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Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.
Psalm 31:5 NRSVue
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Fall Fundraising Initiative Helps Girls Achieve Their Dreams
You may have recently received a letter from the Rev. Mary Beenken. In it, Mary shares her LPGM story and asks you to join her and three generations of her family as they help Qʼeqchiʼ Maya girls like Elvira (above, pictured with Rob Cahill Community Cloud Forest Conservation) realize their dreams.
We need your help to raise $34,375 by October 15, which will open the doors of education with scholarships for 125 Qʼeqchiʼ Maya girls this year. It will also help open doors for girls in other partner programs, such as Eripoto in Tanzania.
Now through October 15, three generations of Beenkens will match your gift to LPGM’s Advancing Access to Education Fund, up to $6,250.
Thanks to all who have supported this initiative so far!
Read about how Elvira went from middle school dropout to community leader and college graduate
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International Prayer Zoom Unites Sisters in Christ
The Northern Illinois Synod (NIS) Women of the ELCA group hosted an International Prayer Zoom on Saturday, September 12. The virtual call aimed to connect women from NIS WELCA with women leaders from their companion synods in India and Tanzania.
Two of LPGM's global partners, Pastor Jane Anitha and Dora Hemalatha of the Arcot Lutheran Church (ALC) in Tamil Nadu, India, were among the attendees.
Read Pastor Jane and Dora's reflections on the WELCA Triennial
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Laura Feile Makes Connections at Normandale Lutheran Church
LPGM International Program Manager Laura Feile represented LPGM at Normandale Lutheran Church (ELCA) in Edina, Minn., on Saturday, September 13.
She connected with congregants and staff during the Ministry Fair, then attended their community-wide festival, which launched the new school year, celebrated the Normandale Community, and forged connections with neighbors and community partners!
Laura shared, "It was a blessing to spend the day with church leaders, parishioners, and community members. One of my favorite moments was handing out prizes to children and sharing that the kids featured on our stickers are students who are learning, growing, and thriving, just like them!"
She continued, "Events like these help us strengthen connections with our supporters, while introducing new people to our mission and impact."
If your church is interested in having LPGM participate in an upcoming event, we’d love to connect! Please reach out to office@lutheranpartners.org to learn more.
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Peach Trees Yield Peach Pies
Reposted from CCFC's June Email Newsletter
Our Guatemalan partner, Community Cloud Forest Conservation (CCFC), had a bountiful peach harvest this year! They planted the trees four years ago during the 2022 Women in Agroecology Leadership for Conservation (WALC), and this year was their first harvest. They enjoyed the peaches fresh, frozen, as jam, and as pie!
View Tara and Landy's peach pie recipe
Download Tara's FREE PDF cookbook!
| | "Dialogue Hours" Build Trust and Rapport | | |
On September 4, 60 students and 12 staff members from the Kariyalur Boarding Homes in the Kalrayan Hills participated in the inaugural "Dialogue Hours" program. The program was created to bridge communication gaps, nurture positive caregiver rapport, and build strong mutual trust between boarding home children and staff.
Victor Prince, Sponsor Relations Coordinator (SRC) at Kalrayan Hills Boarding Home, shares how the program came about.
"The idea came directly from my own home. My son once suggested that we try a role-reversal—me stepping into his shoes as a son, and him taking on my role as the father to discuss everyday feelings and expectations."
Learn how students and staff responded to this unique event
| | Over 100 Supporters Celebrate 30 Years of Mwangaza | |
On September 12, 2026, in Arusha, Tanzania, over 100 guests gathered to mark a monumental milestone: the 30th Anniversary of Mwangaza Education for Partnership.
The three-hour celebration included greetings and remarks from many past and current leaders, as well as songs, cultural dance, testimonies, and skits by current partner school students and Peace Club members.
Among attendees were 11 travelers from Lutheran Partners in Global Ministry, including former Friends of Mwangaza (FOM) President Mary Jo Huelle, who shared a greeting on behalf of Mwangaza founder Dr. “Mama Shoonie” Harwig (Mitchell, Neb.), and former FOM board member Debbie Kogelman (Tecumseh, Mich.).
Continue reading about this milestone celebration
| | Eripoto Officially Opens New Building | | |
A longtime dream, prayer, and project has become a reality for Eripoto for Girls and Women. The nonprofit operates a preschool, tailoring center, school outreach program, and safe house near Arusha, Tanzania.
After two years of construction, Eripoto officially celebrated the opening of its new three-story building with a ribbon-cutting and visit from 11 LPGM travelers on September 11, 2026. LPGM Development Director Bethany Krepela was asked to cut the ribbon.
Continue reading about the opening ceremony
Learn more about the two-year construction process
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Eripoto Prepares for El Niño
Tanzania has two main rainy seasons, the Vuli ("short rains") season from November to December and the Masika ("long rains") season from March to May.
