June 2013: The Gospel, Child Labor and an Asthma Attack

Dear Friends and Family:

Street signs throughout Asunción exhibit excerpts from the United Nations’ “Declaration of the Rights of the Child.”  Principle 9 of the Declaration reads:
 
The child…shall in no case be caused or permitted to engage in any occupation or employment which would prejudice his health or education, or interfere with his physical, mental or moral development.

Ironically and tragically, only a few yards from the sign one might see young children selling candies or washing car windows.  In fact, local news reports that at least 450,000 children under the age of 12 are employed in Paraguay. 

“Laura,” a student in the second grade morning class at the New Horizon School, was referred to Margarita for learning difficulties.  She failed all her classes.  Her teacher described her as “on the moon” during lessons as well as in her relating with classmates.  At recess she sat alone while the others played.  Margarita soon discovered that each day when Laura returned home from school, she worked from 12 to 7 as the solitary housecleaner and caretaker of her younger brother.  Laura’s “job” was the main obstacle to her learning.  Margarita and the administrators urged Laura’s parents to transfer her into the afternoon class, which forced them to find an adult relative to perform Laura’s duties.  Instead of working, Laura now spends her afternoons in school.  She is passing all her classes, and Margarita says she’s become an active, social little girl again.

Praise God for Laura’s restoration and pray that He would do the same for the thousands of Paraguayan child laborers.  Likewise, please keep the New Horizon School in your prayers as it educates and reaches out to children who might be in situations like Laura was.

Along with our work at school, Margarita and I have been active in the Evangelism and Missions Ministry over the last couple months.  The Trinidad evangelistic event in May was postponed due to rain.  Our next event will be a vacation bible school and youth concert in the Siloé neighborhood.  Please pray for this event on July 10^th through 14^th in addition to the missions conference we are organizing with churches in the Chaco region on July 27^th.

The primary goal of the Repatriación mission trip in April was to help launch a local church’s children’s ministry.  About 100 children came to the event.  I got to share about Christ’s ability to transform lives on a local radio station.  Unfortunately, at the end of the second day Ana had to be hospitalized for breathing problems.  We thank God for her recovery from the incident, but she will use an inhaler and anti-allergy medicine every day for at least the rest of the winter.  Please keep Ana’s health in your prayers.

Last month I sent out a flash prayer request for a presentation I gave with less than a day’s notice to 160 students.  There were some technical difficulties, but the message got across.  I explained C.S. Lewis’ use of the lion Aslan’s death in Narnia to depict Jesus’ sacrifice for all of humanity, and then concluded by asking the crowd, “Who wants to follow this man who loved you so much that he gave his life for you?” An overwhelming majority of the group raised their hands. 

Please continue to pray for Margarita and I, that we will “make known the mystery of the gospel."

For His glory,

Tim, Margarita and Ana

April 2013: Abundant Life

 

Dear Friends and Family:

Last Friday after I finished teaching I sat down in our apartment.  Within a short time I began feeling terrible with various symptoms: headache, earache, dizziness.  I took some medicine and, before going to bed early, Margarita prayed with me for strength to “get through” the jam-packed weekend.  I felt the same on Saturday, though, with a little more energy—enough energy to enjoy teaching a class at a local Bible institute.  Later I still had sufficient strength to lead a college-age church service that went late due to an engaging discussion.  On Sunday I woke up eager to finish preparing and later present a sermon.  I thank the Lord for providing strength so that I not only accomplished, but savored, the weekend’s activities.  In light of recent sicknesses Margarita and I ask for your prayers for protection over our and Ana’s health.      

On April 21^st Paraguayans will decide who will lead their country for the next five years. Please pray for a peaceful presidential election with a beneficial outcome for Paraguay.  Choosing the right president is indeed important.  However, if Paraguay is to experience long-term, Christ-centered progress, there must be a commitment to reaching out to children and youth (who are currently the vast majority of the population).  Margarita and I spend the greater part of our week working with many of the 700 students at the New Horizon School and the fifty teens and college-age youth at our church.  Their great talents, creativity and potential reveal that they truly are a heritage from the Lord and a reward to their community.  Considering our weekly activities as well as our other involvements, you can say that you are reaching out each month to almost a thousand of Paraguay’s children, teens and young adults through your support and prayers for Margarita and me.  Thank you, and please keep these youth and our ministry in your prayers.      

