Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all...

I have now been in Paraguay for about three weeks and this was our second full week of work. Sunday the 15th was our second Sunday here and I was actually able to be in the Service. Since I have been on the mission field there haven’t been to many services that I had not been actively involved in so this was a good change of pace. I have noticed that one of the coolest and most different things I have seen in church so far is seen during worship. First of all I love the worship music because it is almost always LOUD and is always pretty upbeat. Secondly is the way people worship unhindered and freely here. We have a man in our church who loves to praise the Lord in his own special way - he is literally dancing up and down the aisle with his whistle praising the Lord. I know it sounds crazy right? However part of me is jealous because he can, or I guess I should say he chooses to put himself out there and really get down to praising God which is something I continue to pray for the Lord to give me strength to do.
Monday was our day off so we decided to do something fun and relaxing – WE MADE COOKIES, or as I seem to say them calletas. (Look that up in Spanish - not how you say cookies but that is the way I pronounce it – should be galletas) It was a little difficult to makes the cookies because our oven does not have a temperature setting so we were not sure how they would turn out. But they turned out well and I was happy to just be able to relax and have some fun.
Tuesday we got to visit with the lady that I wrote about in my last blog. The meeting went well and we are hoping to show an outreach video this Tuesday when we visit again. She also has some neighbors that she is inviting to the next meeting so we hope to be able to connect with them and invite them to the church.
Wednesday I had the opportunity to go into the actual city of Asuncion, we live in a city close by called Fernando De La Mora, with Mike, Felipe, & Gerardo. Asuncion is very different then anything I saw in Peru. Even though there is a South American feel to the city it is almost like walking through a big city in the states, as there are many big buildings and skyscrapers. We visited a couple of History Museums, saw the building where the President works, and also got to see the river. It was a good day getting to know more about the area and city God has called us to minister in during this coming year.
Friday we had a meeting for another small group. This time before the small group we went and invited the neighbors and anyone else we saw on the street. Even though we spent time inviting people no one came so we will continue to ask week after week praying that someone responds to the invitations. It seems to be the way a lot of the work here is. We just keep extending invitations and sharing over and over again until there is finally a response.
Saturday we had the youth group meeting. This time the teens took a passage of the bible, created a scene, and then acted that scene out. Let's just say when you use Revelations to choose that scene from the acting is interesting. It was great to see all the teens working together and we are praying for this unity among them as Christians to be a changing force in this community.

Before I go I wanted to share some prayer requests:
Every time we have a group we ask for Prayer requests and while I am not able to share these request I ask that you be praying not only for these cell groups but also for the people and their requests that attend.
I also ask that you pray for me. The devil likes to use the little frustrations I encounter day to day to get me down or discouraged. During this past week or so there have been many of these “frustrations” and the devil is doing all he can to twist and turn them to discourage me. Please be praying that I will continue to push forward through these frustrations, be thankful for the opportunities within these frustrations, and by God’s power be able to work within these situations instead of dwelling on them. Pray that I can be thankful for the moments I have in the midst of everything and really live 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”


Thanks for all your continued prayers as they are felt! I also ask that you prayerfully consider joining my support team through prayer or financially or would like more information on how to join the team click the following link: Kelsey Extreme Paraguay Click to donate or join the prayer team and follow the steps provided. The most efficient is direct withdrawal from a bank account, credit cards have charges so not everything you donate will make it to the field with me. Thank you