:: Short term missions trip >> ACERCATE 2012 ::
This year we had the tremendous blessing of leading an Acercate short-term missions team to visit the Pai Tavytera and build a church with them!

The Pai church, Iglesia Nueva Cristiana, has been praying for a brick meeting place for several years and by faith began setting money aside from their weekly offerings. By the time Mike heard about their need, they had collected nearly $15 USD!  After discussing the need with a Paraguayan Christian businessman, Mike launched out by faith with the project: Construccion y Capacitacion (Construction and Training) through the NTM Paraguay Acercate program. The Lord supplied $5,065 USD toward the building materials and 16 volunteers to get the majority of the project finished in a 3 week period.

The Pai church members expressed gratitude through their testimonies, comments, and hours of volunteer work.  The Acercate team left after two weeks of work and the Pai believers stepped into void they left through carrying water for cement, mixing concrete, construction, and several ladies prepared food.

You can view an online photo album on facebook or click here >>

:: New Coworkers ::

We have been praying for full-time coworkers for several years and those prayers have been answered through the Recalde family!  We want to welcome Samuel and Tracy Recalde to the Departamento Enlace of NTM Paraguay and look forward to working with them throughout this year.

:: Mike’s Parents came to visit ::

A visit from Mike’s parents, Dean and Nellie Goddard, was a blessing! Together we visited Paraguayans whose lives they had touched.

:: Family ::

Before all the conferences and traveling in January and February, we were able to enjoy some time as a family at home and going to the creek about a 2-hour drive from our house in the capital. The children will be home schooled this year and we will be looking for creative ways to help our children maintain their Spanish and friendships.

:: Youth Camp ::

Each year we pack our bags and represent the least reached people groups around the world at a youth event called CIMA.

We have the opportunity to meet many young people, and this year, 6 of them went on our ACERCATE trip to the Pai Tavytera tribe. Mike taught several classes on Missions during CIMA, and Trisha oversaw the display table with information and Spanish resources.

:: Eternal Impact in Lives ::

Thank you for supporting us through your prayers and financial gifts. Together we were able to have both an eternal impact in the lives of the Acercate volunteers as well as a Pai Tavytera church!

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

Read in this monthly Goddard Grapevine:

(1) 9 months of Bible teaching in Caaguazu

(2) Testimonies of Rural Church Leaders

(3) Intercultural Missions Conference

(4) Children Update

(5) Prayer Requests

9 Months of Bible Teaching

November concluded 9 months of Bible teaching to rural church leaders. One man gave testimony saying, “I’ve been saved for 20 years, but finally I feel like I’m getting to know God! Mike has helped us establish a firm foundation in our lives; that foundation is Christ!”

The church leaders expressed their gratitude to each of the Bible teachers by giving a printed certificate.

Trisha’s service in the kitchen alongside the other cooks, was also recognized through a certificate. Her experiences will be very helpful as she cooks for the 2 work teams in January and February 2012.

Testimonies of rural church leaders from the 9 month Bible teaching:

“The stories of Adam and Eve and about the Church had become common to me until this year. I’m understanding things I had never known.”  – Alcides

“I have always been extremely timid and backward, but God’s Word has given me tremendous confidence!” – Manuel

“Mike wrote on the white board about who we were before salvation and who we are now in Christ. All we have to do is use the tools God has given us to live in holiness!” – Saul

Intercultural Missions Conference

A Paraguayan organization called LETRA Paraguay and NTM put together an intercultural missions conference where tribal church leaders, national missionaries and expatriate missionaries were able to fellowship together and learn from one another’s experiences and ministries. There were 11 different ministries present, numerous churches, and 4 tribal groups from both Paraguay and Argentina.

Mike oversaw the organization and logistics of the conference while Trisha handled the welcome table and NTM’s display table. It was encouraging to see so many people working together toward a common objective: to see that the Gospel is preached and lived out among the least-reached people groups of Paraguay.

Children Update

Michael, Lea, and Kaleb have finished their school year in a Paraguayan Christian School and are now homeschooling.

This next year, we will be homeschooling. The kids are very excited to have mom as a teacher again and enjoy having their own assignment books to “check” of the assignments that they have accomplisted during the day.

