Dear Friends and Family:
Almost a year ago I wrote to you about a machete fight that nearly broke out between squatters and landowners at an urban Mbya Guaraní community. At the same time, a similar situation was developing in another part of the Asunción metropolitan area with an Ava Guaraní community, whose leader was worried about what would happen to the twenty families under his care—including his wife and seven children. He recalled from his youth hearing Bible stories about people being rescued from oppressive situations, and he asked God for help. This year his community was joined with the Mbya community and both were moved outside of Asunción to land with a title in their names and newly-built homes.
Last month we shared a time of thanksgiving with the Ava leader for what
God had done for him and his community. Every Monday since then, after we
finish our tutoring session and serving lunch to the students, we meet with him
and his family to listen to and discuss a chapter from the Gospel of Matthew on
an audio Bible in Guaraní. Pray for God to grow our spiritual gatherings at
this Mbya-Ava Guaraní community.
At another urban Ava community, a faithful group gathers for prayer and Scripture reading on Sunday mornings. We brought a short-term mission team from Arkansas there a few weeks ago. Both the team and the community members shared their stories with each other during a meal. In the emotional farewell, one Ava woman gave her bracelet to one of the team members. This was a significant step for her to trust more in Ñandejara (Jesus) since she had previously trusted the bracelet to protect her from evil spirits. Join us in giving thanks to God for his work among the Ava. Additionally, pray for “S.,” a Mbya woman who started studying the Bible with Margarita last week.
In the past month I made two visits to a missionary training school in
southern Paraguay called Parque SAMM. The first visit was to co-teach a course
on teamwork in ministry teams to a promising group of Paraguayan and Uruguayan
missionaries. The second visit was for the first-ever conference on ministry
among the Mbya Guaraní. People from all over the region came to learn about
Mbya culture and dialogue on best practices. Ana joined me for this visit and
played with children from multiple cultural backgrounds: Mbya, German,
American, Paraguayan, Bolivian and Uruguayan. She enjoyed the short break from
third grade, which is turning out to be a lot harder than she thought. Give thanks for Ana as she turns
8-years-old this month.
Many of you are probably familiar with the organization called “Operation Christian Child.” We recently delivered some of their gift boxes to the children at the Ava-Mbya community for Children’s Day. They played games, ate a delicious lunch, and heard a presentation about Jesus’ love for them. 30 or so children, teens and adults entrusted him with their lives. This event was possible because of the support from our ministry colleagues as well as from you. Of course, the good gift of new life is possible because of our gracious Father in heaven, who gives it to those who ask him.
In his love,
Tim, Margarita, Ana, Antoine, and Gabrielli
Almost a year ago I wrote to you about a machete fight that nearly broke out between squatters and landowners at an urban Mbya Guaraní community. At the same time, a similar situation was developing in another part of the Asunción metropolitan area with an Ava Guaraní community, whose leader was worried about what would happen to the twenty families under his care—including his wife and seven children. He recalled from his youth hearing Bible stories about people being rescued from oppressive situations, and he asked God for help. This year his community was joined with the Mbya community and both were moved outside of Asunción to land with a title in their names and newly-built homes.
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Singing to our Great Father in Guaraní
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At another urban Ava community, a faithful group gathers for prayer and Scripture reading on Sunday mornings. We brought a short-term mission team from Arkansas there a few weeks ago. Both the team and the community members shared their stories with each other during a meal. In the emotional farewell, one Ava woman gave her bracelet to one of the team members. This was a significant step for her to trust more in Ñandejara (Jesus) since she had previously trusted the bracelet to protect her from evil spirits. Join us in giving thanks to God for his work among the Ava. Additionally, pray for “S.,” a Mbya woman who started studying the Bible with Margarita last week.
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Ana with her friends at an Ava community
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Many of you are probably familiar with the organization called “Operation Christian Child.” We recently delivered some of their gift boxes to the children at the Ava-Mbya community for Children’s Day. They played games, ate a delicious lunch, and heard a presentation about Jesus’ love for them. 30 or so children, teens and adults entrusted him with their lives. This event was possible because of the support from our ministry colleagues as well as from you. Of course, the good gift of new life is possible because of our gracious Father in heaven, who gives it to those who ask him.
In his love,
Tim, Margarita, Ana, Antoine, and Gabrielli
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This boy’s box could only have come from Oregon
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