If you attended one of my presentations at the Rocky Mountain District LWML Convention, I hope you didn’t notice how nervous I was. The truth is, I spent the entire weekend hoping no one could tell.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been insecure about my accent. English is my second language, and although I’ve spoken it for many years, standing in front of people has always been intimidating. To make matters even more challenging, just a couple of hours before my first presentation, I learned there would be no screen available for my slides or visuals.
My heart sank a little bit!
For three 45-minute sessions, I thought, people are going to be looking only at me and listening only to my words.
I’ve served Ysleta Lutheran Mission Human Care (YLM) for nearly 20 years this coming October. During that time, I’ve learned so much about this ministry, and I truly love and believe in what God is doing through YLM. Yet, even after all these years, standing before others and sharing our story is still one of the most nerve-wracking things I must do.
As I stood before nearly 200 participants throughout the convention weekend, I prayed they wouldn’t see me –that they would see the ministry. I prayed they would hear not my words, but what God has accomplished through YLM because of faithful partners like them.
And what an incredible weekend it became!
One of the highlights of the convention was the presentation of the Mission Grants. YLM had submitted a proposal requesting support for ministry across the border in Ciudad Juárez. As the grants were announced, I couldn’t help but wonder: What if we’re not selected? What if people have forgotten about YLM? What if they no longer believe in this ministry?
My hands were sweating. My heart was racing.
The wonderful ladies from San Pablo Lutheran Church, two wonderful members of Mariachi San Pablo, which also happened to be part of the board of the RMD LWML, and YLM participants who attended the convention with me, sat around our table praying together. One by one, the grants were announced. Because “Ysleta” begins with a “Y,” our ministry was listed last alphabetically. Every announcement made the wait even longer.
Then I heard our name.
YLM was awarded the grant with 65 of the 72 votes cast.
I still get emotional thinking about that moment.
It took everything I had not to stand up, cry, and dance with joy, although I should have done it. Why not?
The award wasn’t just about receiving a $10,000 grant. It was a beautiful reminder that the women of the Rocky Mountain District still believe in this ministry. They believe in the work God is doing at the border. They believe in serving our neighbors in El Paso, Ciudad Juárez, and beyond. They believe changing lives every day through simple acts of kindness is a mission worth supporting.
During my presentations, I shared our district is blessed with five LCMS Recognized Service Organizations, and YLM is honored to be one of them. I also had the privilege of telling everyone about Mariachi San Pablo –the world’s only Lutheran mariachi –and the unique ways God is using Music, Mercy, and Missions to reach people for Christ.
More than anything, I wanted everyone to know these accomplishments don’t belong only to YLM. They belong to all of us. They belong to you. They belong to every congregation, every donor, every volunteer, every LWML society, every Servant Event participant, and every faithful supporter who has partnered with us over the years.
We are one district.
We are one Church.
We are one Body in Christ.
If you were at the convention, thank you! Thank you for welcoming us so warmly, for listening with open hearts, and for encouraging our ministry through your fellowship, your prayers, and your generosity.
If you were unable to attend, I invite you to explore the presentation through the linked video below. As you read about what God has accomplished –and continues to accomplish –through YLM, I hope you feel the same sense of joy and purpose we do.
This ministry exists because God continues to work through faithful people like you.
Whether you have prayed, volunteered, given financially, served on a mission team, or simply shared our story, you are part of what God is doing here at the border of El Paso and Ciudad Juárez.
Sometimes this little corner of the Rocky Mountain District feels so far away, yet this is exactly where God has called us to serve.
Every day, with your love and support, we continue striving to change lives every day through simple acts of kindness.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for believing in this ministry.
Thank you for partnering with us.
Most of all, thank you for allowing God to work through you.
Written by Karla Gonzalez, Director of Operations
Click Here to download the PowerPoint Presentation.
