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,