Furthermore, we appreciated your prayers for the March 15^th Missions Night.   We carried out the event with a certain degree of flexibility.  A few speakers couldn’t make it.  It rained, which, in Paraguay, is an automatic excuse for anyone to stay home.  About a half hour after the event was scheduled to begin, most of the few dozen participants began arriving.  Overall the event went very well.  The presentations were inspiring.  One young woman shared her sense of a calling to be a missionary in Asia.  There was a powerful time of prayer for national missionaries and against obstacles to evangelism in Paraguay.  The participants had only positive comments to share afterward.  We considered it a successful first missions conference for us.  Please pray for these upcoming Ministry of Evangelism and Missions events:           

·      April 26^th-28^th: Mission trip to Repatriación (a city in eastern Paraguay). 
·      May 17^th-18^th: Outreach in the Trinidad neighborhood of Asunción. 

From fighting through health issues to helping students achieve, and from working with teenagers to mobilizing national missionaries—Margarita and I are in one of those seasons when activities accumulate. It’s natural to take on the perspective to simply “get through” all that is happening; yet, it’s more enjoyable when we look for strength in Jesus, who came that we may have life and have it abundantly. 

Missing you all (but having a good time here),     Margarita, Ana and Tim Revett

 

February 2013: Hope for Paraguay

Dear Family and Friends:

2013 holds great hope for Paraguay.  The World Bank praises the prospects across Latin America of continued growth of the middle class, which has increased by 50% in the last ten years.  Paraguay’s National Bank predicts a boost in agricultural production that could contribute to a 9.5-10.5% increase in gross domestic product.  Paraguay might earn first place in the region for economic growth.

Unfortunately, Paraguay also earns a high spot in a not-so-glamorous category.  Transparency International recently reported the nation to be the second-most corrupt in South America.  Corruption threatens a just distribution and effective use of the potential economic blessings of 2013.  Crucial to Paraguay’s choice to continue or end this negative trend is the upcoming presidential election.  I attended a prayer meeting where a pastor poured his heart out, asking that the presidency be given to the candidate who will most truly love the Paraguayan people.  Please join him in this prayer, and pray for a peaceful election.   

In order for the new president to lead with integrity and for the projected economic growth to benefit all Paraguayans, policies need to embody principles like “love your neighbor as yourself.”  Developing future leaders who will lead their families, communities and nation guided by such biblical principles is the vision of the New Horizon School.  There is hope for a great destiny for Paraguay when its leaders humble themselves before God and turn from corruption.  Through your support and prayers for us as we work with the students and other youth, you are investing in this hope.

Margarita, Ana and I are very grateful for the generosity you have shown us in recent months.  Your donations and faithful contributions sustain us in our work.  An English book for every New Horizon student has been paid for.  Margarita will be able to purchase her learning disability diagnostic test.  And the cups, plates and silverware were provided for the Saturday Bible lesson-lunch time.  Thank you.

We also thank you for your prayers and words of encouragement for Margarita during her trial with dengue.  She’s almost fully recovered.   Please keep her and the more than 21,000 dengue patients in the Asunción-metro area in your prayers. 

Since the New Year, 15 inmates in the Tacumbu Prison graduated from the “Who is Jesus?” discipleship and we began the next course with 40 participants.  Furthermore, Margarita and I were asked to be youth leaders for the Fuente de Vida Church.  It was difficult to leave the Puerta Abierta Church, however, we still maintain a good relationship with them.  Fuente de Vida is across the street from the New Horizon School, and our involvement at the church better enables us to reach out to the school’s students and their families.  Please pray for us as new youth ministers. 

We have two final prayer requests: 

• For the New Horizon School administrators, teachers and students as the school year begins
• For the Lord to use the March 15^th missions conference, organized by the Ministry of Missions and Evangelism, to encourage local churches in their outreach effort.

Margarita and I stand alongside our colleagues here in the hope of the blessings and peace that Paraguay could experience this year.  More so, we hope that many spiritually hungry people throughout Paraguay—as well as many where you and your loved ones live—will embrace the peace with God offered to everyone through our Lord Jesus.  We pray for this unsurpassable peace to guard your hearts and your minds.

Yours truly,                             Margarita, Ana and Tim Revett

trevett@latinamericamission.org /margaritacohene@hotmail.com/Skype: timothy.revett

 

 

A Savior is Born to You!

[Photo:  Ana with her new friend in the city of J. Agusto Saldivar]

Dear Family and Friends:

Last month we requested prayer for the summer camp for the New Horizon School’s oldest students.  Judging by the outcome of the camp, we assume a good number of you prayed.  The keynote speaker shared about his own experiences with abuse and abandonment.  His message resonated with many of the students.  When he made the invitation to receive prayer for healing from past and current sufferings, a crowd of students poured down the aisles to the altar.  The following day, there was over an hour of student testimonies about how God was helping them through their circumstances.

