January 10, 2010

Hola! Feliz Año Nuevo! Happy New Year! I pray as we start this New Year, you have not set resolutions that are soon broken but have developed a few goals for your life. For our school this year, we have decided our goal will be to have “Jesus is my Passion”.

Throughout our summer break, some of the staff is still working on many projects: buying books and supplies; finishing yearly reports, future construction planning, painting, cleaning, repairing the school, and so much more. The school facility continues to be used by the Sunday school program. This past week there was a three day camp held at the school for little children from a variety of churches and next week, the CEML group will host an international conference for approximately 60 youth leaders from different Latin America countries. During this program, a team of the youth will work in our Multipurpose Building to try and prepare the area for activities. The construction group dropped nails everywhere! Also, we will be doing evangelistic programs in our poor settlement for over 300 families.

Besides working at the school almost everyday, I am trying to get a few home repairs done including painting, working on the yard, fixing my roof that leaks and some electrical problems in the house.

Several prayer requests include:

• God will direct my plans for a US visit in March and April. I will only be in the Ohio area a short time. The remainder of the time may be spent in Virginia, Delaware, North Carolina, Tennessee, New York and eastern Pennsylvania.
• God will open doors that I may share our school’s mission in many areas and that God will touch hearts for both sponsors and for construction funds.
• God will help us as we expand to the 9th grade and with the plans to serve approximately 580 children.
• Please pray for Mable Love Brown, our Sponsorship Coordinator and the team at Fairview as they communicate with all our sponsors.
• He will guide us in the planning and building of additional classrooms before our February 2011or He will show us other plans for night classes when we begin our High School program.
• Pray for our staff retreat (Feb. 3 & 4th) that we are planning thanks to the generous donations of the members of Fairview UMC. Their Pastor Wil Davenport will be leading the retreat seminars.
• Pray for our pastor’s wife and missionary, Joy Varga. She fell on the 26th of December and has been in much pain. The x-rays did not show anything but the MRI showed she had fractured her back in two places and the doctor was amazed that she was even walking. She has been ordered to bed for 3 months and now wears a corset. We are asking God for a mighty miracle for her.
• Please pray as our church is also planning to build a new building to handle our growth.
• Also, pray that God will give all of staff especially the Administrative and Christian Education Department strength, good health, and discernment as we work with the lives of these precious children and their families.

I hope my northern and even southern US friends are keeping warm. I wish I could send you a few rays to balance out thermometers. May God bless you this year and may Jesus be your passion.

Love from the Sunny, Sunny South!
Sue Givens

Latin America Mission Missionary in Paraguay
Director of New Horizon School

sue@paraguayschools.com
Skype # sue.givens or 330-470-0508
Website: www.paraguayyschools.com

If you would like to help sponsor a child or make donations for our construction projects, Please send to the address below:

Samaritan Hands Paraguay School
% Fairview United Methodist Church
2508 Old Niles Ferry Rd.
Maryville, TN 37803

My Life verse is, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Phil. 4:13.