February 14, 2010

Greetings to my friends buried in the United States snows while we lounge around in the hot sand! Unfortunately since Paraguay is a landlocked country there are no ocean beaches! Just as the US has seen an exception amount of snow this year, we have had exceptionally HOT summer!

Our school staff received wonderful blessings from the members of Fairview UM Church. The church provided funds so that we were able to take the school staff on a two day retreat. Plus, they sent their children’s pastor, Wil Davenport to be with us for a week to teach and minister to our staff not only at the retreat but also at the school and in the church. It was so hot during the retreat that we hung out at the pool whenever we could. Pastor Wil even graciously held one of his session’s poolside under the large shelter area. The staff had the option to sit around the pool and some of us opted to stand in the pool during the session. I know one missionary for sure who would not have been able to finish that session had we been in the church with just the fans going. We learned later the comfort level was about 115 degrees. We hope Pastor Wil made it home alright; the last we heard he was stranded in Dallas due to that severe snowstorm.

Also, Fairview’s Sunday school program sent our children candy, volleyball, and colored pencils. We will distribute those to the children our first day of school and our staff received special stationary with beautiful flowers and bookmarks. Our hats are off to everyone at Fairview. Thank you so much.

Also, our Sunday School children have been learning about taking Communion and the significance of it. There are many different beliefs as to when someone should take Communion. Here it was decided the Table of the Lord is open to anyone who has understanding and thus for several weeks the teachers shared with the children the reason for Communion. Pastor Wil helped our Pastor, Robert Varga serve the children Communion for the first time in our church.

Pastor Wil demonstrated how God gives us life by blowing His Holy Spirit into us just as he can blow air in balloons and make animal figures. With so many children, Pastor Wil taught others how to make the balloon figures and each child was able to take home a balloon to help remember there special encounter with the Lord..

The extreme heat has put such a stress on Paraguay’s electrical system that the government has declared a national state of emergency. Paraguay has so much potential for hydroelectric power with has two large dams that they share with bordering countries of Brazil and Argentina and the area is perfect for solar power however they do have the infrastructure to transport the power where needed. It is estimated Paraguay needs 100 million dollars to bring the country up to the current electrical needs. Please pray for this problem as outages and low voltage problems are causing many problems. Also please pray for the temperature to decrease to at least the low to mid 90’s before the classes begin Monday. Also, pray for the individuals who are suffering in this heat; on the news in just one hospital last weekend, they had 18 heat related deaths.

Speaking of deaths, a fellow sister in the Lord and grandmother of two of little girls in the school and church, Rosa, needed surgery for years on an enormous hernia that was twisted around her intestines. Finally after years of putting it off, she decided to have the surgery last week. Due to many complications, her body began to shutdown just a few hours after the surgery and she died early Sunday morning. It was such a shock to this community and the church. Please pray for her family and friends.

Another prayer request is to pray for Julio, our eighth grader who was diagnosed with leukemia. In November, he barely had the strength to finish the school year, he lost lots of weight and then a few weeks later he was diagnosed. He began the treatments in December. The doctors told him with the chemo, he would vomit and lose all his hair. Being strong in his faith and trusting God, he declared he would not and as to date he has not vomited once and has only lost a few hairs. He did have to have a blood transfusion the other day. The doctors are projecting he may start school but it may be sporadic for the first six months. Several of his classmates have already volunteered to help him study. Please pray that God will provide all he and his mother need as his Mom now unemployed due to needing to care for him.

Tomorrow in the school we start our tenth year of operation. Please pray for us as our theme this year is “Jesus is my passion” and our main scripture is Philippians 1:21; “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Pray that our staff will remain united, strong in the Lord, and always provide an honorable testimony for the Lord. Pray our students and their families will become passionate for Jesus and that each student will try their best and seek guidance and strength from the Lord.

>Also, please pray for me as I prepare to visit the United States and seek funding for our school, for our construction projects and for sponsorships. We project we need about 150 new sponsorships with our additional classes, new students and to replace a few sponsors who cannot continue. Please continue to pray for our devoted sponsors and for all who will be assisting me during my time in the United States. Also please pray for the school leadership, teachers, the children, and their families during my two months absence. They are already teasing me while the cat’s away, the mice will play. However, in all my past trips to the US, I have always returned to find the school operating very well. Praise God for the staff He has sent to New Horizon School.

Cell phone # while in the US- 330-265-4731

Most of the Sunday’s have already been filled by my hosts but if your church, mission committee, school or other organization would like to learn more about the school and I will be in your area, please contact me and maybe we can arrange a time.

My prayer for this trip is that God will help me share His passion for the children in Paraguay, that I can be an encourager to others in their faith, and that the Lord will grant us favor for His work in Paraguay so that He may be glorified! Blessings to you and your family.

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.