January/February 2012: Our Mission

Dear Friends and Family:

Margarita and I use terms like “teachers” and “missionaries” to describe our work in the beautiful nation of Paraguay.  For those of you who have partnered with us, we’d like to take this time to clearly explain the ministry you are involved in.  For anyone interested in partnering with us, the information below will help clarify what we are asking congregations, groups and individuals to be involved in for at least the next three years.

 

Ø Our Vision:        

1)      Serving alongside churches and ministries in Paraguay to make disciples of Jesus Christ.

2)      Preparing new generations of Paraguayan leaders through work as educators at the New Horizon Christian School and other educational institutions.

Ø Our Individual Responsibilities: Margarita	Tim
Minister to students with learning disabilities, and their families, at the New Horizon Christian School, as well as at two public schools near churches/church plants in order to open church-school relationships.	Develop and teach the English program for the New Horizon Christian School, which is an outreach ministry that provides students with valuable employment skills.  Also, connect with Paraguayans studying to teach English.
Facilitate discipleships with women, both individually and in small groups.  Margarita also hopes to mobilize women’s ministries in Paraguayan churches to address the issue of human trafficking locally.	Facilitate discipleships with young men, including New Horizon School pre-graduates, new Christians, potential national missionaries, and the Christian inmate leaders inside the Tacumbu Men’s Penitentiary.
Ø Our Combined Responsibilities: ·   Cooperate and coordinate with Paraguayan churches and ministries in carrying out evangelistic projects in the Asuncion-metro area and in un-churched, rural areas. ·   Raise our daughter, Ana Jeruti.

For the last six months our contributions have averaged at slightly under 60% of what we need to fund our vision in Paraguay.  Thank you to all who have given and pledged!  We will meet our financial goal when 24 more people or groups give $50 a month.  If you are not currently giving and are able to and interested in doing so, we invite you to give $50 a month, or any amount you can.   And, finally, please pray for the following requests:

• For the health of our family members
• For a restful and safe vacation for the New Horizon School teachers and students.
• For Pablo and Susie, a Paraguayan couple we discipled, who were recently married

Yours truly,

Margarita, Ana and Tim

December 2011: Oh Come Immanuel

Dear Friends and Family:

Earlier this month Margarita and I visited a man named Oscar and his family at their small apartment in Hillsboro, Oregon.  Oscar’s doctors recently told him that his brain cancer was aggressive and un-curable, and that he could pass away any day.  Would it have been appropriate for Margarita and I to respond to his news with a simple, “We’ll be praying for you,” or even, “Merry Christmas”?

Just as the Jews were suffering under Roman oppression when Jesus was born, many of our neighbors are enduring difficulties as December 25^th approaches.  Some people, like Oscar, fight serious illnesses.  Many battle depression and loneliness.  Others are experiencing their greatest financial challenges ever.  Perhaps those who are struggling this season want a sign that God is really present and cares.   The sign of God’s presence and care is actually the centerpiece of this season:

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign.  Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.  (Isaiah 7:14)

Last August, while our newborn daughter was struggling to breathe, Margarita and I didn’t know what was going to happen to her.  In those difficult moments, we found peace in the significance of the hospital’s name—Emanuel (or Immanuel), which means “God with us.”  The Lord never promised us that Ana’s birth would be without problems, but He did promise us, “I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20).  Four months later, we are celebrating our first Christmas with our healthy little daughter.    

Christmas is not only a time to be with family, but it is the celebration of when God came to be physically present with the harassed and helpless masses of this world.  The Lord is with Oscar and his family in their trials.  Margarita and I communicated this as best as we could and then shared with them Jesus’ invitation:  Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28).  Oscar, as well as his whole family, put their trust in Jesus that day.

Please pray for Oscar and his family, as well as for anyone you know who may be struggling this Christmas season.  Also remember to write, call or visit them.  After all, Jesus is still physically active in the world through His followers.

Margarita, Ana and I are currently enjoying a brief vacation in Texas from teaching, studying and fundraising.  We praise God for all of you who have been supporting us this year.  Thank you!  Although we have not had any new support pledges in almost a month and still need 26 people or groups to give $50 a month, we made a number of good contacts before traveling, which we will follow up on in January.  If you are interested in financially helping us return to our ministry in Paraguay this June, please contact us, or Latin America Mission (see below).     

