A Door was Opened to Us

Dear Friends and Family:

In early October, Margarita and I unknowingly walked into a key meeting among educators from Native settlements around the Asunción metro area.  By faith, we waited to see what connections might come from our time there.  Right behind me sat a leader from the Ava Guarani tribe.  When it was her turn to speak, using the colorful vernacular of the Guarani language, she expressed her negative feelings toward white people--North American “gringos” in particular.  I silently stared out the window as she spoke.  Surprisingly, the meeting ended with Margarita and me being invited to this leader’s settlement.  Last week we followed through on the invitation.  I stood at the gate to the leader’s yard with Pastors Dennis Humphrey and Anthony Watt, who were visiting us from Texas, while Margarita sat down with her in the patio and had a pleasant conversation.  Before leaving, the leader invited us to return at the end of November.  She also entrusted us with the task of driving her daughters and granddaughter to the supermarket on our way home.  In spite of her antagonistic feelings, a relational door was opened.  Please pray for God to guide our relationship with this leader and her tribe, which some missions researchers consider to be an unreached people group.

Margarita obviously played a critical role in the beginning of our relationship with the Ava Guarani.  Her loving character and witty sense of humor certainly impressed the leader.  Moreover, her training in helping students with difficulties in school will be an important tool for possible educational ministry among the Ava Guarani as well as other underserved groups.  Aside from being an awesome mother and wife, she is an excellent ministry partner.  We celebrated her birthday earlier this month—in fact, rounds of birthday celebrations still continue.  Please pray for a blessed new year of life for Margarita.

Likewise, our son, Antoine, turns three next Tuesday.  Perhaps more than any of us, he eagerly awaits the completion of our new house so that he’ll have a yard to burn off retained energy.  His current interest is learning how to skateboard.  Next year Margarita and I will probably have him spend a couple days a week at a daycare or pre-school.  Give thanks for his life and pray for us to choose the best care option for him.       

As Antoine grows, Gabrielli is starting to say words and stand up.

Last month we visited the city of Puerto Falcon, which is the main border crossing into Argentina.  We began planning an outreach event there for December 2^nd and 3^rd.  In the next few weeks we will mobilize volunteers from churches in Asuncion while carrying out trainings with the few members of Puerto Falcon’s only evangelical church.  Please pray for God to impact that community and build up the church there.

Next week 21 inmates in the Tacumbu Penitentiary will graduate from the evangelistic Bible study, “¿Quién es Jesus?” during which most of them made decisions to follow Jesus.  For the last two years, I’ve devoted less time to this ministry, in large part, due to a dependable and competent group of inmate leaders who teach the study.  Basically, I visit the leaders 1-2 times a month to pray for them and make sure that they have materials and Bibles.  Give thanks for Jorge and his team.  Pray for them to live out their faith, especially after their release from prison.

Upon finishing the study, each inmate receives a Bible.  We hope to give out at least 120 Bibles to inmates in 2018.  If you can donate Bibles (Reina-Valera 1960 Version), please contact us.

500 years ago the Church was reminded that rightness with God doesn’t come through an institution and its rituals, but rather through faith.  This is not our own doing, but instead a gift of God, available to everyone who calls on the name of the Lord.  Pray for us as we communicate this message in forgotten and unreached communities in the Heart of South America.

Yours truly,

Tim, Margarita, Ana, Antoine and Gabrielli