John & Judy Ellison |
September
2007
email: jyjellison@gmail.com
Tel: 595 21 224028
Dear Friends,
How can we even begin to thank you all for your firm support and
interest over the past 19 years?! Amazing years when we have
experienced so clearly God’s care and provision alongside his guidance,
his forgiveness and his incredible patience in leading us forward “step
by step” – or to use John’s well known phrase in Spanish “paso a paso”!
Those years have passed incredibly quickly and there is of course, much
that is still open ended. How lovely it would be to see everything tidy
and in order, but that is not the reality! As yet there is no news of
the next bishop to be appointed as Andrés, our auxiliary bishop does not
believe it is right for him to take on the diocesan leadership.
However, hard though it is, we believe that God knows our needs and will
provide for them. The Nominating Committee continues to work hard in
this search for the right couple. Please pray! |
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Thinking back to some
events 10 years ago, in September ’97…….
* we were about to launch the Enxet New Testament in the Chaco ;
* ex-General Oviedo, under arrest for sedition, remained free due to
loopholes in the law;
* St. Andrew’s School building developed major structural problems due
to deep level construction work nearby and was “easily” demolished at
the end of term in November;
* A drunk lorry driver on the Transchaco Road caused a bad accident
during the Indigenous Congress in May 97 which could have wiped out most
of the Chaco church leadership;
* The teaching sessions bringing together potential indigenous church
leaders were becoming well established in the Centre in Rio Verde and 3
younger pastors were ordained after many, many years of elderly
leadership;
* Patrick and Rosie took part in an EJE (Youth Encounter in the Spirit)
weekend in Chile which sparked off their vision to start EJE in
Paraguay.
* The Diocesan Synod had some difficult moments, as the Commission
searching for a Paraguayan assistant bishop reported that we were not
yet ready for this appointment and another Commission was formed to
continue the search;
* The weather was very hot (40ºC) and humid!
& Today…..
* The Enxet New Testament is widely read and Tim and a new group of
translators are well into the translation of the Old Testament.
* Ex- General Oviedo, finally imprisoned some years later for a period
of 10 years, has this week been released early due to –amazingly!- a
loophole in the law! He continues to be a “strong man” with a great
charisma, which explains his ongoing support especially in the country
areas. Pray for next year’s Elections for a new President.
* St. Andrew’s School was rebuilt in record time, protected by God from
a tornado which did great damage and passed by only a few metres away.
Pupils were able to recommence classes in March! Any one who has visited
the school will recognize that “the impossible” was made “possible”.
Many additions have since been made, including a bookshop and a swimming
pool, and FEISA, the Early Learning Teacher Training Faculty with its
premises on the top floor.
* The Chaco church leadership has grown and matured, with some
disappointments along the way. This month Juan Sosa, Mario Caballero &
Robert Fernandez receive ordination as presbyters, after a period as
deacons, and Romualdo Rojas, after several years alongside Juan in
Makxawaya, becomes a deacon. They join the team of Elvio Cabañas, Lucio
Romero & Teodoro Campestegui, other indigenous presbyters. Remigio
Romero is under church discipline at present but using his gifts in
translation to put school material for FEISA into the Enxet language.
Pray that his restoration process will continue well and for Ed Brice as
he accompanies him.
* Patrick and Rosie headed up the first EJE weekend in Asunción 2 years
after their visit to Chile and out of that beginning hundreds of young
people have heard the gospel & also received help in their personal and
family relationships. Of course only God knows the long term effects on
each young person but it is encouraging to hear testimonies and also see
an evening service developing in San Andrés church with a growing
leadership of younger people. This brings church and EJE young people
together and is excellent for discipleship and for training and
encouraging new leaders. At present an Alpha Course is underway
sponsored by St. Andrew’s church with the San Andres morning and evening
congregations.
* Rev. Andres Rodriguez, the presbyter in Concepcion, was elected by
the second Commission to be the national auxiliary bishop and
unanimously accepted by the Synod. We thank God for his ministry and
that of his wife Estela. God has truly blessed them as a family,
despite many difficulties, and today their 2 eldest sons & daughter
Mirian are all married with families of their own and involved in youth
work, music ministry and care of the indigenous hostel in Concepcion.
* The weather is still hot, if not hotter – although thankfully, we did
have an unusually long, winter this July/August and even some
uncomfortably cold periods. The “Mission Paraguay” volunteers working
in the Chaco, Asunción and Concepción experienced some dramatic swings
in temperature but without any rain, as there is a prolonged drought
badly affecting vast areas of Paraguay. The government has now
proclaimed a state of emergency and Venezuela’s president has sent
help. The resulting devasted countryside will take years to recover
though.
It will be painful to pull up our roots in Paraguay. After nearly 12
years in Argentina and 19 here, we will be facing reverse culture
shock! As yet we do not know where we shall be living on our return
though there is a possibility of renting a house temporarily in the
Dorking area near to Hugh and Liz, Maia, Oscar and Matías, if something
suitable can be found. Richard would also be relatively nearby in South
London. We will then try and make more long term arrangements to rent a
house from the Church Commissioners. Our flights are booked to leave
Asunción on Friday November 16th so we hope to be in touch again over
the Christmas period as we gradually settle back.
It will be a bittersweet experience. Wonderful to think of being able
to spend quality time again with our family in England and also renew
old friendships, whilst at the same time having to deal with the wrench
of saying farewell to Patrick, Rosie, Luke, Jess and Johnny and all our
colleagues here. We value your prayers!
With our love as always,
John and Judie. |
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