September 24, 2005
Good Morning! I apologize for the delay in writing but I have been sick the past two weeks struggling with bronchitis. So I have been working just a few hours a day and sleeping quite a bit. In Paraguay they burn many of the fields every August to cut down on the brush and weeds. Our skies were overcast for weeks with smoke and with the constant temperature changes from hot to cold were like a roller coaster which let many sick. I am doing much better in the daytime but my nights are still difficult with so much coughing and on several occasions vomiting so please continue to pray that my lungs will clear up soon. Please pray also for Ivanna, the short-term missionary staying with me. Her ear infection has cleared but she continues to have problems hearing due to the fluid build-up.
My classes for Intercessory prayer are going well and the members are sharing some wonderful testimonies of how God is moving. I would like to ask for healing prayers for four specific people this week. Pastor Andres and Raul (our school accountant) are both suffering from severe back problems, maybe involving disc damage. Secondly, Mable, our stateside coordinator, is going to have surgery, please pray for her recovery and finally we had a teacher, upon the advice of her doctor, resign this past week due to medical problems.
Today our church planned to do an outreach in a local park for children. However, it has been cancelled because it is raining, but we are so thankful because we have needed rain for a long time. The western part of the country known as the Chaco has been having critical drought conditions. Prayerfully, this rain will bring some relief.
I want to ask for prayer for one of our father’s from the school who is an alcoholic; when he goes on drinking binges he is not only abusive to his wife but now to all his surrounding family and neighbors. This past week, in one of his outbursts, one of teachers who live in the area called the police. As they were taking him into custody (of which he was released within thirty minutes); he threatened to kill her and her family. Please pray for protection of the mother, the child in our school; the neighbors and for our teacher and her family. Also, please pray we can reach this father before his rages become deadly…last week he shot two times but missed at his own mother.
Yesterday our first through fourth graders were invited to the soccer stadium of the professional team, Libertad. The children had a great time visiting the stadium; watching the guys practice; and then they had the opportunity to also play soccer in the indoor arena. I am always amazed at how well our little ones play. While playing, one second grade boys scored from about 10 feet from the goal by bouncing the ball off his head. I wonder how well they could play if they were involved in a formal soccer training program rather than just pickup games in the streets or on empty lots. Right now the men in the church are trying to run some organized sports tournaments for the children but are playground area is really too small for that. Please pray that we can get the funds to build our multipurpose assembly and sports complex.
This week has been special for me to have Johanna Waltz in town. She has been to Lambaré twice and is helping with the Mobile Medical Clinic. She was asked to accompany a work team at the last moment when Rita had to cancel due to her daughter having cancer. Please pray for Rita and her daughter.
I have two last prayer requests. First, we have been visiting the poorer families in the barrio to talk to them about student registrations for next year. We have a meeting this Wednesday night with perspective parents for next week. Please pray that we can select students who families will work with the school and that we can make a difference in many children’s lives. Second, this Saturday night is the wedding of Nataniel and Natalie. Please pray for them.
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
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:
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
Or
High Mill Church of the Resurrection
Earmarked for: The Paraguayan Outreach
1920 Schneider St. NE
North Canton, Ohio 44721
Mable Love Brown Phone #: (865)984-4111 Email address: mclovebrown@charter.net 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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