tapé (tah PAY), n.

a way or path
(Guarani)

Many peoples will come and say, The Hagerman Family

"Come, let us go up to the Carapeguá, Paraguay
mountain of the LORD... He will
teach us his ways, so that we may
walk in his paths." Isaiah 2:3

August, 2010
Hello, friends! We’ve had a really strange
August here in Paraguay, which should have
been cold and wet. Instead, it’s been pleasant and dry, with lots of fields burning to “bring down the rain”. There normally isn’t so much
comfortable weather here. It’s either really, really hot, or super-mega cold. The red moon and hazy skies have been a little surreal, but
the warm weather was a nice surprise.
We are really getting excited about reconnecting with family, old friends, new contacts, and—okay, I’ll be honest--Wal-Mart! And
we’re happy to report that we have church visits scheduled for every Sunday morning of the two months we’ll be there. Most other
service times are still open, so if you haven’t contacted us yet and would like to schedule a visit, please throw us an email. We sure
look forward to seeing everyone and filling you in on what God’s up to down here!

Kids, Kids, Kids

Despite that our main focus in Paraguay is youth work, we do end up doing quite a bit of children’s
ministry. That is perfectly fine with us, since children will one day be teens, right?  Well, this
month was no exception. August 16 is an official Paraguayan holiday, Day of the Child. It's like a
giant birthday celebration that includes every little kid in the country. Churches, schools, even the
health posts celebrate.
We started the day at the elementary school in Arazaty. Parents and relatives of the students all
came out to eat lunch together in the schoolyard. The teachers built a couple fires beside one of
the classrooms and were cooking noodles and meat sauce in big
Profesora Tomasa, preschool/kindergarten pots over the fires. We brought cookies and a new soccer ball--a must-have for recess time!
While the food cooked and people were served, the children played soccer and blew bubbles.
After the fideo meal ("fee DAY oh", which means noodles), everyone stood in line for a piece of
the giant cake one of the moms made. It was a great chance to spend time with the children,
their parents, and the teachers.
We left the first school in time to catch the afternoon party at the Loma Clavel school, which I
told you about in last month’s newsletter. This little one-room school now has about 20 students.
We received an offering from the children attending VBS at Washington Avenue Church in
Greenville, SC, and decided to use that to help this school. The volunteer teacher (meaning, she
doesn't get paid to teach) had been buying the supplies from her own pocket. She's the Avon
Lady. So we asked her for a list of needed items, which she brought to us very timidly. The list filled a page. She told me s everal times
that anything more than what they had would be a blessing, and not to feel like they expected all the stuff on that list. Well, thanks to
this Bible School fund drive, we were able to buy EVERYTHING on the list, plus a small toy for
School supplies, textbooks, snacks donated
each child and a few bags of butter cookies to leave at the school for future treats. We even got
to elementary school from VBS offering
a little globe and showed them where South Carolina and Paraguay are located. We got everything
from a stapler and hole punch, to puzzles and alphabet blocks. We bought notebooks, pencils,
chalk, textbooks, play-doh--well, you get it. It was just too much fun to shop for this school,
knowing what a difference the materials would make.
We took these children a soccer ball, also, since they
were having to borrow from neighbors each day for recess.
The mother and sister of the teacher, along with a couple
parents, were making hot chocolate over a fire, so we got
the chance to meet the families of some of the children. I met the woman who donated the land
to build the school, and she shared how they'd worked for the past four years to get the land
cleared, the one room constructed, and the foundations for additional rooms started. She was
very proud that her daughter was able to now get an education, and that the children of this
neighborhood would learn to read, something most of their parents never learned. We took them
several story books in Spanish and a children's picture Bible in Guarani. The teacher has invited us to come back and spend time with
the class in the future, so as we thanked God for the VBS offering, we also thanked Him for a door opening in another school.
 August was packed full of great things, including participating in a youth camp here in
Carapegua. Some friends hosted this overnight getaway that included about 25 youth, great
teaching, a bonfire, and a lot of natural ministry moments. It was a good chance to enjoy
Prayer Focus getting to know more of the youth of Carapegua, and to be a part of a ministry that is developing
here.
--Ken’s heart: That God would We’re planning to slow down a tiny bit in September, in terms of what we do from our
perform a total healing and the home. We’ll be making a trips to Asuncion and calls to the States, to get everything lined up for
planned open-heart surgery could our first trip back to the U.S. at the end of the month, for October and November. Where will we
be canceled because the Great be each day? How will we travel? Are we going to have enough money? How will things go
Physician has already operated. here while we’re gone? Have we thought of everything? It’s a little overwhelming to consider
--Physical health for the family: all the things that have to be prepaid and pre-arranged, but we know we’re not the first family to
We all battle respiratory and do this and survive.
digestive “bugs” and need God’s While we’re gone, Saúl will be continuing the ministries here that he can do without
protection and strength. us, taking care of the family guard dog Niko, and managing the household affairs. (He is a
bachelor, so my first week back may include lots of housecleaning!! )
--Upcoming trip home: That God Some of the things that will still be operating are the radio program, the Friday night
will arrange our time there and youth club, and the Monday evening Bible study on prayer. The radio program continues to be
prepare the hearts of those we’ll a big hit here in Carapegua, on a local secular station. Saúl says a prayer at the beginning, and
visit, and provide for the expenses the topics discussed are everything from traditions and customs to purity and abstinence.
in Paraguay and the US while There’s quite a following now, with new people communicating by text messages every week.
we’re gone. Also, that He’ll see to
The music is all Christian, something that most of these folks are hearing for the first time, but
the ministries that will still be in
definitely liking and requesting. More than one person has shown up to Friday night youth club
operation in our absence, and
because from hearing about it on the radio!
protect the home and those in it.
Through the Friday night events, God is blessing not only those who come to see
--Ministry guidance: We strive to what’s going on, but also those who are working with us. The ministry staff from the band to
be sensitive and relevant to the those who make the kool-aid and popcorn, are meshing into a team and developing their
needs of those we minister to, so ministry giftings. The goal is not only to evangelize the unbelievers who come, but to challenge
help us pray that our vision and and equip the believers that are already here. Monday evening Bible studies are dealing with
God’s vision are one and the same, prayer—what is it, how is it done, why should we do it? Members of the Friday night ministry
and that this time away from team as well as some community folks come out each week to listen to the teachings and
Paraguay will be a time of discuss how we can apply them to our daily prayer lives. And speaking of prayer, you’ll notice a
focusing and refreshing for our new addition to the newsletter, to the left. We ask you to please help us pray for the needs of
family. our family and the ministry, as we trust God for His guidance, provision, and protection.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Thank you again for making it possible for us to minister in Telephone in Paraguay:
595-985-782-928
this beautiful country, which is only possible through your
Skype number: 864-343-1731
prayers, support, and giving. May God richly bless you for the
Donations are received through our local church:
part you play in the growth of His Kingdom in Paraguay! We
Carolina Heights CoGoP
hope to see you in October and November! 2900 Anderson Road
Greenville, SC 29611
(Please write “Hagerman Missions” on check
---Ken, Christie, Camille, and Caroline memo. All donations are tax deductible.)
Mailing address:
Ken and Christie Hagerman
God bless you!
Casilla de Correo 13134
Shopping del Sol
¡Dios le bendiga! Asuncion, Paraguay, South America
Email: hagerman100@yahoo.com
(Spanish) Webpages: www.hagermans.blogspot.com
www.tapemissions.org
Ñandejára tanderovasa!
(Guarani)

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