Immeasurably more than they asked or imagined

Dear Friends and Family:

Shortly after the Paraguayan government initially ordered people to not go to work in March, the approximately 70 men, women and children of the Yvapovondy Ava Guaraní community found themselves without food. Your support enabled Margarita and me to gather provisions to cover them for a couple of weeks; however, they were concerned about how they were going to make it through the quarantine. The participants of the community’s house church asked God for help, and He responded immeasurably more than they imagined. Although there are still relatively few COVID-19 cases and the quarantine is being phased out, please pray for Paraguay's protection.

Your support helps provide three weekly meals to children in Zeballos Cue (pictured here waiting in a socially-distanced line at the church).

Last month we wrote about the Zeballos Cue Ava community, which was in a similar, desperate situation. We have since teamed up with the nearby “Jesús Mi Salvador” Baptist Church to provide three lunches a week not only for all of the Ava children, but also for the neighboring shantytown. Interestingly enough, this is one of at least six new partnerships with local churches that have emerged during this difficult season. We’re additionally starting Bible studies with Ava and Mbya groups in three different locations, including Zeballos Cue. Ask God to work through these Bible studies to impact the urban Ava and Mbya communities. Also, pray for a young Mbya man named “O.” who is seeking to know his Creator.

Since Margarita and I began engaging urban Mbya and Ava communities in 2017, I have not regularly visited any of the prisons where I previously taught Bible studies. I recently ran into three former inmates with whom I worked, and I keep in touch with one inmate leader. Give thanks that they are living out their changed lives as well as are serving in ministry.  Moreover, last month’s issue of Social Sciences and Missions featured an article I wrote about one of the prisons. You can find it at https://brill.com/view/journals/ssm/33/1-2/ssm.33.issue-1-2.xml.

We passed out Bibles in Guarani after the meal in the Villeta Mbya-Ava community.

After the Yvapovondy house church asked God for help, they’ve continuously received enough food donations from different sources to fill two storehouses and their own personal pantries. They decided to donate the food our ministry designated for them it to the Villeta Native community, where, in our last few visits, we've witnessed at least six people place their faith in Jesus. One couple from Yvapovondy now joins us on our weekly visits to Villeta to help us serve a meal and share devotionals. Yvapovondy’s story teaches us that God truly opens the door to those who knock.

Yours truly,

Tim, Margarita, Ana, Antoine and Gabrielli Revett

Ana is now a 4th grader!

Deliverance in Desperate Times

Your support touches the physical and spiritual needs of this Ava Guarani family as well as many others during this difficult season.

Dear Friends and Family:

Paraguay’s stay-at-home order in response to COVID-19 keeps the rate of infection down; however, since people can't go to work, they can't buy food, and many families find themselves in desperate situations. Pastor Alberto, Margarita and I dropped off food at the "Zeballos Cue" Ava Guaraní community and then meandered toward the exit through the sprawling squatters’ village that sits between the community and the main road. Suddenly, a line of angry women blocked our way and began to yell and pound on our car hood. We feared they would forcibly remove the remaining provisions that were destined for another Native community that was in dire need of food. While continuing to pray for an end to the pandemic, pray also for people to find peace in this turbulent season.

Our ministry received permission to distribute food during the quarantine. Last month I took advantage of that permission to go with a colleague and an Ava Christian to the new "Villeta" Ava and Mbya Guaraní community. They, too, were experiencing a food shortage, so we delivered provisions along with a gospel message in the Guaraní language, assuring them of God’s presence in this difficult time. At least four people prayed to trust in Jesus, and they invited us to return to share from the Bible. We thank God for their receptivity. Pray that he calls someone—perhaps the Ava brother who accompanied us—to visit them on a regular basis.

Margarita shared the story of Noemi and Ruth with these Ava mothers.

There are at least three families at the "Piraju" Ava-Mbya community who gather with us each Monday to hear from the Bible after a community lunch is served. As soon as the domestic travel restriction is lifted, a Mbya evangelist plans to visit this community and we believe God will make a great impact through him. Pray for the formation of a congregation in this community.  Also, give thanks to God for stirring up interest in biblical counsel in another Mbya community that is normally closed-off to ministry efforts.

Before I could stop her, Margarita quickly stepped into the middle of the group of angry, hungry mothers battling for the provisions in our car. She calmly listened to the desperation they felt and conversed with them in eloquent “jopara” (a commonly-spoken Spanish-Guaraní mix). In our next update, I will share about how your support along with Pastor Alberto’s church are sharing Jesus’ peace to the squatters’ village and the Ava community, but the scene reminded me of what another person of faith and a warrior once wrote: “I will not fear the tens of thousands drawn up against me on every side…From the Lord comes deliverance.”

Happy Memorial Day, and Happy late Mothers’ Day!

