December 21, 2008

Good Morning! I cherish the few hours from around 5 AM until 9 AM before the heat of the day becomes too intense. Tonight is our church’s Christmas program. Thankfully, they are planning for it to be outdoors. Last night we had a Quince (Fifteenth Birthday) Party for one of the young gals in the church. The ceremony and dinner were inside the school and the sweat was pouring off of everyone. Over 30 people did not even come; we suspect because it was just too hot to get dressed up.

The school is officially closed for 2008 except for several of us. In the office we are trying to finish up reports and plans for 2009 and the maintenance crew is working on painting and preparing the school for February when everyone returns. We still need to hire one more person for next year; a music teacher. Right now we do not have any viable candidates, but we are trusting God will provide. We have registered most of the children and have approximately 515 children. We have a handful of children that need to be tested the first week of February to determine whether they will be registered or not. Please pray that God will open the door to find sponsors for all the children next year. This year we had 25 children unsponsored. We are still trusting God for a miracle to cover the school expenses of these children.

Also, please pray God will open the door to provide financial assistance to work on our various construction projects we need to do…the multipurpose sports and music center; the science lab; the additional classrooms; and shade coverings over the playground areas to expand the programming areas throughout the day when the sun is so intense and on rainy days.

Last week we had a lovely staff luncheon to celebrate the end of the year and Christmas. Tonight around midnight the majority of the staff with some family members will be going to Cuidad del Este (the city of the East). It is the border town with Brazil. The government has arranged for free admission to the world’s largest operating dam; one of the lesser waterfalls (not the world’s largest) and a free overnight stay in cabins at a national campground. The staff has to pay on their own way for the bus (approximately $20 each) and for their food and any other personal costs. For the majority of the staff this will be their first trip to the east and a mini-vacation. Many of the staff has never been out of the greater Asuncion area unless we have taken them on mission trips. Many are bringing their children. Please pray for the safety of all.

By the way, I have almost finished my “snail mail” newsletter which is sent through the post office …do you remember that type of mail? If you have changed your mailing address or are not on my list, please email me your address before the end of the year and I will be glad to send you a copy. It includes pictures of what we have been doing these past six months.

We did an evangelistic program in the Ypane settlement the other day in the morning. By 11AM we were all melting. Please pray for the poor people living in the many of settlements like Ypane, San Antonio, and the Pantanel. Most of the homes are just little shacks, there is often no shade and so they are exposed to the sun and heat day in and day out with no respite. I do not know how they can survive these 100 degree plus days. Still in many of the settlements, the residents must carry water several blocks.

Also, I would like to ask for prayer for several people and their families who have been to Paraguay on a number of short–term trips and has been instrumental in helping us. We are trusting God to provide full healing for each of them:

1. Mable Love Brown (TN) recovering from her severe arm injury and the second surgery.
2. Dr. Edna Daniels (AL) is also recovering from a surgery to repair her broken arm.
3. Jim McNutt (PA), husband of Christy, had surgery this past week to correct 3 pinched nerves in his neck. The doctor accidentally and without knowing it nicked the artery. This caused a blood clot and Jim has had five mini strokes that have left him weak on the left side and impaired his vision.

Thank you for your continued prayers for Antonella. She was released after two days from an area hospital. We are still waiting and praying for her upcoming surgery in the US. We do not have a date yet but we are praying it will be the end of December or the beginning of January, so she will be recovered before both of her parents have to return to work at the school.

Also, I want to extend an extra special birthday greeting for my sister, Kathy. Her birthday is tomorrow.

I would like to close with the words of the Prophet Isaiah (found in Isaiah 61:1-2), where he said:

Jesus quoted this text when he began his ministry (see Luke 4:18-19). During this special time of the year as we celebrate the wonder and joy of God’s Son coming to earth let us remember, Jesus was sent by God to fulfill this prophecy and hundreds more. During his life here on earth, Jesus preached the Good News of salvation to the needy as well as to the poor in spirit. He proclaimed release and freedom for those politically and spiritually oppressed or captive. He proclaimed sight for and healed the blind both physically and spiritually and before Jesus returned to heaven He charged his disciples (and each of us) with the same mandate. As we await His second coming and His Kingdom, let us share His love and hope with others. “Feliz Navidad y La Paz de Cristo!” Merry Christmas and the Peace of Christ!

Love
Sue

Mailing address:
Sue Givens
C.C. No. 24078
Lambaré, Paraguay, 2420
Sue's Paraguayan Home phone number: 011-595-21-909-002