September 8, 2005 Women Serve Troops through Outpouring of Support ST. LOUIS, MO - Since the beginning of the war in Iraq, the Lutheran Women's Missionary League has been on the front lines. Lutheran Women in Mission serve as prayer warriors and through donations, send comforting and inspirational materials to thousands of men and women stationed all over the world. Each year, chaplain minister to troops using the outpouring of products made available through LWML members' generous donations. To support this important ongoing ministry, funds should be designated to "LWML Military Fund" and sent to the LWML Office. A selection of attractive greeting cards designed specifically for those in the military, let service men and women know someone is thinking about them at times that can be loneliest away from home - birthdays, Christmas, Easter and Thanksgiving. A fifth card offers encouragement and lets the recipients know their service is appreciated (85¢ each; bulk discounts available). Visit the LWML catalog for more information. In addition, a trio of pocket-sized devotional booklets In His Service, By His Side, and As His Hands were written by people who have experienced the range of emotions that come with military service. Drawing on personal experience, Chaplain Donald S. Roberts wrote As His Hands (#20070, 85¢) for people who serve in law enforcement, fire, EMT and rescue services. For women serving their country, Christian encouragement is just a uniform pocket away with In His Service (#20080, 85¢). Lois McCall, wife of a career military man, addresses issues like loneliness and self-esteem in this booklet of 10 devotionals. A companion devotional is By His Side (#20071, 85¢), written by a chaplain's wife for military families when a loved one is deployed. Aretta Gordish brings her own experience to each topic in a personal and readable way. In this time of such unrest, each booklet stands alone but also creates an excellent gift set. Another set of devotionals that slips easily into a pocket is a pack of 28 to 32 Mustard Seeds. Each Mustard Seed in the packet offers a brief stand-alone devotion and also contains a personal reflection. One set focuses on the gift of prayer, Living in Prayer (#40201, $2), and the other, Living in Joy (#40202, $2) offers ways to find joy in Jesus in the midst of challenges. All of these products and monetary donations facilitate the ministries of military chaplain, bringing service men and women closer to Christ and reaching out to thousands with the saving grace of the Gospel. The Lutheran Women's Missionary League (LWML), with a membership of over 250,000, is the official women's auxiliary of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. The LWML focuses on affirming each woman in her relationship with Christ to enable her to be in ministry among the people of the world. For over 60 years the LWML has been encouraging and equipping women to live out their Christian lives in active mission ministries and to financially support global mission.