Icebergs in Paraguay

On the ground in Paraguay — Marty Davison’s dispatch of perseverance and hope

I’m not long back from the hospital, a 45-minute journey there to deliver some food, baby grows, nappies and essentials. Prayed for baby Joshua, mum and dad and returned back to John and Rachel McDonough’s home (our Elim Missionaries in Paraguay) via their trusted steed – ‘old faithful’ – the Toyota Landcruiser (if anyone wants to help buy a new one for them – do message me!).

They’ve had quite the time of it! Joshua’s mum wasn’t feeling well, so headed from the interior to the nearest hospital – unfortunately baby didn’t wait and was born outside a local police station where they happened to get the taxi to pull over!

They are not phased, tired, mum and baby doing well. Dad, greets John with such joy – he is exhausted – “Thank you, for coming, we’re delighted that you would come - and also our newest friend!” (that’s me).

Indigenous tribes/people can be wary of outsiders and rightly so – they have been abused and exploited time and time again. But this is a greeting between friends, brothers and equals. It’s warm, heartfelt and sincerely deep.

John and Rachel McDonough have been working with this indigenous Guarani speaking tribe for over 11 years. Slowly, painfully building trust and relationships. It has been a costly and laborious endeavour. Two steps forward, five steps back! Sleeping in ‘shacks’ in the interior, no flush toilet, mattress – forget TV, Wi-Fi or anything like that. We are talking missionary work that’d make Bear Grylls look like a walk in the park! John and I had set out to get to the community on the Friday, only to be repelled by the 'inclement' road conditions. It had rained and the mud road not only became a quagmire – which stretched my prayer life as we narrowly missed sliding into a lamppost, coming off the ‘road’ altogether down a gully. John, you’re an amazing driver! We had to find alternative routes, a further 3 hours to the journey.

Five years in, still nobody had gotten saved! You are there to teach the gospel, be a living expression of HIS WORD. But still, after five years no one saved. Nil, nada! Do you give up? Do you pack your bags and go home? The thought without doubt tempting.

Yet, like an iceberg, what you see above the surface isn’t even close to the half of it! Discipleship doesn’t start at salvation. Discipleship starts when they begin to watch, observe and register the difference. The Holy Spirit is at work on and in hearts from day one. Breakthrough takes years to come and then there it is, suddenly.

Praise God, John and Rachel didn’t give up, didn’t go home but kept on keeping on. Many have begun to give their lives to Jesus as Lord and Saviour, committed not just to raise a hand but change their lifestyle.

Sunday past, I was with the church. In an open space, benches and chairs had been put out in a circle. As the praise and worship drifted across the open fields, more and more of the community began to arrive. We sang in Guarani and I recognised, ‘How great thou art’. A young lad, still to receive Jesus, requested a song and the sick came forward to be prayed for with the laying on of hands. As I shared some points in Portuguese, Pastor Irmo who was bringing the word, clarified in Guarani. Others asked questions – I felt that I was reliving the book of Acts. Off in the distance, Rachel aided by daughter Alicia was leading the children’s ministry and behind us, Antonia and some helpers were preparing the lunch out of the provision of the body!

Where there had been nothing, now flowed a strong river of faith, hope and love!

It was koinonia in action, in the heart of the interior in an indigenous tribe in Paraguay. The Kingdom of God was on display for all to see. His body, mobilised, organised, working together in unity and willing, desiring to impact the lives of the communities around them!

Not only is Joshua going to be brought up in a Christian family but a Christian community who desire to see him become all that God has dreamed for him!

Keep praying for your brothers and sisters in Christ.

Read more about the wonderful adventures of the McDonough family.