Linn’s News January 2011
Thanks to everybody who has been praying for me. God has been wonderful to me with His answers. This has been one of my most testing times since I have been here, but my Heavenly Father has been with me all the way.
For those who do not know, I fell on the first day of our school holidays and I broke my right arm badly enough to require surgery. (I am right-handed.)
I also damaged muscles around my left hip and leg. This put paid to all my plans for a much-needed holiday away from Asuncion.
All my British colleagues went back to England on deputation. As I live alone I was totally dependent on the Lord to provide all that I needed by way of help. The Lord is full of surprises! Paraguayan colleagues, whom I hardly knew, came to my assistance and are now good friends. Nurse Beryl Baker, who normally works in the Chaco, was around to help me soon after I came out of hospital. My American friend, Sharon, who lives opposite has been around almost every day to keep me laughing. Lorenzo, one of the school maintenance team has sneaked in when I have not been looking and he has kept an eye on my garden for me. I have wanted for nothing and I have felt so humbled and so loved.
Four weeks later, I am now making good progress and I should be able to return to school on time. I was extremely tired at the end of last year, but I have had enforced rest. God knows best. Although I have felt frustrated, doing my normal travelling and hiking would probably have exhausted me physically.
I had a different kind of Christmas and New Year, quiet but good. I also had a lovely time celebrating my birthday, with lunch in a nice restaurant with Sharon. To my delight one of my pupils even came over and sang to me.
Normally I spend part of my holiday preparing for the year ahead. I also Spring clean the flat. This time I had planned all my school work before the term ended. I could not clean the flat so the Lord sent a lovely lady to clean and iron for me. I have been able to really relax (to the point of boredom). The weather has been very hot and humid so I have been stuck indoors in the air-conditioning, but I am not complaining.
Having time on my hands has meant that I have been able to become a little more involved with Sharon’s ministry. She has a house down the road that was a drug rehabilition centre for men. Now the ministry has changed and the house is a home for teenage girls sent by the courts. They are there for a variety of reasons but they are all damaged and suffering emotional pain. I spent New Year with some of them. They have found it difficult settling into our church, but hopefully I can be a bridge to help them to get to know people.
Some of the recovering drug addicts have also been visiting Sharon. I already knew some, whom I had spoken to in church on occasions and for whom I prayed. I have also had the opportunity to meet and pray with others recently. Two shared their sad stories. They are “damaged” lads, who are struggling with their habits. They are desperate for Jesus to help them to fight their way out of the trap into which they have fallen. At Sharon’s they experience the Lord’s love and compassion. Many tears are shed as they come to know Him more through Bible studies.
The churches
The church pastors have been taking a holiday through January so the English chapel has been closed. However, there has been a morning service in the cathedral each week.
The country
Over the Christmas period there has been a dramatic increase in drug related crime.
The recession is biting hard in Paraguay as poor people are losing jobs. Prices are constantly rising at an alarming rate. Some people have been desperate. I have met people I know, cleaning car windscreens at traffic lights in order to put food on the table for their families. Also, there seem to be more children working on the streets. In contrast, some export businesses are booming as Paraguayan prices are lower than Brazil.
This year the country celebrates the 200th year of Paraguayan independence from Spain. It started with a wonderful show in the square next to the Congress building, depicting the history and culture of Paraguay.
Prayer points
Give thanks to Jesus, for his faithfulness, love and care of each of us wherever we are.
Pray for President Lugo and his government in this 200th year of celebrations. Pray for the economy to be boosted as more tourists visit to shop in Paraguay. Pray for wisdom for the government. Pray for the needs of the poor to be met each day.
Pray for all the Anglican churches as we work together in unity to bring the Good news to others. Pray that we can reach out and that there will be growth as more people come to know the Lord’s love in their lives. Pray that more will trust the Lord for their daily needs. Pray for wisdom and encouragement for Bishop Peter and his wife Sally as they lead the churches here.
Pray for the children and staff of St. Andrew’s school as the holidays end and a new academic year begins. Pray for everybody to return refreshed and pray for stamina and good health as we face the coming year. We will be busy with 200th anniversary celebrations as well as the normal curriculum.
Finally, please pray for my health and strength this coming year. Each year I seem to struggle more with the difficult climate. Pray for my hip to be healed sufficiently for me to cope with walking to and from school and managing the stairs round school.
“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord is the rock eternal.” Isaiah 26:3,4
More detailed news of my exploits can be found on my blogsite:- http://www.linninpy.blogspot.com/
Email:- ltedman@hotmail.com
Thanks to everybody who has been praying for me. God has been wonderful to me with His answers. This has been one of my most testing times since I have been here, but my Heavenly Father has been with me all the way.
