December 2011: Oh Come Immanuel

Dear Friends and Family:

Earlier this month Margarita and I visited a man named Oscar and his family at their small apartment in Hillsboro, Oregon.  Oscar’s doctors recently told him that his brain cancer was aggressive and un-curable, and that he could pass away any day.  Would it have been appropriate for Margarita and I to respond to his news with a simple, “We’ll be praying for you,” or even, “Merry Christmas”?

Just as the Jews were suffering under Roman oppression when Jesus was born, many of our neighbors are enduring difficulties as December 25^th approaches.  Some people, like Oscar, fight serious illnesses.  Many battle depression and loneliness.  Others are experiencing their greatest financial challenges ever.  Perhaps those who are struggling this season want a sign that God is really present and cares.   The sign of God’s presence and care is actually the centerpiece of this season:

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign.  Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.  (Isaiah 7:14)

Last August, while our newborn daughter was struggling to breathe, Margarita and I didn’t know what was going to happen to her.  In those difficult moments, we found peace in the significance of the hospital’s name—Emanuel (or Immanuel), which means “God with us.”  The Lord never promised us that Ana’s birth would be without problems, but He did promise us, “I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20).  Four months later, we are celebrating our first Christmas with our healthy little daughter.    

Christmas is not only a time to be with family, but it is the celebration of when God came to be physically present with the harassed and helpless masses of this world.  The Lord is with Oscar and his family in their trials.  Margarita and I communicated this as best as we could and then shared with them Jesus’ invitation:  Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28).  Oscar, as well as his whole family, put their trust in Jesus that day.

Please pray for Oscar and his family, as well as for anyone you know who may be struggling this Christmas season.  Also remember to write, call or visit them.  After all, Jesus is still physically active in the world through His followers.

Margarita, Ana and I are currently enjoying a brief vacation in Texas from teaching, studying and fundraising.  We praise God for all of you who have been supporting us this year.  Thank you!  Although we have not had any new support pledges in almost a month and still need 26 people or groups to give $50 a month, we made a number of good contacts before traveling, which we will follow up on in January.  If you are interested in financially helping us return to our ministry in Paraguay this June, please contact us, or Latin America Mission (see below).     

Merry Christmas and happy New Year!                                                           

Tim, Margarita and Ana Revett     

806-471-9855

trevett@latinamericamission.org

Latin America Mission: 

1-800-275-8410

www.lam.org                                

Thanksgiving 2011: Celebrating Our Firstfruit

October/November, 2011

Dear Family and Friends:

Two Sundays ago, Margarita and I brought Ana to church to be dedicated in the same white dress and bonnet that my grandmother wore at her christening in 1911.  The children’s choir sang.  The congregation prayed for Ana.  The pastor dabbed a little oil on her forehead, symbolizing God’s presence with her.  This wasn’t a ceremony to “make her a Christian.”  Like everyone else, when she’s old enough, Ana will need to decide on her own to follow Christ.  Instead, in a spirit of celebration and thanksgiving we brought Ana there to symbolically present her to God as our “first-fruit,” the best of all that He has given to us.  Please join us this Thanksgiving in acknowledging the Creator for this year’s “fruits,” whether noticeable, like the birth of child, or often overlooked, like daily provision.

October was so busy that we didn’t get around to writing you this letter until now.  Margarita spends three mornings a week studying English at community college.  I teach Spanish in the afternoons at an all-girls middle-high school.  We made two nice getaways to Seattle for presentations and a missions conference.  All these activities are in addition to fundraising and our full-time job of parenting.  Between my work and the generosity of many family members, friends and congregations, we have been well supplied for living in the U.S.  We thank all of you who have supported us through donations, gifts, hospitality, and prayers—they are fragrant offerings, acceptable sacrifices, pleasing to God.    

Furthermore, we are very grateful for the congregations and families who recently decided to financially support us.  We lack only 26 pledges of $50 a month to meet our financial goal for the mission field.  If you, your small group or Sunday school class are not currently supporting us and are willing to give $50 a month starting in January, contact us or Latin America Mission (see below).  Please ask the Lord to connect us with 26 people or groups who would support us as teachers and missionaries in Paraguay.

