Huddlestons On Mission

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
- John 16:33

When I read in John 16:33 that trouble in this world is inevitable, I wish it wasn't so.  But, when the trouble comes, I am glad that we have the beginning and end of the verse.  God wants us to have peace in Him at these times and we can have that peace by knowing that He has overcome the world!  There is nothing too big for our God!

This verse has been on my mind these last two months because I have been experiencing trouble in many aspects of my life.  It has not been easy to transition.  It hasn't been the trouble I was expecting of missing home and people, but the trouble of dealing with those who are here to help us.  At times we wondered if we would even continue on in this mission.  We have been praying and seeking to fulfill what God wants for us, regardless of how uncomfortable or frustrating it might be at times.

In February the girls and I had the wonderful opportunity to take part in Children's Sunday at church.  I delivered a message on Gideon.  Together Grace and Emma played Because He Lives and it was a blessing to all.  It has always been my hope that the girls would use music to glorify God and I continue to encourage them in that way.  Thankfully they were able to start music lessons in March.  Unfortunately, with the uptake in Covid cases, we have not been attending church for the last month.  We are eager to get back in God's house with our Paraguayan church family.  In the meantime, we continue to be spiritually fed by attending weekly online services with Cornerstone Anywhere.

In March Don went back to the U.S.  It was a tough decision to make, but one that seemed necessary.  The good news is that my mom was able to come in his place.  The hope is that she will remain until the end of the school year in June.

In April ACA began optional hybrid classes.  While Emma decided to remain online, Grace was excited to get back to school.  So far, both girls are doing well with their decision and looking forward to finishing their first year here.  For me, getting back in the classroom was exciting, but stressful.  We don't have nearly as much internet capability as a typical American school, which made the planning much more difficult.  Though the first day was quite a disaster in some ways, as the week went on, we were able to work out most of the kinks.  It is difficult to teach to those in school and at home simultaneously, but we are making the necessary adjustments day by day.  I will admit that in some ways I dread the hybrid days, but I believe that in time I will get back in the habit and all will be well.

Also, this month we had another visit from my sister and niece.  It was 10 days of a house full of girls!  It was really nice to spend that time together and just one of the blessings God has given us while here.  We are prayerfully considering our options for the upcoming winter (US summer) break.  Because of travel restrictions, we have not left Paraguay at all.  We were hoping to explore nearby countries, but not sure if we are completely comfortable with that.
PRAYER REQUESTS
 
Please continue to pray for our family as we are dealing with the challenge of being physical separated.  We are not sure what the future will bring and how long this separation will last, but we know that God is good and He can make a way where there seems to be no way.  Please pray for our continued health.  The cases have not only gone up in Paraguay, but many of our ACA staff members have recently tested positive for Covid.  There is also some concern about the new Brazilian strain, which may have more serious symptoms.

Please pray for my students - both those who have returned to campus and those who remain online.  Pray that they would continue to learn and not be negatively affected by the hybrid learning days.  Pray for their families and that they can all make it through this school year that has been different than anyone could have imagined.  Pray for the 6th graders - many of whom are having their first year of middle school entirely online.

We continue to pray for you!  But, we would love to hear specific requests.  Not only that, send us a message about how you're doing.  We miss you all and would love to get an update!

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.
                         ~ Romans 8:28

We know that God’s timing is perfect.
 
Having said that, we had been praying on when to travel to Paraguay.  We didn’t want to do it in our time.  Our original flight was July 8th.  Mr. Retzer, the director of ACA, had asked us to come since August.  I didn’t like that fear had a factor in my hesitation.  We just kept waiting, and praying.

Our prayers were answered when Eastern Airlines announced two flight options for October.  It was a journey we had both anticipated and dreaded.  But, as Romans 8:28 says, God was working for our good.  He had people in place every step of the way to help.  Though exhausting, the trip was very smooth!

Then came quarantine.  We had wondered whether to wait out restrictions that required hotel quarantine.  For one thing, it was an expense we hadn’t planned for.  Second, being abroad but stuck in a room for two weeks, was not me and girls’ idea of a good time.  But, just before we left, we received a generous donation that covered 2/3 of the cost!  On top of that, we had already been somewhat cooped up in a 1 bedroom apartment for 3 months.  So, how bad could two weeks be?

Well, once again, Romans 8:28.  God was so good in giving us that time to ease into our new culture without being overwhelmed with everyone and everything that awaited us.  During quarantine we found the blessings in beautiful weather, new local foods, and continued success with school.

Our first week at the apartment was a whirlwind.  The girls didn't know how to act with this new living situation.  The heat was overwhelming at times (though we have been warned that it's not hot yet!).  But, thank God for wonderful neighbors.  They have shown us the ropes - everything from how to do laundry (which we hang to dry) and light the broken stove, to grocery shopping.  Also, last week I had a chance to speak at Refuel - a student led secondary youth group.  I pray that my words were encouraging to at least one.  On Sunday we attended a local church with one of my students.  It was in Spanish, but we were able to give praise to God just the same.
PRAYER REQUESTS
 
Please pray for the students.  It is spring here, and as you know, with spring comes spring fever!  On top of the beautiful weather, some of the restrictions are being lifted, which allow children to get out of the house more.  As you can imagine, many of the children are not doing as well academically as a result.  We have just finished MAP testing, and I’m praying and encouraging them to finish the semester strong.  Some of them have been really shaken by the pandemic and are struggling to find their “new normal”.  For others, their lives and faith have not been shaken.  While I will be thrilled to meet them in person one day, again, we rely on God’s timing and keep working in the meantime.

Please pray for Paraguay as we are having a horrible drought and have also been battling fires in the remote countryside areas.
 
Also, please continue to lift my family and I in prayer.  Grace and Emma are adjusting to life with children around at home.  This is a first for them and takes some getting used to for all of us.  Pray that Don will join us soon.  Pray for my mom who said, “God will give me something to do”.  We know He will!
 
Please send your prayer requests.  We want to pray for your specific needs.
Thank you for your support.
 
huddlestonr@aca.edu.py
huddlestonsonmission@gmail.com