John Simons

A long day. I need sleep.

Today has been a long day.  We got up around 6:15 to get ready for breakfast.  We had a quick team meeting around 7:45, and then headed to the site.  Once there we gathered everyone and had some introductions and prayer.  Then we went in groups of 3 to pray for the neighborhood and invite people to the evening´s activities.  Each group was assigned one block.  We had a chance to share the gospel with one girl while we were handing out invitations. Rebecca said she had to go to school in the afternoon, so she wouldn´t be there when we came back.  At the end, she prayed for Christ to forgive her sins.

After lunch and a relaxing siesta, we went out in groups of 3 to share the gospel and invite people.  We spoke with people at 8 houses.  We were able to share the gospel at 7 houses.   In all, a couple of people were not interested, one said that he already agreed with us, and 4 adults and 6 kids asked Christ for forgiveness.

I am wiped out.  We got back to the hotel around 10pm.  Then, we ate dinner.  It is almost midnight, and I need sleep.  We need to be up earlier tomorrow because we are going to a Christian school.

I will have to just give quick reports while I am here in Paraguay, and then fill in more details when I get back.  I am trying to journal more details, so I don´t forget.  I will probably not even journal fully tonight, so I can get some sleep.

Tags: Church Planting, Missions, Paraguay

Estamos Aqui!

Josh and I arrived safely in Asuncion yesterday morning. The trip was very long, but it all went smoothly. We were able to meet up with the mission team without a hitch, and we are settling in.

Yesterday was mostly orientation meetings with the team, learning about the goals for the week, and the tools that we will use. We also met some of the people that will be working along side us. We will have translators as well as some local christians who will work with us. Finally, we met some of the pastors and elders at the local churches. The pastor who coordinates these trips seems to really like Josh. He has nicknamed Josh the ¨pequeño missionario.¨

We also went to a church service in our honor last night at one of the churches. Their worship is very passionate and fun to participate in.
This morning we will attend a different church. Then, this afternoon we will be at an event for children in the area where we will be helping to start a new church. We will also hae a little bit of free time.

I will post more later.

Tags: Missions, Paraguay

Ten Days and Counting . . .

Yesterday marked ten days until departure.  The details are all falling into place.

I sent this e-mail out to those who have supported my trip, and to several friends who have encouraged me in taking Josh on this adventure: › Continue reading

Tags: Faith, Family, Missions, Paraguay

Mission Trip - Details

The details are starting to fall into place for our trip to Paraguay. I am learning more about the details of what we will do from chatting with others who will be on the trip. This is both building my excitement, but also helping to remove some of the unkown.

Today, Josh and I will go up to the health department in Gainesville. That is the closest place that we can get a yellow fever vaccination. I suspect that I will get one or two other shots as well. Josh should be mostly up to date.

I think that we have all the travel arrangements in place. We need to start gathering the things that we will need to pack. The real challenge will be to not pack too much.

I am sure that there are many more details that will need to be put into place in the next three weeks. (Wow that sounds soon!) The greater challenge will be to keep our priorities in place and focus on being prepared spiritually. I am trying to pray daily for the people that will on the trip with us, and the people that we will encounter and talk with once we are there.

Please keep us in your prayers.

Tags: Faith, Family, Missions, Paraguay, prayer

Mission Trip - Excitement is Building

We are 23 days from heading to Paraguay.  23 days from today, Josh and I will be on a plane over the Carribean Sea, on our way to Sao Paolo, Brazil, where we will catch a connecting flight to Paraguay.  The excitement is starting to build.  We spend some time tonight reviewing information about the country and about sharing our faith.  We also spent some time praying for the other folks we are traveling with and the people that we will be meeting.

Tonight, I also had the chance to chat online with one of the other guys going on the trip.  That really has built my excitement level.  I got to hear from someone who has been on similar trips in the past just how great the experience can be.  I am looking forward to being stretched in my faith and seeing God challenge and amaze me.

Please pray for the group, and for Josh and I in particular.  I will post a prayer calendar in a few days.

Tags: Faith, Family, Missions, Paraguay, prayer