Dear Friends and Family,

 

We are thankful to each of you for your faithful prayers and financial support on our behalf.  As we strive to serve the Lord faithfully here in Paraguay, we recognize that we cannot do it without you holding the ropes for us.  As Paul told the Philippians “Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account,” we also know that everything that is accomplished here is to God’s honor and as fruit to your account.

The Spring Bible Institute semester has been underway now for almost two months.  I (Jim) continue teaching a new-believers discipleship course on Monday evenings and have also been teaching Sunday school to the whole church.  We have now moved our Friday night classes to Thursday so that men are free to go to the church plants on Friday evenings.  Please continue to pray that the men who are studying will be used greatly by the Lord to win their own countrymen to the Lord and serve as pastors and missionaries one day. With this in mind, we are starting to pray and survey the city for the right place to begin our next church-plant when we return from furlough. Will you pray along with us for God’s guidance as we search?

The new church in Caaguazú (The Ark Baptist Church) has settled in nicely to their new rented building and is seeing new people come weekly.  Living Waters Baptist Church in Arroyos y Esteros, while initially not seeing as many visitors, has now had new individuals/families each service over the last month and several have placed their trust in Christ for salvation.  Kari had the privilege to lead two sisters to the Lord last Saturday.  Leonora and Nilsa have been attending the church since it began over six months ago.  It was a thrill to see them convicted of their sinful condition and need for a Savior. Please pray for these new believers to remain faithful as they grow in their new walk with the Lord.

It is also a tremendous answer to prayer to report that Zuni received Christ as her Savior since our last prayer letter.  She still faithfully attends Kari’s weekly Bible study and now has a burden for her lost family members.  Please continue to pray for her Spiritual growth and her physical health as she battles metastatic breast cancer.

It is hard to believe Kari’s dad only has one month left of his three month visit.  We have enjoyed having him here.  He really loved getting to go see Iguazu Falls (one of the Seven Wonders of the World) a few weeks ago.  We will certainly miss him when he leaves.

 

Your Missionaries to Paraguay,

Jim and Kari Showers