Nazarene Missions International of the Central Argentine District organized a missions trip to southern Paraguay to serve and bless the churches there. District leaders hoped a key takeaway for the participants would be significant experiences that awakened calls to go, send, and give so that the mission could continue.

A total of 25 people of different ages from churches across the district lived a cross-cultural service experience that allowed them to learn about Paraguayan culture.

Fabian Carrizo, district NMI president, who coordinated this trip, said: “We believe that through missions experiences like these, people’s lives will be edified, and they will spread to their local churches to continue developing in pursuit of God’s mission.”

Different activities were carried out in the communities of Pilar, Paso Taji, Isla Roy, and Guazucua, including the construction of the wall of the Church of the Nazarene on Isla Roy; evangelism with children through interactive lessons, games, and recreational dynamics; evangelism with adults through compassion strategies and walks; and support for activities planned and organized by local churches.

Ángeles Maldonado, who was part of the missions team, said that his life would not be the same after the trip.

“Learning to give without knowing, stripping myself of my comforts to serve others, like sleeping little and on the floor (with a sleeping bag), eating what they give you with so much love, trying capybara, and being a team without knowing each other [was] the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.”

Estefanía Santillana said the Lord spoke to her personally.

“Everything I experienced day by day was an instruction to prepare me for the missionary call that I have had for years,” Santillana said.

Carol and Luca* said that the missions experience was enlightening for themselves and those they reached.

“Although we left with the desire to be instruments of blessing, we returned home more blessed than we could have ever imagined,” Carol and Lucas said.
*Last name omitted for privacy

--Church of the Nazarene South America