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September/October/November/December 2003
Volume 4 Issue 5

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

I am currently reading the book "The Purpose Driven Life" by Rick Warren. He shares how the Bible is full of metaphors about how life is so brief, temporary, a mist, a breath, a wisp of smoke. Job 8:9 say "For we were born but yesterday…our days on earth are as transient as a shadow". Like David prayed, one of my prayers for 2003 has been "Lord, help me to realize how brief my time on earth will be. Help me to know that I am here but a moment more." Lord let, my life glorify you.

Throughout this past year, I have lost numerous relatives and friends. One of my mission prayer partners, Lowell Ebie, went home to be with the Lord in May. Lowell and his wife have been dear friends for many years and even though it was hard saying goodbye; Lowell lived a long productive life for the Lord. However, another person who came into my life for just a short time was Ruth. Her two sons were new to the school this past year and the youngest had trouble adjusting. We prayed a number of times with him but Ruth was very anxious. One day she came to the office to withdraw Diego and we asked if we could pray for her. God filled her with a peace and from that moment on her son's attitude also changed about school. It was at that moment that Ruth became a close friend to all in the office. Several mornings a week she would pop in and ask if there was anything she could do? She was such a help to us with inventorying books, helping to make teacher's materials, cutting, stapling, decorating bulletin boards and so much more. She was truly a blessing to us and we were saddened by her death in November. Please pray for her two sons, Diego (above), Oscar (right) and her husband Oscar. Lord, help us to live each day as if it is our last and may we glorify you in all that we do.

Our new school building has been a very busy place this year not only with many school activities but also hosting many activities for the church. Here are just a few of our many activities from September through December.

Specials Thanks to all who make our Mission possible in Paraguay

The Lord has been very gracias this year in helping us achieve many goals… like sponsors for 183 children. Praise God for each sponsor who makes our school possible. We need at least 54 new additional sponsors for 2004.

Several months ago, one sponsoring family contacted me by Internet, they wanted to send their child a special gift but how? After some checking we found a group was coming to do a Healing by the Holy Spirit seminar for our Paraguayan churches. One member of the group not only lived in the same town as the sponsor but they were good friends! What are the chances in the United States with 50 states and over 281, 000, 000 people that these people would even be from the same hometown yet alone good friends? God is truly an awesome God!!!!!!!!

Christmas Shirt and Food Project

Again God has touched many hearts and the response was overwhelming to provide Christmas food baskets for over 70 needy families. Thanks to missionaries, Ed and Linda Baker for the use of their pick up truck, alias a sleigh to help Pastor Andres, Felicia and I deliver eggs, cheese, corn, and oil for the families. They were able to make their tradition dish of Chipa Guazú . We also provided food for the church camp, which helped make the price affordable so 125 people could attend.

We purchased shirts for the children and adults in the Sunday School classes in both of the Lambaré churches. The school children will receive shirts in February at the start of school.

Thanks to all who helped with this project. May God Bless You!

Work Study Program Expanded in 2003

The vision for our school is to develop future leaders who love the Lord and have moral integrity. However, with the oldest children now only in the third grade that goal is still a ways off. However, the Lord has placed a number of Christian youth and adults in our church with an interest in helping us achieve that goal. The first two people were Pastor Andres and his wife Felicia. With help from friends, we funded Andres's dental training and Felicia's high school education. Then there was Jonathon, a young teen who volunteered as our school's gardener. One day Christy and Jim came from the US on a short-term mission trip and learned of his commitment. After some discussion, our official Work Study Program for the Youth was born…giving Jon funds for school.

Since then, the Lord has shown me others both young and old who are serving the Lord. So with the help of others in the US, we now have fourteen who have or are participating in educational programs. For the seven participating youth, they donate a few hours a week to help in and around the school and church with tutoring, teaching computer, cleaning, or yard work and they receive funds through my Latin America Mission account to help pay school tuition, books, and/or supplies.

In December we had a dinner for the youth. Pastor Andres, Felicia, and I shared our goals and objectives with each of the youth. We had a time of anointing and prayer that their lives would be example for the children in our school and for others in our community. Please pray for each of them, as there are many temptations and trials for Christian youth in Paraguay.

School Activities

The first and second grade children hosted a Science fair complete with environmental presentations and displays by the first graders (thanks to their Moms) and experiments by the second graders. The children were divided into groups and all participated with short verbal explanations.

Our Morning and Afternoon School Closing programs were quite successful with lots of parents and friends in attendance. The children sang, danced, and received awards for special achievements. It is hard to believe how quickly the children are growing and it is rewarding to see them learning more about God and His love each day.

Musical Opportunities

Thanks to the Varians we received musical chimes and missionaries Johanna and Alicia have been busy teaching members of the church to use them. Next year our school children will have the opportunity to learn to play them, as we will have a music teacher for the school, Rebecca Mora. She is Pastor Pablo's daughter and although she is quite young she has years of experience teaching music.