In addition, please pray for the following requests: 

·         Margarita and I, continuing to learn as new parents

·         My 75 students, many of whom have difficult home situations     

·         Margarita’s family in Paraguay, for health and employment issues

·         The New Horizon School, for a nice conclusion to the school year.

Happy Thanksgiving!  May God supply every need of yours according to His riches in Christ Jesus.

To Him be glory forever,

Tim, Margarita and Ana                                 

806-471-9855/trevett@latinamericamission.org

Latin America Mission        

P.O. Box 52-7900         

Miami, FL  33152-9913         

1-800-275-8410         

www.lam.org 

September 2011: Bienvenida Ana!

Dear Family and Friends:

Margarita experienced no difficulties during the pregnancy with Ana.  The problems began to occur about eight hours into labor.  When the bigger contractions came, Ana’s heart-rate dropped to dangerously-low levels.  The third time this happened, the decision was made to do a c-section, and at 11:29 AM on Sunday, August 28th, Ana Jeruti Revett came into the world. 

At first, everything seemed fine. Margarita and I were able to hold her.  The nurses continued with the normal post-delivery procedures and moved us to a recovery suite.  Within twenty minutes, though, Ana began exhibiting breathing difficulties.  While Margarita stayed with my family in the recovery suite, I followed Ana to the observation room.  The nurses and doctors did not know what was happening.  Some said possibly pneumonia.  Others said perhaps her esophagus didn’t connect to her stomach.  Amidst the flurry of doctors and nurses around Ana, all I saw was my tiny newborn daughter thrashing around on the observation table, struggling to breathe.  I felt powerless to help her.

I thought of the story of Jairus, a father who lived in the town of Capernaum during the time of Jesus.  Jairus met Jesus on the shore of the Galilee Sea, threw himself at his feet, “and implored him earnestly, saying, ‘My little daughter is at the point of death.  Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well and live.’ ” I could relate with this man’s desperation.  I, too, brought my request for my daughter’s healing to the Lord’s feet.

Within two hours of Ana’s birth, the doctors transferred her to another hospital with a specialized neonatal ICU.  By evening, she was stable, but on an air pressure machine and with many tubes going into her.  On Monday, the doctor diagnosed her with Newborn Respiratory Distress Syndrome.  She said Ana’s recovery might take weeks.  By Wednesday, the doctor was letting us hold Ana and talked about taking her off the air pressure machine.  On Friday, Ana was “tube-free” and breathing on her own.  The following morning, she was discharged from the hospital. 

The story of Jairus’ daughter and Ana’s story both testify of God’s power to heal.  Jairus’ daughter was touched by Jesus on the hand and healed instantly.  The Lord orchestrated Ana’s healing through her vigor in fighting the sickness, the expertise of the medical workers, and the prayers of many people.  Margarita and I thank God for His goodness in the providence of our daughter as well as for His presence during the trials of her first week of life.

We also thank you for your prayers and encouragement.  Please join with us in praising God for the life of Ana and for Margarita’s recovery.  Keep us in your prayers as we start out as new parents.  Also, please pray for us as we continue to raise financial support and prepare for our return to the mission field in Paraguay next June.

Yours truly,

Tim, Margarita and Ana

August 2011: Baby on the Way

Dear Friends and Family:

Six months ago Margarita boarded a plane for the first time and left her house, siblings, nieces, nephews and parents to come to the U.S. with me for a time of equipping and fundraising for our ministry in Paraguay.   It has been difficult for her and her family to not be together during most of her pregnancy.  For instance, her loved ones in Paraguay didn’t have the opportunity to throw a baby shower for her.  My home church in Portland—Genesis Community Fellowship—stepped up to fill that need.  The Genesis women organized a baby shower with good food, fun games, many presents and motherly counsel.  Not only Genesis, but other congregations, as well as many family members and individuals across the U.S., have become Margarita’s family.  Truly she received many times more family members in this time than those who wait

for her in Paraguay.

Furthermore, Margarita’s family—our family—will at any moment increase by one more.  Our child’s due date is August 25^th; however, we believe the baby could arrive at any moment.  The pregnancy is going very well, praise God.  Please be in prayer for Margarita and the baby for a safe delivery.  Also, pray for us as we start off as new parents. 

