NTM

Here Joshua is showing off our underground cistern that is freshly patched and cleaned.

The problem is that it is the END of rainy season, and it is still empty! This rainy season we have received only about 1/3 of our normal rainfall. We depend on rain for all of our water needs. Rain water is valuable since water from wells is often too salty for drinking or irrigation. Pray for more rain for the farmers and tribal people as they depend on it. We are thankful that we can at least buy truckloads of water here in town.

One week, this place looked like a desert, and the next week it looked like a swamp! This area of Paraguay is very flat with clay soil so the water just sits and doesn’t drain off. Some of our families got stuck in the mud trying to get back to our MK school after the Christmas break. We ended up cancelling school for one day since the students couldn’t make it out for classes. You could call it a “mud day” instead of a “snow day.”

The tribal people are especially thankful for the coming of the rains so that they can plant their gardens and crops. This can be a harsh land for the tribal people who depend on hunting and gathering for their survival. Pray that the tribal people will respond to the truth of the Gospel as it is presented to them. Pray for continued progress with teaching, discipleship, and ongoing translations of the Scriptures in the various tribal works. We consider it a privilege to be part of the team to see the 17 tribal groups here in Paraguay reached with the Gospel.

We are hopefully nearing the end of a very long dry season.

There is no town water here where we live, and we collect rain water in underground cisterns. We have two cisterns that are about 9 feet (3 meters) across and 12 feet (4 meters) deep. Since there has been no rain for nearly 6 months, our cisterns have run out. So, we took the opportunity to clean out the mud and dirt and then patch them for cracks and leaks.

We have had to purchase truckloads of water, and we are hoping for the rains to come soon. There are very few wells in this area since the wells often contain salt water. The water then has to be desalinated and delivered by trucks to homes for consumption.

We are still getting used to conserving water with short showers and outhouses.

Hello from Paraguay! We have so much to praise the Lord for these days! We praise the Lord for a safe trip to Paraguay and for His help as we have been going through this time of transition getting used to a new country, new ministry, and new co-workers.

You may ask, “So, what is it like there in Paraguay?” Well, here are a few ways to describe our new home:

Climate: Changeable—This is technically wintertime down here in Paraguay south of the equator. The temperatures have been down in the 30’s F (less than 5 C), and we have been all bundled up trying to keep warm around our little wood stove. Then, amazingly, the wind direction can change, and the very next day the temperatures can soar to above 95 F (35 C). Then, in another day or so, we are starting the wood stove again. Quite amazing!

People: Friendly—The people in the town we live in are very friendly and seem to know everything about everybody. It takes us off guard when we walk into a store, and the store clerk seems to know who we are, what we do, where we live, and what we’ve done for the past twenty years. Ironically, we have never even met them! We do praise the Lord for our new friends and neighbors and look forward to getting to know them better. We praise the Lord for our wonderful co-workers who have been a huge help and blessing as we have gotten settled.

  Scenery: Well, …not exactly lush and green—The area of Paraguay we live in is called the Chaco. It is flat and dry. Presently, it is dry season, and there hasn’t been any measureable rain for the past few months. Everything is quite brown and dusty. We kind of miss the color green! There are some green cactus though!

Water: Scarce—Everyone collects rain water and stores it in underground cisterns and hopes that it will last for the 5 to 7 months of dry season. There is no town water system. Everyone is very conscientious about conserving seemingly every drop of water. Showers are short, and outhouses are regularly visited.

  Traveling: Dusty—Driving around the Chaco is like driving in a dust storm. The roads are dirt and sand. When a vehicle goes down the road, it stirs up a thick cloud of dust that at times cuts visibility to nearly nothing. In the evening, after everyone goes home from work, there is a ominous cloud of dust that hangs over the town and reflects in the street lights.

Ministry: Exciting!—We are busy getting ready to start classes in the MK school at the end of August. We have been busy setting up the school, sorting books and materials, making lots of plans and preparations for the opening of the NTM MK school which will serve as the central hub for assisting with the care and education of the over 50 NTM MK’s here in Paraguay.

• Please pray for daily wisdom and guidance as we make plans to start the MK School and develop a field-wide educational support structure.
• Pray for physical strength. Janet has been having quite a bit of back and neck discomfort with all the moving, unpacking, and sorting.
• Pray for all of our adjustments here to Paraguay.

Thanks so much for your prayer and part in our lives! We thank God daily for your partnership with us! God bless you richly!