November 28, 2009

Mingo Update

We just wanted to let you know that Mingo passed away this morning. He is the member of our church that we had been praying for since March. We received a phone call around 7:30 am and have been with the family most of the day.

He was on a waiting list for a liver transplant in Argentina and money had been donated to pay for travel expenses. He had been in and out of the hospital during these past 8 months, but always came through.

The family told us that last night he was fine. He was at home with his family talking and having a good time. He woke up around 3:00 am to get a drink of water and told his mother that he was not feeling well. She called an ambulance, but he had passed away before it arrived.

Thank you for your prayers for Mingo and his family. Please continue praying. His mother had been filled with so much hope and expectations and is now having a really hard time. His death really took all of us by surprise. He was only 19 years old. We do, however, take comfort in the knowledge that he is no longer suffering, is in heaven and that we will see him again someday.

The funeral and burial will be tomorrow morning at 7:30 am. We are praying that many will come and will desire a relationship with Jesus through hearing the testimony of Mingo's life.

November 22, 2009

September and October 2009 Update

It’s Beginning to Look a lot Like Summer!


The temperature reached 110 degrees today with the heat index. Yes, its summer time in Paraguay and we are once again welcoming the mid-day siesta with open arms. Sometimes it’s just too hot to do anything else.


Donald began the month of September by helping with a work team that came to do more construction on one of our churches (Cristo Viviente). It was great seeing the team and church members working side by side. Cora even pitched in after school!


Much of what Donald does on a daily basis involves hanging out with and helping the silversmiths that he has befriended. It’s nothing glamorous or complicated, but who ever said that sharing the gospel had to be? Last month 2 of his friends started attending church with us. One of them also bought himself a new Bible and is filled with questions. Praise God!



Carol has been very busy the past couple of months with the registration of new students for the New Horizon school. It is a hard process that involves a lot of prayer since there are often twice as many children applying than available spaces. She did 64 home visits and social histories in 3 weeks. It was a great opportunity to see the students’ homes and to start to form relationships with their parents.


In October Carol and Sue (the school’s director) had 9 of the 8th grade girls at our home for a sleepover. They all decided to “sleep” outside on our trampoline, which was a first for all of them. We also spent time discussing the dreams that God gives us for our lives and the obstacles that can get in the way.



Our Big 5-Year-Old



Cora celebrated her 5th birthday on October 10th with a cookout out at our home. Both Paraguayan and missionary friends were invited. She had the “Happy Birthday” song sung to her in 3 different languages – Spanish, English and Guarani!


For Cora, one of the highlights of the last couple months was the International night at her school. The kids in her class represented the country of Bolivia and did a traditional dance.



Next week Cora will be graduating from Jardín (preschool) and is looking forward to starting Preescolar (kindergarten) in February.


On the Horizon


  • Brazil Trip: On the 25th of December we will be heading to Rio de Janeiro with the Paraguayan Methodist choir group. We will be there for 2 weeks ministering in several churches. Carol will be playing her trumpet and Donald will be helping with some of the dramas.


  • Our Home: A few weeks ago we received notice that the renters in our home in Virginia will be vacating on November 30th. If anyone knows of someone looking to rent a home in Newport News, please let us know!


Picture Links


Photos from September and October can be found on Carol's Facebook page. If you are not on Facebook, click on the following links:


http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=41384&id=1332236838&l=c5f3792770

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=41399&id=1332236838&l=151668a5df


Have a Blessed Thanksgiving!