Needless to say, Margarita and I will not travel outside of Portland for a little while.   We plan to start venturing out again on the weekend of September 24^th when we head to Sutherlin, Oregon.  We’ll also visit the Seattle-area for the 7^th through the 9^th of October.  From then on we’ll be available most of the fall to present about our work in Paraguay.  We still need to raise 50% of our monthly financial goal.  For those of you in the Pacific Northwest, please contact us if you, your church, your home group, or someone you know would be open to hearing about our ministry and possibly interested in partnering with us.  For all of you, please pray for more presentation opportunities and for more monthly supporters.  

Margarita and I also request your prayers for wisdom in deciding about the possibility of returning to Paraguay next June instead of February.  Additionally, please pray for our project to start a local English talk time outreach to international students at a local university. 

In closing, we acknowledge God’s constant provision through the support and generosity of many of you.  Despite enduring the trials of raising support in tight financial times, Margarita and I lack no good thing.  Wherever you are at in your spiritual walk, please accept our encouragement today to taste and see that the Lord is good, and, if difficulties arise, to take refuge in Him! (Psalm 34:8)

Yours truly,

Tim and Margarita

June 2011: "Gracious Words are like a honeycomb..."

June 2011

Dear Friends and Family:

The 2011 Benson High School student body president stood before his fellow graduates, tall and confident. He congratulated them for their accomplishments while challenged them to go on to achieve greater honors.  Four years earlier, in eighth grade, this young man struggled to speak in front of the class and didn’t make the honor roll.  As a middle son of refugee parents with twelve children, he had many responsibilities vying for his study time.  He was in a class I taught called AVID.  This program encourages marginally-performing students to prepare for post-secondary education by teaching them study skills that help them succeed in honors classes.  The encouragement he received in this program as well as in his high school classes proved to be “sweetness to his soul.” His hard work in high school earned him an excellent GPA, which resulted in a full-ride college scholarship.  The testimonies of many like this young man show that encouragement can push a young person towards wisdom, and “if they find it, there will be a future,” for them and their household.

Pray for the 2011 graduates you know, adding, please, these students: Roselily, Khalid, Andrew, Calvin, Darien and Mary.

Education is a means to end family cycles of poverty and a factor to increase quality of life; therefore, encouraging students to achieve could literally translate into “health for their bodies.”  Unfortunately, educational opportunities are limited in many parts of the world, namely Paraguay.  There the New Horizon School operates with the mission to provide a quality education to students who normally would not have such an opportunity.  The school’s faculty of dedicated believers, inspired by Christ “who lives in them,” lovingly gives of themselves in encouraging the students toward achievement.  Please pray for renewal for the New Horizon faculty during the upcoming winter vacation, in addition to more sponsors for the students.  Also, praise God for the $50,000 challenge-grant that was met last month for construction on the school.

Margarita and I are enjoying our time in the United States.  We have opportunities every week to share about the New Horizon School and our mission work.  The more we share, the more we think about returning to Paraguay; though, we still have seven months left in the U.S.  We also still have half of our monthly financial goal left to raise.  This is up from April when we were two-thirds short.  Give thanks to God with us for all those who have contributed.  Please ask Him to call more groups and individuals to help fill in the other half of our monthly financial goal.    

A number of people have asked if contributions should be sent now or when we leave for Paraguay.  If you decide to support us financially, please start giving now.  Not only does this set the pattern for our monthly support on the mission field, but it also currently covers our car expenses, helps pay for my continuing teaching license courses, and enables us to pursue fundraising opportunities.  In fact, the monthly contributions are our main source of income right now (subsidized by some tutoring and regular acts of spontaneous generosity).

Our final prayer request is for our child, who will be born in two months, and for Margarita.  We’re both very excited.  Margarita is feeling quite ready to have the baby.  Praise God that all is well.  Likewise, we praise Him for all the generosity shown to us, and because of your partnership in the gospel.      

