Iglesia Anglicana Paraguaya,
Casilla 1124,
Asuncion,
Paraguay

email: jellison@pla.net.py

October 13th 2003

Dear All,

The monthly Prayer Calendar will have kept most of you up to date with life in Paraguay, but our apologies to those who don't receive it and are still awaiting news! It's been a fast moving and very full year so far!

Judie moved fast, as she fell from a badly hung Paraguayan hammock on Mother's Day - May 14th - cracking one or two bones in her shoulder blade! The idea was a peaceful lunch and an hours rest after all the guests had departed from the house. It has taken longer than we thought to fully recover, and she has had problems also with high blood pressure, but is now "back to normal", although trying to pace herself a little more in the hot, sticky weather.

EJE (Youth Encounter in the Spirit) has moved fast too, with two weekends taking place in St. Andrew's School and another one based on a local church in the Roque Alonso district. There were young people taking part from most of the Asuncion churches and it was a tremendous blessing to both parents and young people. It has also begun to overcome barriers between the wealthier St. Andrew's students and those from less wealthy backgrounds.
For Rosie & Patrick it's been a very busy time, with follow up groups & Bible studies continuing from previous EJE weekend, plus all the preparations for the others, plus school classes, plus church & diocesan commitments and plus...yes! - another baby on the way! Now 4 months on, we think they are recovering from the surprise.

The Marriage Encounter weekends (EMA) continue to fulfil a tremendous need both to enhance marriages and give a framework where forgiveness and reconciliation can take place. As with EJE , the follow up groups provide an ongoing support and encouragement.

The Enxet translation project moved on to a new stage with the Inauguration of the new Translation office in Rio Verde, Chaco on February 28th. Tim Curtis now has his 3 translators - Martin, Juan & Asuncion - living on the diocesan sit in Rio Verde, that forms part of the Anglican Centre. The translator's families have settled in well to their new surroundings and although Asuncion contracted TB it was dealt with early on, and he is now able to continue his work. The team are now beginning their first check of the translation work done on Genesis, Joshua and Judges.

Our studies on God's purposes for his church ( using Rick Warren's book "The Purpose driven church") have moved on too. Each local congregation has been studying the biblical principles of what the church is here for and bringing together a vision statement for their particular area. It has given us a great framework within which we can evaluate what is happening ( without feeling too defensive!) and encourages us to try and get a better balance in worship, evangelism, discipleship, fellowship and service within our church life. We've a long way to go but we are moving forward.
We will soon have our Diocesan Synod - Oct. 23-26 which gives us space to share the vision of God's purposes for the church with all the delegates as well as get up to date with each other's news.

Several SAMS Mission Partners have moved in or moved on. Jo Roper and David Duke fell in love during the 2002 Latino Experience visit and are now married and live in Northern Ireland. Alison Crawford has arrived to join the team in Concepcion, Lisa Hall has come to teach in the Secondary department of St. Andrew's School through Latin Link and Andy & Jo Persson & their family arrive soon to teach in the Primary & Pre primary departments.
We've enjoyed many visits from parents of mission partners; also from Peter and Jackie Nunn (SAMS Gen. Council), from Bishop Robinson Cavalcanti from Recife sharing on our Christian responsibility in politics and public life prior to the Paraguayan General Elections ( the talks are soon to be published); from Southern Cone bishops & Provincial Exececutive members for their annual Provincial meeting this time in Asuncion; and in July & August from the 15 strong Project Paraguay team led by Phil Grainger.

This Anglo/Irish group did a fantastic work both in the Chaco, completing the central church building in El Estribo community - and in Concepcion, where they were able to build a church in Colonia San Juan (60 kms away) and begin the work for a Regional Centre there, which can be used by the Concepcion church and the annexe churches linked to it. As if that wasn't enough, they also bought a secondhand 4 x 4 vehicle and donated it to bishop Andres as his 14 year old Nissan literally ground to a halt. Incredible timing and an answer to prayer.

Of course we have been affected in Paraguay by all that is happening in the worldwide Anglican Communion and John was glad to take part in the EFAC ( Evangelical Fellowship of the Anglican Communion) Conference in Limuru, Kenya, together with bishop Andres, pastor Cefe & indigenous pastor Elvio. It was such a privilege for them to meet with delegates from over 27 countries and affirm our diocesan commitment to biblical orthodox belief and behaviour. John has appeared in the media here and has sent a pastoral letter to all our congregations assuring them of our commitment to biblical truth and practice. We fully support the initiatives of Anglican Mainstream and are praying for the Primates' meeting soon to take place in the UK with the Archbishop of Canterbury.

In September we were able to take on another diocesan employee as Liaison Person for Chaco & Rural Affairs. Osvaldo Recalde has the experiences, gifts and spiritual maturity which are needed for this work and it has already made a great difference to us both, as he oversees indigenous patients in hospital in Asuncion, the needs in the Chaco schools and churches, the daily radio contact and receiving indigenous visitors to the city. He has accompanied John on weekends in the Chaco, taking the load from Judie with regard to the catering and organization involved. He is a very practical man, so vehicles and buildings, especially in the Anglican Centre in Rio Verde, now have greater care and control. His salary has been covered by a donation for the next 8 months and we look to the Lord for future funding.
His appointment ties in well with our own personal needs to scale down our involvement, especially in travel, and consider prayerfully, in as far as it corresponds to us, how to prepare for the future leadership of the diocese. Retirement could happen before or from the end of 2005, but we are open to God's guidance and that of our colleagues here in Paraguay as to when we "move on".

There will be a lot of movement in December when we have a family "get together" in Brazil. We celebrate our 40th Wedding Anniversary on January 4th , which is also Jessica's 7th birthday, and therefore with other birthdays on Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, together with Christmas itself, we have a lot to celebrate!! It will mean a 24 hour bus journey from Asuncion to the coast but it will be worth it. Richard will take advantage of a 2 week winter holiday from his teaching post in London to be with us and change winter to summer. Liz, Hugh, Maia and Oscar are able to come for 5 weeks so can therefore visit Paraguay as well and get really sunburnt! A truly special occasion for us all!

It has been good to receive news from many of you this year. Please let us know if you now have an email address so that it's easier to stay in touch. Your prayers and interest for us and the ministry here are really appreciated.

With our love as always,

John and Judie.