Yellow Fever in Paraguay

13th March 2008
Paraguay, PRAY

Linn TedmanLinn Tedman, a SAMS Mission Partner in Asuncion Paraguay writes..

The main news focus has been on an outbreak of yellow fever in the country and some people have died. This caused widespread panic. The Government issued warnings as far back as eighteen months ago that Yellow Fever could reach Paraguay but no vaccination programmes were started. When yellow fever was confirmed there was very little vaccine in the country. People have been demonstrating and fighting each other and the authorities in order to get vaccinations.
Eventually neighbouring South American countries sent in vaccine and France has just sent 2 million doses. Over the course of a fortnight more people have been vaccinated. The problem seemed to be down to lack of monetary resources to pay for vaccine, but some money has now been found.
There is now a massive clean-up campaign to try to eradicate the breeding areas of the mosquitoes in rubbish which can trap water. A new law means that anybody who does not clean up will be put in prison. (Prisons are already grossly overcrowded.)

News from Beryl Baker

13th March 2008
Mission Partners, Paraguay

Berly Baker
Beryl Baker is a nurse who has served in the Paraguayan Chaco for over 30 years. Here are some highlights from her latest prayer letter.

  • Tuberculosis and Yellow Fever outbreaks
  • Electricity comes to the clinic

Read the entire letter.

News from the SAMS Prayer line

28th February 2008
Argentina, Paraguay, PRAY

Please continue to uphold the Venables family: Bishop Greg arrives on Friday to join Sylvia and mourners at the funeral of her mother that day. Greg and Sylvia will then spend most of March in the UK on a pre-planned visit.

This Friday the Pastoral Committee of the Diocese of Northern Argentina holds an important meeting in La Caldera, near Salta. They seek the way forward to break the stagnation in the diocese in recent years. Pray that God will direct the pastors and lay leaders and renew their vision and motivation.

Archdeacon Hugo Vergara will lead this meeting. Pray for him and his wife Techy who have been suffering cardiovascular problems caused by stress.

Also on Friday the team from the FEISA Teacher Training College make their second training visit to Yatnata in the Paraguayan Chaco helping mothers set up a nursery for the youngest children. Pray for their travel and for the impact of this two-day visit.

Finally, a reminder that the BBC2 programme ‘Tropic of Capricorn’ this Sunday at 8pm includes a visit to the Argentine Chaco with a short feature on the Wichi people and deforestation.

New Term in Paraguay

21st February 2008
Paraguay, PRAY

The new academic year begins in Paraguay.

St. Andrew's SchoolToday in Asunción, Paraguay, Patrick Butler will speak at the opening service of St. Andrew’s School; please pray for Patrick and the challenge and encouragement of his message for students and staff as they embark on this new journey.

FEISA, the Early Years Teacher Training College in Asunción, is also back in action and this weekend a team will make the first 2008 visit to the indigenous community of Yatnata to start a training programme with the mothers to enable them to set up their own nursery for the youngest children. Please pray for the FEISA team as they prepare the training and for the right mothers to attend and be committed to the programme.

Also in the Paraguayan Chaco this weekend a youth conference is being held under the leadership of Pastor Elvio. A group of 30 young people accompanied by 10 adults will share with other young people and leaders in El Estribo community. Called “Sowing well for good results”, the conference will challenge young people to develop daily Bible reading habits.

Mission Paraguay 2008

12th February 2008
Get involved, Go, Paraguay, Projects

EmboscadaAs the summer approaches SAMS Ireland launches many mission trips under the Beyond the Norm banner.

Mission Paraguay is an on-going initiative where teams work for a few weeks on practical projects in Asuncion, Concepcion and remote parts of Paraguay. Details of this years projects are below.

Project for July 2008, one group
Fly out: Friday, 11th July. Return: Saturday, 2nd August.

  • Development of a retreat centre in Emboscada, near Asuncion.

Projects for August, two Groups
Fly out: Friday, 1st August. Return: Saturday, 23rd August

  • Concepción – building a small church in Yvapovo, redoraction of the main church building in Concepción.
  • The Chaco – improve the collection and storage of rainwater, improvements to the church buildings at Dos Palmos and Alegre, the first phase of a new church building at Rio Verde.

Cost: £1,350 approx.

Please read the information sheet for more details.

Please get in touch if you would like to discuss going on a trip.

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