Linn’s News June 2009
Thanks for your prayers over the past month. In response there has been a lot of rain here in Asuncion and in the Chaco this past week, (some very heavy), which has put water in the cisterns and has wet the land, creating very muddy roads. The Indians are very happy with what they have now. They should be OK for a while now, so praise be to God. It will also mean that a planned trip by students from school to the Chaco may now take place in June.
The Church
A couple of weeks ago a special evening service was held in the Cathedral for the young people’s congregation. Twenty seven people publicly declared their faith and became confirmed into the Anglican church. Bishop Peter confirmed them. In effect this was the planting of a new church, which is exciting news.
Also there has been a visit from John Wigfield who came over from UK to talk about our relationship with God, the planet and the poor. It made a great impact on everyone, especially the young people.
The Schools
The children have been very busy with exams this month and the staff has been busy preparing and marking. They then have reports to write.
One group of students (a mix from grades six, seven and eight) has been very fortunate to be selected to attend a Friendship Sports Festival in Brazil. They had a thirty hour bus journey to get there.
The news is that they have done well, having lots of fun and they were an example of good behaviour to the other schools there. We are very proud of them. They are due back this weekend.
A family at the Annexe School has suffered terribly as a result of thunderstorms last Saturday night. The rain was so heavy that it washed away the ground where their house stood. It was a brick built house and it collapsed. Also a gas bottle exploded. The family of five, from the poor Chacarita area, is in hospital, some with horrible burns and other injuries. They lost just about everything so we put out an appeal among our school families in order to help them.
This Friday some of our Primary children set up a cake stall to raise money and the Primary staff invited parents to a breakfast of coffee and Mbeyu to raise funds. The family needs to buy medicines as the hospital has run out of many medicines which are needed. Their eighteen year old son is not insured so there will be probably be medical bills to pay.
The Country
There have been ongoing problems for President Lugo. He is receiving so much criticism for not delivering on the promises that he made in his manifesto. In fact he and the government have been working hard for the poor but some people consider that it is not enough.
Lino Oviedo has been extremely critical of Lugo. In return Lino Oviedo has been branded as a liar and his list of crimes was listed on the news by a politician…… So the political mud-slinging continues.
Prayer Points:-
1. We give thanks and praise to the Lord for his provision of rain in the Chaco during this “dry season”. Please pray for regular steady rainfall now so that crops will grow. They do not need more ‘heavy’ rainfall or they will be facing floods like they had ten years ago.
2. Give thanks for the people who have made a commitment to the Lord and the church. Pray for the Sunday evening young people’s congregation to go from strength to strength. Pray for suitable books and educational material to be found to encourage them in their walk with the Lord. Pray for wisdom for the Leadership team as Patrick Butler will be leaving soon.
3. Give thanks that our young students have set a good example on their travels to Brazil. Please pray for other students here to feel proud of them and for them to learn from that example.
4. Caroline Gilmour-White has begun the task of trying to sort out the Diocesan library. She is in need of fresh, new books and materials. Please pray for the Lord to provide resources. The material needs to be in Spanish.
5. Please pray for President Lugo and his government as they move forward to help the poor. Pray that the funds necessary to fulfil promises will be found. Pray for wisdom for the government.
Linn Tedman, Colegio San Andres, Casilla 1124, Asuncion, Paraguay, South America. Information on http://www.samsgb.org/people/documents/tedman.pdf If you wish to support my work through SAMS please contact Philip Tadman (Financial Secretary), Allen Gardiner Cottage, Pembury Road, TUNBRIDGE WELLS, Kent TN2 3QU (email finsec@samsgb.org).
