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Greetings! At the beginning of 2014 we want to thank you for your involvement in the Esperanza Foster Home project in Paraguay – and of course wishing you every blessing for the year ahead.

The beginning of 2013 was difficult for the Esperanza Project as Juana, the main foster mum, had decided to move on and it was no easy task finding her replacement. However, with a strong recommendation from one of the

Anglican school mums, Inocencia was taken on in the middle of the year. She has had a number of helpers as, with the economy picking up and there being more job opportunities than there used to be, and working with young children being seen as a low status sort of job, filling posts with suitable staff is not easy. Prayers for this would be much appreciated.

There has recently been a change of government in Paraguay with a different political party in power. This meant that many of the key contacts in the State Adoption Centre were replaced and Esperanza needed to sign a new agreement with them. This was achieved in June after much frustration, and 2 year old twin girls, F and F, arrived soon afterwards. They were very serious initially but are now much more happy and confident. We are awaiting news of a hearing with their birth mother which will dictate whether they can return to her care or may be adopted.

In October, 4 year old M arrived with severely delayed development and malnutrition. Through the contacts of one of the Esperanza leadership team, free medical insurance for all the Esperanza children has been offered and this was a real blessing for M who saw a top neurologist. He was amazed at the difference in M after just a month in the Esperanza home. Initially he was not making eye contact, responding to his name or able to say any words. But with loving care and stimulation he is now a different child, laughing and enjoying physical contact. Those who saw the change in him described it as miraculous and his case epitomises what the Esperanza project is all about. M’s paperwork has now come through and he has gone to live with future adoptive parents, a nurse and a teacher/youth worker who would seem pretty ideal! Meanwhile, the ladies have just welcomed 2 new siblings of 3 and 1 into the home.

We are delighted that Esperanza is still able to help Paraguayan children in this way. A recent article in the press stated that there are currently 1600 children known to be in institutions awaiting judicial decisions about their future. Social Services are convinced that a family fostering model is by far the best option for these children but there are very few families or homes like Esperanza where they can place them.

So THANK YOU for all the support you have given. If you would like to make a further donation to Esperanza, or set up or change a standing order, then please do contact us as this is easily done through our friends in SAMS UK and Ireland.

Murray and Penny Metcalfe

Gwen & Mags Update recently received into the SAMS office:

• December 1 [pdf]
• December 2 [pdf]

Dear Friends,

The last minute rush is upon us! School has now finished and although we only pop in for an hour or so, we end up staying all morning and not getting on with all the things we need to be doing. The office closes today and will reopen again at the end of January.

Our school year finished well with our church service and supper for the leaving 6th form plus their party and then their actual graduation. They were quite subdued really. I think reality was hitting home and they realized they were actually leaving after 15 years in the same school with the same classmates.

Last week we had our staff lunch as the teachers finished for the year. We also had our service for those who left 10, 20, 25 and 30 years ago. We had about 60 people at our service and it went very well. I am always thrilled afterwards by the ones who come to tell us how much the service meant to them; many of them being ones that didn’t seem interested as pupils. There were a number of them quite tearful this time too. Pastor Ronnie gave the message.

The end of the year wasn’t without its  problems though as we’d had to let some staff go. Also some parents weren’t too happy at the rise in fees for next year. Hopefully they have calmed down now as we sent out a letter explaining our reasons for the rise.

We are now trying to get sorted to travel shortly! We are going home to England via New York where we will stay for a few nights. We are both looking forward to the break but wonder how we’ll cope with snow after temperatures of 38ºC here this week! It really is far too hot at the moment.

Thank you for all your support and prayers for us. We are hoping to see some of you in January. In the midst of the rush I pray that we might all know the Peace of the Lord this Christmas as we remember Him coming to Earth to be born as man and die for us.

God Bless, love Mags and Gwen

Casilla 1124,  Asunción,  Paraguay, Beryl Baker bbakerparaguay@gmail.com

Dear Praying Friends,

The theme of the Every Day With Jesus Bible notes for last month was “Worship”.
Psalm 34 is a wonderful inspiration as to what our constant mind set should be,
I WILL PRAISE THE LORD AT ALL TIMES. I WILL CONSTANTLY SPEAK HIS PRAISES.”

Praise and thanks to the Lord for all the wonderful rain that has fallen in the Chaco alleviating many communities of many months of drought and hardship. The wonder of the Lord’s creation is ever present but even more so now that everywhere is green and beautiful.  The frog and toad concerts in the evenings have started again after several years of silence.  Hopefully this means the amphibian population is on the increase again after world surveys showed a dramatic decline.

Praise for the money to pay off all the current bills for medicines.  A big thank you to all the churches and friends who make this possible. Praise for the good recovery of Maruca Ruiz at Sombrero Piri after a stroke left her without the use of her right hand arm and leg.  Praise for Sharon Mccreery’s ongoing recovery from the cerebral vascular incident that left her almost dead.  She is now in the States with her sister.  Please pray for her sister who is not a believer and well into all New Age thinking.

The longer evenings and scorching afternoons mean working hours start earlier and end later leaving a break in the middle to avoid the worst of the heat. Early days to see how the new government will handle the Chaco Health programme.  All I can say is that on my last visit to the Regional Health authorities all was doom and gloom and one of the lady doctors and the obstetrician were actually in my arms crying!! The people at the next door ranch are going through hard times – indians and non-indians alike.  Please pray that they will turn 100% to Jesus for help in their time of trouble.

Being realistic about the future and the present means I have to move all the cats,  dogs and tortoises from Asuncion to the ranch as the next door neighbours are again throwing poison over the wall and Ana who looks after the house and the animals is 5 months pregnant.  As I planned to move the animals out Ana rescued three tortoiseshell kittens that were being swept away by rapidly flowing water in the road during the last heavy rain.  Please pray for new homes for them urgently. Please pray, too for Ana and her husband Jorvy as they prepare for the baby and I need wisdom as to whether I sell the house in Asuncion or not. If, when and how.

Just to keep everyone happy, I now have some medical insurance in Paraguay which I guess is the sensible thing to do no matter how old or young you are but equally my trust for health is in the Lord.

At Rio Verde a Jehovah’s Witness couple have moved in and are visiting everyone in the area.  The lady is English and her husband is Spanish.  Tim Curtis and I on separate occasions have chatted with them the reality of what the risen , living Lord Jesus makes to people’s lives and these people are now feeling very unsure of their beliefs.  Please pray that the Holy Spirit will free them from all the lies of the Devil and that they will come to know Jesus as their Saviour and Lord. Their names are Claire and Rafael.

Preaching at St. Matthew’s church Rio Verde regularly is an enjoyable challenge and praise the Lord the congregation is growing. To leave you with a word from the Lord for myself and for you.

Psalm 138: 8a “The Lord will work out his plans for my life – for his faithful love endures forever and the words from one of my favourite country and western gospel songs “One day at a time, sweet Jesus.”

Lots of love and prayers

Beryl