January 22, 2010

Good Morning! My note will be short as we are finishing the South America’s Southern Cone Youth Leadership Conference in the school. We had forty-five youth from six countries. There were nine Paraguayan youth present. I am happy to report that five of those youth representing three different churches were involved in our Work Study program over the past few years. Now they are leading the youth of Paraguay for Christ!

Besides the conferences, the youth spent two days sharing Jesus with the help of members from four different churches in poor communities of the greater Asuncion area. Over the past few days I have been speaking to some of the youth from the different countries. God has been impacting all of them greatly during their time here in Paraguay by our youth, by the school, and by the needs and the responsiveness of the people. The youth of Uruguay and Argentina have been especially impacted because in their countries the majority of the people do not see the need to have Christ in their lives. This conference has been such a blessing to so many including our youth who have always heard Paraguay’s reputation of being worthless. Please pray for these youth as they return to their respective countries that God will use them mightily.

Also, our Sunday school program has been incorporating our older students as helpers. I was so pleased to see approximately 10 of adolescences students from the school helping. We are seeing the fruits of our labor and it is such a blessing to see these young people leading others.

We have been saddened by the situation in Haiti and are glad to see the Paraguayan government is also responding with some aid. According to one long-term missionary, this is the first time she has heard of Paraguay reaching out to another country in crisis. Please join us and many around the world as we pray for the Haitian people and the relief efforts. Also, pray for the aid workers that will be helping throughout the country.

I want to thank you for your faithfulness in praying for this mission. Here are our new petitions:

1. The Lord will guide us and direct our Administrative team as we start the 2010 School Year this Monday. By the way, this will be the start of our tenth year in operation. Thank you Lord God for your faithfulness!
2. Pray for the “580- some” children and their families who will be enrolled in the school.
3. Missionary Joy Varga, our Pastor’s wife is improving from her fall that broke her back. Please continue to pray for her during her time of recovery.
4. Please pray for Mable Love Brown, our Stateside Sponsorship Coordinator, the staff at Samaritan Hands and the others helping us find sponsors for each of the children.
5. Also, ask the Lord to bless each person who is faithfully helping this ministry through their prayers, serving as sponsors, their donations and their helping us in many different ways.
6. Please pray for my upcoming trip to the states that God will guide my steps and He will touch hearts. Also, pray God will strengthen my body. I have battling a cold for the last two weeks and have a lingering cough and very little strength.

My prayer for you is that our Lord will do exceeding more in your lives as you grow to know Him more each day. Our school theme for 2010 is “Jesus is my passion!” I pray He is yours also!

Love,
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.