- Mexico-Leon: Manager Highlights
- Howard Schroeder commissioned at West Lutheran High School, Plymouth, MN on Aug 24,2012
- Howard & Rachel Schroeder begin serving Sept 2012
- Opportunities for volunteers to serve
Managing volunteers in Mexico
Having lived in Mexico for 12 years and serving as the Mexico field coordinator, Pastor Mike Hartman sees plenty of opportunities for outreach. The problem is he doesn’t have the manpower to follow through on them–that is until now. Kingdom Workers is sending Howard & Rachel Schroeder, Volunteer Field Managers, to Mexico. “Our plan is to bring much-needed forms of humanitarian aid to this country with the help of the Schroeders,” says Hartman. Starting in Leòn and hopefully expanding to the cities of Puebla and Costa Maya, locations where we have established churches and relationships, Hartman would like to start a medical volunteer program. Working with a local clinic, medical professionals from the United States would volunteer for short-term shifts. It will be the 
Schroeder’s job to coordinate the staffing among other duties. Hartman added, “The idea is to get WELS people from the United States active in positive ways, participating in hands-on mission work.”
The long range goal is to have a continual flow of volunteers coming in and out…”
In Mexico there are 10 established congregations and 20 mission and preaching stations. Part of Hartman’s responsibilities as field coordinator, is to oversee all these areas. In doing so he has been able to meet with various community leaders and government officials. From those meetings, Hartman became aware of the lack of medical care throughout Mexico. Right now, in parts of Leòn, if people get sick they have to stand in long lines, sometimes spending the night outside the hospital, hoping they will be served the next day.
The Lutheran Church in Mexico is trying to make positive impressions in the communities they serve, because this provides opportunities for people to hear the gospel message. Some missions have been offering English classes for many years. Locals will ask, “Why are you giving free classes?” They aren’t used to receiving anything for free. “This dialogue allows us to transition to what Jesus did for us for free,” explains Hartman. English classes are a big draw in areas where there are a lot of working professionals. The improved language skills help Mexicans get better jobs. But when you go into poor neighborhoods, English doesn’t benefit them at all. In those cases it is most helpful to fulfill basic needs – like medical care.
Since the Volunteer Field Manager’s role is a new endeavor, Hartman anticipates it will take a few months for the Schroeders to acclimate to the life and culture in Mexico. The long range goal will be to have a continual flow of volunteers coming in and out of clinics and other outreach programs. Hartman is eager to see how God will bless this effort. He is excited to provide opportunities for Christians to do mission work. “These short-term volunteer opportunities can be a blessing for all involved. They are often a life-changing experience for the volunteer who comes and has a chance to show love to his neighbor in need. They are also a blessing for the locals who benefit from this love in action and have an opportunity to hear our motivation for serving them: Jesus’ love for us.”