Construction Completed

Our projection to complete the school construction was four or five years but in just over three years God has completed both buildings debt free:

Early childhood center
Cost of school portion: $20,000
Area 1,421 sq. ft.

Grade School/High School:
Cost of construction: $170,000
Area 13,370 sq. ft.

Next Project and Prayer Request

We have six lots in front of the school, which we want to build a multipurpose building to serve both the school and the church plus add a soccer area for the youth and adults. Please pray God will direct our plans and supply the funds needed.

How can people help?

If you would like to donate funds to sponsor a child or to help with the future construction plans, please contact our dear friend and Stateside Child Sponsor Coordinator Mable Love Brown. Also, please pray for Mable and her husband Tom as they are dealing with several health problems.

Nathaniel and Perla served as the MC's as the youth in our church raised several million in Guaranies to host a free concert for the community featuring three of Paraguay's top Christian bands. This was a grand undertaking by the youth but it was awesome to see how hard they worked and to see many prayers answered. Our Youth's desire is to reach their friends, classmates, and neighbors … many who are entangled in drugs, alcohol, pre-martial sex, gangs, crime and cultic activities. Please pray that as our youth share Christ, many will respond and that lives will be changed.

Responding to the call and Publicly affirming their faith!!!

We are seeing more and more people in Paraguay responding to Jesus. In December, many in our church had the privilege to attend three different baptismal ceremonies. It has been awesome witnessing how Jesus is changing lives. The most touching baptism for me was sharing the joy and excitement of a young boy who was blind as he declared his desire to follow Christ.

"It is Super Bowl Time… Give at least $303.33 to Lottie…"

I recently received an article written by Jon Walker of Nashville, Tenn. I hope he does not mind if I quote parts of it:

"The highest-paid player in the NFL makes $20.6 million a year -- defensive end Michael Strahan of the New York Giants who pulls down the big bucks for sacking quarterbacks. It's got me to thinking about the kind of money it takes to field missionaries. Can you imagine flipping on your TV this weekend and hearing this: "It looks like Moondog Murphey is coming out on the field," says Bucky Broadcaster. "Most fans will remember Moondog as the veteran missionary in Bogota."

"That's right, Bucky," adds Clyde Colorman. "Drafted out of Southwestern Seminary, Moondog has a career total of 33 church plants, and over the past seven seasons he's averaged 100 receptions for Christ. With stats like that, it's no wonder he's the best-paid player in the missionary league! $20.6 million dollars for this year alone!"

You and I both know that missionaries are worth far MORE than $20.6 million a year, and that what they do is unquestionably more significant than playing football. They faithfully stay on mission, day in and day out, sacrificially giving their lives for the cause of Christ. …What would $20.6 million do if you poured it all into missions, instead of an MVP defensive end.

• -- pay the yearly salary for 1,546 new single missionaries.
• -- provide 2,060,000 radios so Christian broadcasts could be received in China
• -- fund the equipment needed to show the "JESUS" film in rural India simultaneously in 4,120 villages.
• -- minister to the Kalanga people of Botswana for 412 years.
• -- train 412,000 Brazilian lay evangelists and church planters…

I didn't pull that figure out of thin air; it represents the average cost for a family of four to go to a single National Football League game. According to ESPN, your $303.33 covers four average-priced tickets, two small beers (ESPN's idea, not mine), four small soft drinks, four regular-size hot dogs, two game programs, two adult-size caps and parking…

My point is this: If some families are willing to spend that much simply to watch a single game, is it asking too much that we give a similar amount toward missions work that has eternal significance?…. Consider this: Why not have your church sponsor a Lottie Moon…"

Mr. Walker gives some us something to think about. Where are our priorities? Are they on the here and now or on things eternal? I have now been on the field for over three years and am usually only half-pledged for funding but I thank God that He has always been faithful and has somehow provided the funds when needed.

If you would like to contribute to my mission expenses, donations may be earmarked for Sue Givens and checks should be made out to:

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

Tidbits: My calling for hauling goes to new heights as I now shuttle brides to their weddings.

Thanks to special donations, I got away for a few days to relax with Pastor Andres, Felicia and their family. Gracias!

Remember Chocha! She was attacked in my home during the robbery. I wanted to get her something special for her birthday…thanks to the help of the Men's group in the church and other missionaries; Chocha has a remodeled room on her home and soon hopefully she will have an indoor bathroom with plumbing.

Our Church's Women's group has been quite active this year. We just received three new sewing machines at the school for them to use for their Dorcas projects.

Sue Givens
The Paraguay Outreach
"Nuevo Horizonte" School
C.C. No. 10017
Asuncion, Paraguay, 1909

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

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