Merry Christmas and happy New Year!                                                           

Tim, Margarita and Ana Revett     

806-471-9855

trevett@latinamericamission.org

Latin America Mission: 

1-800-275-8410

www.lam.org                                

Thanksgiving 2011: Celebrating Our Firstfruit

October/November, 2011

Dear Family and Friends:

Two Sundays ago, Margarita and I brought Ana to church to be dedicated in the same white dress and bonnet that my grandmother wore at her christening in 1911.  The children’s choir sang.  The congregation prayed for Ana.  The pastor dabbed a little oil on her forehead, symbolizing God’s presence with her.  This wasn’t a ceremony to “make her a Christian.”  Like everyone else, when she’s old enough, Ana will need to decide on her own to follow Christ.  Instead, in a spirit of celebration and thanksgiving we brought Ana there to symbolically present her to God as our “first-fruit,” the best of all that He has given to us.  Please join us this Thanksgiving in acknowledging the Creator for this year’s “fruits,” whether noticeable, like the birth of child, or often overlooked, like daily provision.

October was so busy that we didn’t get around to writing you this letter until now.  Margarita spends three mornings a week studying English at community college.  I teach Spanish in the afternoons at an all-girls middle-high school.  We made two nice getaways to Seattle for presentations and a missions conference.  All these activities are in addition to fundraising and our full-time job of parenting.  Between my work and the generosity of many family members, friends and congregations, we have been well supplied for living in the U.S.  We thank all of you who have supported us through donations, gifts, hospitality, and prayers—they are fragrant offerings, acceptable sacrifices, pleasing to God.    

Furthermore, we are very grateful for the congregations and families who recently decided to financially support us.  We lack only 26 pledges of $50 a month to meet our financial goal for the mission field.  If you, your small group or Sunday school class are not currently supporting us and are willing to give $50 a month starting in January, contact us or Latin America Mission (see below).  Please ask the Lord to connect us with 26 people or groups who would support us as teachers and missionaries in Paraguay.

In addition, please pray for the following requests: 

·         Margarita and I, continuing to learn as new parents

·         My 75 students, many of whom have difficult home situations     

·         Margarita’s family in Paraguay, for health and employment issues

·         The New Horizon School, for a nice conclusion to the school year.

Happy Thanksgiving!  May God supply every need of yours according to His riches in Christ Jesus.

To Him be glory forever,

Tim, Margarita and Ana                                 

806-471-9855/trevett@latinamericamission.org

Latin America Mission        

P.O. Box 52-7900         

Miami, FL  33152-9913         

1-800-275-8410         

www.lam.org 

September 2011: Bienvenida Ana!

Dear Family and Friends:

Margarita experienced no difficulties during the pregnancy with Ana.  The problems began to occur about eight hours into labor.  When the bigger contractions came, Ana’s heart-rate dropped to dangerously-low levels.  The third time this happened, the decision was made to do a c-section, and at 11:29 AM on Sunday, August 28th, Ana Jeruti Revett came into the world. 

At first, everything seemed fine. Margarita and I were able to hold her.  The nurses continued with the normal post-delivery procedures and moved us to a recovery suite.  Within twenty minutes, though, Ana began exhibiting breathing difficulties.  While Margarita stayed with my family in the recovery suite, I followed Ana to the observation room.  The nurses and doctors did not know what was happening.  Some said possibly pneumonia.  Others said perhaps her esophagus didn’t connect to her stomach.  Amidst the flurry of doctors and nurses around Ana, all I saw was my tiny newborn daughter thrashing around on the observation table, struggling to breathe.  I felt powerless to help her.

I thought of the story of Jairus, a father who lived in the town of Capernaum during the time of Jesus.  Jairus met Jesus on the shore of the Galilee Sea, threw himself at his feet, “and implored him earnestly, saying, ‘My little daughter is at the point of death.  Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well and live.’ ” I could relate with this man’s desperation.  I, too, brought my request for my daughter’s healing to the Lord’s feet.

Within two hours of Ana’s birth, the doctors transferred her to another hospital with a specialized neonatal ICU.  By evening, she was stable, but on an air pressure machine and with many tubes going into her.  On Monday, the doctor diagnosed her with Newborn Respiratory Distress Syndrome.  She said Ana’s recovery might take weeks.  By Wednesday, the doctor was letting us hold Ana and talked about taking her off the air pressure machine.  On Friday, Ana was “tube-free” and breathing on her own.  The following morning, she was discharged from the hospital. 

The story of Jairus’ daughter and Ana’s story both testify of God’s power to heal.  Jairus’ daughter was touched by Jesus on the hand and healed instantly.  The Lord orchestrated Ana’s healing through her vigor in fighting the sickness, the expertise of the medical workers, and the prayers of many people.  Margarita and I thank God for His goodness in the providence of our daughter as well as for His presence during the trials of her first week of life.

