In this monthly update:
Missions Conference in Cordoba, Argentina
Video Project
Short-term Missions Trip in May

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Missions Conference in Cordoba, Argentina

During Easter break, Mike was extended an invitation to represent the work of NTM in a missions conference in Cordoba, Argentina.  Discussion took place over the organization of a large youth missions rally for 2014.

It was a tremendous encouragement to see God raising up a multitude of Latin young people from countries such as Chile, Argentina, Paraguay, Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, and many other nationalities that were present.

Video Project

2 weeks of the month of April were dedicated to filming and photographing the ongoing ministries through NTM Paraguay. A partner organization in Paraguay generously donated the time of a professional videographer to work with Mike.

The multimedia team covered 2,600 kilometers (1,615 miles) of Paraguay, visited 4 tribes, and documented the multifaceted, cross-cultural ministry of tribal church planting in Paraguay.  Mike was pleased to donate his photography skills as well.

Trisha and the children stayed for a week with the church planting team among the Pai, where Mike’s brother, sister, and cousin work. She helped “hold down the fort” while the Team was busy teaching a week-long Bible study on the book of Romans.

Short-term Missions trip in May

Mike and his coworker Samuel will be leading a team of 5 for a short-term mission’s trip among the Pai Tavytera tribal people. The goal of the trip is to provide a cross-cultural experience for the 5 team members, and they will be doing a work project for the Pai church. Mike and Samuel also plan to teach a Bible course in the Pai church. Trisha and the children will be going along, and they will be staying at the guest house to serve the team by preparing meals and will continue to do their normal homeschooling materials. This trip will be a week-long at the end of May. Please be praying for the team, the leaders, and the Pai church.

Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.   Romans 15:13

Thank you for praying and supporting the Goddard family as they minister in Paraguay!

Mike & Trisha Goddard

In this Goddard Grapevine: (1) Ministry happening in March (2) Traveling to Argentina and (3) Children’s Corner

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Ministry happenings in March

In March, Mike and his coworker Samuel went to visit a Pai village to encourage the believers as well as to investigate the possibilities of taking a short term missions team there in May. It has been confirmed that the mobilization team will be leading an ACERCATE trip of 5 people from a Bible Institute in Texas.

The Goddards had the opportunity to speak in Damian and Claudio’s church. These 2 young men were on the ACERCATE trip in January. It was a wonderful time of sharing about missions with the church. We also had the opportunity to speak in Iglesia Bautista Sin Fronteras during their missions’ emphasis month.

Mike has the privilege to teach once again this year in CEMP’s Bible training for Pastors. He is very excited to be co-teaching the book of Ephesians in Guarani with, Samuel and Pastor Ramon. The leaders that they are teaching are hearing in their heart language truths regarding their position in Christ.

The Goddards had the privilege to be a part of Marcos and Blanca’s wedding the end of March. Marcos and his parents, Ramon and Marciana, are their adopted Paraguayan family. It was a joy for Mike to serve them by photographing the wedding along with an assistant photographer in training.

Traveling to Argentina

Please pray for safety as Mike travels to Argentina during Easter week for a youth conference. There will be approximately 200 missions leaders and youth volunteers attending, and they will spend 3 ½ days of fellowship and planning for a missions rally in 2014.

Children’s Corner

Michael, motivated by Lea finishing her 1st grade books, completed his 2nd grade books (10 days ahead of schedule), and he has now started 3rd grade. He loves math! Something new in 3rd grade are the “Speed Drills”, which he absolutely loves! He likes making his own video clips and editting them on the computer.

Lea is excited that she is now in 2nd grade. She loves music and has lessons in guitar with her. She enjoys coloring and baking cookies all by herself.

Kaleb’s Kindergarten consists of learning to read, writing neatly, math, and basic English grammar. He also joins Michael and Lea in their studies on health, science, and history. He loves to draw pictures of the family, play with his monkey “Bungle”, and help mom in the kitchen.

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Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade–kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.   1 Peter 1:3-5

May each of you have a wonderful Easter celebrating our Savior!

Mike & Trisha Goddard

Traveling this Weekend

Mike is traveling this weekend to two Pai tribal villages with their coworker, Samuel. They plan to spend time with a missionary team (Mike’s siblings and cousin) and during that time, also see the Pai believers and the Pai church that was recently built. Then, they will go to another location to spend time with the Pai believers, where Samuel and Tracy worked for many years.

Please pray for a safe trip and good time of fellowship with the Pai believers.

ACERCATE Monthly Missions Meeting

On Tuesday (March 6), Mike will be sharing about the Pai church project in the monthly ACERCATe missions meeting. Trisha and her coworker, Tracy, will be working together beforehand to send invitations to the Latin Christian community by email, Facebook, and text messages.

Please pray for the Mobilization team as they prepare and for those in attendance to be challenged to be a part of tribal missions!

Speaking Opportunity on Paraguayan/Brazilian border

In March, Mike will be speaking in two churches in a city 4 ½ hours from home.

Please pray for the Goddards as they travel and build new relationships.

Ministry

The Goddards praise the Lord that after a month of being gone for the youth camp and ACERCATE missions trip, they have been able to catch up on ministry responsibilities, spend time with their coworkers, do house projects, and enjoy time as a family.

Please continue to pray for Mike and Trisha as they serve in mobilization and oversee the different ministry projects that have been laid out for this year.

Homeschooling this year

Trisha and the children are enjoying homeschooling this year – Michael is in 3rd grade, Lea is in 2nd grade, and Kaleb is in Kindergarten. The childrens’ favorite day is Friday, because they get to play education games on the computer, do fun activities with mom, and spend time with their mk friends in the afternoon!

Please pray for Trisha as she is homeschooling and looks to find creative ways for their children to learn more Spanish and interact with other children.

Dengue Fever

The area where the  Goddards live has been flagged as a “red zone” for dengue fever (a virus-caused disease that is spread by mosquitoes).

Please pray that the Goddards stay healthy and do not get dengue.

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Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.        Philippians 4:6-7

:: 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 an article done by NTM: Pai Prayers Answered

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.