Lutheran Partners in Global Ministry

10/16/2026

On September 26 at their Fall Convention, the Synodical Women of the ELCA of Eastern North Dakota took a big step.

During the meeting, LPGM friend and traveler Dianne Billey of Ellendale, ND, proposed that the organization support LPGM’s women and girls’ literacy program in the Central African Republic. The C.A.R. is a companion synod of the Eastern North Dakota Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

At their Fall Convention on September 26, 2026, the Synodical Women of the ELCA of Eastern North Dakota voted to support the women's literacy program in the Central African Republic.

10/16/2026

From June 12-23, a group of LPGM travelers of all ages journeyed to the central highlands of Alta Verapaz, Guatemala to visit our partner, Community Cloud Forest Conservation (CCFC).

They met indigenous Q'eqchi' Maya young women who are transforming their communities through agroecology education, and they witnessed the beauty of God's creation by exploring caves, rivers, and waterfalls.

Learn about traveling to Guatemala in 2027: lpgm.org/guatemala2027

10/14/2026

11 teens and 4 adult chaperones visited LPGM partner Community Cloud Forest Conservation in Guatemala this past July! The majority of the travelers on this multi-congregation youth trip came from Normandale Lutheran Church in Edina and Faith Shelton.

One young traveler shared, “I learned that sometimes stepping outside of my comfort zone can lead to great experiences and memories.”

Interested in traveling to Guatemala in 2027? Visit LPGM.org/guatemala2027

10/13/2026

A Girl is Relying on You! Provide a scholarship by October 15.

Pastor Mary Beenken is asking you to join her in providing scholarships for 125 Qʼeqchiʼ Maya girls this year. If you have already supported this initiative, thank you for your heart for God’s children at the margins. Because of you - and the Beenken Family's match - 45 girls will be staying in school for another year.

However, 80 girls are still waiting for a scholarship. If you haven't already supported this initative, please consider giving a gift today. Just 3 days remain to meet this need.

Learn more: lpgm.org/elvira
Give today: lpgm.org/dreams

10/13/2026

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.

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 ho...

10/12/2026

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!

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, a...

10/12/2026

POV: You're on the adventure of a lifetime in the cloud forests of Guatemala!

From June 12-23, a group of LPGM travelers of all ages journeyed to the central highlands of Alta Verapaz, Guatemala to visit our partner, Community Cloud Forest Conservation (CCFC).

They met indigenous Q'eqchi' Maya young women who are transforming their communities through agroecology education, and they witnessed the beauty of God's creation by exploring caves, rivers, and waterfalls.

LPGM traveler Nathan captured some highlights on his GoPro.

Learn about traveling to Guatemala in 2027: lpgm.org/guatemala2027

10/11/2026

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, 2026, from 12 noon to 1:00 p.m. for our Guatemala Travel Webinar.

Sign up for the free webinar: https://lutheranpartners.org/events/guatemala-travel-webinar-2027

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. We hope to see you there!

10/09/2026

11 teens and 4 adult chaperones visited LPGM partner Cloud Forest Conservation in Guatemala this past July! The majority of the travelers on this multi-congregation youth trip came from Normandale Lutheran Church in Edina and Faith Shelton.

One young traveler shared, “I learned that sometimes stepping outside of my comfort zone can lead to great experiences and memories.”

Interested in traveling to Guatemala in 2027, visit LPGM.org/guatemala2027

10/09/2026

Elvira had to drop out of school after 6th grade. She worked hard to return to middle school at age 18. Pastor Mary Beenken shares what happened next and how you can support Q'ecqchi' Maya girls like Elvira access education in Guatemala this year.

Learn more: lpgm.org/elvira
Give today: lpgm.org/dreams