Rebekah Huffman Saved only by God's grace - headed to Paraguay For several months prior to choosing a country in which to serve, I had been praying that the Lord would direct me in that decision. It was this past November when Paraguay became the country where I would make plans to serve. The decision to serve in Paraguay was made almost spontaneously as it just kind of fell into place after my friend Jenna and I had discussed working together. That to say, about all I knew about Paraguay at 
the time was that tereré (an herbal tea) is very much a social drink and that there remain 8 unreached tribal groups that with sufficient personnel, will open within the next several years. Learning more about Paraguay came very slowly. I did check out a couple of books from a local library to get information on the country but most of the books said something like, little is known about the country of Paraguay to it’s surrounding neighbors, let alone the outside world. However, more than anything, although I was happy and excited for the Lord’s guidance in my life, my heart was not yet in Paraguay. Just previous to making the decision, my heart had almost been set on Asia and it was just around this time that I had also told the Lord that I would serve Him single on the field if that’s what He wanted. These played into the matter and my attitude was such that it said, I am willing to go to Paraguay, but just take me there without much effort on my part. After learning my heart’s situation, I was reminded of the story of Abraham and Isaac. The Lord asked Abraham to sacrifice his son, and even though the sacrificing of his son was obviously against his will, Abraham planned for the event and took active steps of obedience. He got up very early that next morning taking all the necessary items and traveled for 3 days until he reached the place where he was to offer his son as a sacrifice. For some reason I had thought that the Lord would give me a passion for the country and the people where I would go before guiding me there, instead I think He wanted me to take active steps of obedience when my heart wasn’t yet in the direction He was guiding me.
These last several weeks through prayer and obedience the Lord has been working on my heart and sparking a desire to serve Him in Paraguay. Gaining information
from the missionaries in leadership in Paraguay has been good; I have found them to be very nice and helpful. I’ve learned quite a bit about the country as I’ve several times gone to Borders bookstore to look at a South American book containing substantial information on Paraguay. Also, one missionary to Paraguay has put together a DVD that I received in the mail this past week – a well done presentation of the needs yet in Paraguay along with many testimonies given by local Paraguayans. My heart is warming up for the country and people of Paraguay.
I came across Psalm 32: 8-9 the other day. “The Lord says, ‘I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. Do not be like a senseless horse or mule that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.”’
Also not long ago, I heard someone explain the difference between desire and lust. Desires are good, but when it has to be that way…or that place…etc, then they become lust.
This verse and the explanation of desire vs. lust are instruments that God has used in my life as He continues to develop my heart to be more like His and as He creates excitement in my heart for serving in Paraguay!
My desire, although this isn’t easy to share, is to be honest and to accurately state what the Lord is doing in my life. Later I will share more about the country of Paraguay:-)
the time was that tereré (an herbal tea) is very much a social drink and that there remain 8 unreached tribal groups that with sufficient personnel, will open within the next several years. Learning more about Paraguay came very slowly. I did check out a couple of books from a local library to get information on the country but most of the books said something like, little is known about the country of Paraguay to it’s surrounding neighbors, let alone the outside world. However, more than anything, although I was happy and excited for the Lord’s guidance in my life, my heart was not yet in Paraguay. Just previous to making the decision, my heart had almost been set on Asia and it was just around this time that I had also told the Lord that I would serve Him single on the field if that’s what He wanted. These played into the matter and my attitude was such that it said, I am willing to go to Paraguay, but just take me there without much effort on my part. After learning my heart’s situation, I was reminded of the story of Abraham and Isaac. The Lord asked Abraham to sacrifice his son, and even though the sacrificing of his son was obviously against his will, Abraham planned for the event and took active steps of obedience. He got up very early that next morning taking all the necessary items and traveled for 3 days until he reached the place where he was to offer his son as a sacrifice. For some reason I had thought that the Lord would give me a passion for the country and the people where I would go before guiding me there, instead I think He wanted me to take active steps of obedience when my heart wasn’t yet in the direction He was guiding me.These last several weeks through prayer and obedience the Lord has been working on my heart and sparking a desire to serve Him in Paraguay. Gaining information
from the missionaries in leadership in Paraguay has been good; I have found them to be very nice and helpful. I’ve learned quite a bit about the country as I’ve several times gone to Borders bookstore to look at a South American book containing substantial information on Paraguay. Also, one missionary to Paraguay has put together a DVD that I received in the mail this past week – a well done presentation of the needs yet in Paraguay along with many testimonies given by local Paraguayans. My heart is warming up for the country and people of Paraguay.I came across Psalm 32: 8-9 the other day. “The Lord says, ‘I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. Do not be like a senseless horse or mule that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.”’
Also not long ago, I heard someone explain the difference between desire and lust. Desires are good, but when it has to be that way…or that place…etc, then they become lust.
This verse and the explanation of desire vs. lust are instruments that God has used in my life as He continues to develop my heart to be more like His and as He creates excitement in my heart for serving in Paraguay!
My desire, although this isn’t easy to share, is to be honest and to accurately state what the Lord is doing in my life. Later I will share more about the country of Paraguay:-)
