John and Rachel McDonough

News from Paraguay July 2021 - 6 months through the year...

Family Update

Grab for the Calpol and Cavonia!!! (other generic brands are available)

The children in the communities where we work constantly have coughs and colds at this time of year as winter gets colder and damper. And as good kids do, all is shared amongst them, so A&J seem to be constantly fighting off something. This last month has been a very coughy, snotty, sleep deprived, and grumpy McD house.

Rachel, using her foot as a brake, managed to save a very heavy kitchen chair from falling backwards. Landing fully on her big toe now means she no longer needs to put nail varnish on as the bruising is a rich bright blue. This has made all of life extra difficult and self draining the subungual hematoma was like a scene from Cadfael. Your prayers for healing would be appreciated.

It's amazing that John hasn't caught a cough or cold yet. Ministry and travel carries on as normal with developing ministry opportunities and outreaches.

Jesse is well on the way to talking which is good fun and super cute. Cannot believe he will be 2 in September! It is strange that non of our UK family and friends have met the lad yet and we hope to one day soon introduce him, in person, to you all.

Alicia is getting excited about the up and coming winter school holidays. We hope to take the chance to go and do some fun things whilst she is free. No doubt it will involve animals and expelling energy.

A Thought

Recently at the Elim Leadership Summit, Danielle Strickland spoke about connecting with people being ‘the thing’ that leads to transformation in lives. It is such a simple but powerful point. She shared about a friend who took cupcakes to a legalised brothel in Australia. A simple action that in turn opened the door to building relationship, that then helped some of those involved eventually get out of their situations and move on to a better life.

It is something that I have always been aware of doing but sometimes forget just how important this building connection can be to the person at the other end.

The other week we were visiting a lady in hospital, who along with her mother in law, were going through a horrendously difficult time. Having been brought in to the city by ambulance they didn’t have a phone with them or any provisions of clothes, food or blankets as they left so urgently. We were called by the Chief and others to see if we could urgently go and find them and see what was going on. This is unfortunately not an unusual occurrence.

Since the pandemic and all of the sanitation protocols and having with me two children, it is very rare that I (Rachel) find myself being the one to actually go into the hospital buildings. So when we got there I had to navigate my way through the wards which have all been moved around for Covid. With all the new restrictions in place I prayed that I would find a nurse or Doctor who would show me favor and help me get to those I was looking for.

Eventually I was shown to the ward where as I entered and looked around the beds I saw their faces turn towards me and light up with pure joy at being 'found' by someone they knew. Someone who connects them with home and someone they know could help them.

These ladies are not believers, they come along to our ‘big events’ when we have mother’s day gifts, Christmas or Easter parties. But I have no doubt that they see the love that Jesus has for them through us and that connection leaves a big open door. Two days later when they were discharged we got them home from the city with the needed medication and some gifts of supplies.

It pressed upon me just how important is it to make these connections with people, to show sincere love, so that when the time comes for a transformation to happen, they will know exactly who to seek...the One who knows them, connects them to an eternal home and is our Provision in everything.

Who are you intentionally connecting with today?

“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”
Romans 12 vs 9-13

When we last gave you an update on the new vehicle we were at around 32% of the budget and we were hoping to be around 50% by the end May/June.

Wow. We are blown away as with gifts and pledges, now in July, we are at 97%.

Our full budget was formed to include: needed suspension changes, bumper modification, roof rack, winch, and also a year's insurance cover. So now, as we are well on our way to 100% this means we can be actively looking on the car market and making offers.

Please pray for us as we look for the right vehicle.

We really want to thank all who have given to this need. Your generosity is a great encouragement to us and we have been amazed at the Lords provision.

We Celebrate...

• You! For your generosity in giving towards our new vehicle. Thank you!
• that we have been able to restart discipleship 1-on-1 which throughout the pandemic had been hard due to sanitation protocols.
• Having been given 40 discipleship packs from some friends for use in sharing the simple gospel message.

We Pray...

• for opportunity in the coming months to baptise new believers.
• for our house situation here in Paraguay as our landlady has made uncertain that we can remain in the house we currently rent.
• as many here are suffering with illness as Paraguay experiences an extra cold winter this year.

Coming Up...

• we look forward to going to the USA in late August to celebrate John's brothers wedding that was postponed in 2020 due to Covid.
• we hope to soon be able to plan when we might get back to the UK as restrictions and quarantine rules ease and change. Watch this space!

 

 

We would not be able to do all that we do if it were not for you. Thank you for walking with us.

 

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