Their stronghold in time of trouble

Dear Friends and Family:

Ana was 10 months old when we she left her comfortable crib-bed, a bunch of fun toys and her favorite baby television programs to go with her parents to the mission field. While Margarita and I were happy to be back in Paraguay, Ana cried almost every day for the first few weeks, searching for her belongings and not understanding why she was in a strange, new place. It deeply hurt Margarita and me, and left us wondering at times if we were good parents. We decided to trust in the Lord and do the work we were called to do. Ana soon became accustomed to living in Paraguay, and has loved it ever since.  

Ana and Gabrielli excitedly cleaning out the room that is now their new bedroom. Antoine pretends to not see the sign on their door that says "No Boys."

Ana’s story was part of one of the many conversations about the difficulties of ministry I had during a recent seminary class in New Orleans. We studied and discussed how to care for people in ministry. I thought about my colleagues like one missionary family who endured the death of a close relative and constant relational strife life last year. Those who commit their ways to the Lord often pass through dark nights of the soul before the justice of their cause can shine like the noonday sun. Pray for those who serve in ministry.

My brief trip through the southern U.S. was mostly for ministry preparation, but there were times of thanking supporters and visiting family and friends. I sorely missed Margarita and the children; though, I came back refreshed for our ministry activities, which started the day after I arrived. Give thanks for safe travels.

Additionally, give thanks for our children’s healthy growth.  Ana won second place in a swimming competition. Antoine recently started kindergarten. Gabrielli still has one more year before starting school. In two weeks we’ll celebrate her third birthday.

These are some of the Paraguayan youth who will join us this year to engage urban Native communities

Thus far, the tribal leadership at one Mbya Guaraní and thee Ava Guaraní communities approved us to work with them in 2020. Next week we will meet with a Mbya chief and a group of Mbya parents to confirm plans to carry out weekly educational activities in their communities. One of those sites will be delegated to a local college student who is sensing a call to work with Native people. We’ll meet with another tribal leader about a group of young local Christians starting activities with children and teens at his community. Please pray for the Lord to continue opening doors and to reach many people through our ministry in 2020.

81 bags of cookies were passed out within 20 minutes to the children who live around the bus station.

You prayed last month for the at-risk Mbya Guaraní youth living around Asunción’s bus station. Pray for our meeting this Thursday at a nearby church to discuss how to reach out to them. Last Sunday the church’s pastor sent a group of Brazilian short-term missionaries with me to pass out cookies and tell the children and teens, “Ñandejara Hesucristo nderayhu” (Jesus loves you). At a follow-up event later that day, a few of them responded to the open invitation to everyone that salvation comes from the Lord, who will be their stronghold in time of trouble.

Yours Truly,                             

Tim, Margarita, Ana, Antoine and Gabrielli