Language differences no barrier to assisting Paraguayan church

The Buenas Nuevas “Good News” church is located 18 kilometers west of the Brazilian border in Guavira Poty, a suburb of Minga Guazú East Paraguay.

The Canadian work team poses with national workers. Jose (who assisted with the article) is centre, in a white t-shirt.

The Buenas Nuevas congregation has approximately 50 people with a base group of five or six families, some single adults and a number of teens. Adults and teens who have made commitments to Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord are involved in the different aspects and ministries of the church. There are also many children in the community who attend the church.

EMC missionaries Travis and Rosey Zacharias and Chris and Revita Kroeker, together with the local church, sent a request to EMC Project Builders for monetary help and a work team to help with the construction of a 1,085 square foot brick building to provide more adequate Sunday school rooms, kitchen area and bathrooms.

March 10–26, 2025, a five-person work team from Canada helped the local church with this project. This was an excellent opportunity to work together with very capable national workers experienced with brick construction. Despite the language barrier, it was good to see the interaction that took place on the project site.

Work continued on the project after the work team’s departure. Here, the construction is nearly complete.

The work team from Canada consisted of Peter Siemens from High Level, Al Maronese from Winnipeg and Peter Morran, Nicanor Siemens and Ken and Val Zacharias from Kleefeld.

Rildo Alvez (Jose), one of the local brick layers and church lay leader, writes “I thank God for the opportunity to be a part of this very warm hearted and caring Christian family (Canadian church) that has come from so far away to help us and work so that the Christian community can grow in the Good News Church in Minga Guazú. I am grateful for the brothers who came to work with us on this church project. I feel happy and content to have worked with them. It was a great experience for me and one of the best things is that we could form new friendships and meet more believers in this way. From the heart, I really appreciate it and may the Lord bless you. May you continue to be the good people that you are. Thank you.”

As the local church grows and matures, opportunities to serve also increase. Evangelism and discipleship are both taking place as the church is involved in the Che Roga (My Home) Bible Camp, located one hour west of Minga Guazú. In this last camp season, 60 children from the church neighbourhood attended the camp. Five of the church young people served at the camp as counsellors and support staff.

The newly constructed building will assist the church as they follow up with these children and youth throughout the year when classroom space is needed.

Thank you for your support and continued prayers for the local church in Guavira Poty.