STARTING THIS SATURDAY – 1 week missions trip from May 26-June 2!

PRAYER REQUESTS:

(1) ACERCATE short term missions trip to the Pai tribe
(2) The preparations for the trip
(3) For Mike and Samuel, who will be teaching Ephesians in the Pai church during that week.
(4) For the 5 students from Rio Grande Bible Institute in Texas, who are on the ACERCATE trip
(5) For the leaders: Mike and Trisha Goddard and Samuel Recalde
(6) Good health
(7) Good weather

Praise:

1. For a mission organization named SIM, who loaned Jocky, a videographer from Scotland, to NTM Paraguay to help do a missions video project in Spanish.
2. For the safety in all the traveling done during April (to Argentina and throughout different areas of Paraguay).
3. For the wonderful week that Trisha and their children had in Amambay with Mike’s family while Mike traveled to the Chaco.
4. For Paraguayan friends – who encourage the Goddards!

Prayer Requests:

1. Wisdom and guidance from the Lord as Mike and Trisha raise their children and train them to walk in truth.
2. For their lives to reflect Christ and that all they do will honor and glorify Him.
3. For Trisha, who is homeschooling Michael (3^rd grade), Lea (2^nd grade), and Kaleb (Kindergarten).
4. For the video project – as Mike and Jocky as they put the video together during the next 2 months.
5. For the Goddards, who are co-leading an ACERCATE short term missions trip of 5 people the end of May with their coworker, Samuel. They will be going to the Amambay region, staying in a close town (where Trisha and their children will stay to do meal preparation, homeschooling, etc). Mike, Samuel, and the team will be interacting with a Pai village on a daily basis. Mike and Samuel will be teaching a Bible course a few hours each day to the tribal church in Guarani, and they will all be working with the Pai to do a small church project.
6. For the Goddards as they serve in Mobilization with the Recalde family.
7. For the Mobilization team and the different ministry projects that have been laid out for this year.
8. For the Goddards to stay healthy during the cold season.

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

Praise:

1. For the opportunity that the Goddards had to build new relationships and spend time with 2 churches on the Paraguay/Brazilian border the middle of March.
2. For the opportunity that Mike had to teach church leaders the 1^st lesson on the book of Ephesians the end of March.
3. For the Goddard children, who are great homeschool students!
4. For Gabi, who taught the Goddard children Spanish through exercise and music for 3 weeks.
5. For the opportunity for Mike to serve as the main photographer in their Paraguayan friends’ wedding the end of March.

Prayer Requests:

1. Wisdom and guidance from the Lord as Mike & Trisha raise their children and train them to walk in truth.
2. For their lives to reflect Christ and that all they do will honor and glorify Him.
3. For Trisha, who is homeschooling Michael, Lea, and Kaleb.
4. For the Mobilization team as we prepare for the monthly missions emphasis meeting ACERCATE.
5. For safety in travels:
   (a) for Mike as he goes to Argentina this week for a Leader’s Missions Conference.
   (b) for Mike as he travels to different areas of Paraguay in mid-April to take video footage for a new video promo of NTM Paraguay and the ministry with another missionary.
   (c) for the Goddards as they go to a town 2 ½ hours away end of April, where Mike will be teaching church leaders in Guarani the 2^nd lesson of Ephesians.
6. For the Goddards as they serve in Mobilization with the Recalde family.
7. For the Goddards who are co-leading an ACERCATE short term missions trip the end of May with their coworker, Samuel.
8. For the Mobilization team and the different ministry projects that have been laid out for this year.
9. For the Goddards to stay healthy during the fall season.

Praise:

1. For the opportunity that Mike and Samuel had to go visit two Pai villages this past weekend.
2. For  3 weeks of a lighter schedule (after being gone for a month) and the opportunity to catch up on ministry responsibilities, time with friends and coworkers, house projects, and time as a family.
3. For a great family celebration for Trisha’s birthday (Feb. 26).
4. For skype-to-skype free calls with family in the USA.

