Asunción

John & Judie's News Letter November 2004

Asunción,

November 13^th 2004,

Dear Friends,

What an eventful year! We apologize for the two unfinished newsletters in May and August which still repose in the computer and realize that if you do not receive our monthly Paraguay Prayer Calendar you will be out of date with both our family news and the ministry here. It has been a very intense and complex year.

It started well as we celebrated our 40^th Wedding Anniversary on January 4^th with the family ( Butlers, Cronsheys and Richard) all present. An anecdotal song written and sung by Patrick to the tune of Greensleeves, is now framed, together with a photo, to keep the memories fresh in our minds!

Our 5^th grandchild – “Johnny” was born in Asuncion in March on the same day that the Butlers’ dog Toby died, so that emotions sank and soared in the space of hours. Johnny is now a fast moving 7 month old, very sociable and thoroughly enjoying the fun provided by Luke(11) and Jess(7). Rosie and Patrick are very encouraged by the response to the new Sunday evening service at San Andres, and the EJE programme continues to touch the lives of hundreds of young people. Frequently in interdenominational meetings or even in the supermarket, we are told of the blessing EJE has been for many different families. The training of leaders for youth ministry is a continuing need and, as we well know, it does take time! There are frequent disappointments but there is encouragement also.

In England Richard has now completed the work for his MA degree and awaits the results. He enjoys teaching in a large multiracial primary school in South London. He has been unofficial PE co-ordinator this year and for the first time the school has gained an “Activemark” and the Mayor arrived to present the cup! With a Carnival procession, a Victorian Theme Day, a rocket launch and picnic in a nearby Park plus many other events, it sounds like a lively school.

Liz and Hugh are also braving a “third” who is due to arrive in March, much to the excitement of Maia(6) and Oscar (2 and a half). Hugh is now working at the Salvation Army Headquarters in London, as the Management Accountant for the Social Services Fund UK Territories. They are all very involved in their local church in Westcott and we are thrilled at the interest that has arisen in the congregation for the ministry in Paraguay.

There have been many visitors here this year including Phil Grainger with a team of 48 volunteers – mid June to late August- who did magnificent work in 3 poor areas of Paraguay. In Remansito, where they finished the local multi purpose church building; in San Juan near Concepcion where they completed the first stage of a church retreat centre; and also in the more remote Paraguayan Chaco where they completed a very long awaited church building in the Yatnata (Giant tortoise) indigenous community. It’s hard to describe the joy all this has brought to marginalized communities who have no possibility themselves to construct such buildings. Already in Remansito they have had several evangelistic events and many people have made a commitment to the Lord Jesus. Do pray for the follow up and for the regular Sunday services, youth group and Saturday Children’s Club.

Pastor Elvio and the congregation in Yatnata are thrilled with their church and are now organizing a market garden area and a central square for community gatherings. They have suffered very much from several months of drought, but we thank God that this week rain has fallen and brought relief.

In San Juan, a school group from St. Andrew’s in Asuncion were the first visitors to the new centre and went from there to help fence land bought for a church centre in Yvapobó, where there is a mixed “campesino” and indigenous church in formation.

We have had several serious diocesan road accidents this year but miraculously without loss of life and we thank you for your prayers for safety on the narrow, badly kept Paraguayan roads. Osvaldo, driving the old Landrover full of indigenous church leaders from La Patria, turned over twice after a tyre burst on the approach to a narrow bridge in the Chaco; a 6 year old boy ran out in front of the Landrover driven by Esteban Romero in Roque Alonso; an older child ran in front of the St. Andrew’s School vehicle on the same road; we were hit by a motor bike, followed by a truck who swerved to avoid the motorcyclist, as we were on our way to a funeral; a leader of Remansito church, returning from late night duty was in a police vehicle which turned over 3 times after skidding on a wet road. In each case the injured people have made full recoveries. We can only thank God for his mercy and protection.