The majority of New Horizon students live in dysfunctional homes.  We heard about one student who was beat at home days before the camp.  I prayed at the camp with a young man who wishes he could know his father beyond Facebook chats.  Addictions, marital infidelity and parental irresponsibility are common stories in our students’ families.  Similar family situations also afflict the lives of the youngest Nuevo Horizonte students.  Margarita believes that almost all of her 4 to 8 year old students’ learning disabilities are linked to neglect and traumas.

Based upon the students’ testimonies at the camp, God is encouraging them to not react to their environments in unhealthy ways, but instead to hold unswervingly to the hope they profess in Christ, because He who promised is faithful.  Please pray for strength and wisdom for the oldest New Horizon Students.  Likewise, pray for a safe summer vacation and for their families

In spite of the obstacles, the New Horizon students made great academic achievements in the 2012 school year.  Many of the middle and high school students now surpass their parents’ educational levels.  Over one sixth of the elementary school students finished the school year with all A’s.  Almost 20% of the school had perfect attendance.  The students at New Horizon are truly impressive.

On a personal note, sickness hit our family in the past couple of weeks.  First, I was laid out for a day due to fever.  The following week, Ana endured a 12-hour puke-fest that prompted us to take her to the hospital. A few days later, Margarita caught a cold that lasted a couple days.  Then, Margarita’s father was hospitalized for an infection.  All this occurred during the preparation for last weekend’s Evangelism and Missions Ministry event.  We praise God that we all recovered and will be able to celebrate Christmas with Margarita’s family.

Additionally we thank God for His work through last weekend’s event in a new church plant in the city of J. Agusto Saldivar.  Many children and few adults attended the first night.  The most fruitful activity of the day was a sewing/conversation circle with neighborhood women.  Like the first day, few adults came to the service on the second day.  However, on the second day the service was outdoors and dozens of neighbors sat in front of their homes and on the street corners, listening to the music and message.  One neighbor gave her life to Christ after a volunteer crossed the street to talk with her.  The service was packed on the third and final day.  When the music and presentations ended, about twenty people came forward to begin or renew their walks with Jesus. 

This season is a time to rejoice for God has done great things for us throughout the year.  Recent tragedies and family difficulties understandably cause grieving.  Christmas, though, reminds us that God is mindful of and present in our circumstances. For, in an afflicted world, a Savior has been born…He is Christ the Lord.

Merry Christmas!                            Ana, Margarita and Tim

*If you receive the LAM magazine be sure to check out my article entitled “Facing Tacumbu,” which describes my first visit to the prison. You can also read and comment on it at http://stories.lam.org/2012/11/facing-tacumbu

Do you have globally- or ministry-minded loved ones who will be difficult to find a Christmas present for this year?

 

Please let Margarita and Tim suggest some alternative presents that you could give to your loved ones..

 

1. Plates, cups and plasticware for a lunchtime drop-in ministry for children and teens of a poor neighborhood north of Asuncion, Paraguay.
2. Materials to support students from low-income families with learning disabilities.
3. English textbooks for future leaders of Paraguay.
4. Discipleship materials for the inmates of one of South America's most notorious prisons.
5. Breakfasts and snacks that accompany devotionals for teenage boys.

(See photos and descriptions below) 

A donation can be made in any amount.
 
The funds go to the project of your choice (not to Tim and Margarita's living expenses).

A card with a photo of the people to whom the ministry serves will be sent to the person in whose name the donation is made.

Here’s how you do it...

1. Make a donation to Latin America Mission in the name of your loved one.

A. Online:

Go to www.lam.org/missionaries/tim-and-margarita-revett.

Select “Support this missionary.”

On the form where it says “Use my gift for” select “Work Funds”    

B. By Mail:

On the envelope write: Latin America Mission

Revett/Paraguay

P.O. Box 52-7900

Miami, FL 33152-9913

*On a separate piece of paper, write "For WORK FUNDS," the project to which you give, and the name and address of the loved one in whose name the gift is given.

2. E-mail us (trevett@latinamericamission.org) to identify which project you made a donation to with the address in whose name you make the gift. *If you do this before November 24^th, we will be able to send the card and photo to your loved one by Christmas.

Please e-mail us if you have any questions and share the information with your friends, church, small group, Sunday school class, or whoever you think would be interested.