For those who do not know, I fell on the first day of our school holidays and I broke my right arm badly enough to require surgery. (I am right-handed.)
I also damaged muscles around my left hip and leg. This put paid to all my plans for a much-needed holiday away from Asuncion.All my British colleagues went back to England on deputation. As I live alone I was totally dependent on the Lord to provide all that I needed by way of help. The Lord is full of surprises! Paraguayan colleagues, whom I hardly knew, came to my assistance and are now good friends. Nurse Beryl Baker, who normally works in the Chaco, was around to help me soon after I came out of hospital. My American friend, Sharon, who lives opposite has been around almost every day to keep me laughing. Lorenzo, one of the school maintenance team has sneaked in when I have not been looking and he has kept an eye on my garden for me. I have wanted for nothing and I have felt so humbled and so loved.
Four weeks later, I am now making good progress and I should be able to return to school on time. I was extremely tired at the end of last year, but I have had enforced rest. God knows best. Although I have felt frustrated, doing my normal travelling and hiking would probably have exhausted me physically.
I had a different kind of Christmas and New Year, quiet but good. I also had a lovely time celebrating my birthday, with lunch in a nice restaurant with Sharon. To my delight one of my pupils even came over and sang to me.
Normally I spend part of my holiday preparing for the year ahead. I also Spring clean the flat. This time I had planned all my school work before the term ended. I could not clean the flat so the Lord sent a lovely lady to clean and iron for me. I have been able to really relax (to the point of boredom). The weather has been very hot and humid so I have been stuck indoors in the air-conditioning, but I am not complaining.
Having time on my hands has meant that I have been able to become a little more involved with Sharon’s ministry. She has a house down the road that was a drug rehabilition centre for men. Now the ministry has changed and the house is a home for teenage girls sent by the courts. They are there for a variety of reasons but they are all damaged and suffering emotional pain. I spent New Year with some of them. They have found it difficult settling into our church, but hopefully I can be a bridge to help them to get to know people.
Some of the recovering drug addicts have also been visiting Sharon. I already knew some, whom I had spoken to in church on occasions and for whom I prayed. I have also had the opportunity to meet and pray with others recently. Two shared their sad stories. They are “damaged” lads, who are struggling with their habits. They are desperate for Jesus to help them to fight their way out of the trap into which they have fallen. At Sharon’s they experience the Lord’s love and compassion. Many tears are shed as they come to know Him more through Bible studies.
The churches
The church pastors have been taking a holiday through January so the English chapel has been closed. However, there has been a morning service in the cathedral each week.
The country
Over the Christmas period there has been a dramatic increase in drug related crime.
The recession is biting hard in Paraguay as poor people are losing jobs. Prices are constantly rising at an alarming rate. Some people have been desperate. I have met people I know, cleaning car windscreens at traffic lights in order to put food on the table for their families. Also, there seem to be more children working on the streets. In contrast, some export businesses are booming as Paraguayan prices are lower than Brazil.
This year the country celebrates the 200th year of Paraguayan independence from Spain. It started with a wonderful show in the square next to the Congress building, depicting the history and culture of Paraguay.
Prayer points
Give thanks to Jesus, for his faithfulness, love and care of each of us wherever we are.
Pray for President Lugo and his government in this 200th year of celebrations. Pray for the economy to be boosted as more tourists visit to shop in Paraguay. Pray for wisdom for the government. Pray for the needs of the poor to be met each day.
Pray for all the Anglican churches as we work together in unity to bring the Good news to others. Pray that we can reach out and that there will be growth as more people come to know the Lord’s love in their lives. Pray that more will trust the Lord for their daily needs. Pray for wisdom and encouragement for Bishop Peter and his wife Sally as they lead the churches here.
Pray for the children and staff of St. Andrew’s school as the holidays end and a new academic year begins. Pray for everybody to return refreshed and pray for stamina and good health as we face the coming year. We will be busy with 200th anniversary celebrations as well as the normal curriculum.
Finally, please pray for my health and strength this coming year. Each year I seem to struggle more with the difficult climate. Pray for my hip to be healed sufficiently for me to cope with walking to and from school and managing the stairs round school.
“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord is the rock eternal.” Isaiah 26:3,4
More detailed news of my exploits can be found on my blogsite:- http://www.linninpy.blogspot.com/
Email:- ltedman@hotmail.com
