Working and learning together…

The first part of June we held a three-day Foundational Bible Teaching Seminar for 35 local pastors, Christian leaders, and others interested in teaching and discipling cross culturally and seeing people come to Christ.

It was a really good opportunity. We had fifteen different presenters working together, team teaching, about how to effectively cross-culturally share the gospel and how to see people not just get saved, but grow. We’re looking at doing it again in the future, and want to include more of the local pastors in the actual teaching.

The comments were really good. There were areas of ministry and communication that some of them had not even thought of before.

 

Since being back to Paraguay, I also made a trip back to Missouri for 10 days for seminars related to how to better know how to help new missionaries learn language when they arrive in Paraguay, and also met with other consultants around from various other countries to continue to adjust and become more effective in our program for learning language and culture and helping missionaries. Learning language at a level where you can clearly communicate cross culturally at a deeper level, is a challenge and difficult, but vital for our ministries.

This week we’re doing missionary language evaluations to help the missionaries learn what levels they are at in their understanding of the language and culture, what more clearly what areas they need to work on, and to better understand how they’re applying the various principles for learning language. Necessary here in Paraguayan culture, and as they head out into a tribal work, so they can effectively translate, teach, and really be involved with the people.

Laurie has been involved in multiple things, including sewing things in our mission guest house, where people stay when they come to town for paperwork, doctor’s visits, or to rest.

She’s also been working with the Asunción Christian Academy (ACA), prepping for the arrival of the new director next week.

We also found out the one of my coworkers, who is part of our three-member language consultant team, Ithie Jackson, with her husband Steve, will be transfering from Paraguay to Ethnos360 ministries in the U.S. the end of January to be closer to and care for her parents.

That’s going to increase my work load. As you are already aware, I’ve got a bit of a full plate with responsibilities as a language/culture consultant, teaching, discipling, and guiding new missionaries, mobilizing local churches, being a link with local church and NTM PY, as part of the leadership team of a local church here, etc.

The thing is, these things are important if we want to see the least reached people here… those have either never heard the gospel, have never understood it, or who need teaching… grow and come to Christ.

I’d ask you to pray for me and our team for wisdom in priorities as to what to focus on and do. The thing the Lord keeps bringing to my mind, is that I can only do, what I can do. He has a plan. I made not get all done I want to do, or even what other’s think I should do, but I want to focus on and get done what He wants me to do. A walk of faith, choices, and many decisions each moment of each day. Pray for us as we learn to rest in that. Someone much wiser than I, once said, “Every opportunity is not of the Lord.” There are no end of opportunities, but though good, not all in God’s plan for the day. My prayer is that I’d be able to state as Christ did, “Lord, I’ve finished the work which you gave me to do.” (Jn. 17:4)  No more. No less.

A short good booklet in that regard is put out by NavPress, called “The Tyranny of the Urgent” by Charles Hummel. It’s an easy, but helpful, and convicting read. (You can access the link by clicking on the photo at the right.)

Steve is also our field administrator and part of our field leadership team. When he leaves, it will leave a big hole. Pray with us for someone to take over his areas of ministry and responsibilities.

Thanks for partnering with us. You’re a vital part of our team.