Michael is finishing his 2nd grade English Abeka books and will begin 3rd grade soon.  Lea is finishing her 1st grade English Abeka books and will begin 2nd grade soon. Kaleb is continuing his Kindergarten English Abeka books.

Their Spanish has greatly improved over the year and often speak it in the home. We praise the Lord for our children, who have learned Spanish as well as tidbits of Guarani and Portuguese. In fact, this next  2 1/2 weeks, we will be having a Brazilian friend stay with us.

Prayer Requests

(1) to provide our children a balanced life-style in both education and ministry.

(2) wisdom as we raise our children to walk in righteousness in their faith in Jesus Christ.

(3) wisdom as we lead two Latin missions teams to build a church building with the Pai Tavytera

(4) wisdom as we live out Christ in so many contexts and cultures on a daily basis. May His Church be built up and engage efficiently in worldwide missions!

Download a printable version here: Goddard Grapevine – November 2011

Check out our new family photos here >> Goddard family 2011

Mike & Trisha Goddard
Michael, Lea, and Kaleb

Missionaries in Paraguay since 2004

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36 HOURS = 65 STUDENTS

Mike had the privilege of teaching through once again an Evangelism and Discipleship course he and another coworker had prepared in 2009. He taught the course three times in August, starting in a city on the Brazilian border.

In the photo, Mike is with a Pastor and Director of the Bible Institute.

Mike used sunglasses to illustrate the importance of teaching and training at a worldview level to avoid syncretism. 65 students, 36 hours of teaching in three churches gave Mike a prime opportunity to build relationships and to share about the global needs of cross-cultural ministry. The seeds planted in the hearts of these dear followers of Christ will have a lasting impact on their community and among unreached people groups.

RENUEVO’s 8th ANNIVERSARY and 1st MISSIONS CONFERENCE

This August was a very special month for us as we assisted our local church on their 8th anniversary to organize their very first World Missions Conference! We ordered 20 flags from the USA and for a very affordable price was able to give an international flavor to the church decorations.

Mike was given an evening to share on the local church’s reaction before the Great Commission by faith-giving and praying.

During the Missions Conference, Trisha and some of the women put together a “Cantina Misionera” to raise funds for a nice offering for a Paraguayan missionary family from our church. Trisha sold brownies, coffee cake, empanadas, soda, and coffee. On the last day, we were able to hand $150 to our missionaries!

KIDS’ KORNER

The children also heard stories by missionaries during the Conference. They enjoyed videos on the lives of famous missionaries like Amy Carmichael. Lord willing, these children will grow up with a heartbeat for Missions!

For Kid’s Day in Paraguay, we went to a bike store to purchase Lea’s first bicycle. A young man from a church we’ve spoken in gave us a tremendous discount enabling us to buy a bike for Kaleb too! Now all three enjoy riding their bikes at any opportunity they get, even in the house on rainy days.

Kaleb and his buddy Jeremias dressed up as colonial Paraguayans for a school play!

SU REFUGIO // HIS REFUGE

Yesterday, we enjoyed visiting Su Refugio (His Refuge) >> A place where children in troubled living conditions can find a safe and loving environment. It is a place where His glory is manifested, where His love is shared, His light is revealed and His Word is taught to the people of Paraguay.

As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in Him. Psalms 18:30

You can see some pictures of our day trip to Su Refugio on Facebook.

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Read about 6 ministry highlights, our 3 children, “Our Hearts are Rejoicing”,

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:: MINISTRY HIGHLIGHTS  ::

(1) “His life is changing significantly” was a comment made by the Paraguayan Pastor that invited me to join him in teaching and training church leaders in the Guarani language. “God’s Word has had a tremendous effect on his life since we started teaching in March.” Imagine the positive impact this man will have in his congregation and community as a godly leader!

(2) Recently on one of Mike’s trips, he was able to stop in and visit with a young Brazilian missionary couple in the early stages of church planting among the Mbya people. He was overjoyed to sit down with them and discuss cross-cultural strategies proven effective throughout the world. What a joy to see God raising up laborers for Paraguay! This brave couple is attempting to live off of $150 USD a month!

