Pray for Paraguay on Sunday, July 27, 2008
Lectionary Text and Prayers for Paraguay: Matthew 13:31-33 and 44-52
Dear Lord, we give you thanks for the many seeds that you have planted among the people of the world. Today in Paraguay, we especially thank you for the small seed of a new and different president that will begin his mission to end corruption, educate the masses, and lift those living in extreme poverty out of their plight. We ask that you help this seed to flourish in the fertile red soil nourished by the hope and desire of the Paraguayan people who have lived for more than 60 years under the oppression of a corrupt government.
We beseech your special blessing for Friendship Mission that its nursing school can continue to educate low income youths to use their special training not only to lift themselves out of the cycle of poverty but also to ease the suffering of those who are afflicted. We ask for your guidance that the new out-reach clinic project MAESTRA may continue to grow in its efforts to bring medical care to those in need.
Oh Holy Spirit, please guide the members of the Disciples of Christ Church of Paraguay that they may turn their words into actions that will promote an atmosphere of growth and unity.
We pray that the members of CIPAE may find success in defending the legal rights of the indigenous people with their struggle to obtain title to the land upon which they have lived for generations.
We pray for the school for the deaf and its work with those who are afflicted with this and other disabilities. We ask your blessing and guidance that its attempt to establish similar schools in other cities is successful.
We pray that the Leprosy Clinic can continue to treat those who are afflicted with this disease with the latest treatment available regardless of economic status.
(Prayer by Paul Jacquay)
Global Ministries International Partners in Paraguay:
- Comite de Iglesias Para Ayuda de Emergencia (CIPAE)
- Iglesia Cristiana Discipulos de Cristo en Paraguay
- Mision de Amistad
- Patronato de Leprosos del Paraguay
- Primera Escuela Paraguaya de Sordos
Global Ministries Missionary in Paraguay:
Paul Jacquay is a physician assistant serving as a long term volunteer at Mision de Amistad (Friendship Mission) in Paraguay. Paul works as health consultant for the medical department and has taught at the Mision de Amistad School of Nursing. He has been working with a team of professionals to set up a clinic outreach program, called MAESTRA, which provides medical care to residents of ghettos where no medical service available. Since its inception in October of 2006, the project has treated nearly 3,000 patients of whom 78% live in poverty, 44% in extreme poverty.