We also thank you for your prayers and encouragement.  Please join with us in praising God for the life of Ana and for Margarita’s recovery.  Keep us in your prayers as we start out as new parents.  Also, please pray for us as we continue to raise financial support and prepare for our return to the mission field in Paraguay next June.

Yours truly,

Tim, Margarita and Ana

August 2011: Baby on the Way

Dear Friends and Family:

Six months ago Margarita boarded a plane for the first time and left her house, siblings, nieces, nephews and parents to come to the U.S. with me for a time of equipping and fundraising for our ministry in Paraguay.   It has been difficult for her and her family to not be together during most of her pregnancy.  For instance, her loved ones in Paraguay didn’t have the opportunity to throw a baby shower for her.  My home church in Portland—Genesis Community Fellowship—stepped up to fill that need.  The Genesis women organized a baby shower with good food, fun games, many presents and motherly counsel.  Not only Genesis, but other congregations, as well as many family members and individuals across the U.S., have become Margarita’s family.  Truly she received many times more family members in this time than those who wait

for her in Paraguay.

Furthermore, Margarita’s family—our family—will at any moment increase by one more.  Our child’s due date is August 25^th; however, we believe the baby could arrive at any moment.  The pregnancy is going very well, praise God.  Please be in prayer for Margarita and the baby for a safe delivery.  Also, pray for us as we start off as new parents. 

Needless to say, Margarita and I will not travel outside of Portland for a little while.   We plan to start venturing out again on the weekend of September 24^th when we head to Sutherlin, Oregon.  We’ll also visit the Seattle-area for the 7^th through the 9^th of October.  From then on we’ll be available most of the fall to present about our work in Paraguay.  We still need to raise 50% of our monthly financial goal.  For those of you in the Pacific Northwest, please contact us if you, your church, your home group, or someone you know would be open to hearing about our ministry and possibly interested in partnering with us.  For all of you, please pray for more presentation opportunities and for more monthly supporters.  

Margarita and I also request your prayers for wisdom in deciding about the possibility of returning to Paraguay next June instead of February.  Additionally, please pray for our project to start a local English talk time outreach to international students at a local university. 

In closing, we acknowledge God’s constant provision through the support and generosity of many of you.  Despite enduring the trials of raising support in tight financial times, Margarita and I lack no good thing.  Wherever you are at in your spiritual walk, please accept our encouragement today to taste and see that the Lord is good, and, if difficulties arise, to take refuge in Him! (Psalm 34:8)

Yours truly,

Tim and Margarita

June 2011: "Gracious Words are like a honeycomb..."

June 2011

Dear Friends and Family:

The 2011 Benson High School student body president stood before his fellow graduates, tall and confident. He congratulated them for their accomplishments while challenged them to go on to achieve greater honors.  Four years earlier, in eighth grade, this young man struggled to speak in front of the class and didn’t make the honor roll.  As a middle son of refugee parents with twelve children, he had many responsibilities vying for his study time.  He was in a class I taught called AVID.  This program encourages marginally-performing students to prepare for post-secondary education by teaching them study skills that help them succeed in honors classes.  The encouragement he received in this program as well as in his high school classes proved to be “sweetness to his soul.” His hard work in high school earned him an excellent GPA, which resulted in a full-ride college scholarship.  The testimonies of many like this young man show that encouragement can push a young person towards wisdom, and “if they find it, there will be a future,” for them and their household.

Pray for the 2011 graduates you know, adding, please, these students: Roselily, Khalid, Andrew, Calvin, Darien and Mary.

Education is a means to end family cycles of poverty and a factor to increase quality of life; therefore, encouraging students to achieve could literally translate into “health for their bodies.”  Unfortunately, educational opportunities are limited in many parts of the world, namely Paraguay.  There the New Horizon School operates with the mission to provide a quality education to students who normally would not have such an opportunity.  The school’s faculty of dedicated believers, inspired by Christ “who lives in them,” lovingly gives of themselves in encouraging the students toward achievement.  Please pray for renewal for the New Horizon faculty during the upcoming winter vacation, in addition to more sponsors for the students.  Also, praise God for the $50,000 challenge-grant that was met last month for construction on the school.

Margarita and I are enjoying our time in the United States.  We have opportunities every week to share about the New Horizon School and our mission work.  The more we share, the more we think about returning to Paraguay; though, we still have seven months left in the U.S.  We also still have half of our monthly financial goal left to raise.  This is up from April when we were two-thirds short.  Give thanks to God with us for all those who have contributed.  Please ask Him to call more groups and individuals to help fill in the other half of our monthly financial goal.    