Happy Independence Day!                Tim and Margarita Revett

April 2011: Paraguay on the Horizon

Dear Family and Friends:

Imagine the eleven disciples’ predicament between the crucifixion and the resurrection.  Three years earlier they left behind homes, families and careers to follow Jesus.  Suddenly, He was gone.  Even though Jesus told them what was going to happen, the Apostle John writes, “For as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that He must rise from the dead” (20:9).  Perhaps unsure whether or not, or even how, to continue the ministry the Lord had called them to, “…the disciples went back to their homes,” and some returned to fishing (20:10, 21:3).  Similarly, a Christian may encounter moments of nebulousness while pursuing his or her calling.  If such moments are coupled with financial difficulties, the temptation arises to delay that pursuit. 

After three months of fundraising Margarita and I fall two-thirds short of the funds we need to return to Paraguay.  Regardless, we’re more eager than ever to return.  Margarita and I greatly enjoy our time connecting with friends and family in the U.S.  We’re also very excited to become parents.  We’re doing well; yet, we request prayer (as well as advice) for our season of fundraising.

As history shows, the eleven disciples didn’t stay very long in a place of uncertainty.  What, then, happened to convince them to continue a movement that today has over one billion followers?  Jesus rose from the grave and commissioned them to go into all the world, making disciples of all nations.  Christ’s resurrection is the key event in the Christian Faith and is the base of the message that Margarita and I, as well as our co-laborers, proclaim through our work in Paraguay.  Furthermore, we know when we seek first to proclaim this message all other things will be added.

Margarita and I stay active in the U.S.  We presented about our mission work various times each week in February and March, and were in different churches almost every Sunday.  We translated for a mission trip to Mexico with First Baptist of Amarillo.  Additionally, we led weekly youth group meetings at the Fuente Viva Church.  In Portland we’ve started sharing about our mission work with groups and congregations.  We will also be involved in outreach to Spanish-speakers in the northeastern section of the city.  Please keep the Fuente Viva youth in your prayers, and ask that the Lord guide us in our ministry plans in Portland.

At the same time, Margarita and I experienced plenty of recreation and relaxation.  We traveled by car from Amarillo to Portland.  “On the way” we passed through Southern California, where the West Covina United Methodist Church blessed us with a wedding reception.  Our travels brought us to such places as the Grand Canyon, Hollywood, San Francisco and the Redwoods.  We thank God for safety as well as for the generosity shown to us by many friends and family during our travels.

Likewise, we praise God for the generosity of many supporters over the past three years and by various churches, Sunday school classes and individuals over the last three months.  However, as already mentioned, Margarita and I lack the funds to be able to return to Paraguay.  If you aren’t one of our monthly supporters and are able to contribute, please consider committing to give $25, $50, $100, or whatever amount per month now through the end of 2014.  In addition, the New Horizon School is looking for sponsors to donate $35 a month for new students.  Below is the information on how to give to these two ministries.

The Lord’s faithfulness never ends.  He constantly provides for our transportation, food and lodging.  Margarita and our child are healthy and receive excellent prenatal care.  We continue to set our sights on Paraguay for next February and trust that He who began a good work…will bring it to completion.

   

Yours truly,

Tim and Margarita Revett 

Missionaries/Teachers

Latin America Mission

                  Tim and Margarita                                                         

By check: Latin America Mission                                         

                 Revett/Paraguay                                                                            

                 P.O. Box 52-7900                                                                     

                 Miami, FL  33152-9913                                                            

Or, online: www.lam.org/donate/missionaries_LT.php     

                 New Horizon School
       Samaritan Hands/ Paraguay Schools
               2508 Old Niles Ferry Rd.
                 Maryville, TN  37803
                (*Advance# 3021089)
            www.paraguayschools.org

February 2011: Big News from Amarillo

Jesus said…’Did I not say to you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?’ (John 11:40)

I witnessed God do countless awesome things over the last three years in Paraguay.  I’ve seen people healed, lives changed, and students take great educational strides.  I saw the nation experience its first peaceful shift between political parties and the country’s best economic year since the 1970’s.  With about two-thirds of the population younger than 40 years of age, the most students enrolled in colleges and Christian schools than ever before, widespread spiritual hunger, and national movements sharing the gospel across the country, many people believe Paraguay possesses enormous potential for revival.  God is moving there, and it is my honor to participate in and celebrate the glorious work that He is doing.    

