November 18, 2005
Good Evening!
I hope you do not mind but tonight I just need to vent…it has been such as hard week. First, the heat and humidity has gotten to almost everyone…the other day in the sun unofficially it was 116 degrees. Second, I have been battling computer problems (Surprise! Surprise! Surprise!) The Samaritan Hands Board was meeting and wanted a report on the school’s finances, etc. and my computer kept locking up from someone sending a “forward message” that just kept multiplying. So we had to get that stopped and clean some viruses in the computer. Then yesterday and today my office computer kept showing viruses so we cleaned it several times.
This week several on my staff and I have been trying to finalize our screening device for our prospective children for our four year old class in February. We have spent months looking for a formal screening test but ended up making our own as there is practically nothing available for young children in Paraguay. I want to thank the staff at my last school, Eastgate Early Childhood and Family Center, for their assistance. When they sent me some samples, it helped my staff understand better our goal….I had to continually check them on rather the questions they have developed were culturally fair and age appropriate for the children. We are going to have three people evaluating the children and so we worked really hard to define everything so screenings would be both consistent and reliable. Please pray that all will go well.
There have been a variety of Administrative issues to handle each with their own stresses and the need to evaluate the situations from all angles. After much research and prayer I finally got a number resolved this week. Please pray because every end of the year brings so many decisions.
And now for the GOOD NEWS!!!
Ed and Linda, other missionaries, offered me space in a container they were having sent from the states to Paraguay. Well, that was back in April and after much help from so many in the states, I just got word the container should be delivered to the school this Monday. Pastor Andres has given us permission to put everything in the church for two weeks until we can get it all distributed. We are hoping to invite the local firemen for our special activities closing ceremony this next Friday. In the container there are several large boxes of fireman’s gear that we want to present to them as a surprise.
Several blocks from me, there is a sandy road that runs in front of some homes but it stinks from sewage; is eroded to the point it is difficult to even walk; and people just throw all their trash in this narrow street. Today as I was visiting one of the homes everyone was outside their homes really excited. As I looked to the end of the road, they explained they are finally going to become an official street….it will just be stoned but at least it will be a road. When I first arrived in the Paraguay there was an area of about 3 blocks wide and 5 or 6 blocks long that was almost impassable without a four wheel drive vehicle and often not advisable unless you wanted flat tires. This is the last street in this section to be finished. What a blessing for them.
I am happy to report almost all the children are doing very well in their final exams. Our staff held many extra tutoring sessions including three Saturday morning sessions. We know a few children who will not be returning as their parents are moving. I will be communicating with Mable as these changes happen officially.
Yesterday as I was talking to several missionaries, we were discussing how we ration our American candy, gum, taco sauce, etc. For example I love M& M’s and have learned to ration a bag for several months. We also talked about how the recent supermarket fire (Super Seis) in Lambaré has made shopping lines horrible especially for the meat counters, weighing vegetables, and checkout. Since I have been so busy I have been picking up a few items as needed from a small local “dispensa” (like a small “Mom and Pop” grocery store that carry just the basics.) Was I surprised to find this evening they had M & M’s!!!!!!!!!!!
Please join me in prayer for the following:
Well, even though the night is still young, I am heading to bed so I can be up before the chickens tomorrow. May God bless you.
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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