| Baptism of Water and Fire | Student Sponsorship |
Over the past couple of years, more and more concerns are being voiced regarding the sanitary conditions of Paraguay's rivers, streets and water supply. Often trash may go uncollected for weeks or months in which case, it is just thrown in vacant lots. The city water pipes are over fifty years old and in dire need of repairs. This along with all the trash makes perfect areas for water to collect and become the breeding ground for mosquitoes.
This past year, Paraguay declared a national emergency as over 300,000 citizens became ill with high fevers, body aches which in severe cases led to brain hemorrhages and even death. Hospital cleanliness is a whole other topic but another severe environmental problem is the disposal of hospital waste. Much of this along with unwanted industrial chemicals are being thrown on vacant lots or deposited in area streams. In the US, we often complain because there is too much environmental control but here in Paraguay there is very little. And unfortunately, if someone is caught, they only have to pay a bride to escape prosecution and even the responsibility for the clean-up.
Who suffers? Everyone, from allergies of the nightly burning of trash and sometimes toxic chemicals; stomach problems due to the contaminated water supplies; and body sores for the children who are playingon these lots filled with trash and in the polluted streams. Many are developing diseases, weakened immune systems, cancer, and other conditions.
What is the solution? First, people need to be educated as to the importance of sanitary conditions; second they need financial resources to make the changes necessary, and third, the lessons need to be taught over and over again. Some experts say for environmental practices to become internalized as personal habits, it takes at least an entire generation of teaching and practicing. Please pray as we prepare to begin an evangelistic environmental campaign in our barrio that hopefully will involve families, area schools, businesses and our local government.
The first day of spring every year is a day set aside to honor the youth (ages 15 through 29) of Paraguay. This age group according to World Day of Prayer statistics encompasses 25% of Paraguay's current population. This year we held events in both the school and in the church to honor our many youth.
In July 2002, when a work team visited Lambaré, one couple was so impressed with one of our adolescent boys that they wanted to take Jon to the US to study. We developed a Work-Study program at our school and in lieu of volunteering at the school so many hours a week; the couple donated funds so Jon could study in years and twelve including Jon have graduated or are about to graduate from high school. The others are still continuing their education.
Unfortunately, due to new government regulations we will not be able to continue the Work Study Program. We have had an incredible five years together and these youth have gained many valuable skills. Every year they have participated in our general staff trainings which have focused on such themes as having a purpose driven life, leadership skills and developing personal and professional boundaries. They have developed work skills, have had an opportunity to work in a Christian environment and most are serving in various ministries in the church. Please pray that God will open many doors for them and that they will continue to faithfully serve Him all the days of their lives.
Sometimes Christian work becomes a struggle not from outside problems but with friends and fellow church members. We need to remember our struggles are not against flesh and blood but against the enemy who wants to disrupt, steal and destroy the unity within a church. I thank the Lord that His work continues even in the midst of difficult situations.
Our church has had a rough year in some respects but the Lord faithfully continues to respond as we have ministries reaching out in many areas. This year, under the guidance of another missionary a long awaited hospital ministry was started along with a prison ministry. Also, our group of intercessory prayer warriors have met weekly to pray for the church, its different ministries and to visit members, guests and others in need. These visits have been coordinated with our evangelistic outreach ministry and at times we have held extended Bible Studies in the homes until the person has felt comfortable coming to the church.
Our church usually has Sunday and Tuesday night services but we found there were many who needed special attention…extra prayers, scriptures explained and more one on one. As an outreach from the Intercessory Prayer group and with the help of one of our deacons, we began a Friday evening prayer group. Also, in 2007 we saw the beginnings or the growth of other ministries such as working with the adolescents, drama and missions. Continuing ministries in the church also involve the Youth, Men, Women, Sunday School and Marriage Support.
For a long time, Christians could not freely share their faith in Paraguay, but I thank God for the window of opportunity that is now open to us and the freedom we have to go into area public schools and freely share about Jesus. Up until this past summer, our ticket to share in the public schools was for our area youth to enter with an American Evangelistic team. In August, our church hosted such a team representing six churches from Pennsylvania. Our team of youth accompanied the PA team and we combined our efforts to share music, skits, dances and the Word of God with over 4000 children, youth and staff. We visited six schools and hosted two children's day programs in the two churches.
When we gave the invitation for persons to accept Jesus, we were surprised by the number of young people that responded. Praise God.
In August, we had a short-term medical team come to serve in our Yrbucua area, a remote area about four hours from Asuncion. Thanks to new roads, the area is much more accessible but even with that many people only see a doctor when our Mobile Medical Clinic serves the area.
We provided medical, dental, and eye exams for over 900 patients. We worked with many of our sister churches from that region as we provided the medical services while the pastors and their members prayed with many to be healed. We had at least 33 people dedicate their lives to the Lord plus others who recommitted their lives.
