Stages of ministry…

It is amazing the work we see the Lord doing in lives here in Paraguay… tribal believers, local churches, and missionaries as well.

On Oct. 14th we held a get together to thank the pastors and brethren the 10 churches that are currently partnering with us in preparing new missionaries for future ministry among the tribal people of Paraguay.  Each missionary personally introduced those who came from their church and thanked them for the help they’ve given. The churches were also updated on where NTM Paraguay is currently working, what is happening in those works, and presented anew with the areas we hope to go into in the future.

Thinking of the work here, let me give you a brief look at what is happening in some of the various stages of ministry here in Paraguay… areas of ministry we’re preparing missionaries for.  Let’s  get a glimpse at Arrival, Equipping, Exposure, Preparation, Fruit, and ultimately… Hope .

Arrival…

‘Different is the new normal’

Jon and Jen Quast, newly arrived in Paraguay, have moved into the next phase of their adventure in ministry.

“Having come to the end of the stage known as Field Orientation,” they wrote, “we have begun the process of National Culture and Language Acquisition (a phrase that reminds me of Captain Barbosa [of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies] when he says ‘There are a lot of long words in there, Miss. We’re naught but humble pirates.’).

The people are loving and the country is wonderful, but they are different. Not wrong, just different. And different is the new normal.” (Read More…)

…Equipping…

What comes next?

Missionary Carrie Martin views studying the Spanish language and Paraguay’s culture as a series of choices.

“Many times, I find myself culturally lost at what to do next – do I turn left or right?” she wrote. “I have opportunities to bless or offend, to speak or to listen, to watch and to be watched.”

Recently Carrie had her first language evaluation and now know what areas of language and culture to continue to work on. (Read More…)

…Exposure…

Couple gets taste of ministry

Ayore: Missionaries Elijah and Moira Hall are studying culture and language in Paraguay in preparation for beginning a church planting ministry.

Recently they were able to travel to western Paraguay and visit three different tribal works in various stages of ministry.

A visit to an Ayoré church service touched their hearts and demonstrated clearly God’s transforming power. (Read More…)

…Preparation…

Climbing the language ladder

Nivacle: For Jamie and Char Hunt, progress recently has had its own soundtrack, with crashes, clanks and clunks and beepity beeps.

After a year and a half of study, Jamie and Char are now at the bottom of the capable level. Before they can begin translating Bible passages and preparing lessons for Firm Foundations Bible teaching, they must reach the top of the capable level. “One key … will be figuring out the complicated verb structure,” they wrote. “With an estimated 80 different ways to conjugate each verb, this will be no easy task.” (Read More…)

…Fruit…

Spiritual eyes opened

Manjui: Laweyin is a very independent blind man whom God used fire ants to convince him of his need for salvation.  One night he simply couldn’t find a place away from these ants to sleep so he had to climb up a tree.  While in the tree he began to understand the message that had been told to him regarding his sin and his inability to save himself from the punishment for sin.

As God continues to mature believers with His Truth, we have the privilege of seeing evidence of this in village life.  Alcohol abuse is still a struggle but different ones are taking a stand against this.   Some in the tribe offered to pay Miino to bring them back alcohol during a supply trip to town.  Miino’s answer was that he could not do this because the Holy Spirit would not allow him.

…and HOPE.

Precious in His sight

Manjui: Meyin was a faithful servant in the Manjui church who went to be with the Lord last week.  His testimony was a shock to the unbelievers, yet a joy to the rest of the church.  We are unsure as to why he passed away so suddenly but we know he will always be remembered for his last words as he passed into eternity.  A number of shamans had come to attempt to heal him by their chanting.  But Meyin said to them,    “I know I am going to God’s place now.  Satan and his demons can’t change God’s timing which He set for me long ago, so please don’t chant over me.”

While those steeped in their old ways of spirit worship were mortified that a dying person wouldn’t want their help, the whole village was in awe and are still talking of the peace and contentment that Meyin showed in his last hour.