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!