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

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.

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)

Praise:

1. For God’s continued provision for their needs.
2. That their children have a week vacation from school in October.

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 Mike as he prepares for different meetings with pastors and missions organizations.
4. For safety as the Goddards travel to 4 different cities this month (Encarnacion, General Aquino, Neuland, and Caaguazu).
5. For the different meetings throughout this month with Pastors and other Mission Organizations.
6. For the different ACERCATE short term mission trips that are being organized for 2012.
7. For the Latin Mobilization conference that will be held in Brazil in April 2012.
8. For the Ache tribal church and the Bible translation being done by LETRA Paraguay.
9. For students in Bible Institute or Missions Institute: Ronald & Melissa (training in Bolivia); Leonie  (training in Bolivia).

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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.

Praise:

1. For our children, who continue to do great in school and are learning a lot.
2. For the opportunity to build new relationships with people during the Youth Missions Camp in July.
3. For the time of fellowship with a Brazilian/Paraguayan missionary couple and also a Paraguayan missionary couple this past weekend during our time in Caaguazu.
4. For the plans that are coming together for the mobilization conference mid-next year in Brazil.

Prayer Requests:

1. Wisdom and guidance from the Lord as they raise their children and train them to walk in truth.
2. For Michael, Lea, and Kaleb, as they continue studying at the Paraguayan Christian school and that they will be godly examples to their classmates. Their school year ends in November.
3. For good health.
4. For their lives to reflect Christ and that all they do will honor and glorify Him.
5. For the ACERCATE mission-focused meeting overseen by Mike on August 2.
6. For Mike as he teaches in 3 different churches the 12 hour module course on Evangelism and Discipleship on Aug 5-7 (traveling 5 hours out of town), Aug. 12-14, & Aug. 19-21.
7. For Mike’s cousin, Wayne, who will be teaching Mike’s Chronological Bible classes the end of this month so that Mike can be a part of our 1^st Missions Conference at our church.
8. For Mike & Trisha as they works alongside the other missionary couples from their Paraguayan church to organize and prepare for their first Missions Conference from Aug. 26-28.
9. For Mike as he plans a trip to the training center in Bolivia sometime in September or October.
10. For Mike as he begins the preparations and scheduling for a Latin Mobilization conference in Brazil mid next year.
11. For the ministry of assisting other NTM mobilization ministries in Latin America.
12. For full time coworkers to help Mike and Trisha.

Praise the LORD; for the LORD is good: sing praises unto his name; for it is pleasant.

Psalms 135:3

Praise:

1. For the safety in our travels.
2. For the 7 years of ministry in Paraguay.
3. For the encouraging times of fellowship with Paraguayan believers.
4. For the opportunity to work with the other missionary couples from our Paraguayan church in organizing our 1st missions conference for the end of August.

Prayer Requests:

1. Wisdom and guidance from the Lord as they raise their children and train them to walk in truth.
2. For Michael, Lea, and Kaleb, as they continue studying at the Paraguayan Christian school and that they will be godly examples to their classmates.
3. For good health.
4. For their lives to reflect Christ and that all they do will honor and glorify Him.
5. For a missions camp that we will be participating in from July 11-13
6. For Mike, who is teaching the Chronological Bible series in Guarani (from Creation to Christ) the last weekend of July. He has 15 Christian leaders in his class.
7. For Mike & Trisha as they works alongside the other missionary couples from their Paraguayan church to organize their first Missions Conference for the end of August.
8. For Mike as he plans a trip to the training center in Bolivia sometime this year.
9. For Mike as he begins the preparations and scheduling for a Latin Mobilization conference in Brazil mid next year.
10. For the ministry of assisting other NTM mobilization ministries in Latin America.
11. For full time coworkers to help Mike and Trisha.