Paraguay, Day 4 (Tuesday)

Last night, we split up into two groups. Lenny and Lori went with Brenda to a cell group at the home of a lady who used to be an abortionist. The last issue of Alliance Life magazine has an article about the place and the people. Both ladies spoke at the cell group and really were blessed to have fellowship with the people there. It was a blessing to be able to minister in what used to be an abortion clinic, where countless lives were lost, but where lives are now being saved for all eternity. God has radically changed the hostess, and God used our ladies to minister hope and peace in Christ.

David, Aaron and I went with Bob to another small group, which met in the back yard of a small home. To get there, we had to drive around a detour that Bob told us he would not drive alone, because of the robbers in the area. We arrived at the home, and were welcomed into the back yard, where about 30 people were seated in chairs talking and laughing. There were a bunch of kids, and I was concerned that my message wouldn't communicate well to the kids. I had already been praying, but my prayer to God for his blessing on the evening increased as I saw the number of children. He answered.

After singing some songs, several of which we know in English, David gave his testimony about how he met his wife Holly by divine appointment, and how their commitment to each other and to God has helped them get through some challenges in their lives.. Then Aaron spoke about how when he accepted Christ, God helped him with his temper which used to be pretty bad. I spoke about grace, from Ephesians 2:1-10, and how God's mercy is like me reaching into the sewer and saving a cockroach, but that his grace is like me taking the cockroach and making it part of my family. The message went over well because of the cockroach story, and there were several first time decisions for Christ, as well as a number of rededications. We closed the evening by asking anyone who wanted prayer to stand in the middle of the circle, and each of us gringos paired up with a Paraguayan church leader as we prayed for the people.

Construction

This morning, we continued construction of the office at the San Lorenzo church. By the end of the day, we had the studs, windows and door in place. The office is coming along nicely, and we learned a few tricks in working with that beautiful but very hard and oily wood. The rest of the crew is almost finished painting the inside of the santuary. It's a huge job, and I am so proud of Lenny, Lori, and Aaron, who have been working so hard and faithfully.

We took a break for lunch with the pastoral staff of the church, and that was an incredible blessing. Each of them told us about themselves and their call to ministry. We asked questions, and learned just how similar this church is to our own. With tears in their eyes, and tears in ours, we rejoiced at God's goodness as he reaches people with his love through our churches. It was an incredible time.

Thank you

Thank you for your prayers. I have read other people's thanks for prayers when they were overseas, and have thought, "Yeah, I believe in prayer, and I know they are grateful for prayer." But now I know how important it is. Your prayers are making a difference here. People's lives are being changed by God through us because you are praying. Don't stop!

We are blessed to represent you as ambassadors for Christ here in Paraguay. May God richly bless and use you.