We praise the Lord that we have received an abundance of rain this rainy season.  The past two years, we have had severe drought conditions.  Tribal people’s gardens have been scorched causing a lack of food. Many of our friends and neighbors are ranchers and farmers and have lost crops and cattle due to the drought. Everyone is so thankful that this year we have received a normal amount of rain.

We don’t have wells or a town water supply.  We have to collect rainwater in underground cisterns to last us throughout the dry season which usually runs from May to October.   We are thrilled that our cisterns are basically full!  Josh and his friends have also enjoyed playing in the rain and mud!

Recently, the Sanapana tribe here in Paraguay received Scripture portions printed in their own language.  This is the first time in their history that they have been able to read God’s Word in their own language.  The people are excited and have a desire to read God’s Word.  Pray that they will understand and apply the truths of God’s Word to their daily lives!

For the past three years, we have also served as dorm parents for children attending our MK school.  With an increase in students needing to be in the dorm, another family has taken over this ministry allowing us to dedicate our time to teaching and administration.  This is a big change for us as we have served as dorm parents for a total of 6 years.

Ben and Josh miss having extra “brothers and sisters” around the house.  Janet is adjusting to cooking much smaller portions than when we had ten or twelve of us around the table.  This change also allows Janet to be more involved in our community.  She enjoys participating in a ladies Bible study and being more involved in hospitality.

Pray for our upcoming Education Camp in October.  Almost all of our Paraguay MK’s will be getting together for this activity.  Pray for safety in travel and that the time will be a great time of learning and growing together.

Pray for translation checking that is going on presently.  A translation consultant is here helping to finalize portions of Scripture in three different tribal languages.  Pray that the checking will go well and that these passages of Scriptures will soon be able to be printed and made available to the people.

Thanks again for your prayers and part in our lives!  God bless!

May 2010

Recently, I had the privilege of visiting one of our tribal locations where the church had a baptismal service with over 70 people being baptized.  It was exciting to see young and old, husbands and wives, making a public profession of their faith in front of their family and friends.

It was a privilege to see some of our fellow missionaries who have poured years of their lives into learning the language, deciphering the culture, teaching the Word of God, and discipling the believers witness this exciting step in the growth of this church.  It was a privilege to stand there with some of my own students who attend our MK School and see the fruit of the labor of their families and fellow missionaries.  It is truly a privilege to be part of the team working together to see these tribal people reached with the Gospel!

• Pray that these people will continue to grow and mature in their walk with God.
• Pray for continued progress on the translation of the New Testament into the Manjui language.  Praise that over 2/3 of the NT is currently translated.

God is building His Church!  Thanks for being part of God’s team in seeing the unreached people reached with the Gospel!

Mark and Janet