The terrible supermarket fire on August 1st has of course dominated the year and the after effects of this tragedy continue to affect us. Sunday lunch in the Ycua Balaños Food Hall was a very common treat. Now there are so many facing the loss of spouse, children or parents. Tragic homes where there were several coffins together at the funeral. A youngster, Liz Garcia, from our Annexe School died; fourteen year old José, the only breadwinner in his home as a supermarket “carry out” boy, died that morning. His mother Esperanza, (Hope) already abandoned by her husband, now struggles to continue life with her two young daughters. A doctor called in to view the bodies and give a death certificate, found his own son amongst the charred dead. In one nearby primary school there are now 31 children missing from the classes. Many families in the Zeballos Cue area were affected - María Carmen’s son in law, although burnt, turned back to try and save his little son when part of the burning roof fell onto his leg. It has since had to be amputated. His son died. Claudio & Cesarina from Remansito were burnt and trampled senseless near to the closed supermarket doors. A RC priest who had organized a football championship treated the winning football team to lunch in the Food Hall. He had forgotten his wallet and in the time it took him to walk back a few blocks to collect it, the supermarket had burnt down. The priest was emotionally and mentally unable to accept what had happened and has since lost his reason. Many families have had to wait months until DNA results done in Spain on tiny pieces of bone have confirmed that their relatives have died. There are still families with no possibility of confirmation of death from the ash that remains. The tragedies are endless. We thank you for your prayers and your practical support and thank God for those who are recovering. Claudio, was 21 days in coma but is now home and in the recent evangelistic service in Remansito, he was the first person to walk up to the front and give his life to the Lord. Gloria, a teacher from St. Andrew’s School with 60% burns, is now home and making a steady recovery although some skin grafts are slow to respond and she is unable to sweat, a real problem in this climate.

In Zeballos Cue, through pastor Alberto, his team of volunteers and donations received, we are gradually improving housing conditions as many of the fire victims live in overcrowded wooden shacks. Children were traumatized by having to live and sleep in the same room where the coffins of their parents or siblings had rested. Primitive toilet facilities and old beds and mattresses were a health risk and are being replaced. What has most touched those who have been helped, is the love and concern of personal visits from Christians. Sadly corruption and bureaucracy have slowed down the official help and the victims are always expected to travel into the emergency centre offices and fill in forms, which is not easy for grief stricken people, many with very few resources and often lacking even the bus fare.

There is increasing violence on the streets in Paraguay and many have lost their lives. Our office receptionist – Lina Gonzalez’ brother Roberto was so badly knifed in the lower back that even after 3 weeks in intensive care, he did not survive. Pastor Luis’ brother in law, Gregorio was hit in the spine by a stray bullet from a drunken man and was paralyzed from the waist down. Thank God he is now beginning to feel a slight sensation in his legs and we hope and pray that with physiotherapy he will recover his mobility. He and his wife have a 6 month old baby. We would ask you to remember in prayer those who are suffering.

We will be back in the UK for Christmas this year ( after 16 years!), arriving on December 21^st, so if you were thinking of sending us a Christmas card here – hold back! We shall be staying once again in the top floor flat of Holy Trinity Vicarage, Guildford Road, Westcott, RH4 3QB , Surrey (thanks to Alan and Jenny Jonas), so we will be very near to Liz and Hugh and the children. The Cronsheys’ telephone number is 01306 741737. Now that we have accommodation, our biggest need is for a vehicle. Any ideas would be welcome! We return to Asunción on March 3^rd.

So far our church visits are evolving like this:

Jan 9^th – Maidenhead; 16^th Aldridge; 23^rd St. Cuthberts Wood Green; 30^th St. Andrew’s Plymouth;

Feb 6^th – Westcott; 13^th Woodford Wells; 18th-21st -Northern Ireland.

We do hope to either see many of you or at least speak on the telephone. It’s been a long time!

Join with us in prayer for God’s guidance over the next few years as we approach retirement. For wisdom for the leaders in the diocese of Paraguay over future development, especially within a radically changing worldwide Anglican Communion.

Ephesians 3:20-21 “to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”

With our love,

John and Judie.