The group brought games, clothes, and gifts that were distributed daily to the young and old. I did some translating for the doctors, but much of my time was spent registering and directing patients and serving as a translator wherever needed: for the nurses and for the team members playing and teaching Bible stories for the children, etc. Every night we were exhausted but very blessed.
This year we hosted our Second Annual Fun Day with hundreds in attendance during our winter vacation in July. The forecast was for rain but the Lord heard our prayers and we had a perfect day as the storm clouds rolled past overhead.
During the day, the staff was responsible for preparing and managing every event. Parents served as coaches and each classroom worked together to encourage the participation of every parent and every child. What were the activities? Yes, we had the usual soccer but we also had a variety of other challenges as you can see in the photos.
Our staff and families organized various games and challenges and the entire school was divided into two teams "Fami" or "Lia" with our school colors either green or blue. Why "Fami" or"Lia"? When you put the two words together, it spells "Familia" or Family in English!
The highlight of the day was the parade. This year the families went all out and I was stunned by their creativity and their ability to look for resources to have a first class parade with very little expense.
Our theme was Joshua 24: 15b: "But for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."
Each year we have an End of the Year Art and Science Exhibition of the children's projects. The number of children is growing and unfortunately our space for displays is shrinking. This year, we planned to have our program outside but due to spring rains we were forced to hold the event indoors. Despite the weather, we had a good response from our families.
Art is an integral part of the program and we encourage students to recycle objects whenever possible. In the area of science, the children had projects ranging from identifying plants and animals to studying the environmental effects of fire and pollution. Each of our elementary classes selected one group of students to present their science projects.
Please pray as we have a space designed in the school for our science laboratory and now that we will have Junior High classes, we are looking to finish the lab with work stations and furnish with various science materials and equipment. Also, pray that as our students study Science they will learn to appreciate more and more the marvelous wonders of God's creation.
Our fifth graders sponsored a contest this year for our school to have an official school flag. Children, parents and staff were able to submit designs and the task of selecting from almost hundred sketches was the responsibility of our Commission Directive (School Board).
We finally selected two sketches to be combined and at our end of the year meeting of the Commission we presented the flag which was then officially presented to the entire school at our awards assembly.
Throughout the year for special days, patriot events and for a Family Talent Night our children enjoy performing before their peers, their families and even in front of the general public. Although our children are sometimes shy when meeting new people especially their sponsors or visiting missionaries, there does not appear to be any children in our school suffering from stage fright. Even our littlest have no problem when given a microphone to recite Bible verses, sharing facts, or asked to sing or dance.
Each year, the quality of the children's performances continues to improve. Our parents are very supportive of each event and when the children need costumes, the parents are very resourceful borrowing, making or raising funds to rent from a local custom shop.
Last year our camp retreat was fun but in the evaluation period, the school staff wanted to accomplish so much more. So they began meeting regularly throughout the year. We prayed for our 2007 Camp programs to have an impact on the children. We divided the children into two camps; the third and fourth graders, then a week later we had the fifth and sixth graders. Our theme this year was "Created 2 Love by God" and we used the Bible text Ephesians 2:10, "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."
The staff combined many challenging fun activities with thought provoking seminars. We had numerous times throughout the two days to minister with the children personally. This year's camp was quite a success and the only real negative comment came from the director, yours truly. I thought due to the heat and the fact that many hardly ever get to swim; the children should have more pool time. (The day after our evaluation, I was presented by staff a photo rebuttal showing me in many photos playing in the pool with a variety of different children. I contend the photos aren't legally valid because there are no times and dates and that the photos were all taken within just a short time.) I thank God for our school staff, their humor, their creativity, their love for the Lord and their desire for our children to grow in Christ.
Each year the teachers plan excursions or field trips for the children. Our youngest children had the opportunity to visit the airport. We are not on the flight pattern for the airport, so planes flying overhead are rare, thus the children enjoyed watching the planes come and go. Also, since none have ever flown it was an extra special to see the planes up close for both the children and the staff.
Most American children like to roast marshmallows! Well our children are no different except thanks to a missionary, our children got to have that experience for the first time this year. The children's expressions and reactions were priceless as they not only had the opportunity to roast their marshmallows but they had never tasted anything even similar to a marshmallow. Only one problem, the children only got to sample two or three marshmallows. Thanks Teacher Betty for this new opportunity!
We held our third annual School Olympics in October. The focus is not just on sports but also on academic challenges. The parents and staff both support the Olympics whole heartily because it is an excellent way to get the children to study for their end of the year exams. However, this is our secret. SHHH! Please don't tell the children learning can be fun!