Ana, Gabrielli and Antoine with Margarita on Mothers' Day

More Good News

Dear Family and Friends:

A non-Native family sat in front of their house watching vehicle after vehicle loaded with provisions drive into the neighboring impoverished Ava Guaraní community called Yvapovondy. This family was probably a little confused to see our car drive in nearly empty and then leave filled with boxes of food. A group of Christ-followers in Yvapovondy were so grateful for the overabundant donations from different sources that they contacted Margarita and me to deliver their excess food to two other impoverished Native communities. Give thanks to God for our Ava brothers and sisters.

The community chief and Cristian with some of the food donated by Yvapovondy

One young man in Yvapovondy named Cristian teaches the Scriptures to his neighbors and relatives. In order to support his ministry, I prayed and discussed Scripture with him each week, but the mandatory quarantine in response to COVID-19 now prevents our meetings. We continue the discipleship via telephone and have already gone over the books of James and Galatians. Pray that God will work through Cristian to impact his and other Native communities.

Two weeks ago Cristian and I visited four communities to assess needs. The quarantine has hit many Natives in Paraguay particularly hard. Most of the urban Ava and Mbya Guaraní are day-laborers, and since they can’t work, they don’t have the means to purchase food. We visited one Mbya community that doesn’t receive help from other sources, and we found out they hadn’t eaten for days. They were one of the recipients of Yvapovondy’s donations. Continue to pray for the Native communities around the Asunción metropolitan area.

Giving thanks to Ñandejara (Our Lord) for three large bags of chipa donated by a local Christian baker to an urban Native community during Easter week. 

Last week, Margarita spent a day teaching our children how to make a traditional Paraguayan bread known as “chipa” that is especially eaten during Easter week. I spent a few days making our yard more kid-friendly, which has proven to be a great blessing since—when not doing homework—our children spend most of the quarantine playing there. We give thanks for our health, but please keep our household and Paraguay in your prayers. Also, pray for our colleague who has a non-COVID 19 respiratory illness.

Gabrielli, Antoine and Ana having fun making chipa at home

Cristian and I discovered 55 families in four urban Native communities with dire need of food. Margarita and I gathered provisions for 24 families and, before delivering them, we prayed. Moments later Yvapovondy notified us of their donation for 20 families. Then, along the way, another ministry partner gave us food for 30 families. Not only were we able to deliver the provisions to the 55 families and had a surplus to help two other Native communities, but we also delivered the message that Jesus is the true bread who satisfies our deepest hungers. Give thanks for the promise that Jesus will never drive away whoever comes to him.

Happy Easter!

The Revett Family in Paraguay

Sharing about the Bread who gives life after delivering provisions

Good News

Dear Family and Friends:

Riding a bus from Asunción to the countryside takes at least twice as long as a car because the bus drivers and passengers ignore the law that prohibits stopping at non-designated bus stops. There are also always a few extra delays along the way as passengers load large bags and crates of fruit, vegetables and merchandise for their country stores. Margarita and I feel like we’re on one of those buses right now. Our activities started to progress nicely in late February. The leader of the largest and least-receptive urban Mbya Guaraní community responded with excitement to our proposition to work at his school this year. A young Paraguayan woman accepted our invitation to tutor and teach Bible stories at another Mbya community, whose children haven’t attended school in two years. A local church started planning with us how to reach out to the Mbya children living around the bus station. Then, the Paraguayan president ordered a mandatory home quarantine for everyone, and cancelled all educational and religious gatherings

Two sharp former students from the Mbya community where, instead of attending school, the children collect change at intersections.

A few days before the quarantine began we visited an Ava-Mbya community where we recently started bi-monthly church services. Two Ava Christians accompanied us and led the service. The leader now wants his community to learn more about the Scriptures. Once the quarantine ends, we’re planning for one of the only Mbya evangelists in Paraguay to spend a week at the community. Ask God to powerfully minister in the Mbya and Ava Guaraní communities during and after the quarantine.

On our last visit to this Mbya community before the quarantine, we served lunch, taught Bible stories and prayed with them.

The last commercial flight left Paraguay on Saturday. The United States now recommends all its citizens to avoid international travel. We, along with most of our American colleagues here, made the decision to remain in Paraguay. There are relatively few cases of COVID-19, and the government seems to be taking appropriate steps to slow its spread. We are in regular communication with the U.S. embassy as well as our mission. Pray for an end to the pandemic that is affecting the world right now. Please let us know how you are and how we can pray for you.

Staying home has turned into opportunities to catch up on administrative tasks, work on the house, and discipleship. A young Mbya man comes over to work with me while he and I listen to and talk about the Scriptures in Guaraní. One day, we discussed the best translation of “good news,” which he now understands to be the message that everyone who calls on Jesus will be saved. Pray for the good news to be spread throughout your community and the world during this time.

Yours Truly,

Tim, Margarita, Ana, Antoine and Gabrielli

We might've broken the law just a little to gather the family for Gabrielli's 3rd birthday party.