Prayer Requests:

1. Wisdom and guidance from the Lord as Mike & Trisha raise their children and train them to walk in truth.
2. For their lives to reflect Christ and that all they do will honor and glorify Him.
3. For Trisha, who is homeschooling Michael, Lea, and Kaleb and as she finds creative ways for them to learn more Spanish and interact with different children.
4. For the Mobilization team as we prepare for the monthly missions emphasis meeting.
5. For Mike, who has speaking engagements on March 8, March 17, and March 18.
6. For safety in the Goddards’ travels.
7.  For the Goddards as they serve in Mobilization and oversee the different ministry projects that have been laid out for this year.
8. For the Goddards to stay healthy as there is a lot of dengue fever cases again.

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

Praise:
1. For new coworkers in dpto. ENLACE: Samuel and Tracy Recalde.
2. For the opportunity to challenge over 300 youth at a 5 day youth camp and spend time with new friends.
3. For a great ACERCATE team, good health, safety, team unity, and finances to build the Pai church, Iglesia Nueva Cristiana.
4. For the missionary team, who gave of their time, energy, resources, and place to call “home” for the team of 19 during the building of the Pai church, Iglesia Nueva Cristiana.
5. For Mike, who celebrated his birthday on Jan. 27th with 30 people at “Odie’s Hut.” Thanks to their sister-in-law, Odie, who made delicious homemade pizza and chocolate cookies.
6. For Lea, who celebrated her 8th birthday on Feb. 9th with the Goddard clan, Gugui (Paraguayan-Brazilian builder and friend), and Allison (Gugui’s Canadian fiancé). It was lots of fun and plenty of yummy food!

Prayer Requests:
1. Wisdom and guidance from the Lord as Mike & Trisha raise their children and train them to walk in truth.
2. For their lives to reflect Christ and that all they do will honor and glorify Him.
3. For Trisha, who is homeschooling Michael, Lea, and Kaleb. They began their studies again on February 12th.
4. For wisdom for Mike and Trisha as they layout goals for 2012 with their coworkers, Samuel and Tracy Recalde.
5. For the different ministry projects that the Goddards are involved in.

Praise:

1. For the opportunity to celebrate Christmas with Mike’s siblings and their families.
2. For Mike’s parents, who came to visit their children and grandchildren in Paraguay for 3 weeks.

Prayer Requests:

1. Wisdom and guidance from the Lord as Mike & Trisha raise their children and train them to walk in truth.
2. For their lives to reflect Christ and that all they do will honor and glorify Him.
3. For wisdom for Mike and Trisha as they serve in the different responsibilities that they are responsible for.
4. For Trisha, who is homeschooling Michael, Lea, and Kaleb.
5. For Mike & Trisha as they lead the Latin short term mission trip called ACERCATE. to the Pai and oversee the building of the Pai church.
6. For good health.
7. For safety in travels to the Chaco and the East side of Paraguay

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

I lift up my eyes to the hills- where does my help come from?  My help comes from the LORD , the Maker of heaven and earth.  He will not let your foot slip- he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.  The LORD watches over you- the LORD is your shade at your right hand;  the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.  The LORD will keep you from all harm- he will watch over your life;  the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. Psalms 121

Praise:

1. For the opportunity to serve the Paraguayan Christian community.
2. For the ACERCATE 2012 project that is now in full swing >> building a church for the Pai believers in a tribal location.
3. For Michael, Lea, and Kaleb, who are finishing up their school year at the Spanish Christian school mid- Nov and looking forward to being homeschooled with mom.

Prayer Requests:

1. Wisdom and guidance from the Lord as Mike & Trisha raise their children and train them to walk in truth.
2. For their lives to reflect Christ and that all they do will honor and glorify Him.
3. For wisdom for Mike and Trisha as they serve in the different responsibilities that they are responsible for.
4. For Trisha, who will be homeschooling their 3 children. Lord-willing, she is hoping to get 3-4 weeks of school in before the 2^nd week of December and start again end of February.
5. For Mike & Trisha as they lead 2 short term mission trips (ACERCATE) for 2 weeks each with approx. 12 Latin youth (end of January and beginning of February). These 2 teams will have a part in building a church for the Pai tribal people and see cross-cultural missions first-hand.
6. For good health.
7. For safety in travels.