Exploratory Trek to Paraguay
A few years back, RPGM was approached by a group of Reformed Christians in Paraguay who were looking for help in planting a Reformed church in their city. More recently, I was blessed to visit these saints in Paraguay. I made the trek south along with two RPGM board representatives: board chair Pastor Titus M. and Executive Director Heather H.
It’s not easy to get to Encarnación, Paraguay, but it was worth the time it took to travel there. Our group flew into Houston, on to Rio de Janeiro, and finally to Foz de Iguazú. From there, we went through customs at the Brazilian border and again at the Paraguayan border before the four-hour drive to reach Encarnación. We were very thankful for the help of Mario, one of the members of the fellowship, who traveled to Foz de Iguazú to help us navigate customs. If you ever get the chance to visit Paraguay, be prepared to go over a lot of speed bumps. This helps to slow down drivers and makes sure that the shocks are working on your car!
Titus spoke each evening on different elements of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, topics such as What is a Reformed Presbyterian?, Singing Psalms, Acapella Singing, Baptism, and The Regulative Principle. We also spent a lot of time answering questions that were raised by the group.
The group is very eager to learn what the Bible teaches, and they had a lot of challenging questions to think through. The group in Encarnación meets every Sabbath morning for worship together as they stream a service of another Spanish-speaking congregation. They join in prayer, singing, and worship, and then share lunch together before gathering in the evening for a Bible study. One of the sermons during our time there was on Psalm 133, how we are to dwell in unity with one another. Being in unity is a pleasant thing. When people are united, things run more smoothly. It is something that needs to be worked toward. Christianity isn’t an individual religion; it is done in community.
Our time in Paraguay was spent getting to know the fellowship of individuals who are interested in forming a church in their city. The process of starting a church is hard, and I know that it would be easy for the group to give up. It would be nice to have many people available to help with the workload, but in this small fellowship, everyone plays a critical role. When one person is missing, their absence is strongly felt by the others. We were able to visit the homes of some members, share meals with some, and learn more about the culture of that area. The people in Paraguay speak Spanish and another language called Guarani. Aside from the difference in language, their lives seemed very similar to my own. They are balancing work, family, and church responsibilities and are trying to be a witness to those around them.
There is much work to be done in Paraguay, so I would ask that you remember the saints there. Mario recently shared some requests for us to pray through.
Please pray for God's continued blessing in our fellowship meetings. Ask that we grow in our faith and understanding of his Word as we gather to let us delight in the Lord's Day.
Pray for guidance as we study practical topics. Ask that we apply these teachings in our daily lives and grow closer to God.
Pray for God's provision in our financial needs. Ask that he will provide the resources necessary for our ministry and personal lives.
Ask for God's guidance as we reach out to our community. Pray that we connect with families seeking a true church of God and share the gospel with clarity and depth.
Pray for the people in Paraguay. Ask for hope and transformation through the gospel amidst economic and social challenges. Pray that we can be instruments of God, bringing the faithful truth of the scriptures to everyone.
Also, pray for opportunities to explore and reach more cities.
Finally, pray for Mario Castro and his family, asking God to bless and provide for their needs; to use Mario in his service if it is his will; and to grant him strength, wisdom, and encouragement as he faces challenges and strives to glorify God, supported by your prayers and God's grace.
Seth is a member of the Shawnee RP Church and lives in Kansas City. He has been a part of the Welcoming Ministry and enjoys hosting international students in his home.