Pray for Strength

Dear Friends and Family:

The Guaraní word “mbarete” translates into English as “strong.” However, it’s really quite a versatile and important word in Paraguay. During the Stroessner dictatorship it referred to the government agents who committed acts of torture and maintained order. Nowadays it carries a more positive connotation, referring, for example, to a soccer player who runs hard despite exhaustion in the final minutes to try to win an intense game. A working, single mother who raises and keeps her multiple children in line also is “mbarete.” The Mbya Guaraní tribe, from whom the term probably originates, considers it to have a spiritual significance.

Our tutoring time at a local church is the only school these Mbya children have each week.

Last month our strength was renewed from a retreat hosted by our mission. We enjoyed reconnecting with colleagues in other South American countries as well as meeting new missionaries. Many wanted to hear about our ministry. As you probably know, our main focus is pursuing integral, sustainable transformation of urban Mbya Guaraní and Ava Guaraní communities. The following is a general overview of how we currently carry this out each week, and can help guide your prayers for Margarita and me:

·        Monday: Teach math, Spanish and Bible lessons at a combined Mbya-Ava school.  Then, Tim leads a Bible study in one Ava family’s home. Margarita disciples a Mbya woman.

·        Tuesday: Tim attends meetings, prepares lessons/teachings, has lunch with a Mbya shaman, and occasionally visits the Esperanza prison. Margarita stays home with Gabrielli.

·        Wednesday and Friday: Teach math, Spanish and Bible lessons along with learning disability support at a Mbya school. Then, teach a literacy class and a Bible study at an Ava community.

·        Thursday: Tim prepares lessons/teachings, works on seminary assignments, and has a discipleship with a young Ava man. Margarita stays home with Gabrielli.

·        Weekends: Family time, outreach to Mbya children, and local church ministries (youth ministry, children’s ministry and Bible teaching).

Thanks to two local foundations--Jesus Responde and the Project for the People of Paraguay--we've received the means to start serving lunch at one Mbya school and during the literacy classes with the Ava. Ask God for volunteers from local churches to help with food preparation and children’s activities. 

Easter Gifts

Last month, we celebrated one of the days of Holy Week by bringing presents given to a Mbya community from Tigard Covenant Church in Oregon. We also shared the Easter story with them. For Mother’s Day, we’re planning a special activity with a combined Ava and Mbya audience.  Pray for open hearts and an inspired message.  Furthermore, the days are cooling down and the “cold and flu” season is starting up. Our children struggled with sicknesses during this season in previous years.  Please keep their health in your prayers. 

Antoine, Ana and Gabrielli, like most Paraguayans, prefer to drink their oranges.

During a recent lunch with a Mbya shaman, he explained to me that when people from his community need to be "mbarete" to get over sickness or a difficult situation, they contact him and he conducts a ritual for them in their “opy” (prayer house). I shared with him about a similar practice in the Christian tradition. In times of affliction or sickness, we're encouraged to talk with others who can pray for us. Moreover, that prayer doesn’t have to take place in a certain location with certain people. Anyone can confidently approach the Creator anywhere, at anytime and find grace in times of need.

Happy Mothers Day!

Tim, Margarita, Ana, Antoine and Gabrielli