“You are good and do good; teach me your statutes.” Psalm 119:68
Hard to believe that one year ago we arrived in Ciudad del Este, Paraguay and began ministry on the field. All parts of the missionary process are important steps and each is its own ministry. We were excited for each step in the ministry but were most excited to step foot into the foreign field as full-time missionaries!
Time really has just flown by since we arrived in Paraguay. As we sat and reflected around the dining room table about the last year and key moments of the last year it was great hearing each of the kids and their perspective. If you would like a little look into their perspective and favorite parts, please don’t miss the opportunity to watch the video on our YouTube channel linked below. It will give just a brief look at what caught the kids attention from year number one.
Our first year went about as good as we thought. Sure we had the occasional surprise flood to clean up, new bug to deal with and language mishaps, but overall our first year was great. We got to spend time as a family adapting to life in Paraguay, the kids got to complete a whole school year in one home, and we got to start into some different ministry opportunities. This made for a full first year.
Many of you know that I (Jared) was able to start working with the leadership in development of future leaders. We began a leadership group to strengthen the local church and to work as a team in the ministry. We also have formed a church planting team. This team includes Pastor Juan Carlos Escobar, Missionary Felix and me. This year we plan to meet and discuss more roles and responsibilities as we move forward with church planting. We have had a couple of guys express interest in planting church and are working through discipleship.
As we progress forward into our second year we are excited for what lies ahead. We have begun talking about the Bible Institute and how to reinitiate this ministry. Please keep this in your prayers as we would like to start in August if we can get things organized, otherwise we will postpone until the new year to give ourselves enough time to organize. The leadership has met a few times about this theme and are putting together a plan to begin classes soon.
Other events on the radar. We have some special visitors coming to stay with us for a few weeks this next week. Please pray for safety as they travel, and also for the sweet reunion with family! We have also begun to prepare for the missionary training camp. Please continue to pray for this ministry and its impact on the youth of local churches.
Please continue to pray for Club de Ninos and for the little souls that come. We know they hear the gospel every week but please pray for their understanding. We have also had many new kids come and it has been great to take part in their lives. Also pray for those in the group that the leadership would be strengthened!
Thank you so much for allowing us to serve the people of Paraguay. Thank you for your faithful prayers, encouragement, and support. We are blessed!
Jaha Paraguay Pe,
The Loucks Family
Loucks 2 Paraguay 