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The Paraguay Outreach

Missionary Newsletter from Sue Givens

Volume 6 Issue 1

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

"Be still, and know that I am God!!!"

"Perseverance is more than endurance. It is endurance combined with absolute assurance and certainty that what we are looking for is going to happen. Perseverance means more than just hanging on" (Oswald Chambers in My Utmost for His Highest)…it is having faith, waiting, and trusting that God will bring to fulfillment His promises.

In January, I went with a missionary friend to the Southern Cone, to the city of Ushuaia (Fin del Mundo …the end of the earth). One day on the trip, we took a very, long hike. It began to rain and the temperatures dropped. The hilly terrain along to water's edge became difficult and we both were slipping and sliding. We both began having problems with our knees and I got to the point I could hardly walk and I was _conegetting cold. We prayed that we would be able to make it to the end of the trail. I prayed each excruciating step. But with God's help, we finished and after a good night's rest, we decided to visit the glacier that was on the mountainside above the town.

As we went up the mountain I began praising God for all He had done and is doing in my life personally and as a missionary and especially how I was even able to walk. When I reached the summit just below the glacier, I spent a long time sitting still before Him. I was bathed in the warmth of His love and my strength was renewed. As Christians one of the biggest battles we face is finding time to be still before Him (Psalm 46:10). Often ministry and others needs crowd out our time to be just with Him to talk, to cry, to listen, to learn more and to know Him more intimately. We all need times of rest. I believe this message is especially for me in 2006. Be still, rest, and know that He is Lord! Nuevo Horizonte….Five years and Making a Difference!!!!

There are two main public schools in our area; both are on or next to impassable roads filled with trash. The Ministerial of Education lacks funds to pay the teachers adequately and most often the staff has little to no materials, and no textbooks. Due to the above problems, often the teachers lack enthusiasm to teach and discipline standards and expectations of the children are low to none. Many parents have less than a sixth grade education, so often the schools do not receive much assistance from the parents either.

That is why many in our neighborhood appreciate New Horizon School (Escuela Nuevo Horizonte). We are giving some children (currently 350 of the thousands of children) a chance to break the unending poverty cycle with a quality education and an opportunity to learn Christian values. The majority of the families in our school earn just a few dollars a day to $350 a month, which is now minimum wage.

The families pay about 10% of the cost of their child's schooling and for the remainder we trust the Lord will help us find sponsors. For more information:

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

In February we opened our doors for the sixth time.

On Opening Day 2006, Nuevo Horizonte Celebrated Its Fifth anniversary!

Nuevo Horizonte…A New Year…New Horizons….2006

In the Early Childhood area the teachers had an Orientation Day with the children and their parents. The teachers planned a special puppet show along with a sample of the children's typical day, which included story time, singing, playing, and a special snack.

For the younger children, those first separation periods from their parents can be difficult but we encourage the parents to bring their children ahead of time to Sunday school and other activities so going to school will be fun and not frightening. Each year we have more children prepared to face the challenge of Opening Day without tears!

In the Elementary area, the children and staff had a super Opening Day. We had youth and staff dressed as clowns; the children sang songs, and the staff performed a skit acting as students while reviewing in a humorous but informative way the school's discipline policy. The staff and children dedicated their efforts and plans for 2006 to God. This year we are working on unity and leadership, and we are seeing great results with the children, youth volunteers, families and staff.

Preparing to Serve In God's Army!!!

The theme for one of our monthly chapel services, was "Preparing to Serve in the Army of God by Putting on the Full Armor of God." We shared Ephesians 6 with the children and gave them everyday examples of how that armor is used. We told the children they must always be prepared. I have heard from many parents how the children insist everyday that their Bible needs to be in their backpack so they will be "armed and ready."

Our children are prepared to face many trials every day in their families and they know the power of prayer to heal loved ones, to help with family problems, to help them in their studies and even to help provide daily bread on their tables.

We shared we never know when we are going to have our last breathe, so we must always be prepared. Little did we know how quickly the students would have to learn that lesson? Our little Karen, a second grader, died of meningitis just hours after being diagnosed. Karen Candia died in Action Easter Sunday Serving Her Lord!

"Fútbol"

One of the first questions visitors are asked is, "Who is your favorite team, Cerro or Olympia?" These are two of the most popular professional soccer teams in Paraguay. I always declared neutrality, however this year, everyone in our school has had the liberty to cheer for a different team… Libertad!!!! Why them? Our School has been adopted by their organization and three times they have invited the children to events. Not only did they invite the children but once they invited the families also and they even sent buses to transport everyone! However, there is another reason I especially like this team. The ownership and many of the players and personnel are Christians. We have "Liberty or Libertad" in Jesus even in soccer.!!!

Director's Project for 2006 …Unity, Working Together and Leadership

Each year, as director of the school, I need to focus on an area of need in the school and the community. This year, we chose working together as team and leadership development. Since our vision for the school is to prepare leaders for the future of Paraguay, we need to identify the characteristics and skills are needed. We began with our daily devotions time with the teenager helpers and all the staff. We have been focusing on unity and leadership using many Bible figures such as Moses, Joshua, and Nehemiah as examples and are studying from many of the materials of Rick Warren and John Maxwell. Each person takes turns to lead the devotional studies.

With the children we are then sharing practical examples with them regularly and giving them opportunities in their classrooms to be leaders. We are teaching the children to first seek God with their daily activities and needs. For the young children we then focus on being line leaders, teacher's helpers for the day, and always cleaning up after activities. In the older classes we give many opportunities to work together and to serve as leaders. One third-grader was asked to help a struggling, very shy classmate. The timid little girl has blossomed and others in the class have joined in to encourage her.

We planned a Family Activity Day and asked parents and staff to work together with the children to plan different events, coach parents and children, and run the day's events. We are having awesome results! With God's help, may these youth help turn Paraguay around in the years to come!!!!!!!

My US Church Family Visits and Shares in Paraguay

During my first visit to Paraguay in 1999, I began praying that my home church (High Mill Church of the Resurrection in North Canton, Ohio) that has faithfully supported me would have the opportunity to visit and experience Paraguay first hand. In June, a team of youth came to minister together with our local Paraguayan church in many of the schools within a few miles of New Horizon School.

Although we do not have exact numbers, we calculated the team, during their short visit shared Jesus' love with around 4000 people. They shared in five different schools, shared at youth service, hosted a youth conference, lead an afternoon fun time for a group of children in a squatter's settlement; shared with our two Sunday programs; and even shared at an Indian village using three languages…translated from English to Spanish then to the Toba language!

In their youth conference, they challenged the Christian youth of Paraguay representing many different churches and denominations to "go against the flow"…be different! Especially moving were the testimonies and sharing of how one couple met and how they sought God every step of the way in their relationship. I praise God for all that these youth accomplished. I have seen the schoolteachers, the Sunday school leaders, the youth, and even the Women share the different songs, dances and such that they learned from this energetic spirit-led team. Praise God for each of them and for all who helped send them to Paraguay and for many blessings they shared with us.

Thank you High Mill Church of the Resurrection

Email Sue: sue@paraguayschools.org

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

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