(3) This month during the Acercate meeting that Mike oversees, New Tribes Mission celebrated 65 years of tribal church planting in Paraguay. A Paraguayan Pastor commented, “this group of foreign missionaries have been doing a job for 65 years that we Paraguayans are responsible to do. Let’s do everything we can to support and work alongside them so the tribal ethic groups can be reached.”

(4) Mike and Elijah (a missionary coworker) enjoyed interacting and building relationships with Pastors and leaders during a 3-day leadership retreat.

(5) Elvio (a church leader from a Pai Tavytera church where Mike’s brother and sister work) and his wife Miriam are currently in a hospital outside of Asuncion where he awaits surgery on his spine. It was encouraging for us as a family to visit with this couple and watch some of our Paraguayan friends rally behind them to provide for their basic needs: a pillow, blankets, food for Miriam, hot water heater, thermos, and some warm socks.

(6) Trisha is part of a group of women organizing the children’s program for our church’s 1st Missions Conference. She is excited about the impact this will have long-term.

:: KIDS CORNER ::

Michael has been learning so much in school recently. Very soon he and his siblings will be kicking back for their 2 week winter break! His favorite past time: reading, Legos and playing Wii games.

Lea does well in school. She loves to play tag with her friends before, during, and after school.

Kaleb celebrated his 5th birthday at school with small sandwiches, brownies, and goody bags for his friends. His favorite gifts this year were 2  Lego sets – a farmer with 2  animals and Pharoah’s Quest!

:: OUR HEARTS ARE REJOICING ::

Psalms 33:21  For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name.

Thank you for standing with us in prayer and support as we serve in a full-time capacity here in Paraguay.

Our hearts are rejoicing in the Lord as He continually proves Himself trustworthy in all things and at all times.

:: GODDARD CONNECT ::

You can be one of over 300 friends on Facebook to join the Mike & Trisha Goddard’s Ministry group for daily updates and prayer concerns by clicking here >>

There are 8 groups of 4 soccer teams each and Paraguay scored first in Group F. The Paraguayans are very excited that we will go on to the next Round of 16. And this coming Tuesday, the majority of Paraguayans (including school kids and employees) will be around a tv or near a radio to hear the Paraguay game at 10am. GO PARAGUAY!

Merry Christmas!

Feliz Navidad!

Mike and Trisha praise the Lord for His faithfulness during their first 5 years of ministry together in Paraguay. Truly He is worthy to be served!

Mike has been very busy lately do to the Paraguayan church’s steady advance in the Great Commission. In the next 4 months, he has scheduled over 20 different church meetings, events, teaching seminars, and camps, where he enjoys challenging people to look beyond their borders to a world full of tribal people who have not yet heard even once the Good News of salvation in Christ Jesus.

Trisha loves taking care of her home and family, enjoys preparing a meal for any guest that stop by unannounced. She helps Mike by doing secretarial work and running errands downtown. Next year, she plans to home school Michael and Lea (starting in February 2010), so that they can travel more with Mike as well as be prepared for later in the year, when we will be in the USA for a few months to visit our support team and family during a Home Assignment.

Michael Dean loves people and recently asked: “When do I get to go visit my Ache tribal friends again? Because when I go back, they will know who I am and they will say, “Hola Michael!” For Michael, school isn’t easy, especially when he and Lea are trying to keep 4 languages straight. AMARILLO CAMPEÓN! The soccer tournament has begun at Michael and Lea’s school. They are on the yellow team, and Michael gets really excited when he makes a goal! 

Lea is an A+ student, and she can’t get enough of languages. She is our grammar and pronunciation cop and helps Mom and Michael to conjugate their Spanish verbs correctly. She loves going to the park on the weekends, and then afterwards, she begs daddy to stop by the local ice cream parlor to buy a ½ kilo of 3 different flavors for $2.40. The dulce de leche (caramel) flavor is her favorite. 

Kaleb is believed to be the cutest, little boy by all the Paraguayan ladies, and they try everything possible to get him to give kisses on both cheeks (a traditional greeting). Often he will accept a bribe of candy for the kisses.  Kaleb enjoys  riding his scooter and once he got it down, there was no stopping him from trying to go faster than his big brother and sister.

As our children grow older, we see each of them grasping truths from God’s Word and desiring to apply them to their lives. Michael loves to read the Bible during our story-time before bed. We are now on the life of King David.