On a family note, God has blessed Margarita and me.  In less than seven months we will be parents.  We praise Him for a healthy pregnancy up to now, and ask you to pray for Margarita’s and the child’s health before, during and after the delivery.  

We arrived safely in Amarillo, Texas, at the beginning of this month.  We plan to be back in Paraguay by February 2012, and will spend this year visiting family and friends in the U.S.  If we pass through your area, let’s get in contact.  Our tentative itinerary is as follows: 

February-March:  Texas, New Mexico

April: Los Angeles Area, Northern California, Portland

May:  Lexington-Cincinnati Area, New York, Massachusetts

June-November:  Portland, Pacific Northwest

December-January:  Texas, Florida

Since the Revett mission team has now grown to three people, our economic need has increased.  We are hoping to raise $2,500 more a month to serve in Paraguay through at least 2014.  Please consider helping us reach our financial goal.  Also, please share with your friends and acquaintances about Paraguay and our mission work.  During our travels we will be available to present in churches, missions conferences, Sunday school classes, home groups or whatever appropriate venue.  We ask that you inform us of anyone who might be interested in hearing what God is doing in Paraguay.  Additionally, pray for our stateside assignment and for our preparation to return to the mission field.

It wasn’t easy leaving Paraguay.   We miss Margarita’s family.  We miss our friends from the discipleship groups and those with whom we served.  Most of all, we miss the students at the Nuevo Horizonte School.  When we left Paraguay, others took responsibility for our ministries.  Please keep the following individuals in your prayers:

• Estella, now the 2nd grade teacher at Nuevo Horizonte.
• Lidia, the new Puerta Abierta Church secretary.
• Claudio, interested in evangelism at the Puerta Abierta Church.
• Vicente, who may continue working in the Tacumbu Prison.
• Ivan, who leads the “Heavy Metal Bible Study.”

Margarita and I want to know how you are and how we could pray for you and your loved ones.  Please send us news and prayer requests.  Likewise, if your town is on our itinerary, let’s communicate ahead of time “…For I [we] do not wish to see you now just in passing” (1 Corinthians 16:7).   

For His glory always,

December 2010: Heavy Metal and Christmas in Paraguay

December 2010

Dear Family and Friends:

I never planned to be involved in a heavy metal ministry.  Almost every week for the last month, I and a few others have been visiting and facilitating Bible studies with members of the Paraguayan heavy metal subculture.  It began when two young men responded to an invitation during an outreach event in October.  Through them we’ve made contact with five others.  At least one has given his life to Christ and another will be joining Margarita and I in attending a Christmas service this weekend.  Please pray that the true Light which…enlightens every man would shine brightly in the lives of Guillermo, Edgar, Nilsa, Claudio, Griselda, Alexander and Nando. 

   

Christmas commemorates the arrival of the Light that shines in the darkness.  Even nature here in Paraguay seems to celebrate Christmas as the summer sun shines brightly with temperatures breaking 100 ºF.  Coco flowers exhale their refreshing scent throughout the city.  The people are ready for Christmas too.  Firecrackers explode every minute.  Long lines fill the stores and families begin to prepare for their feasts.  Many homes display manger scenes and decorative lights.  People are outside at night, taking walks and talking with neighbors.  There is a festive spirit in the air.

Unfortunately, like in other countries, for many Paraguayans economic and relational pressures increase at this time of year and create emotionally dark situations.  A week ago I physically stopped a young man from hanging himself.  The other day, during a visit to the Tacumbu prison, an inmate told me about a saying they have: “Fatten the calf to be killed for Christmas.” In other words, it’s common for a few inmates who’ve tried the patience of others inside the jail to be murdered on Christmas Day.   What a contrast to what the Apostle John wrote of Jesus, who’s the focus of this holiday and the Light of the world: “In Him was life…”!

On this Christmas Day, pray for and consider calling anyone you know who might be alone or going through a rough time.  Additionally, ask the Lord to move strongly in the life of Ariel*, who refuses to get help after his suicide attempt.  Please pray for peace inside the Tacumbu prison and for the inmates of the Remar Christian pavilion who will be distributing chicken dinners to all prisoners. 

