Wes Goddard has worked and lived among the Pai of Paraguay for many years. He has honed his discipleship skills and trained other teachers. See what his weeks of discipleship look like from one of his letters.
I praise the Lord for the good start into the new year now, and for many opportunities these days for outreach into various Pai communities. A couple weeks ago, I met up with a Pai friend whom I hadn’t seen for over 20 years. He is the head cowboy at a nearby ranch. He urged me to come and teach him and his family God’s Word. He openly admitted that he has a problem with alcohol and knows that he and his family need to hear God’s Word. Last Saturday, co-teacher Elvio and I went and started up a Bible class with him and his family at their house.
About 3 weeks ago, a Pai lady (Juana) called me on the phone, and said that there is a wide-open door to do go in and do Bible teaching at the Pai community where her sister lives. She said that the people there are tired of the [other religious] groups coming in [with their] type of teaching, and that they want to hear Foundational Bible teaching. A few days ago, Juana and her son went by motorcycle, and visited the people there. She distributed 10 audio Bible players, and said there is a need for more of them, and that the people really desire Bible teaching. She plans to go back and distribute more audio Bible players and talk more with the people about when and where Bible teaching sessions can be held with them. Please pray for wisdom for us missionaries and the Pai believers as we consider opportunities like that, and the best strategies for outreach.
Please pray too for the Bible class that takes place on Wednesdays, with the people from the Pai community which is closed to the gospel. The class is on hold right now, as three men who participate in the class are off at a ranch working. Elvio and I plan to resume the Bible teaching with them when the men return. The last time Elvio and I went to pick up the people at the entrance to their community, a Pai lady came out to the entrance, and spoke with us. She was very angry with us, and upset about God’s Word, indicating that God’s Word is a threat to the Pai culture. Pray that God would enable her and others like her to understand that God’s Word is what they need, and that God’s Word is in fact very good.
Please pray as Elvio and I plan to go back to the Campo Flor Pai community and do another three-day Bible teaching and Bible teacher training session there. We are awaiting word concerning the repair of a major bridge on the road there. The Tuesday morning Bible class is going really well with the group of six Pai adults. Two Pai Bible teachers, Jorge and Elvio, often go with me to co-teach. We recently taught about the giving of God’s law at Mount Sinai and how God’s law is impossible for us to keep. God desires that mankind understand that everyone desperately needs the Savior, Jesus Christ. Please pray for the six adults in that class, as they think about those Bible truths.
The Tuesday afternoon Bible class with the Paraguayan nationals is moving forward. The man who had been a leader in the [nationally accepted] church continues to be very enthusiastic about the Foundational Bible teaching. Elvio and I recently taught about the six days of Creation – “In the beginning … “
- Please pray concerning a church gathering that the local Pai church wants to host.
- Pray too for four Pai couples from here who are attending a 12-day teaching session for young couples with children. They are at a distant location right now for that, and will be there until Feb. 10.
–Wes Goddard
Discipleship takes on many different faces as it attempts to reach across cultural and linguistic lines. We need to keep Wes in our prayers as he continues to allow God to stretch him for His glory.
Keep on keeping on, Wes, and all who work there with you! God bless you!