outreach
Did you know that through Bethlehem’s Outreach
ministry, you are supporting a missionary couple in
Argentina?
Krystle Moraska and her husband, Ignacio Madrussan, are ELCA missionaries
serving as YAGM country coordinators for Argentina and Uruguay. Young Adults
in Global Mission (YAGM) is the fastest growing form of global service in the
church. Volunteers in the program are between the ages of 21 and 29 and serve
in placements all over the
world, dedicating one year
of their lives to international
service. In 2017, 93 YAGMs
were sent into service in
11 country programs – the
largest group ever. Several
members of Bethlehem have
served as Young Adults in
Global Mission since the
program began.
7 young people are
becoming the hands and
feet of Jesus in Argentina
Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM)
and Uruguay through this
Argentina 2018
program this year, providing
critical support to ministries and projects in communities of need. These
volunteers are also invited into a journey of self-reflection, “provided space to
consider their sense of identity, God’s work in the world, and their place within
it.” More than 30% of YAGMs enter seminary after returning home.
Encountering the Heart of
the People Through Art
A Festival of Palestinian
Art & Culture
May 17-19
at Westminster Presbyterian
Church, 1200 Marquette
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Visual art by Palestinian artists
Musical performances and
workshops, featuring the Georges
Lammam Ensemble
Film: shorts and feature length;
discussions with filmmakers
Palestinian cuisine: tasting and
demonstrations, featuring Sameh
Wadi of World Street Kitchen and
Saffron
Spice & Craft Market
Iftar: break the Ramadan fast with
people of all faiths
Westminster Town Hall Forum
with Palestinian soccer star and
human rights activist Honey
Thaljieh
The ELCA’s companion church in Argentina and Uruguay is the Iglesia Evangelica
Luterana Unida, a member church of The Lutheran World Federation. The church
is deeply committed to education and human rights. Service opportunities for
YAGMs include involvement in after-school programs, working with differently
abled children or adults, collaborating in projects related to the rights of farmers,
and working with people in marginalized communities.
Krystle visits each YAGM serving in Argentina and Uruguay at their placement
site during October and throughout the year facilitates several retreats for the
volunteers where they are able to share about each person’s experience, and
reflect on topics such as racism, justice, and marginalization. Krystle and Ignacio
help them relate these topics both to their volunteer sites as well as their context
in the U.S. Krystle and Ignacio live in Buenos Aires with their two-year-old son,
Emilio – they report they’re excited to anticipate the birth of their second child
around April 19. All events at Westminster Presbyterian
Church, 1200 Marquette on Nicollet
Mall
In their most recent newsletter, Krystle invites our prayers for lots happening
in April. Prayers for the upcoming Asamblea of the IELU, where delegates from
the church will gather to vote on new council members and make important
administrative decisions. Prayers for all those involved in the discernment
process for the new group of volunteers – next year’s YAGMs will be selected
mid-April. And of course, prayers for the seven YAGMs who are serving in
Argentina and Uruguay today, and for this missionary family who are our hands
and feet in the world. Windows Into Palestine is a collaboration
of Bethlehem Lutheran Church
Foundation, Bright Stars of Bethlehem,
Christmas Lutheran Church of Bethlehem,
and Westminster Presbyterian Church
Visit windowsintopalestine.org
To volunteer: windowsintopalestine@
gmail.com
9