Gracias....

Seems like all we can do these days is say "Gracias Dios."  

Gracias.... for His unconditional love and grace and protection.

Gracias....for family that sticks together.

Gracias...for friends who care.

We are so thankful for each and every one of you our supporters, who make our efforts possible here.

Our family counts each one of you that has prayed, encouraged, given, journeyed alongside, and loved a blessing and gift from God.   GRACIAS!

We want to wish you and your family a very happy Thanksgiving.  (Eat some yummy turkey for us, kay.) 

We love you,

Norberto, Julie and Timmy

Gratitude and Guilt for Having Hot Water

This month, our eighth anniversary here in Paraguay, we finally got hot water! 

I can finally wash white clothes without having to boil them.
I can wash greasy dishes and get them clean the first time.
I can take a shower that lasts for more than 30 seconds (our widow-maker electric shower device only got the water warm) and I had to heat up four kettles of water every night for our son's bath. 

We are all SO thankful that we now have hot water.

Now, why is it that I feel so guilty for having this luxury, when none of my neighbors do??  I'm struggling today between gratefulness and being undeservingly privileged.

This is my struggle many, many days.  

Announcing a Matching Grant Challenge!

This past week we received some very encouraging news.  Some friends of Paraguay are willing to match any gift given to the Leadership Training School up to $5,000 that is given before December 31st.

This is HUGE, friends.

That means that when you donate now, (Please preference your gift for Paraguay Bible School) a contribution of equal value comes from an anonymous source and effectively doubles the impact of your giving. If you give $100, it's matched by another $100 and the ministry receives a total of $200.

If you are considering a donation to help start this school to train up future Paraguayan Christian leaders, please don't think too hard!  We need your gift!  The reality of the approaching starting date (March 2011) is looming above our heads.  While we are not yet fretting about the lack of funds, we need more people to come on board with the vision to transform the next generation of Paraguayans with the love of Jesus.  We have our list of needs that the funds will be used for here: 

Now is a great time to give if you haven't done so yet, and a great time to give a little bit more if you can. We'd really like to raise all $5000 needed to max out our challenge grant, and every donation helps!

You can make checks payable to:

Missionary Ventures (preferenced for Paraguay Bible School)
5144 S. Orange Avenue
Orlando, FL 32809

All donations are tax-deductible. 

Thanks so much for your support!


Norberto and Julie

Paraguayan Elections

Countrywide, yesterday was Paraguay's municipal election.  As foreigners residing in Paraguay, we are able to vote for mayor and city officials.  We took that privilege to the voter booths.  Booths were open from 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. We went early to a Catholic high school a few blocks from us and were sent to the very last voting table (exclusively for foreigners) where there were no lines or waiting. We took two ballots to the private booth and deposited them in the clear bags in front of the table.

Then we had to dip our index finger in ink to ensure that we don't vote again!  Thankfully, the elections were peaceable this year.

We are praying that the new political leaders will fear God, will extinguish corruption and make wise decisions that will benefit the people of Paraguay.

Today is Orphan Sunday!

There are over 2500 orphans in Paraguay (I believe the numbers are much higher) and over 147 million children without parents in the world.  We are currently in the process of adopting a Paraguayan orphan and yesterday marked our year anniversary of waiting for that precious child to be a part of our family forever.

Today is Orphan Sunday.  

Orphan Sunday stands as a day specifically set apart to bring attention to God’s call for us to stand for the orphan. We are a people called to defend the fatherless, to care for the child who has no family, to visit orphans in their distress. Orphan Sunday is our opportunity as preadoptive families, adoptive families, and those who have hearts for children around the world to rouse the Church, our communities, and friends to God’s call to care for the orphan. It’s an opportunity for the Body to demonstrate what we are for instead of simply what we are against. What we are for is what God’s heart is for–and God’s heart is for the orphan both in an earthly sense as well as a spiritual sense.

Would you take a minute to pray for all the orphans that are suffering today?  Would you ask God how he would have you help care for orphans?  While you're at it, we would love to have you pray for an expedited answer to our prayers for our little one to come home.

Reunited and It Feels So Good

We're getting back to normal after recent events in our home.  We're sure thankful for all your prayers and we took extra time this week to really savor our family..

Together again and celebrating the simple things in life...

Timmy wrestles every night with his Papi. When they aren't wresting, they're creating something interesting.  Here they made a new lego invention...

Sandy wants to see too! 

 One of six lab puppies, isn't he adorable?  We'll be so sad to see them go!

Tomorrow we're continuing our recruiting schedule in the city of Naranjal.  Hope you have a great weekend and enjoy the simple things too!

Whom Shall I Fear?

I've been reflecting this week on the recent robbery I faced and I wanted to share a few more interesting details:

• I didn't have my cell phone with me when I went to bed the night before the attack.  My phone was charging in the kitchen, but I got a late night call from a friend and brought my phone to my nightstand, just close enough to reach when I was bound and gagged.

• My sister-in-law had her cell phone on silence when I made the phone call to her at 6:25 a.m.  However, at 6:22 she had to go to the restroom and when she came back to her bed she saw the flashing light on her cell phone with a new message.

• I was extremely calm and at peace during the entire ordeal.

• Our little guy remained asleep during shouting and more yelling (I'm still hoarse) and the dog barking and the crashing of chairs...you get the idea.  He still has no clue that a bad man was a few feet from him and did him no harm. He sensed something happened since we didn't sleep at home at night, but I just told him we're having a slumber party!

 Are those little things coincidences?

Nope. 

God was with us and guiding our rescue at every level.

I've wondered why this had to happen while my strong and valiant husband was away.  As much as my husband loves me and protects us with all his might, I've learned more deeply this week that only God is ALWAYS with me.  My trust and confidence has to be in Christ alone. The temptation I faced after the robbery was to tell my husband to get on an early flight and come home to console me and to protect me from future attacks.  Yet, I felt like God was asking me if I truly trust HIM to be my protector and the shield about me.

This week I felt a huge fear of returning to my home.  I almost vomited when I opened my front door two days after the incident and smelled the strong odor of the man who attacked me still clinging in the air.  I had to pray that fear not grip me and paralyze me from living the joyful life God has called me to enjoy.

I continued to pray this prayer over my life, "The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of whom shall I be afraid?" -Psalm 27:1  I asked that God's peace and joy would sweep over me and allow me to rest at night.  I definitely felt your prayers as well and by the fourth night, I was not waking up to every noise in the darkness.  


I am so grateful that my life and my precious son were spared harm and I recognize how quickly my life could have been snuffed out.  God obviously has a plan for me and my family and I am greatly encouraged to continue serving, continue loving and continue clinging to the only ONE who saves.


Is there something that you fear today?  


I can say that God is the only one who brings light to the darkness and brings rest to our hearts!