts of kindness, this will continue to be the extraordinary result of God’s love poured out through His people for those in need of knowing they are loved.