September 10-11, 2005

September 10, 2005

Good Morning! Last Saturday I was sleeping under an electric blanket, this week a fan and a light sheet. Please pray for me because for the past two days I have been struggling with the heat. Let me explain. It’s been very warm, but not extremely hot. However, we have been attending the David and Gary Wilkerson conference in a large arena that only has air circulating fans that either are not functioning or just work when there is a breeze….anyways with around 3500 to 4000 or more in attendance…it has really been hot.

The conference designed for pastors and leaders is excellent. They have been challenging us to recognize our bondages and to let God break the spiritual strongholds in our lives. Last night David gave a warning for the Paraguayan people not to fall into the trap covertness or materialism. We are seeing that trap becoming more and more as credit cards and installment plans are becoming an everyday way of life. The message was received with enthusiasm and there was a long standing ovation for the Lord. As I heard the response, I remembered various times in the Bible when the people were enthusiastic and promised God then within days they returned to their evil ways. Please pray that the hearts of the Paraguayan pastors and leaders will heed the message the Lord had Pastor David deliver.

Last Sunday was filled with times of prayer. We spent a large portion of the day in our “Ajuno” (prayer and fasting) service; then we spent several hours that afternoon praying for a family in need and later Ivana and I had dinner and a time of prayer for Nataniel and Natalia who will be getting married the first of October. Nataniel led our music ministry at the church and the children’s worship times for many years and Natalia is an assistant at our school and also part of our music ministry. This week he will be turning 20. Nataniel has been like a nephew to me since I arrived and they have asked me to be a “madrina” for their wedding. What does that mean? Besides praying for them, they have also given me permission to advise or counsel them when I see they are having problems in the marriage or with their future family. Please pray for them that as they participate in pre-marriage counseling that God will prepare them and bless their marriage and that He can use their lives mightily for His glory.

September 11, 2005

It is now late Sunday evening, again very cold, and I will try to finish this. Oh how I long to see friends to share all God has been doing but our time is always so short. There are so many exciting things happening in people’s personal lives and God is calling many to “not just play church” but He desires a personal relationship with them. I have been asked twice in the past month to assist in cases where women have given up their babies for adoption and now their children want to reach out in love for their moms. Please pray that through this God could provide healing and restoration.

I have several prayer requests this week:

• Pray for all involved in Hurricane Katrina and pray that God would foil any man’s schemes to get rich on the victims and from this disaster.
• Mable, our Sponsorship Coordinator is scheduled to have surgery Sept. 27th…please keep her in your prayers.
• We have a teacher on medical leave; please prayer for her, her family, and the children in her class.
• Pastor Andres has been suffering severe back pain and now pain into his leg.
• We still have lots of colds and throats infections including yours truly.
• A Happy 50th Anniversary to my Uncle Fred and Aunt Iona.
• Thank you Lord, Ivanna has recovered and is getting back into ministry. She has been asked to help at two school camps for children and youth attending the American Christian Academy (an English speaking school for missionary children and others).
• Please for many special birthdays this week…Jill, Christina, Jeanette, Blaine, Kevin, Lucho, Jorge, Nataniel, my nephew Blaine, and Eva. Also, please pray especially for Andy, Pastor Andres and Felicia’s daughter will be celebrating her “Quince” or 15th birthday.
• Also, Santiago David, the little boy we helped deliver, will celebrate his first birthday on Wednesday. The Mobile Medical Clinic will be ministering and serving in his area this week but I could not afford to leave the school for a week to work with the clinic staff and the visiting medical team from Southern Illinois.
• This week we have special chapel services for the children and a special service for the parents on Friday night.
• Thank you for your continued prayers for the two classes I am teaching each week on Intercessory Prayer and Inner Healing. The classes are going well and this Sunday in church, we began “Operacion Abrazar” (Operation Hug)…we are trying to reach out to folks in our church especially new folks.
• Please pray for a work team that is coming next Sunday to serve with the Medical Clinic. Due to an illness, they have a vacancy and Johanna Waltz will be filling the vacancy. Please pray for the person who is ill and for the safety of this team.

I would like to extend a special prayer for all who have lost so much through the hurricane and for all the families still recovering from the 911 tragedy. In the midst of pain and suffering, may we never loss hope and may we always know God is there for us.

Love,
Sue

Mailing address:
Sue Givens
C.C. No. 24078
Lambaré, Paraguay, 2420

Earmarked on an attached piece of paper for:

Latin America Mission
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

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Phil. 4:13.