Journal Entry for September 20, 2002
On
the Road Again
(Continued)
August we were "on the road again", heading
for our Methodist youth camp near Carapeguá.
We had the pleasure of being the North American hosts for a team of 24 from
California. (Four of the team accompanied our mobile medical unit to another
location.) This team was headed by Pastor Mike Goodyear, former board member of
MSUM. We were with this team for 2 full weeks.
As well as being blessed
with the fellowship of these wonderful folks and the enormous construction
contribution they made to the camp, 3 special events occurred during this 2 week
period.
The
group brought supplies for a vacation Bible school for the local children.
This area had never had a VBS, so we were not sure how the concept would be
accepted. Also, this is the only evangelical church on this particular
route. Alejo, the local lay-pastor, invited all of the local children. We
thought maybe 10-25 children would attend our 2 day VBS. What a surprise
to see the kids coming out of the jungle!
The 2 days brought over 100 children for singing about Jesus; stories about
Jesus; crafts; games; animal balloons; gifts of crayons & paper, gum, beverages,
& cookies. The crafts were enjoyed as much by the mothers as by the
children.
Of
course, our time at the campamento included a Sunday. This Sunday was
special for all. Some of the children returned, with parents, to hear a
sermon in 3 languages! Pastor Mike preached in English, Ed translated into
Spanish, and Eligio, the local seminary student, translated into Guaraní!
What a blessing for all!
If
you will notice in the photo of the "pastor challenge" to the right, there is a
beautiful wooden cross. This cross was made by one of the members of the
group, Kevin Conklin. He takes locally available wood, and designs a cross, "as God
speaks to him". We admired this cross so much, we asked him to make one
for Santa Rosa. We now have the cross proudly hung in the middle of our
church at Santa Rosa!
"In" the Road at Santa Rosa
During
September, besides enjoying different groups helping with the work here in
Paraguay, we paved the "road" in front of the Methodist church in Santa Rosa.
The "road" is really an alley, but our truck does fit, snugly, in front of the
church.
It was a
fun project, enjoyed by many members of the community. Our work is done by
hand, so everyone gets to help. Even the children helped by filling
buckets with sand. We all had a great time and wound up with a nice
addition to the neighborhood! Marcos, our young Assistant Pastor/Seminary
Student wrote scripture passages all over the wet cement.
Prayer Requests
1. We continue to ask for your
prayers for changes in the government of Paraguay and protection of all the
people.
2. We ask that you pray for
us as we start our water well drilling ministry and that we successfully use the
gift of clean water to advance the gospel of Jesus Christ.
3. We ask for your prayers that we
will BOLDLY proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ at all opportunities.
4. Pray for the health and safety
of all the missionaries here in Paraguay and abroad - especially those
witnessing to Muslims.
5. Pray for the peace of Jesus
Christ to be poured out upon Paraguay and the United States and all of her
allies around the world.
Click here for the first part of this Journal
Entry