:: 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 about our Christmas with Mike’s family and Pai believers,

our church’s youth camp, field conference with other missionaries,

photography opportunities, and a brief update about our children

Christmas with Mike’s Family and Pai believers

Each year we look forward to spending Christmas with family. Mike’s brother and sister and their families live only a 5-hour drive away, making it easy to drop in for a couple of days. This year included a Christmas service with the Pai Tavytera church on the 25th. The meeting lasted over 3 hours as one by one people would go up front and share a testimony of God’s grace in their lives.

In 3 weeks, we will be returning to assist the Pai Tavytera build a larger church building for their weekly gatherings for worship and teaching. Pray with us and the Pai Tavytera church, as we continue to raise funds for this building project and for volunteer workers.

If you would like to have a part in Acércate 2012, you can visit our website. Be sure to indicate that this is a one-time designated gift toward the building project.

December: Youth camp, Field Conference, and Photography

Mike was given several opportunities to share on missions during our church camp. After talking passionately about the  Ayore people in the Paraguayan Chaco, he asked, “and who will go!?” to which one girl replied, “you will Mike!”

From church camp we went directly to NTM’s conference where we were refreshed by teaching in both Spanish and English.

Mike was able to serve two young couples in December by photographing their wedding. One couple started training in Brazil and will continue missionary training  in Bolivia in 2012. They desire to be tribal church planters.

Children Update

Michael graduated this year from 2nd grade in the Paraguayan Christian school this year. In 2012, he will be homeschooled by his mother.

Lea had a great time playing with her cousin Briana during Christmas Break.

Kaleb is started out the year very shy in pre-school, but he emerged very fluent in Spanish and outgoing.

>> Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name forever and ever. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts. Psalms 145:2-4

Thank you for your prayers and support which make it possible for us to serve on a full-time basis here in Paraguay.

Because of Christ,

Mike & Trisha Goddard

Isa 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Celebrating our Savior,

Mike, Trisha, Michael, Lea, and Kaleb

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

From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD’S name is to be praised. The LORD is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens. Who is like unto the LORD our God, who dwelleth on high,  Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth! Psalms 113:3-6

Building Project and 2 Short Term Missions Trips

The planning phase for the building project of Iglesia Nueva Cristiana, is in full swing! This is the Pai Tavytera church founded by a New Tribes Mission church planting team starting in 1996. After a lengthy period of pre-evangelism, a church was finally born in 2000 and has now grown into approximately 100 members.

The small property where the NTM Team built their houses was named “Light” in the Guarani language. Truly light has shown in the midst of darkness in this corner of Paraguay as this small group of believers grow in maturity and seek to impact their sphere of influence with the Light of Jesus Christ!

For 2 weeks in January and 2 weeks in February, we are combining this building project with the short-term missions program we lead called Acércate. We are planning for two separate work teams originating primarily from the capital of Paraguay and will be completely in Spanish. Many lives have been challenged into full time Christian work through these types of short-term missions trips. The cost of the project is as follows:

• Church building: $7,500 USD

• Cost per person for the two-week trip: $100 USD

Please pray with us and the Pai Tavytera church, Iglesia Nueva Cristiana, as we raise funds for this building project and trust God to bring the right young people as volunteer workers.

If you would like to have a part in Acércate 2012, you can visit our website.  Be sure to indicate that this is a one-time designated gift.

Neat Experience in the Southern City of Encarnacion

This month, we had a neat experience when visiting a small church in the southern city of Encarnacion. We shared with their youth group and adults what God says about cross-cultural ministries. Their response was tremendous and expressed desire to support a Paraguayan church planter! They also put us up in a hotel, treated us out to dinner, and gave us a tour of their city. What a joy to experience interdependency in ministry!

While in southern Paraguay, we took advantage of the opportunity to visit the ancient Jesuit ruins from over 300 years ago! We also stopped in for a quick visit with a missionary family working with the Mbya tribe.

4 Teaching Sessions on how to implement a Missions Program

The missions mobilization manual that Mike developed for the churches associated with an organization called FEMIPA is slowly making progress. With each step forward, there are overwhelming challenges to overcome.

In November, Mike will be providing 4 training sessions and discussions on how to implement a missions program within strategic churches.

Please continue to pray for us and with us as minds are retrained to think cross-culturally.

Thank you for your prayers and support which make it possible for us to serve on a full-time basis here in Paraguay.

Download pdf format of our Goddard Grapevine (Oct. 2011) and Praise & Prayer (Nov. 2011) here >> Goddard Grapevine – October 2011 (pdf format)

MINISTRY // CHILDREN // YOU CAN BE INVOLVED

MINISTRY NEWS

A tremendous blessing from the first Missions Conference in our church here in Asuncion was that it brought the missionaries closer together in unity. Recently after church, the six missionary families had dinner together and discussed ways that we can continue to encourage our church in missions throughout this year and the next.

Each month we invite the Christian community to NTM Paraguay’s Acercate meeting. This has been a tremendous opportunity to build relationships and share about tribal missions around the world!

Mike continues to meet with the members of a Paraguayan Mission Board called FEMIPA. Currently, they are working their way together through the Mobilization Manual that Mike put together for such an occasion. The objective is to assist FEMIPA to equip their church association to handle both local and cross-cultural ministries.

The Pai Tavytera church where Mike’s brother and sister are working, have been praying about a new church building. FEMIPA has adopted the church project, and therefore, several short-term missions trips are being planned for early 2012, to build a church building and to see young people challenged into cross-cultural ministries!

Mike has 2 more teaching sessions (last weekend of October and last weekend of November) to teach the church leaders of an association called CEMP. Out of 68 Bible lessons, he has taught through 12! When offered the option of moving rapidly toward the end, they said “No! We want to savor all the truths we are learning from the book of Genesis!”

