Thursday, February 18, 2010
“It seems like we’ve know each other for a long time.”
This is the comment we’ve heard a couple times now from folks in Host Churches for newly arrived NTM missionaries. It is interesting, since in each case we had only know the people for 4-6 weeks. It is definitely the Lord working.
Things have been going really well in finding Host Churches to partner with us as we continue the equipping process of new NTM missionaries when they arrive in Paraguay.
You’ll remember we had a family arrive in September of last year that quickly bonded to their Host Church here. They continue to be a blessed by the church body and are progressing in their understanding of Spanish and Paraguayan culture, and are a huge blessing to the church as well.
They were the second family to have a Host Church, but the first to be spending a longer time in Asunción. The Cain family arrived last June, but since they already spoke Spanish (having come from serving in another Spanish speaking country) and since they were only in Asunción for a month before heading to their ministries at the MK School, their time with their Host Church was limited. Even with that short time though, it has been great to see them maintaining relationships they began while in Asunción.
On Feb. 5th another new family arrived, the Whitmans, and the Lord did an amazing work in providing a Host Church for them.
At the end of last year, Michelle, the wife of the couple that arrived in September, was at a ladies meeting with her pastor’s wife. Also at the meeting were the wife of another local pastor and her friend.
During the course of the evening, Michelle and her pastor’s wife shared with the second pastor’s wife about being a Host Church, helping missionaries learn language and culture, and being partners in missionaries’ future ministries.
The second pastor’s wife and friend both really like the idea and wanted to propose it to their church as well.
I was able to meet with the pastor of the second church, explain how we wanted to work together, and asked what he thought. He loved the idea and presented to the rest of the church leadership who wholeheartedly supported it.
Long story short, Laurie and I have been able to develop some good relationships with the people in the church, the Pastor, his wife, and a Host Family that they chose to spend more time in helping the Whitmans as they adjust to life in Paraguay.
After a few days in our mission guest house, the Whitmans moved into their apartment last Friday. It is about five blocks from the church and five blocks from the Host Family’s house as well.
These times of with the local churches are rich and a blessing to us as well.
As we have another family, the Whites, arriving March 17th, Laurie and I are developing a relationship with another church who wants to Host them. The pastor and leadership have expressed their desire to partner with us in this, so on Sunday evening, Feb. 21st Laurie and I will be sharing with the congregation what is involved in the Host Church ministry, and why it is so important.
Following the Whites, we have a new family arriving the end of April and then two single ladies in June, with others arriving later in the year.
Pray for us as we develop relationships and find Host Churches for these missionaries, and as we plan for their time here.
As I said, this is a blessing form the Lord. Even with these new families, we STILL lack missionaries for many areas of need.
Pray for me as I work with Ithie Jackson in working with and teaching these new missionaries.
It really is a privilege laboring together with you.