REV. MATTHEW & HEATHER RUESCH, ISABELLA, PAUL, AND SOFIA MISSIONARIES FOR THE LUTHERAN CHURCH—MISSOURI SYNOD

RICARDO ROSSELLÓ NEVARES

On January 2nd, 2017, Ricardo Rosselló Nevares was sworn in as the 12th governor of Puerto Rico. He was elected in November as the candidate of the “statehood party,” the Partido Nuevo Progresista (New Progressive Party or, as it’s often called, the “Penepé”). Rosselló is the son of former Puerto Rican governor, Pedro Rosselló. As a member of the PNP, he ran his election on a platform of statehood for Puerto Rico as the best means of solving the island’s economic troubles. During his inaugural speech, Rosselló said he intends to hold island-wide elections for two senators and five congressmen, whom he will send to Washington as a testament of the island’s desire to become the 51st state. Rosselló completed his undergraduate education at Massachusetts Insitute of Technology (MIT) and has a master’s degree and Ph.D from the University of Michigan. Before taking up politics he was a researcher in biomedical engineering at Duke University. Like many Puerto Ricans, Rosselló is a Roman Catholic and has been involved in many mission trips to South America. While the PNP is often referred to in Puerto Rico as the “Republican” party, Rosselló identifies himself with the U.S. Democratic Party.

JANUARY 2017

TRULY A “KING OF KINGS” With the start of January, many new people took office in government: both in the United States and here in Puerto Rico. On January 20th, a new president will be inaugurated and many people have concerns about what that will entail for our nation’s future. Many Puerto Ricans share those same concerns. Despite its faults, many of us view democracy as a true blessing within our nation. In a democracy—or in the case of the U.S., a democratic republic—the people have a voice. They elect the leaders who will represent them. They can petition their government to change its positions. They can assemble and protest the actions of the government. Sometimes this system fails. Sometimes bad people get elected to positions of power. Sometimes good people get elected. Sometimes the people choose things that are not good for them. Sometimes elected leaders do things that are contrary to the will of God. Through all of it, the people of the United States play a critical role in shaping the direction of the country. When a nation is ruled by a king, you only have a voice if the king permits it. The only rights you have are the ones that your ruler grants to you. If the king desires to take your life, he has the power and the means to do it. In the Bible, Queen Esther approached her own husband, the king, with the fear that if he did not approve of her, he would have her put to death. The Feast of Epiphany in the Christian Church reminds us that we are indeed ruled by a King. Our King is the One who was worshiped by shepherds and Magi. Like other kings, He holds all the power. He has the power to take our life. All that we have is by His favor. Obviously, Jesus Christ isn’t just any “king.” He is the “King of kings” and the “Lord of lords.” He holds all the power of heaven and earth, and yet He invites us into His very presence. In the Epistle for Epiphany, St. Paul writes, “(T)hrough the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.” (Eph. 3:10-12, ESV) In this King, Jesus Christ, we have “boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.” We are privileged to come into the King’s presence with our petitions. He opens the way to His throne by shedding His own blood for His subjects. He is “King of kings” because He operates in a way different than any other ruler. Praise be to God that our King, Jesus Christ, rules over us! El Señor sea con ustedes,

WHAT’S IN STORE FOR 2017? Thank you for your patience as I’ve struggled to get a newsletter out over the past couple of months. That so many people have asked, “When are you sending the next one?” is a testament to how many of you follow us so closely, keep us in prayer, and support us! Again, to each one of you, “Thank you.” The Lord has blessed us with so many people whom He has used to allow us to be here making a confession of Christ and His work upon the cross. 2017 will be an exciting year for our family. We have a lot of things planned at the Mayagüez mission (Príncipe de Paz) in celebration of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. In just a few weeks, we are hosting a “Reformation Dinner” with German food, Lutheran music, and a presentation on the importance of the Reformation. It will be a great opportunity for our members to bring their family and friends to find out what the Lutheran Church is all about. We are developing plans to start an afterschool program at the church that will serve as a place for neighborhood children to come after classes, get help with homework, play sports, and study the Word of God. Please keep all of these things in prayer. Also this year, our family will be returning to the U.S. for 2-1/2 to 3 months so that we can connect with our supporters. We’ll have a chance to catch up with family and friends, but also to visit the congregations and people who have made our work possible. We’re tentatively planning to be home from mid-May until the beginning of August. If you would like us to visit your congregation, send me an e-mail at [email protected]. I will begin scheduling these visits very soon. As I’ve mentioned several times already, our work is possible because God has used people like you to support us. If you support us financially, please know what a blessing you have been to us and we pray that we can continue that partnership. If you aren’t currently supporting our work financially, but are interested in learning more about how you can, look for the contact information at the bottom of this newsletter.

WELCOME TO GOD’S FAMILY! During the last few months, we were blessed to celebrate three baptisms and welcome a new member to the church through catechesis. Rylee and Reid are infant twins whose mom, Berkley, is a friend we met in nearby Rincón They were baptized, along with Liam, their uncle and Berkley’s brother. Madeline is our newest member who received the Lord’s Supper for the first time after being taught the Small Catechism and confessing her faith before God and the congregation. She is the niece of one of our other members and had been attending church for a while with them before becoming a member herself. We give thanks to God for the opportunities to teach others about the Christian faith and that He grows His Church through water and the Word! We pray that He would continue His work among us and bless our congregation at Prince of Peace.

PRAY, PRAISE AND GIVE THANKS Give thanks with us for the opportunity to spend Christmas with family. Heather’s mom has been staying with us and her sister and family were here for the last two weeks of December. Pray for our support-raising efforts, that the Lord would provide what is needed for us to continue our service here in Puerto Rico. Pray for those who are leaving Puerto Rico to seek better economic opportunities in the U.S., that the Lord would improve the situation here and be with those who are leaving.

WANT TO FOLLOW OUR ADVENTURES EVEN CLOSER? Follow our family on Facebook at: facebook.com/puertoricolutheran. There are many opportunities to serve as an LCMS missionary. Check out the current list and download an application at www.lcms.org/service. Click on “Service Opportunities.”

To support our work financially, you may send a tax-deductible gift to: THE LUTHERAN CHURCH—MISSOURI SYNOD P.O. BOX 66861 ST. LOUIS, MO 63166-6861

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MISSION CENTRAL 40718 HIGHWAY E-16 MAPLETON, IA 51034

Please make checks payable to The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Mark checks “Support of Matt Ruesch” on the memo line. Gifts can also be given securely online through the LCMS website by going to our online giving page at www.lcms.org/ruesch. You can also call (888) 930-4438 to speak with one of our Donor Care representatives.