Randy and Laurie Steel Equipping missionaries for work with indigenous groups in Paraguay Praise and Prayer – November 2011
URGENT REQUEST:
There is a DESPERATE need for a General Director at the Asuncion Christian Academy where some of our NTM MKs attend and where Laurie is the NTM Paraguay representative and chairwoman of the school board.
We need someone by next semester or at the latest, by the fall 2012 semester. PLEASE PRAY WITH US.
*** For information, send an email to Laurie at mydoglady2@gmail.com.***
Here are our current items for Praise and Prayer for November 2011.
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How we keep busy…
We’re fully into our spring weather here in the southern hemisphere. It isn’t too hot yet, but we know it won’t be long in coming.
Stages of ministry…
It is amazing the work we see the Lord doing in lives here in Paraguay… tribal believers, local churches, and missionaries as well.
On Oct. 14th we held a get together to thank the pastors and brethren the 10 churches that are currently partnering with us in preparing new missionaries for future ministry among the tribal people of Paraguay. Each missionary personally introduced those who came from their church and thanked them for the help they’ve given. The churches were also updated on where NTM Paraguay is currently working, what is happening in those works, and presented anew with the areas we hope to go into in the future.
Thinking of the work here, let me give you a brief look at what is happening in some of the various stages of ministry here in Paraguay… areas of ministry we’re preparing missionaries for. Let’s get a glimpse at Arrival, Equipping, Exposure, Preparation, Fruit, and ultimately… Hope .
Reminder: Death never takes a holiday…
Laurie, Laura, and I were reminded of this as we headed to the interior of the country to attend the funeral of a friend of ours who died in an motorcycle accident. We went to be with the family, with a huge burden in our hearts since, as far as we know, the lady had never chosen to trust in Christ and his sacrifice on the cross.
A reminder once again of the need for reaching the lost and why it is so vital that those who have the message of salvation know how to clearly and understandably share it in the language and culture of those who don’t yet have or understand it .
Strengthening and encouraging the disciples
“Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith.” – Acts 14:21b-22a NIV
On February 12th I got a chance to travel with Mike Goddard, Bryson White, and his Paraguayan friend, out to visit the Aché colony where we used to live to celebrate with them the dedication of their new church building. Though it had been raining for days, we were able to make it into the Aché colony in spite of the very slick roads and mud. It was great to see friends again who I had not seen in many years. Laurie and I worked among the Aché from 1989-1994. If you’d like to take a look at a short video of the trip, that Bryson put together, go to http://vimeo.com/20497853 .
“For we are God’s fellow workers…”
“For we are God’s fellow workers…”
1 Corinthians 3:9
Friday, December 10, 2010
Around 90 people attended the Appreciation Dinner for the Host Churches.
I never cease to be amazed a what God is doing in the world and how he give his children the privilege of working together and being involved in the work He is accomplishing in peoples lives.
On December 3rd we had the opportunity to host a special dinner for all the Pastors and their families and Host Families from the Host Churches that are partnering with us in further equipping the new missionaries to Paraguay as well as others who are directly involved in helping the missionaries with learning language and culture. There were just under 90 who attended from seven local churches. We used the time to thanks them for their partnership with us, encourage them with what the Lord is doing among tribal people in Paraguay, and also allow them to connect with other churches that are involved ministering as Host Churches. It was a great night.
Randy and Laurie with the pastor and Host Family from Jason Walton's Host Church
One church was represented who’s missionary hasn’t even arrived yet. Their missionary, Jason Walton, arrived last night, Thursday, Dec. 9th.
Keep me in prayer as I continue to develop relationships with the Host Churches, pastors, and Host Families. I need to find four more Host Churches over the next few months, the most urgent being needing a Host Church for Jessica Erkfitz who will arrive in Paraguay the end of January.
Have a blessed Christmas and New Years!
When anyone hears the word and does not understand it…
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Matthew 13:19 relates how Jesus, in his Parable of the Sower, said, ” When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside.”
This is one of the many passages in scripture that mention the need for understanding of the message, not just “hearing” it.
There were five of us from three different mission organizations in Paraguay, who attended the ICLL7
With this in mind, the end of September I had the opportunity to attend the 7th International Congress on Language Learning, in Colorado Springs, Colorado. It was an encouraging and helpful time getting together with other Language Consultants and Coaches to learn form each other how to best help and equip missionaries that are ministering cross-culturally and in other languages. If missionaries are going to teach the Bible in a way the people understand it, the missionaries themselves must first understand well the people’s language and culture.