March 26, 2005

Good Afternoon on this slightly warm day that brings sweat to the brow with the least little effort. We had a storm last Monday that provided us a few days of cooler weather and much needed rain. It extinguished one fire we watched for three days from a distance across the flat southwestern Paraguayan landscape. We were all so thankful even though it hit during our mini-get-away. Fourteen of us from the school spent an extended weekend in a borrowed home in the small town of Villa Florida, located near a medium sized river. We spent time relaxing, sharing, fishing, swimming, and hiking along the sandy beaches. Since I am a photo nut, I tried several times to capture the sun at dawn and in the evening. I found the nightlife at the swamp quite interesting, as did two of the young girls (Laura and Ruth) with us as we explored with flashlights.

Last Saturday morning we went to the Ann Graham program, which was open to all the Christian Women in Paraguay. Several years ago I went to one of the first women's conference and we had approximately 900 women there and everyone was surprised. Saturday, there were over 5000 women and many more waiting outside plus many like us could only stay part of the day so many came early and left and many more came late. Paraguay's first lady was also in attendance. It is such a blessing to see how Christianity is growing in Paraguay. Ann's message was very timely and on target for this country and the women from our church laughed with me as we were leaving as it is the first service or conference that I have understood everything and was not asking them to explain. (Ann spoke with a translator.)

Since we have been back in Lambaré, we have been busy with a variety of activities this week. We had a special Wednesday evening Pre-Easter service then Thursday, some of the youth and I roamed the barrio visiting homes and putting up flyers to invite people for Friday night's video.

Friday, I helped Jo and the some of her ex-Sunday School students decorate Easter eggs. I arrived late but they still had at least ninety eggs left. You are probably wondering how many they decorated...only 495.... we ate about 15 cracked ones either just boiled or as deviled eggs. The kids had a great time. My eggs won't win any decorating contests but I hope the people who receive them Sunday after our Sunrise Service accepts the winning messages on them...Jesus loves them, He died for them, and that their lives would be filled with peace and joy.

Last evening we showed The Passion and the more I use my LCD projector the more I am impressed about how it has enabled us to provide videos, DVDs, and Computer programs to various communities as part of our outreach. Last evening under a beautiful full moon, we had over 300...maybe 350 people attend the video. There were so many that we gave an invitation to repeat it tonight for their friends and family. After the video Pastor Andres spoke briefly and many prayed to receive the Lord as their personal savior. We are praying many will come this evening also. Tomorrow we had a Sunrise Service at 6 AM.

Last evening, many of the youth and others from our church held an all night prayer vigil for lives around the world to be touched by the sacrifice made on the cross nearly 2000 years ago. They also prayed for emotional and spiritual healings. Let's join them in agreement. May you have a wonderful Easter weekend.

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