The Tanzania Meteorological Authority has indicated that the upcoming Vuli season will likely be strongly influenced by El Niño, with northern Tanzania expected to experience significant rainfall.
As Eripoto is based in northern Tanzania, they are taking the forecast seriously and are reviewing the condition of the safe house, drainage system, water system, and other infrastructure. They are also making sure that staff is prepared for heavy rainfall, flooding, and transportation challenges.
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Minnetonka Congregation Makes Deep Impact through LPGM for 23 Years
By Dr. Jeff Jacobson
Oak Knoll Lutheran Church of Minnetonka, Minn., is a dynamic Christian community that seeks to live out God’s story of love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, and peace in everyday life.
Demonstrating this commitment through congregational engagement, outreach, and mission development with local, national, and international partners, Oak Knoll has partnered with Lutheran Partners in Global Ministry (LPGM) since 2003, making it a 23-year partnership.
Keep reading about how Oak Knoll has been able to sustain, and even grow, their mission partnership over the years
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Noongwapi's* Story: Bringing Hope and Healing to the Community
When Noongwapi first came to Eripoto in 2021, she was a quiet 17-year-old carrying a great deal of fear and uncertainty about her future.
She had experienced circumstances that made it difficult for her to imagine what her life could become.
Eripoto’s dedicated team gave her a safe home, food, emotional support, and opportunities to learn practical and business skills. They also promised to support her ongoing education.
Learn where Noongwapi is today
*Noongwapi's original name has been changed to protect her.
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Nivash's Difficult Decision
Nivash's parents work long hours in the flower and vegetable markets of Bangalore, leaving them with limited time to care for him.
Nivash came to live and study at Saron Boarding Home and has found the care and stability he needs to thrive.
He recently completed his 10th-grade public exams, and while he is confident he will achieve high marks, he faces a challenge. Nivash is interested in studying commerce or computer science, but Saron doesn't offer these subjects for 11th and 12th-grade students.
When asked if he would leave the boarding home to study those subjects elsewhere, Nivash shared that he had decided to stay.
He explained that Saron feels like home, and he expressed deep appreciation for the support system he has found there. He said that he could never find "sponsor parents" as dedicated and caring as those provided through LPGM.
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Guatemala 2027 Travel Webinar
You have two opportunities to travel to Guatemala with LPGM in summer 2027. Our June 12-22 trip is an intergenerational trip, while our July 10-20 trip will bring young adults from around the U.S. to explore and learn in the Central Highlands.
Interested in learning more about one, or both, of these opportunities? Please join us on Thursday, October 22 at 12 noon for our Guatemala Travel Webinar.
Sign up for the free webinar.
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Generosity Matters:
A Monthly Reflection on Faithful Giving
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DAF Day is October 8
Since 2024, the second Thursday of October has been celebrated as a national giving day to raise up the power of donor-advised funds (DAFs) to make our world a better place. This year, DAF Day falls on October 8.
DAFS are the fastest-growing tool people are using to:
- Set money aside for charity
- Get an immediate tax break
- Grant to nonprofits anytime
There are nearly 3.6 million DAF accounts nationwide, with assets estimated to surpass $326 billion*!
Continue reading
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From Pen Pal to Travel Leader: Why Mary has Supported LPGM for Decades
"My name is Mary Beenken, and long before I became a Lutheran pastor, I was a pen pal. In the mid-1990s, my grandparents Ken and Margaret began sponsoring students in India through LPGM.
Grandma Margaret wrote faithfully to the two girls she sponsored, and since they happened to be about the same age as my sister and me, Grandma encouraged us to correspond with them as well.
And so, at the age of eight, I made a new friend on the other side of the world and began to learn about how the chance to go to school can change a life."
Watch the video embedded above to learn more.
| | Pictured above: LPGM travelers and their guides pose in front of Mount Meru, a dormant volcano and the eighth-highest mountain in Africa. During their journey to Tanzania from September 9-20, they toured Eripoto's new building, celebrated Mwangaza's 30th anniversary, visited a Maasai village, and saw the "big 5" at national parks. | | | |
Sharing is Caring!
Share this newsletter with a friend and help spread the word about LPGM.
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Upcoming Events
October 5 - Lunch & Learn Webinar: Eripoto for Girls & Women (Zoom)
October 11 - Guatemala Youth Trip Event at Normandale Lutheran Church (Edina, Minn.)
October 22 - 2027 Guatemala Travel Webinar (Zoom)
February 9-23, 2027 - Trip to India
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Our Mission: LPGM provides access to quality education for people at the margins – especially women and girls. We work together with global partners to listen, respond and bear witness to local needs and priorities.
Lutheran Partners in Global Ministry is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Our Employer Identification Number (EIN) is 41-1818525. Your donation is tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.
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