Trisha recently had brightly colored t-shirts made; each designed with a missions challenge designed to show the need for more missionaries among tribal people.

MICHAEL, LEA, AND KALEB

Michael continues to plug away at learning different languages and doing really well. He is happy that they recently started their Soccer tournament at school. He, Lea, and Kaleb are on the “Blue Shark” team! When his team didn’t win, he said, “That’s alright, we did our best and had lots of fun.”

Right now in school, Lea is learning cursive writing and has been practicing a lot. She is praying that mommy will be her teacher next year, because she says “Mom is the best teacher and doing school with her is easy!”

Kaleb loves using the different languages that he knows and especially mixing them together to make new words. He has definitely outgrown his shyness. He now enjoys talking away, being his teachers’ helper, and motivating other classmates in their schoolwork.

YOU CAN GET INVOLVED!!

Would you like to sponsor a Paraguayan youth to be a part of building the Pai Tavytera church? The estimated cost per person for one week is $100. This includes transportation from Asuncion and food. Any remaining funds will be given as an offering toward the building project.

Thank you for your prayers and support which make it possible for us to serve on a full-time basis here in Paraguay.

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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.

In this update: Read about highlights from our ministry, an update on Elvio,

tidbits about our children, and “God is King over all the nations”.

Highlights from our Ministry in Paraguay

Amidst the flurry of activities in July, Mike was invited to share on “Missions in Paraguay” during a youth camp bordering Brazil. While there, we met a wonderful group of believers involved in church planting and equipping Christians for ministry.

Mike has felt so privileged to work through “Building on Firm Foundations” material with church leaders. His focus continues to be to assist them to “teach at a worldview level” as they  go about leading others to Christ and discipling them in Truth.  This month Antonio was the first to take a bold step and teach through lesson 5 of “Building on Firm Foundations.”

Trisha continues to serve with the women of our church in the organization of the children’s program during our first Missions Conference. She also oversees the NTM Paraguay’s Resource Dept. and is scouring for internet for good missions-related materials in Spanish.

During our travels we took time out as a family to visit one of the world’s largest hydroelectric dams: Itaipu.

Update on Elvio

Elvio (the Pai Tavytera man we wrote about last month), after much delay received his surgery on his spine and is back home in his community. It was great to see God’s people rally around him by providing walls around his house, a wheelchair, food, clothing, a bed, transportation and many other things!

Tidbits about our Children

Michael, though he doesn’t look forward to traveling and getting car-sick, is always making new friends all over Paraguay and plays non-stop all day long. Languages are hard for Michael, but it never stops him from making friends!

Lea took on the challenge of making brownies for a group of 25 people!

Kaleb loves to help his mommy make pizza each Friday for lunch. This month while Mike was gone on a trip, each one of the children got to make their own personalized pizza, starting with the dough!

Psalms 47:8  God reigneth over the heathen: God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness.

“God is King over all the nations”; a truth that encourages us as we maintain our focus to “equip the saints for ministry”. We appreciate each and every one of you that stand behind us in support of what God is doing here in Paraguay! Your faithful support enables us to focus a tremendous amount of time and energy into the lives of people in this region of the world.

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

and how you can connect on a daily basis with the Goddards!

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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 >>

Read about Ministry Highlights, Children’s Corner,  Culture Snippet,

Paraguay Bicentennial, Mike & Trisha celebrating 10 years together, and Prayer Requests.

>> Ministry Highlights

Mike completed his 3rd month of teaching and training of Pastors and church leaders. One man commented, “for the first time in the 15 years of coming to this course do I feel like I’m genuinely understanding what is being taught”. Although these leaders are bi-lingual in both Spanish and Guarani, Mike is teaching Biblical truths in their heart language: Guarani.

The “Missions Promoters” program that Mike has been developing has been officially adopted by a large association of local churches.

To our delight, the local church that we belong to in Asuncion has decided to organize their very first Missions Conference in August! Our church is celebrating their 8 year anniversary this year and is ready to take their ministry to the next level in both local and missions ministries. Mike has been helping with the planning and preparations of this new endeavor.

>> Children’s Corner

During Paraguay’s Bicentennial celebrations in May, Lea and her friends at school performed a colorful and folkloric Paraguayan dance. Michael also practiced very hard at school to learn a traditional Paraguayan dance which he performed enthusiastically during the Bicentennial celebrations held in May. We praise the Lord that Kaleb is no longer finding the Spanish language as an obstacle for “being himself” in school.

>> Culture Snippet

A Paraguayan friend recently share with me the following story: “My father had a leg injury and was told by the local ‘specialist’ to find an old, dry bone from the skeleton of a dog; specifically from the dog’s back leg. He was then to take the bone, and in the name of Saint Roque, hit his leg several times for healing. After my father’s leg healed, he ‘owed’ Saint Roque a big debt, so he killed 4 of our best roosters, cooked them up in a delicious meal, put the food in a container and begin walking down the road. As he walked, he would break off a juicy piece of chicken and feed any dog that he encountered along the way. In this way he ‘paid back his debt’ to Saint Roque, the patron saint of dogs”.

>> Other News Highlights

PARAGUAY’S BICENTENNIAL: During Paraguay’s Bicentennial celebrations in May, we took some time out as a family to see the sights, photograph events, and experience this historical moment in Paraguayan history.

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS: On May 26th we celebrated our 10th anniversary. We praise God that we can enjoy serving Him together. You can see a few pictures of our wedding by clicking here >>> and a basic timeline of where God has had them these 10 years here >>>

>> Please Pray for:

- The Missions Promoter program.

- Paraguayan churches’ role in tribal church planting.

- Coworkers to share the work load.

- Wisdom in raising our children.

Check out more of Mike’s photography by clicking here >>>