March 5, 2005
The Latinos have a special Christian song that many members of our church particularly like. It tells about how a dog never barks at a car sitting still only one moving. And in the land of thousands of dogs in the streets, we see how true that is everyday. Then the song goes on to say that devil never bothers the Christians who are sitting around...only those moving and active for God. How true!
Back in November, a team prayed for our local church and school and they said we would see God move in many ways but we would also face many, many trials. Also, how true! These past three to four months how been filled with many wonderful miracles but also one challenge after another. It isn't going to stop our church. In fact after each setback, we are stronger than before...Monday evening we had a prayer vigil (from 8 to 12 in the evening), which had to be postponed from Friday night due to a blackout. Years ago when we would have these maybe 5 to 10 people would appear but these have been increasing and the other night we had over 60 in attendance. We prayed for many things but especially for our youth and for my Mom. Thank you also for your prayers.
In the late afternoon Tuesday my Mother called. She had just gotten home from the doctor's office with the verdict. She did not need surgery!!! As a matter of fact, the doctor was a bit confused and could not find the tumor mass on her ovaries that had shown up on previous tests. He tried to explain maybe what they were seeing was from the cysts she has on her kidneys but he wasn't sure what had happened. However, we know what happened! Our great physician took care of everything! Praise God for His awesome love and the special grace He has given my Mother. Thank you for all your prayers on her behalf. As I shared with many from the church Tuesday night, our God can do anything. My prayer now is that He will cure my Mom also of the kidney disease, that she will walk again and if it is His will that she could some day visit Paraguay. Thank you Lord for having my Mom in your hands!!!!
This past week on Tuesday Mark, Jo, Mable, and Dr. Edna arrived safely after twenty-six plus hours of travel. I was filled with joy to see my precious friends again. Mable is staying with me and helping to prepare packets for all the children's sponsors plus we are preparing a small gift for each child on behalf of their sponsors. Mark and Jo, in their typical fashion, did not let moss grow under their feet. They departed the plane about 2 PM, we arrived at my place around 3PM and then they sorted the items in their suitcases and crates while still along side the road: for the school, for the clinic, for this person and that person and by 4 PM they were off for a three hour drive to Caaguazú where they would begin working the next morning with the Mobile Medical Clinic. Poor Dr. Edna, hot and exhausted was tagging along. Mark and Jo always have endless energy.
The school faced another challenge this week when one of the staff announced she was resigning for personal reasons. She was one of our original teachers and like a daughter to us so we were all saddened with the news. Please pray God will guide her and direct her future steps and that she will remain faithful to Him in the midst of this challenge. We also have another staff member off temporarily. We are praying for him as he works to resolve a personal problem. Both of these staff members are leaders in their churches and love the Lord. We know the devil will try anything and everything he can to disrupt each of our lives. Please pray that we would remain strong during these struggles. One scene in the movie "The Passion" I particularly like is when Satan was taunting Jesus in the garden. As that slimy snake tried to wrap around Jesus' foot...Jesus smashes him. May we all in the name of Jesus smash Satan's temptations before he has a chance to destroy our testimonies for God or us.
God's timing is always perfect especially this week for one family at the school. Mable and her husband sponsor two children from one family. Mable has been able to provide great comfort for this family as they face a very trying time. Week before last, the father sent his motorcycle to be fixed and the mechanic literally destroyed the bike. The father contacted the police about the situation. Sunday morning the mechanic stormed into the home of this family with a knife. He smashed the car window just before entering the house. The father and others heard the noise and went running only to end up in a physical battle with the intruder. They were able to subdue the mechanic and called the police. The police department again was without a vehicle and the family needed to send someone with a car for the police to respond. Finally it was arranged and the police took the mechanic into custody only to let him go within a few hours. This man has committed many crimes including killing someone previously. Please pray for this family as the mechanic has threatened them, their children, and many of their relatives who resides around and attend the school.
Another big answer to prayer came this week as I have been praying for another vehicle. Mable and team came with almost $13,000 which was donated by so many to help me purchase a different vehicle. Please pray that God will direct our search to find a reliable "coche" (vehicle) that I can use for the ministry which Mark, Jo, and I have dubbed "Calling for Hauling".
I want to thank you so much for all your faithful prayers this week and always. Also, I want to extend additional prayer requests for:
Recently I have been reading Rick Joyner's book, "The Final Quest". As the writer is talking about a vision where he is meeting famous Christian Saints of the past, all share they have fallen short through sins of pride or whatever. My prayer for you and all is that as we walk through life may we all remember God has a purpose for us and even if we fail or stumble God will hear our petitions for forgiveness and that His love never will end and that He will always help us.
Love,
Sue
Mailing address:
Sue Givens
C.C. No. 24078
Lambaré, Paraguay, 2420
Check out our web page that is on the web. Every few weeks, we will be posting to new pictures of the school progress and of our various programs and activities. http://paraguaynewhorizons.lam.org/
We are partnering and assisting the local Paraguayan churches in all we are doing in Paraguay. Friends and churches that are praying for God to work through us are making this Paraguay Outreach possible. All of our programs are made possible by donations that we use to cover different expenses.
Tax-deductible donations can be made to help cover my living expenses, my auto which is used for the church and the school, newsletters, and for helping with other mission expenses such as buying food, medicine, clothing, or helping in other ways can be sent to either and need to be specifically earmarked:
Latin America Mission
Earmarked on an attached piece of paper for:
The Paraguayan Outreach/Sue Givens
P.O. Box 52-7900
Miami Florida 33152-7900
High Mill Church of the Resurrection
Earmarked for: The Paraguayan Outreach
1920 Schneider St. NE
North Canton, Ohio 44721
If you would like to help our school or sponsor a child for 2005, please contact Mable Love Brown 865-984-4111 or Email address: mclovebrown@charter.net
It costs $30.00 a month or to make donations to our school new multipurpose building construction fund, please contact:
Samaritan Hands Paraguay School
% Fairview United Methodist Church
2508 Old Niles Ferry Rd.
Maryville, TN 37803
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Phil. 4:13.
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