The joke in the school is that there is something in the water. First, our secretary got pregnant and everyday our children and staff prayed for her and her baby. We have three other teachers who are pregnant: Nanci in Pre-Escolar, Zulma in First grade and Sonia, our Tutor. Also, many of the children have moms, aunts and or others who are pregnant so the children are quite busy praying for the different Moms-to-be. We thank God for hearing our prayers, that even though Andrea had some delivery and post-delivery problems due to an inexperienced doctor, she is doing well. At this time Thiago (her son) has some health problems, but we have put him in the "manos of Dios" (hands of God) and we trust God will care for him. Please join us in prayer for all pregnant women in Paraguay because the health care services are severely lacking. Also, pray that there isn't actually something in the water…I can't have all my staff pregnant at the same time!!!!
Tonight at church was a bittersweet moment. Patricia and Osvaldo dedicated their precious little daughter, Danielle to the Lord. They truly understand the significance of their decision. It was just one year ago today, that their little four-year old son, Marcos, was killed when he fell out of their van while traveling on our stone roads. I stand in awe of how God has and is helping them daily live a victorious life. Please pray for them.
Hats off to one of church members, who are also a mother in our school and serves as our Christian Education teacher. She graduated Nov. 29th from the Bible Institute, a three year program. Zuni Chapporro de Gonzalez had challenges every step of the way, but we know with God all things are possible. Thank you Lord for being her strength!
We often hear and see in the news about Paraguay ranking in the top five of all the countries in the world in corruption. Often in the children's day to day activities, they are isolated and protected from such raw truths. However, the age of innocence left our school when several months ago another missionary and English teacher, Alicia Grey's car was stolen. The police were summoned and within minutes we had the police and many other non-uniform police and detectives. Soon after they left, our school office started receiving anonymous calls from people wanting to help Alicia recover her car for a small fee, of course! Our staff and parents were shocked. We asked everyone including the children to pray. In what was a miracle, Alicia recovered her car without paying one red cent or here "un Guarani." Everyone was amazed and it was a wonderful testimony of how God provides and protects His children and how He responds to the prayers of many. Thank you Lord.
In Paraguay, moving from sixth grade into seventh was celebrated with a graduation ceremony until just a few years ago. Since this was our first group to reach sixth grade, the staff and students requested a special tribute during our awards assembly to the missionaries who had the vision for starting the school and a time of thank you for their parents. Almost everyone had tears in their eyes, as the children gave their parent a rose and lit a candle to a special Marcos Witt song, "Enciende una Luz…or light the candle (light).
The vision for our school is to provide our children with an excellent education so that they will know the Word of God and our students will be the future leaders of Paraguay. In a culture where "yes" means "maybe or no" and "tomorrow" means "tomorrow, next week or maybe never"; we are trying to teach our children to be responsible for their actions and commitments.
Where do we begin? We start by teaching the children the Word of God and reinforcing them for their small steps in accomplishing goals. For example, being on time to school; completing their homework; coming to school on rainy days when most people stay in bed; and studying a little each day so they are prepared for their exams rather than needing to resort to cheating or cramming at the last moment..
How are we doing? At this year award ceremony, we had 59 of 288 elementary children with straight A's in the main subjects plus excellent marks in conduct and responsibility and all A's or B's in their special classes like English, Computer Education, etc. This year out of 400 children from Jardín through sixth grade, we had 133 children with PERFECT ATTENDANCE!!!!!!!!
After years of planning, problems and re-planning, our national church camp has a swimming pool which was dedicated on December 8th. As part of the dedication, all the churches were invited to have members baptized in the pool. There were over 40 persons including 18 from our Lambaré church. Praise God for all who have dedicated their lives to Christ and have made a public declaration. Then Sunday evening, we had a guest pastor and a team from his church share with our congregation about the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Praise God for all who received His special touch.
Each year our school continues to grow. We are so thankful for God faithfulness as each year every child has been sponsors. We admit the children on faith that God will provide and sometimes we have to wait from January until December, but every year God has been faithful. We thank Him and give Him all the glory for touching the hearts of so many to be sponsors for our children. For 2007 we had 400 children with sponsors and we hope all or most will renew. In addition, we anticipate we will need an additional sixty sponsors for the new children who will be added in Jardín (our four-year old class and in the vacancies of the other grades.) To sponsor a child for one year cost $420 and our school year runs from January through December. Sponsors can pay all at one time or $35 divided for the 12 months. If you would like to sponsor a child, please contact our Volunteer Sponsorship Coordinator:
Mable Love Brown
Samaritan Hands Paraguay School
% Fairview United Methodist Church
2508 Old Niles Ferry Rd.
Maryville, TN 37803
e-mail address: mclovebrown@charter.net
THE STAFF OF NEW HORIZON SCHOOL WANTS TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND MAY GOD BLESS YOU! MERRY CHRISTAMS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Sue Givens
Latin America Mission
The Paraguayan Outreach/Sue Givens
P.O. Box 52-7900
Miami Florida 33152-7900
or
High Mill Church of the Resurrection
Earmarked for: The Paraguayan Outreach
1920 Schneider St. NE
North Canton, Ohio 44721
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Phil. 4:13.
Email Sue: sue@paraguayschools.org