 

Drop-In Bible Lesson and Lunch Ministry Every Saturday morning up to 100 kids and teens fill this house for a Bible study and free lunch. Neighborhood women organize the event and use their own plates, cups and silverware. We would like to purchase for them new plastic plates, cups, and silverware for their ministry. Cost: $1.75 per child (up to 100 children attend)

                                                                                                       

Special Education In Paraguay students from low-income families who have learning disabilities often drop out of school due to few resources available to them.  Diagnostic tools are scarce and expensive.  About 10% of New Horizon’s low income students struggle with learning disabilities.  Margarita ministers to this group and hopes to acquire sufficient materials for 2013. Goal:  $350 (covers diagnostic test and all photocopies for 2013)

Prison Ministry

Once a week, Tim facilitates a gospel-centered discipleship program with 20-40 of the inmate leaders of the Remar drug rehab pavilion inside the Tacumbu Men’s Penitentiary.  These men in-turn teach the materials to other inmates.  Also, the men are rewarded with a certificate upon completion, which, after they leave prison, can help them enter a ministry position.   

Goal:  $100 (covers all photocopies for 2013).

English as a Foreign Language Education The New Horizon School’s mission is to educate a new generation of Paraguayan leaders.  The school’s English program gives students a skill that will open doors for post-secondary education and employment opportunities.  Being that most students come from low income families, the school traditionally provides one English book free of charge, but the student body grows every year and printing costs increase.  (Tim compiled most of the New Horizon School English books.)  Cost:  $2 per book (about 600 students need books)

Devotionals with Teenagers Every Tuesday morning and afternoon two groups of 5 to 15 teenage students from the New Horizon School come to our apartment for devotionals.  We provide the snacks. Goal:  $180  (covers food for all of 2013).

October 2012: Ana Turned 1! (And other good news)

To Our Friends and Family:                                                                                              

One cool Saturday morning last month Margarita, Ana and I arrived at an empty 3-room house north of Asunción surrounded by dozens of children running around.  Inside the house we found five women heating up water for yerba maté on a mobile coal-burning stove.  These same coals would be kept hot for a couple more hours and used to prepare lunch for 75-100 kids and teens. 

One of the five women was Nancy.  She, her husband and the other women host a Bible lesson every Saturday morning followed by lunch and play time.  The children come in the morning from a nearby slum and stay until mid-afternoon.  A couple local ministries help provide the food, but the women put forth all the labor as well as use their own plates, silverware and cups.  At the end of this letter, I’ll explain Nancy’s connection to Margarita and me.  Please pray for her, the other volunteers, provision for their ministry, and the children.

Thank you for your prayers for the Wednesday night outreach to the boys from the creek.  Although we still exercise much patience with offensive and sometimes threatening language during the Bible lesson and soccer games, the boys show up every Wednesday right on-time, and there haven’t been any acts of violence.   Praise God for His work among these boys. 

We also thank the Lord for all of you who began giving last month. In our last letter we alluded to a higher cost of living due to our new vehicle.  The money from the sale of our car in the U.S. helped us buy a 1999 Toyota Rav4.  The vehicle makes transportation easier and quicker.   Before when I went to the Tacumbu Prison by bus, it would take at least 45 minutes one-way.  By car it’s less than 20 minutes.   Also, it being a 4x4 enables us to travel on rough, unpaved roads.  

However, this extra blessing comes with a price.  Keeping gas in the tank delays our ability to save up for maintenance and insurance.   Please continue to pray that all our financial needs be met. 

Margarita and I have both been busy these months at the New Horizon School (and chasing after Ana, who is now walking).   Margarita continues assessing and carrying out interventions for students with learning disabilities.  She sees more and more the effects of parents not spending time with their children to review their school work.  I began teaching the advanced English classes.  The students are progressing well in their conversational ability.  I’m also compiling the 10^th grade ESL curriculum.  We invite you to participate in a day of prayer for the students, direction and provision of the New Horizon School this Friday, November 2^nd. 

Education is large part of our work in Paraguay; yet, our core purpose is to encourage people to follow Jesus Christ.  Nancy (mentioned above) gave her life to Jesus after months of conversations with Margarita. They were neighbors.  Nancy had many questions and doubts about Jesus and the Bible.  She also had a great need for peace in her life.  Nancy, now serving the Lord through her Saturday children's ministry, bears witness to how God responds to everyone who asks, because the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.

Yours truly,

Margarita, Ana and Tim