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

Towards an effective remedy for hopelessness

Dear Friends and Family:

The other night Margarita and I walked around Paraguay's largest bus station and observed dozens of Native children and teens, mostly from the Mbya Guaraní tribe, living in deplorable conditions and subjected to human trafficking. The girls sat in shadowy areas and wore bright-colored summer outfits. The boys stood barefoot in the middle of the intersections washing car windows or selling fruit. Many of them were inhaling glue from plastic bags in plain sight. A 12-year-old boy named “A.,” with his glistening eyes barely open, asked us for money. He shared with us that 2 months ago he traveled more than 4 hours by himself from his community to the bus station. Although, for some reason, leaving their homes seemed right to them, pray that “A.” and his peers will find the path that does not lead to death.

Last Saturday a professional hairstylist volunteered his time to give haircuts to children at the Ava-Mbya community.

The Ava and Mbya children at a community on the outskirts of Asunción have a slightly better life than those at the bus station. Since classes stopped, we haven’t served our weekly lunches there; however, we visit them each month. In December, when we taught the Christmas story and sang songs with them, they told us how hungry they were. Thanks to a local foundation, we gave bags of rice and pasta to each family. Thanks to your support, we helped a few receive urgent medical attention. Ask Ñanderuete, “Our True Father,” to continue to work in this community.

We also visited two other Ava and Mbya communities in early January to give out toys for “Three Kings’ Day” and tell the story of the magi’s visit to Jesus. A father in one of the communities asked if we could provide educational support for their children, who haven’t attended school in almost two years.  Give thanks for the parents’ concern, for the church who offered a space for classes, and for the local ministries who provide educational materials. Ask the Lord to lead us to the right volunteers to help us minister to the educational needs of these Mbya children.

Margarita teaching about the magi's visit to Jesus 

Between our various activities this summer, there have been moments of recreation and escape. We took short trips to two tranquil, rural towns. The highlights were the pools, where Ana and Antoine demonstrated their increasing swimming proficiency. Gabrielli kept Margarita and me on alert as she demonstrated no fear in jumping into the water.  Next week, Ana will start back at school, while Antoine enjoys another month of vacation.

Gabrielli, Ana and Antoine (in his tiger/jaguar suit) bringing in the New Year

Paraguay’s department of Native affairs demonstrates through their inactivity a sense of hopelessness for those who live around the bus station. Indeed, systemic socio-historical issues significantly complicate an effective remedy. We will soon discuss with an area church as well as with two young Ava Guaraní adults who gave their lives to Jesus last year how to reach these at-risk children and teens. Please pray for wisdom for this situation, recognizing that the Lord gives generously to all who ask. 

In his hands,

Tim, Margarita, Ana, Antoine and Gabrielli

She started a party in the heavens

Dear Family and Friends:

An 11-year-old Mbya Guaraní girl started a party in the heavens two weeks ago. She approached her parents to tell them that she wanted to trust in Jesus and sing for him. In many Mbya communities such a decision is not taken well, but, thankfully, they supported her choice. Her father heard her beautifully sing a children’s hymn at our class’s end-of-the-year celebration, and it made sense to him that she’d trust in the One to whom she was singing. Give thanks to God for “M.,” and pray for others in her community to make the same decision.

There is much celebration due for what has happened in 2019 with our educational outreach among the Ava and Mbya communities around the Asunción metropolitan area.  By God’s grace, and through your prayers and support, the following are some of the noteworthy outcomes:

The 2019 Ava Guarani Literacy Class Graduates

• 4 communities reached weekly with visits to 4 additional communities 
• Consolidation of an Ava Guaraní house congregation
• Weekly Bible studies and monthly services at a combined Ava-Mbya community
• Gospel presentations to more than 300 people, of whom about 120 prayed to trust in Jesus
• 100 children and youth reached each week through tutoring, youth ministry and Bible stories, with lunch provided to almost half of them and 100% of them successfully passing to the next grade level
• 12 adults reached with Spanish literacy classes and Bible stories, with 5 graduating and 1 beginning to regularly attend house church services
• Discipleships with 2 young Mbya women and three young Ava men, among whom 2 are starting to reach out to their community in addition to other Native communities
• Through our mediation, 1 local church started reaching out to a Mbya community and 1 church started visiting an Ava community.
• Mobilization of more than 50 Paraguayan volunteers and 4 different local ministries representing at least 6 different denominations in engaging Native communities 
• 5 members of our youth group baptized.

Soaking Wet after Baptism

While these are worthy reasons for giving thanks, this season reminds us of a much greater reason for gratitude, which caused another party to break out in the heavens--a little over two thousand years ago. It is recorded that a group of shepherds witnessed this spectacular celebration and were driven by wonder to go and see what has happening. Soon after, not only they but nearly the whole town was giving thanks to God for the birth of the promised Savior, Jesus, who came “to give light to those who sit in darkness and to guide our feet into the way of peace.” We pray that heart-felt celebration of the Savior will also break out in your town, as well as in communities throughout Paraguay and to the ends of the earth.

Merry Christmas!

Tim, Margarita, Ana, Antoine and Gabrielli

Ana, Gabrielli and Antoine are ready for Christmas