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May/June/July/August 2004
Volume 5 Issue 2

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Phil. 4:13

It was a beautiful Sunday morning, August 1st, with the sun shining and many families shopping for and/or enjoying brunch at Yucá balanas Supermarket. Then there was a loud noise. Was it an explosion or persons looting? In a split second someone ordered the front doors secured. Although the fiery holocaust claimed over 450 lives, God was there. He was there in the police, firemen, and rescue workers; the medical personnel; the media personnel; the thousands of people who have donated so much in time, money, medical supplies, blood, food, prayers and so much more; and in the people from other countries who have come or sent aid. Gracias!!!!

That quick decision cost hundreds their lives and thousands of people their livelihood. As I reflect on that day and the error someone made to lock the front doors, which was the only escape route, I often wonder how many times I have made a decision that could have had such serious consequences. I thank God that He is so loving and that he does forgive us when we error and that even in the midst of such tragedy He is still in control. God can change all things the enemy plans for evil, to His glory and for good for those who believe. Many in Paraguay have turned to the evangelical churches for spiritual and emotional counseling and many have given their lives to Jesus. We are repeatedly reminded to give thanks in all circumstances.

Something is always happening around our barrio (neighborhood.) Most of the time it is happening at the school or playground from 7AM until about 10 PM except Sunday evenings.

The biggest day of the year for children in Paraguay is not their birthdays or Christmas. It is the holiday, Children's day. Since many families live in poverty most schools, churches, and other organizations try to make this day extra special for the children. In our school, we often have special activities, gifts for the children, cake and refreshments, and of course lots of hugs and kisses. The parents and sponsors help provide the funds to cover these activities.

Thank you for your donations to our "Children's Special Activity" Fund.

Our local Lambaré fire department visited the school on two different days to share fire safety tips with all the children and they demonstrated their equipment. Only one problem, when they came with their sirens blaring many neighbors around the school alerted parents living several blocks away. Concerned parents tried to call the school office to no avail. Panicking because of the recent crisis, many came to school only to find the fire trucks came unexpected and the school area was in one the frequent blackout periods.

During the question and answer portion of the firemen's demonstration, the children's first response of how to handle any crisis was to pray.

Please pray for our firefighters' safety. Also, since they are all volunteers, please pray that they can receive the emergency equipment and uniforms they need. The little girl, Maria Paz, in the photo is one of our students; both her Dad and Grandfather are on the squad.

After our firefighters met with the children we had a special prayer time for them because we realize the sacrifice they make each and every day.

Jesus commanded that we are to share the gospel to all people even to the ends of the earth. In our evangelism class in the church, we had over 33 participants. God was preparing us for a phone call we later received from Pastor Pablo asking us to help a struggling church in Caaguazú. Our Lambaré church's first short-term mission program was born. Pastor Andres, Felicia and I took thirteen youth and adults from our church to do a weekend evangelistic program. After we met with the struggling pastor and his family for a planning and prayer time, we went door to door and invited the members of their community to different programs. For the children we shared Bible stories, had a puppet program, songfest, and craft activities.

We had about 75 to 90 enthusiastic children attend both events. For the others we had a special service to plan for people who needed healing or had other problems.

Please pray for this little church, as the community has been very resistance to evangelistic programs.

Growing up and even still I am a sports nut. I once had dreams of being an Olympian until my sports career was cut short by an accident. But even that did not stop my desire to watch dedicated athletes display good sportsmanship, and play to win doing their personal best.

In the United States, during every Olympics the news is covered with "our" many victories of bronze, silver, and gold. This past Olympics for the first time in Olympic history Paraguay won a medal! Their soccer team won silver after losing in the championship match to Argentina. Can you imagine the excitement for this small country? Since the games were in Athens, the winners all received olive crowns just like they did during the ancient Olympics.

The sad thing about this type of victory is that the world will soon forget and the crown will rot away.

Let me share about two champions I personally know. Mark and Johanna Waltz served as missionaries in Paraguay for nine years. They worked together in the Mobile Medical Clinic and later ran with the dream God gave them to start a school in Lambaré. The school was completed at the end of last year and they retired in May. However, even still they are helping stateside with school matters looking for sponsors, establishing a long-term endowment program for the school, and searching for funds for our next project. They did not get international coverage or even local media coverage for their victory; however they will receive their eternal crowns when Jesus returns.(1 Cor. 9:24-25).

Thanks Mark and Jo, we love you and miss you!!!!

We have six lots in front of the school and we would like to build a multipurpose assembly and recreational facility to expand our ministry opportunities in Lambaré. I am sure the cows aren't going to like losing their grazing area but we already have had events for 600 to 900 and as our school grows we expect crowds of 2000 or more. If you would like to make a donation for this building project or for our general school fund, please contact our stateside sponsorship coordinator:

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

Sue Givens
The Paraguay Outreach
"Nuevo Horizonte" School
CC. 10017
Asunción, Paraguay 1909

If you would like to make a tax-deductible contribution to help cover my mission expenses, donations may be earmarked on a separate sheet of paper for Sue Givens and checks should be made out to:

Latin America Mission
P.O. Box 52-7900
Miami, Florida 33152

Email Sue: sgivens@sce.cnc.una.py

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