Dear
Family and Friends:
Imagine the congregation’s joy upon seeing their pews filled for nearly two months after the outreach events in the city of Mariano Roque Alonso, for which you prayed last spring (or U.S. fall). The church leader continues receiving calls for home visits and Bible studies. However, attendance has recently become discouragingly low. When I visited there last week, I encouraged them from Matthew 14:22-33 to not trust in the turbulence they see around them, but rather to fix their eyes on the Lord and the incredible work he can do in their community through their perseverance. Pray for the people of Mariano Roque Alonso.
We are grateful for your Christmas and birthday messages, in which many of you commented on how busy our summer vacation appears to have been. I continued the weekly discipleships in the Tacumbu and Esperanza Prisons. I corrected two English books for the New Horizon School, whose classes will start in mid-February. I taught the weekly Guarani Bible study at the Cerritos church plant. (They assure me that my Guarani is understandable.) During our last visit there, the participants overcrowded our spot under the mango tree. When we asked if they felt ready to place their faith in Jesus, a few responded positively while others said they needed a little more time. Thank your for your prayers for the work in Cerritos. Pray that their hearts will be open for the next visit.
Imagine the congregation’s joy upon seeing their pews filled for nearly two months after the outreach events in the city of Mariano Roque Alonso, for which you prayed last spring (or U.S. fall). The church leader continues receiving calls for home visits and Bible studies. However, attendance has recently become discouragingly low. When I visited there last week, I encouraged them from Matthew 14:22-33 to not trust in the turbulence they see around them, but rather to fix their eyes on the Lord and the incredible work he can do in their community through their perseverance. Pray for the people of Mariano Roque Alonso.
We are grateful for your Christmas and birthday messages, in which many of you commented on how busy our summer vacation appears to have been. I continued the weekly discipleships in the Tacumbu and Esperanza Prisons. I corrected two English books for the New Horizon School, whose classes will start in mid-February. I taught the weekly Guarani Bible study at the Cerritos church plant. (They assure me that my Guarani is understandable.) During our last visit there, the participants overcrowded our spot under the mango tree. When we asked if they felt ready to place their faith in Jesus, a few responded positively while others said they needed a little more time. Thank your for your prayers for the work in Cerritos. Pray that their hearts will be open for the next visit.
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| People come from all over for the Cerritos Church Plant |
Also, please pray for our
house to be “liveable” soon. At our apartment that we will soon outgrow, Antoine spent this summer playing with his big cousins. Ana began swimming classes. Margarita started preparing the crib for
Gabrielli. We finally escaped our summer activities
for a real vacation in mid-January. To
compensate for Paraguay being a land-locked country, a number of sandy beaches were
built in recent years along the Parana River, and have become tourist destinations. We visited one of these engineering
feats where we enjoyed rest, family time, and refreshingly cool water on very,
very hot days.
Later this week I will travel again to Pedro Juan Caballero to help with seminary classes for pastors and church leaders. Additionally, we’ll organize with local leaders a teacher training and a women’s conference there. Please pray for these activities in Pedro Juan Caballero, as well as for Margarita and the kids as they stay back in Lambare.
Although Margarita and I have plans and goals for 2017, we obviously can’t foresee all that will happen. We enter this year trusting that God will do his incredible work. We trust in him over Gabrielli’s life (who might be born by our next update). And, we trust that many people will say “yes” (or “sí”) to the invitation to step out of their doubt and come to Jesus, whom even the wind and waves obey.
Sincerely,
Tim, Margarita, Antoine, Ana and Gabrielli
Later this week I will travel again to Pedro Juan Caballero to help with seminary classes for pastors and church leaders. Additionally, we’ll organize with local leaders a teacher training and a women’s conference there. Please pray for these activities in Pedro Juan Caballero, as well as for Margarita and the kids as they stay back in Lambare.
Although Margarita and I have plans and goals for 2017, we obviously can’t foresee all that will happen. We enter this year trusting that God will do his incredible work. We trust in him over Gabrielli’s life (who might be born by our next update). And, we trust that many people will say “yes” (or “sí”) to the invitation to step out of their doubt and come to Jesus, whom even the wind and waves obey.
Sincerely,
Tim, Margarita, Antoine, Ana and Gabrielli
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| At a Paraguayan Beach |