The past month has been one of celebration for the Nuevo Horizonte School. The school held ceremonies to recognize God’s faithfulness and the students’ achievements.  One fourth of the elementary students made the honor roll.  All 27 ninth graders graduated the primary level and will be moving on to high school. These numbers are noteworthy considering most Paraguayan adults have a 6^th grade education or less.  Furthermore, over a quarter of the whole school had perfect attendance.  This is pretty amazing in a society where all activity frequently stops for soccer games, numerous unofficial holidays, or the mere threat of rain.

Margarita also graduated this month.  For over a year she’s been researching and writing her bachelor’s thesis.  Two weeks ago she defended it and received straight A’s.  Next week she receives her degree as a diagnostician and specialist in learning disabilities.  On our first Christmas as a married couple, we thank God for His faithfulness to Margarita all throughout her college studies, as well as for three wonderful months of marriage.

2010 has been one of the greatest years for us, and we are eager to see what 2011 will hold.  We thank each of you for your encouragement, support and prayers all throughout this year.  We also thank the Lord for His constant presence in all moments—high or low—and His many blessings. Most importantly, we are grateful for the right to become children of God…which is not earned by religious rituals, but rather is a gift to anyone who chooses to believe in His name (John 1:12).

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

October 2010: A Beautiful Day

October 2010

Dear Friends and Family:

It is written, “He who finds a wife, finds a good thing.”  I’d say that “good thing” is an understatement.  Margarita and I just completed one month of marriage and we’re having an awesome time.  Some people comment, “Wait a year or two, things will change.”  Maybe so, but I prefer what Johnny Cash sang to June Carter, his wife of more than thirty years: “The tears and the laughter are the things that we share, your hand in mine makes it good.”  Unintentionally echoing this concept, our officiating pastor charged us to never stop holding hands, no matter how old we are, no matter the situation.  We know that trials will arise in their time, but we praise God for this new era of life, and we’ll continue to look to His example of faithfulness to keep the vows we made.  Likewise, we acknowledge the generous blessings from many people over the last few months.  To all of you who sent encouraging words, helped with the wedding, or prayed for us, thank you.

A week after the wedding, we began preparing to host 41 short-term missionaries who came to Paraguay from Brazil.  Our apartment served as their place for meals, meetings and rest between activities during the day.  They sang with, danced with, played with, and spoke to the Nuevo Horizonte students.  In addition, they prayed for the students’ families in their homes and helped with church outreach events.  Now, over two weeks after their departure, our apartment is still a mess; however, the school, community and local churches all feel the effects of the work that God did through the Brazilians.

In November, the Puerta Abierta Church faces the task to follow up with those who surrendered their lives and their seemingly insurmountable situations to the Lord during the events with the Brazilians.  The people’s needs include a daughter with severe burns, a few mothers with disintegrated families, and a young man wanting to leave the occult.  Please intercede for all the individuals impacted by the events of October.  Ask for the Holy Spirit to move in the hearts of the Puerta Abierta congregation to be available to minister to them.

Moreover, November features the final exams and the end of classes at the Nuevo Horizonte School.   The students will also leave the city for two days of games, swimming and Bible lessons at the annual camp.  Additionally, Nuevo Horizonte will celebrate its 10th anniversary in a special assembly.  The school released a magazine that commemorates its history.  If you would be interested in receiving a copy, let me know, or visit www.paraguayschools.org.  Another theme for November is planning for next year, which keeps the school administrators busy.  I am engrossed in finishing the middle school English curriculum.  The school needs to have next year’s English program ready before January since Margarita and I plan to be in the U.S. most of 2011.  Please pray for all of Nuevo Horizonte’s end-of-the-year activities. 

As you have read, there is much work to be done; yet, there is also much to be thankful for.  Thanksgiving comes as an appropriate time for each of us to reflect on this year’s great and small blessings. In trials or in good times, our Creator has faithfully provided for our daily, life-sustaining needs.  After all, it is written, “Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not worth much more than they?” (Matthew 6:26)

    

Happy Thanksgiving!

