October 2009: Introducing Cerro Guy (Pronounced Gwoo)

October 2009

Dear Friends and Family:

When they reached Salamis, they began to proclaim the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews; and they also had John as their helper...But John left them and returned to Jerusalem” (Acts 13: 5, 13).

Anybody who works with youth can relate to Paul and Barnabas’ experience with young John Mark.  He had such potential that they took him along on their missionary journey.  Then, Mark quit and took off.  His inconsistent behavior resembles what commonly occurs with adolescents and teenagers.  The 7^th and 8^th graders at the Nuevo Horizonte School, for instance, opened their hearts to God in an impressive class prayer they wrote and pray daily, which includes the line: “Help us to guide Paraguay in your name, and lead us in speaking Your Word.”  These same students at times make decisions that threaten their testimonies.  The faculty labors intently to support them.  A few of us have discipleships with students individually and in small groups.  I continue with the young men’s breakfasts Tuesday mornings.  We entrust our efforts with them to the same God who transformed John Mark from a flakey young man into a gospel writer and missionary, who Paul later called “my fellow worker” (Philemon 24).  Please keep the 7^th and 8^th graders in your prayers. 

Likewise, pray for God to continue to direct the Nuevo Horizonte School.  The school is in need of sponsors for students.  If you are interested in sponsoring a student, you can contact me or visit www.paraguayschools.org.

Most of you remember I came to Paraguay in January 2008 to work for one year.  I’m now entering my third year here and have submitted a new plan to the Lord:  to serve here four more years.  In 2013 the 8^th graders will graduate (the first at Nuevo Horizonte), and I will have had ample time to help the school hone its English program.  I plan to spend this winter in Paraguay, but hope to return to the U.S. after the 2010 school year ends in November for a season of visiting family and friends, fundraising and working.  Both Latin America Mission and Nuevo Horizonte support my plan.  The generous financial gifts you sent in this year will support me through at least next March.  Please prayerfully consider continuing your monthly contributions, making a one-time gift or starting giving monthly to Latin America Mission to help me serve in Paraguay during the entire 2010 school year. 

Last month my colleague, Elias, invited me to help him in a village called Cerro Gu, located two hours southeast of Asuncion, and set back from the highway a few kilometers along a dirt road.  This area has been closed off to the gospel as visiting ministers are turned away by the locals.  It’s an impoverished community where young men work hard all week in the fields and then drink heavily, non-stop, from Saturday mid-day through Sunday night.  This custom starts as early as 9 years old. The community permitted Elias to begin soccer practices with a group of 30 boys each Saturday morning.  When I first participated, they literally knew nothing about the Bible.  We now have a Bible study, a snack time and prayer.  Soccer is the largest part of our time with them, but Elias uses the sport as a means to teach the boys about proper conduct on the field and positive values.  Please pray for the people of Cerro Gu and particularly the thirty boys who’ve participated on Saturday mornings.

I wish you all a very happy Thanksgiving, blessed by time with family and great food!

Yours truly,

Timothy Revett

Missionary/Teacher

Latin America Mission

CC 24078, Lambaré, Paraguay                                                                                               trevett@latinamericamission.org                                            

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