Newsroom

Aug 27-Sep 7 - Kirk Ogden, Bob Moyer and Javier Velasquez are in Uruguay for 10 days to explore the need for the gospel in this least-reached country of South America, as well as discover what God is already doing in Uruguay through His people.

Asuncion, Paraguay - On Sunday, August 1, a fire that started in the food court of a shopping center claimed the lives of over 400 individuals. Hundreds more were seriously injured.

The food court, located just one half a block from the Trinity Christian Community church, is a popular gathering place for church families for Sunday lunch. Many of the church's families go to the food court at the supermarket after church for lunch. In God's providence, church ran late that day and only two of the church's members had arrived. One lady died in the fire. The other member, Gloria Morel, teetered on the brink of life and death for several days but seems to be recovering

Gloria, a member of the first graduation class of the Academica Biblica program had been chosen by her classmates to be the student graduation speaker. Gloria's cousin, a medical doctor who was visiting with her died in the fire. Continue to pray for Gloria.

The church has identified 150 families in the neighborhood who lost a family member in the fire. Many families lost one or both parents. The church is actively involved in ministering to the victims. South America Mission has opened a special relief fund. Everyone giving to South America Mission in the month of August is being alerted to the need and given the opportunity to contribute to this fund with their next gift. If you would like to help with this need, please send your tax-deductible contribution to South America Mission, 5217 S. Military Trail, Lake Worth, FL 33463. Specify that it is for the Paraguay Emergency Fund.

Pray regularly for both the church and Javier and Ani Velasquez as they minister in the midst of so much sufffering and anger. Over 400 people were burned to death and hundreds more were badly burned. Hospitals have been overwhelmed. Reports indicate that when the fire started the doors were locked to prevent people from leaving without paying and that is the cause of so many deaths.

Robert Frost once asked, "How can we have justice in a world that so desperately needs mercy and how can we have mercy in a world that so desperately needs justice?" Of course, that is precisely the question that Jesus Christ answered. Now, local Christians need wisdom and compassion as they show people how Christ's answer applies to this very real situation.

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