For the Young at Heart

Dear Family and Friends:

A recent census reported Paraguay as the youngest nation in South America with 75% of the population under 40 years of age (DGEEC, 2013).  This not only highlights the importance of Christian schools and youth ministry in Paraguay, but also identifies Tim and Margarita’s ministry target group.  Your prayers and support enable Tim and Margarita to disciple hundreds of youth and young adults each week through educational ministry, Bible studies for young incarcerated men, youth ministry for teens and college students, children’s Sunday school, a home group for young adult couples, and evangelism for countless additional youth.  Thank you for standing with us, and continue to pray for this emerging generation of Christ-following leaders in Paraguay.

  

Margarita with her senior class at the New Horizon School.

From the three previous evangelistic events we organized at the Siloe Church, a group of young “missionaries” emerged.  In June, the Siloe youth, as well as two other youth groups, helped carry out outreach at another church in the city of Ñemby.  Nearly a hundred people heard the gospel with a few making decisions for Christ.  A highlight of the event was watching these youth accepting the challenge to leave their homes to share the gospel in another area. One young man, Richar, who is Tim’s former student, overcame nervousness to give his testimony for the first time in public.  Pray for us to find more opportunities for youth to be active in ministry.  

Ana was wrapped up in toilet paper by Richar and a youth leader, Juan Carlos, for a game during the children’s time.

June has been a very busy month for us.  In addition to the preparation for the Ñemby event, it was the end of the semester, which meant that Tim finalized his students’ grades and Margarita wrote reports on her students’ progress in the face of learning disabilities.  We were also preparing for a visit from the youth group from Montavilla Baptist Church in Portland, OR.  During their week in Paraguay, they will help three churches build up their children’s and youth ministries.  The group will additionally work with two church plants.  Two of Tim’s students will help with translation for the first time, and local youth groups will accompany the mission team.  Pray for safe travels, good weather, and for God to reach many people through Montavilla this week.   

Antoine fixed his attention on the instruments during the worship. 

*You can see the video of him drumming on our Facebook pages.

We always thank God for all of these Paraguayan youth who are becoming local missionaries, and ask that you continually mention them in your prayers.  Only he knows where they might be serving in the future.  Our hope is that many, many more will respond to Jesus, who calls to everyone, saying “Come to me." 

Happy Independence Day!

Tim, Margarita, Ana and Antoine