A number of people have asked if contributions should be sent now or when we leave for Paraguay.  If you decide to support us financially, please start giving now.  Not only does this set the pattern for our monthly support on the mission field, but it also currently covers our car expenses, helps pay for my continuing teaching license courses, and enables us to pursue fundraising opportunities.  In fact, the monthly contributions are our main source of income right now (subsidized by some tutoring and regular acts of spontaneous generosity).

Our final prayer request is for our child, who will be born in two months, and for Margarita.  We’re both very excited.  Margarita is feeling quite ready to have the baby.  Praise God that all is well.  Likewise, we praise Him for all the generosity shown to us, and because of your partnership in the gospel.      

Happy Independence Day!                Tim and Margarita Revett

April 2011: Paraguay on the Horizon

Dear Family and Friends:

Imagine the eleven disciples’ predicament between the crucifixion and the resurrection.  Three years earlier they left behind homes, families and careers to follow Jesus.  Suddenly, He was gone.  Even though Jesus told them what was going to happen, the Apostle John writes, “For as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that He must rise from the dead” (20:9).  Perhaps unsure whether or not, or even how, to continue the ministry the Lord had called them to, “…the disciples went back to their homes,” and some returned to fishing (20:10, 21:3).  Similarly, a Christian may encounter moments of nebulousness while pursuing his or her calling.  If such moments are coupled with financial difficulties, the temptation arises to delay that pursuit. 

After three months of fundraising Margarita and I fall two-thirds short of the funds we need to return to Paraguay.  Regardless, we’re more eager than ever to return.  Margarita and I greatly enjoy our time connecting with friends and family in the U.S.  We’re also very excited to become parents.  We’re doing well; yet, we request prayer (as well as advice) for our season of fundraising.

As history shows, the eleven disciples didn’t stay very long in a place of uncertainty.  What, then, happened to convince them to continue a movement that today has over one billion followers?  Jesus rose from the grave and commissioned them to go into all the world, making disciples of all nations.  Christ’s resurrection is the key event in the Christian Faith and is the base of the message that Margarita and I, as well as our co-laborers, proclaim through our work in Paraguay.  Furthermore, we know when we seek first to proclaim this message all other things will be added.

Margarita and I stay active in the U.S.  We presented about our mission work various times each week in February and March, and were in different churches almost every Sunday.  We translated for a mission trip to Mexico with First Baptist of Amarillo.  Additionally, we led weekly youth group meetings at the Fuente Viva Church.  In Portland we’ve started sharing about our mission work with groups and congregations.  We will also be involved in outreach to Spanish-speakers in the northeastern section of the city.  Please keep the Fuente Viva youth in your prayers, and ask that the Lord guide us in our ministry plans in Portland.

At the same time, Margarita and I experienced plenty of recreation and relaxation.  We traveled by car from Amarillo to Portland.  “On the way” we passed through Southern California, where the West Covina United Methodist Church blessed us with a wedding reception.  Our travels brought us to such places as the Grand Canyon, Hollywood, San Francisco and the Redwoods.  We thank God for safety as well as for the generosity shown to us by many friends and family during our travels.

Likewise, we praise God for the generosity of many supporters over the past three years and by various churches, Sunday school classes and individuals over the last three months.  However, as already mentioned, Margarita and I lack the funds to be able to return to Paraguay.  If you aren’t one of our monthly supporters and are able to contribute, please consider committing to give $25, $50, $100, or whatever amount per month now through the end of 2014.  In addition, the New Horizon School is looking for sponsors to donate $35 a month for new students.  Below is the information on how to give to these two ministries.

The Lord’s faithfulness never ends.  He constantly provides for our transportation, food and lodging.  Margarita and our child are healthy and receive excellent prenatal care.  We continue to set our sights on Paraguay for next February and trust that He who began a good work…will bring it to completion.

   

Yours truly,

Tim and Margarita Revett 

Missionaries/Teachers

Latin America Mission

                  Tim and Margarita                                                         

By check: Latin America Mission                                         

                 Revett/Paraguay                                                                            

                 P.O. Box 52-7900                                                                     

                 Miami, FL  33152-9913                                                            

Or, online: www.lam.org/donate/missionaries_LT.php     

                 New Horizon School
       Samaritan Hands/ Paraguay Schools
               2508 Old Niles Ferry Rd.
                 Maryville, TN  37803
                (*Advance# 3021089)
            www.paraguayschools.org