New Ministries and New Challenges

For some reason, my last blog entry did not save or post. Weird, but that's what happens sometimes.

I wanted to just update you on what God is doing in Paraguay. There are so many things that have happened in the past 6 months that it is almost too difficult to write about them all.

Personally, it has been a challenging six months. We said good-bye to our two daughters. I said good-bye in July as Sherry got on a plane with Chariti & Kaylee to take them to the States to begin their adult lives. It has been so hard for this dad to be without his girls. I really miss them, but I know that they are doing what God has called them to do. As we come up to Thanksgiving and then Christmas, this year will be really hard for me. I love both of these holidays, and I have not celebrated either of them without my two girls for almost 20 years. I never understood what some of my friends, colleagues, and parents were talking about when they told me how they felt when their children left home. It is not fun! I wish I could just keep them home forever, but we know that is not possible. We keep praying for them as they step out into their new lives. Thank God for Skype and Facetime.

In March, we planted a church in Santa Ana, a really poor and lost neighborhood of Asunción. Every day, someone is stabbed or shot and their is at least one murder per day in this barrio (neighborhood). We see kids (little kids) drinking alcohol and doing drugs because there is nothing else for them in this barrio. Drug lords, witches, alcoholics, gangs, etc. all have free run of the barrio. The police don't even enter into the barrio for fear of the drug lords and gangs. God has given us favor and brought peace to the street where we are meeting. We rented a little salon and have been seeing God move mightily in the lives of 30-50 children each Saturday in our kids' church. Many of them come to church with bruises, cuts, and really long, sad faces and with a hunger from not eating for 2-3 days. They leave with a smile and a full belly and more knowledge of the One who loves them and calls them His treasures. We love these kids. I could tell you story after story of each of them. God's faithfulness to our family through each of you has helped us to reach them and many young people in this barrio. 

On November 1, we began a new job. We have been asked by the Executive Council and General Presbytery of the Assemblies of God in Paraguay to be the new National Mission's Directors. What this means is that we are in charge of taking care of the five Paraguayan families who are currently missionaries, building up the support base for these and future missionaries, and casting the vision for the future of the mission's department in Paraguay. We need your prayers and financial support more than ever. 

Neither one of these ministries were in our budget for this term, and we really need a blessing from heaven in order to continue doing what God has called us to do. I am sure you understand what we mean when we say that God has opened up doors of ministry that we never dreamed possible. Please pray with us that the Lord of the Harvest continues to send forth workers and provide for those workers as we continue to serve Him here and around the world.

Blessings to all,
Charley