Gracias a Dios: An Answer to Prayer

Today we are thankful. We're thankful for a God who has an incredible message of hope to spread in an otherwise hopeless world. This is first and foremost what we are thankful for today. But somewhere, way down the line from that, we have gratitude of a different kind. A gratitude that as God continues to author his story, we get to be characters in it. God is painting a picture and we are active participants in it (Ephesians 2:10, 2 Corinthians 5:19).

Today, we got to witness what may be the end of our part in this particular sub-chapter of God's great story—this sub-Chapter that could be titled “How I chose to reach children in Paraguay with the truth of my Good News.” But as for this chapter, it's near the beginning.

Of course, God has been working in Paraguay for generations, so when I say it's near the beginning, please understand that as one small character, I'm speaking from a very finite perspective. Nonetheless, here is what made this day so special...

At approximately 9:00 am a couple of busses rolled in. There was nothing remarkable about the busses themselves or even, at first glance, the people on the buses. However, WHY these people were on these buses showed a change had happened in their life some time before—a change that so affected them that there is nothing else they would rather be doing for the next three 100+ degree days in central Paraguay than sit in a non-air-conditioned campground and learn how to reach boys and girls with the gospel of Christ and train them to serve him. And their faces reflected a joy that showed us this day would be special.

As mentioned before, it was a hot day. But I never heard a complaint. The heat was mentioned to be sure, but each one was engaged. They knew the heat was unworthy to be a distraction from their calling. They received the training with the same joy and enthusiasm with which they arrived, even until 10:00 that night.

These leaders are being trained to bring Awana (Oansa in Spanish) back to their church and specifically to the nutrition center where they volunteer to feed hungry children once per week. For most of these centers, this training is exactly what they needed—a way to effectively evangelize and disciple the children they love.

Praise the Lord with us that by this time next month, these 100 leaders will be starting 50 new Awana clubs. And that every week, approximately 2,500 children will have the opportunity to hear the greatest story ever told—the story of the Gospel of Christ. Pray that they would not only hear, but respond and become characters in it as they in turn tell the story to a world without hope.

As for God's plan in Paraguay, even these 2,500 children that will be reached may be just the beginning. There are over 400 churches with nutrition centers in Paraguay who are currently working diligently to meet the physical needs of their communities, but don't have the training to effectively meet the spiritual needs of the children. Perhaps in the next few years each one will have an Awana club teaching children to know, love, and serve the Lord Jesus Christ. What an exciting beginning...

-Brant