September 2010: The Ravages of Crack and The Beauty of Marriage

September 2010

Dear Family and Friends:

Crack-cocaine consumes the lives of numerous young Paraguayan men who would otherwise be contributing their talents and creativity to the benefit of their families, communities and nation. 

 “Juan,” for example, is in his thirties, very intelligent, a skilled construction worker, and has three beautiful daughters.  Juan also struggles with crack addiction.  Two weeks ago, he began the road to recovery.  He is beginning to follow Christ and hopes to minister to youth and young adults in the future.   A Christian foreman gave him work on a new church.  When the construction is complete, Juan plans to be baptized in the same baptismal he recently finished digging out.  Please intercede for Juan, along with others in the same situation, for endurance to run the race that is set before them, fixing their eyes on Jesus.

Juan is one of seven young men with whom I meet regularly and individually for Bible study, discipleship and prayer.  These meetings as well as my regular ministry activities are going well.  The Bible studies in the Tacumbú prison include powerful times of worship and fellowship.  The Nuevo Horizonte School recently entered the final trimester of 2010, which will feature two landmark celebrations:  the first primary-level graduation and the school’s 10th anniversary. A magazine will be released to commemorate the ten years of classes at Nuevo Horizonte.  Furthermore, the Puerta Abierta Church began organizing another outreach campaign in the Cerro Cora neighborhood for the second week of October.  Ask for the Lord’s will to be done in all of these activities.  Also pray for the health of Lidia and Blanca, two women in the church.

 

On a personal note, keep my mother’s side of my family in your thoughts and prayers.  My aunt Anne recently passed away.  If you have contact with my mother or her relatives, please send them words of encouragement.   

Thank you for your prayers last month as I translated for Paramount Baptist Church’s mission team in Chile.  We presented in churches, schools, plazas and homes.  We witnessed hundreds of people turn their lives over to Christ.  Praise God for revealing His unconditional love to the Chileans and for blessing them in their recovery from the massive earthquake last February. Moreover, pray for the 33 miners who are trapped in a mine in northern Chile.

The Chile mission trip coincided with the 53rd wedding anniversary of two of the volunteers, Ernie and Sherrie McNabb, who spoke on the topic of marriage.  I had the privilege to translate for a few of their presentations, which were quite appropriate for me considering I’m less than two weeks away from my marriage to the gorgeous, charming, sharp, creative Margarita Belén.  Our wedding, with its preparations and excitement, is, of course, what currently occupies much of my time and most of my thoughts.  She and I are ready to officially begin our life together.  Hence, Margarita and I request your prayers as we join ourselves to the Lord in an everlasting covenant that will not be forgotten.

Yours truly,

June 2010: Engaged!

June 2010

Dear Friends and Family:

It was a Wednesday afternoon in May.  Margarita finished teaching her last class and prepared to go home.  As she exited her classroom, her sister Cynthia, who is also a teacher at the Nuevo Horizonte School, stopped her to ask for help on a project.  Margarita stayed an extra 45 minutes helping her sister and chatting, but the whole time wanting to go home.  When Cynthia finally let her leave, Margarita discovered a small table right outside of the classroom.  On top of the table was a rose, a photo of us, and a journal entry from the weeks before she and I started dating.  The table was the first station on a trail of flower petals that led up the staircase to a second table where she found another rose, photo and a later journal entry.  The trail continued to a third table, again, with a rose, photo and, this time, wedding vows (a late pre-marital counseling assignment).  The table was located in front of the exit to the school’s terrace.  When Margarita stepped out onto the terrace, she found me seated at a candlelit table with coffee and pastries.  A few moments later, I asked her to marry me, to which she said yes.  Thank you all for your prayers over our relationship.  I am very grateful to the Lord for the immeasurable blessings He’s given me through Margarita.

So now we’re planning a wedding, which takes place on September 25^th.  Yet, as we plan, ministry doesn’t stop.  I continue helping to organize outreach events at the Puerta Abierta Church.  At the end of July I’ll travel to Chile to translate for a short-term team from Paramount Baptist Church in Amarillo, Texas.   This week I’ll begin Bible studies inside the Tacumbú Penitentiary.  In addition, I still assist my colleague Elias in his soccer outreach to the boys of Cerro Gu’y.  All these activities occur outside of my time teaching and developing the Nuevo Horizonte School’s English program. 

