Dear Friends and Family:
A Mbya Guarani shaman became sick about three weeks ago. Margarita and I offered to take him to the doctor, but his distrust in "white people’s medicine" led him to politely decline. We assured him that our offer remained on the table. We also would like to pray for him; however, because a Mbya shaman is the top spiritual and medical authority in the community, a simple invitation to pray for him could be interpreted as a challenge to his position, which, could result in significant barriers to reaching out to him and his community. Pray for open doors, for wisdom, and for the shaman to recover in a way that calls attention to God.
God continues to open doors for deeper relationships with the Mbya. Our students’ families are seeing the
positive results of Margarita’s learning disability intervention. Our lunch-tutoring program, which includes a
Bible lesson, is attracting more students.
They and their teacher are starting to ask spiritual questions. Pray that our conversations with the Mbya will be full of grace.
Last month we visited a new, mixed Mbya and Ava Guarani community with the pastor of a nearby church, who is interested in reaching out to them. We are beginning to discuss with this and another church about developing a vision to not just reach out to Natives, but rather to form multicultural congregations. Pray for local churches to open their doors to their Native neighbors.
The Ava Guarani of another urban community are tired of being asked to sign documents that they don’t understand. This is why we started a Spanish literacy class last month. Through this class, Margarita is building relationships with the women. While she teaches, I connect with the young men. Pray that God opens a door for us to share about him to the Ava.
A Mbya Guarani shaman became sick about three weeks ago. Margarita and I offered to take him to the doctor, but his distrust in "white people’s medicine" led him to politely decline. We assured him that our offer remained on the table. We also would like to pray for him; however, because a Mbya shaman is the top spiritual and medical authority in the community, a simple invitation to pray for him could be interpreted as a challenge to his position, which, could result in significant barriers to reaching out to him and his community. Pray for open doors, for wisdom, and for the shaman to recover in a way that calls attention to God.
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| A Tutoring Lesson |
Last month we visited a new, mixed Mbya and Ava Guarani community with the pastor of a nearby church, who is interested in reaching out to them. We are beginning to discuss with this and another church about developing a vision to not just reach out to Natives, but rather to form multicultural congregations. Pray for local churches to open their doors to their Native neighbors.
The Ava Guarani of another urban community are tired of being asked to sign documents that they don’t understand. This is why we started a Spanish literacy class last month. Through this class, Margarita is building relationships with the women. While she teaches, I connect with the young men. Pray that God opens a door for us to share about him to the Ava.
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| Ana is Excited to Travel to the U.S |
We thank you for your prayers for our children. Gabrielli is healthy and very active. Antoine “graduated” from daycare. Ana performed traditional Paraguayan dances
with her classmates in early September. She now tells us every day that she is ready
to go the U.S. We will set foot on North American soil on November 24th, and
very much look forward to seeing you.
A few Mbya youth attend a public school near their community. Last week Margarita and I gave two
presentations at this school, and about 50 students prayed to put their faith in Jesus. We give thanks to God for his work in Paraguay. We thank you for your partnership in the good
news of salvation in Jesus, who opens the door to whoever knocks.
Sincerely,
Tim, Margarita, Ana, Antoine and Gabrielli
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Margarita Presenting in the Public School
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