December 2014: Rejoicing over the Birth of a Child

December, 2014

Dear Family and Friends:

Imagine the Acosta family’s joy over their child’s birth a week ago.  Imagine the urgency the family felt when the doctors ordered an immediate hospital transfer due to the baby’s critical condition.   Imagine their grief as the child passed away after almost ten hours of waiting for the transfer to be processed.  This particular hospital, one of Paraguay’s largest, has been condemned for an excessively-bureaucratic administration, rampant infections, infrequent nurse visits, malpractice and a lack of basic medications.  Margarita and I, along with her family, might spend part of Christmas Eve at this hospital.

Paraguayan families eat a big meal together late on Christmas Eve.  At exactly midnight, everybody wishes each other a “Merry Christmas” and exchanges hugs, handshakes or double-cheek kisses.  Then, the sky lights up with fireworks.  In order to include my father-in-law, Santiago, in this celebration, some relatives have mentioned going together to the hospital.  Last Friday night we checked him in due to an infection.  Regardless of where we spend Christmas Eve, we ask for prayer for the many families and patients, like Santiago, who will be in hospitals on that special night.  Also, please pray for the Acosta family.

Nativity scenes appearing in front of homes and stores, increasing sounds of firecrackers and intensifying heat mark the coming of Christmas in Paraguay.  These elements also indicate that the year will soon conclude, which causes Margarita and I to reflect on our ministry activities in 2014. This year we literally witnessed thousands of youth make decisions for Christ and weekly walked alongside hundreds of children and teens through discipleship and education.  All of this was possible through the support and prayers of people like you, for whom we give thanks to God. 

December started off nicely as 4 of our youth were baptized.  With classes out of session, we have been able to do more activities with the youth group like outings, sports events and a movie night.  Additionally, another prison discipleship course is coming to a close.  We’re also meeting with different ministry leaders to plan activities for 2015.  Since Antoine prefers to be more active after midnight, our summer vacation enables us to get in needed sleep.  He is growing quickly and was baby Jesus in a Christmas play.  Praise God for the Fuente de Vida youth group and for Antoine, who is our biggest gift of 2014.

The birth of a child is a joyful event.  For all people, especially those who are facing injustice, battling sickness or depression, or grieving the absence of loved ones, Christmas reminds us that there is good news of great joy because a Savior has been born…he is Christ the Lord.  Just as Ana knows that she will soon receive her presents under our Christmas tree, may all of you likewise put your trust in our Savior, who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.  

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Tim, Margarita, Ana and Antoine

November 2014: Thankful for New Life

Dear Friends and Family:

Three years ago Margarita and I became parents for the first time.  As you probably remember, it was a rocky start to parenthood because our daughter, Ana, was born with respiratory distress syndrome.  With that experience in mind, Margarita and I honestly had the jitters as we prepared for the birth of our second child earlier this month.  We instead tried to remember the wonders God has done in Ana’s life.  Meanwhile, many of you sent us encouraging messages and assured us of your prayer support, for which we are grateful.

Our and your prayers were indeed answered.  On November 7^th, at 7:30 A.M., Antoine Samuel arrived without any complications.  The doctors and medical staff were excellent.  Margarita was even more amazing.  Please join us in praising God for his wonderful acts.       

November has been a month of adjustment for the family.  Margarita is recovering.  I’m getting used to holding a newborn again.  Ana kisses her little brother at every opportunity. Antoine spends his day sleeping and eating.  Margarita and I are both sleeping little at night and are finding out that two children are significantly more work than one.  We are grateful for Margarita’s family who has been helping out quite a bit.

Likewise, Margarita and I thank all of you who began or resumed giving toward our mission work in recent months.  We will be able to continue serving in Paraguay with plans to visit the U.S. at the end of 2015.  Most of our material needs are met for the time being; though, please pray with us for direction and the resources necessary to complete the construction of our house this year.

November is the last month of school in Paraguay before summer vacation. Since my classes wound down, I was able to give presentations about school violence and other topics in nearby public schools.  I concluded each presentation by encouraging the students to look to the Lord and his strength, no matter what difficulties they’re facing.  The other day one presentation finished with almost an entire room of high school students praying with me to return to or to begin walking with Christ.  At the New Horizon School, the teachers and I spent most of this month on testing, grading and saying good-bye to the students.  Please pray for the students’ safety during their vacation.  Also, please pray for the New Horizon School administrators this month as important decisions will be made for next year.     

Although Thanksgiving has passed, as you can see, there is still much to be thankful for.  Certainly any day is a good day to give thanks to the Lord and call on His name (Psalm 105).

Yours truly,

Margarita, Tim, Ana and Antoine