Margarita and I will continue at the school through the end of 2010.  We hope to travel to the U.S. by January of 2011 to begin a year of working, visiting family and preparing for a return to Paraguay.  Hence, from now through December, I will be focusing on discipling others to take over my responsibilities.  Please pray for the following individuals:

1) An English teacher for Nuevo Horizonte

2)  Alejandro and Pablo, with whom I have weekly Bible studies

3) Vicente, who will continue the jail ministry

4) A coordinator of outreach and evangelism at the Puerta Abierta Church.

Many of you were praying in April when the Puerta Abierta congregation stepped outside of the church building—and into the drizzle—for a day of outreach to the Cerro Corá neighborhood.  The event featured games, haircuts, diabetes tests, and teeth extractions.  About 80 children participated along with dozens of youth and adults.  Everybody there heard the gospel message presented, and many invited Christ into their lives.  Your prayers were answered.  To the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory…

Please keep me posted as to how life is for you and your family, and let me know if you happen to be in the area in late September.  The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. 

Sincerely,

Tim

April 2010: Pray for Margarita's Dad

April 2010

“Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven;’ or to say, ‘Get up, and pick up your pallet and walk’?” (Mark 2:9)

Dear Family and Friends:

Many of you prayed for and asked about my girlfriend’s father, Santiago, who fell from a roof while working and broke his spine.  He had surgery, regained feeling in his legs and returned home. Yesterday, however, he was hospitalized again for an infection.   Right after the fall, he didn’t have feeling below the waist, and the doctors insisted they operate immediately.  Every morning for a week and a half he was prepped for surgery, but then waited in a moldy, crowded hospital room the rest of the day.  This is common in Paraguayan public hospitals; in fact, Santiago’s time waiting for surgery was short compared to others.  Nurses and doctors infrequently check on and track their patients.  This negligence contrasts the characteristically Paraguayan, familial devotion that compels relatives to become unofficial nurses.  Margarita and her siblings alternated round-the-clock shifts at their father’s hospital bedside.  It was during one of these shifts that Margarita asked her father—a traditional, macho construction worker from the countryside—if he wanted to ask God for forgiveness and to invite Jesus to bring peace to his life.  Santiago said yes.    

Praise God for His amazing grace.  Please pray for Santiago, his family, and the doctors during the treatment of the infection.  Also, ask the Lord to call upon skilled and compassionate Paraguayans to transform healthcare in their nation.

A few days before Santiago fell, an infamous neighborhood crack addict, and son of former church members, attempted suicide.  When we arrived to help him, the extent of his addiction was evidenced by his house’s emptiness—window frames and panes, the toilet, metal piping in the walls—everything had been stripped and sold for crack.  This young man, *Eduardo (*not his real name), miraculously passed two sober nights while we encouraged him to get help.  He finally agreed and now has been clean for more than a month in a holistic, Christian rehab center.  It’s been a heavy financial burden on his family, but the Lord has provided for them up to now.  Please pray for *Eduardo to have full victory over his addiction and for his family’s spiritual restoration.   

All teachers at the Nuevo Horizonte School agree that classes have been going very well this year.  The pre-school and kindergarten students now understand the school routine and are showing signs of learning.  The junior high students show increasing maturity in their conduct and academics.  We are attempting to bolster multilingualism by requiring Guarani (Paraguay’s native language) to be the primary language spoken in the school one day of the week, and English on another day.  If consistently held, this could have great results.

For Easter, the Puerta Abierta Church celebrates by launching a month-long outreach campaign, which I am coordinating.  The activities take place in the un-churched Barrio Cerro Corá and culminate on Saturday, April 24^th.  Please pray for the Lord’s Spirit to work through the Puerta Abierta congregation and to minister to the hearts of the Cerro Corá residents.  

My prayer for you is to celebrate this Easter with the same disposition as the Apostle Thomas who, after doubting, declared to Jesus, “My Lord and my God!” and may you be encouraged by Jesus, who responded, “…Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed!”(John 20:28, 29).

Yours truly,