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

January-February, 2011
What a way to start 2011!
God definitely has a different
year in mind for us than what we’d ever imagined, and we are still sorting through what all that means. He has
shown Himself ever faithful, ever powerful, ever present. We’ve grown to appreciate Him more and more
every day, and to lean on Him for protection and provision more than ever before. This edition of our newsletter
highlights the latest happenings and major changes we’re going through. Feel free to copy this and pass it to
those you know who may be interested, or to forward this if you received it as an email.

Ken’s Heart Surgery

The month of January was focused on Ken’s recuperation from his open-heart surgery, which took place here in Paraguay on
December 14. We spent several weeks in the home of our friends and fellow missionaries, the Morton family. They live in a
town much closer to the capital, which is where all Ken’s follow-up appointments have been, so their opening their home to us was
quite a blessing for our family.

It was a time when we refilled our tanks, so to speak, and enjoyed their hospitality while relishing the fellowship. Camille and
Caroline had the opportunity during this time to participate in the Morton’s local church, which is larger than what we’re used to
and has a great youth group. They even got to take part in the youth camp, where they learned a lot and made tons of new
friends. We enjoyed the time in “Morton’s Rehab Home” but were also glad to get back to our own four walls and touch base
within our neighborhood.

Our neighbors really rallied around us, offering help and encouragement, and paying visits to lift Ken’s spirits. We had so many
opportunities to share of the miracles God performed before, during, and after the surgery. Many of them were totally
surprised at the strength Ken has shown, up and walking around and looking good. He’s been a living testimony to God’s healing
touch. He still has a little ways to go, with his endurance not quite back to normal, and his blood levels not yet stabilized. We’re
told this is normal and will work itself out with time, and until then it is manageable. We really appreciate all the prayers and
encouragement we’ve received from y’all. God is good.

Abuela’s Special Night

Do you remember the story of the little grandma (“abuela”) whose yard and home we
cleaned when Amber was here with us? Well, a couple of weeks ago she had a
birthday. She thought she was turning 15, and she insisted her granddaughters give her
a manicure and a “hairdo” and that her daughter cook her a cake. So at about 9:30 PM,
the daughter came knocking on my door to invite me to an impromtu birthday party. One
of the grandaughters happens to be the teacher at the little school in Loma Clavel,
where we have been having Bible classes each week. So during the party she told me
that the students, who come around each day she’s out there cleaning and prepping for
the start date, keep asking if we’ll be coming back. We assured her that was definitely
part of our plan for this year, and that we look forward to being even more a part of the lives of these students.
The REST of the Story
The beginning of February, I (Christie) was privileged to begin a three-week intensive course in Guarani. This is the heart language
of the people of rural Paraguay, and is something I’ve been trying to learn on my own since arriving here. This class was taught by an
American man who offers the course specifically to missionaries, in ENGLISH! I was just thrilled to finally be able to take part in this
class, and to be learning more and more how to communicate with those we came to minister to. I learned a lot in the quick three
weeks, but I was sure from the beginning that the enemy did not want this to take place.
For one thing, our car, which was supposed to be fixed in mid-December, is STILL not fixed. We thought I’d be able to take a
series of buses to arrive at the class each day, but the Guarani-Jopara Language Institute is located in a really remote (and very, very
beautiful) location at the top of a mountain. The trip to the Institute included long winding dirt roads, paths over grass, roads covered
in big rocks, and several streams. Our ministry partner (and practically a member of our family) Saúl offered to drive me to and from
class each day using our motorcycle. Since Ken wasn’t cleared to even drive a car yet, this seemed our only option. Each day, however,
was a battle. We drove regularly through storms, we had a flat tire, electrical problems, the chain pop, you name it. We were stranded
on the side of the road several times, and I ended up walking a large part of the mountain road once. Even so, the trouble was well
worth the benefit of learning this language, so important to our ministry here. A couple of nights before the end of the class, we met
with our core group, planning out the restart of our ministry, including the school classes, the youth nights, the Bible studies, and a few
more ideas. Everything was to be back in full swing starting the first week of March.
Then, on the last officially scheduled day of the Guarani class (Feb 18), Saúl and I were hit on the motorcycle by a truck on the way
to class. We were almost there when a Landcruiser going way too fast veered
off his side of the road and slammed into me behind my left knee, throwing me
off the bike, and then hit the handlebars causing Saúl to lose control. The
Prayer Focus
Landcruiser flipped several times, crashing into a brick house and destroying it.
Thankfully, the man in the house had just stepped out, and there were no
--Wisdom as we make decisions about
fatalities. I was knocked out for a short time but sustained no internal
where and how to go about Christie’s
injuries, and Saúl came out with some scrapes and minor injuries.
rehabilitation, and what adjustments
My femur was broken, however, and I went into surgery to have a plate and
we should make in the ministry
seven screws put in place. After a few days in the hospital, I’m now beginning
--Supernatural healing for Christie’s rehabilitation. I should be able to walk on this leg again in about 6 months, but
leg and Ken’s heart for now I’m stuck in a lovely little wheelchair and will begin to use a walker soon,
--Provision for our vehicle and health hopping on the right leg. The rehabilitation period for this is said to be around
care expenses a year, so the plans we HAD made for 2011 are now having to be shifted. Please
pray for us as we work out the details of this new development, and follow God’s
--Peace and grace as we go through
plan for us here. We know He’s not surprised by any of this. We have some
these changes
pretty heavy decisions to make now and want to be sure we are in the center of
God’s will. We have felt intense spiritual warfare since returning from our visit
to the US, and we feel the enemy would like to get us out of Paraguay. We are
all the more resolved to stand and fight, and to be used as God sees fit.

Thank you again for making it possible for us to minister CONTACT INFORMATION
in this beautiful country, which is only possible through
your prayers, support, and giving. May God richly bless Telephone in Paraguay:
you for the part you play in the growth of His Kingdom in 595-985-782-928
Skype number: 864-343-1731
Paraguay!
Donations are received through our local
church:
--Ken, Christie, Carolina Heights CoGoP
Camille, and God bless you! 2900 Anderson Road
Caroline Greenville, SC 29611
(Please write “Hagerman Missions” on check
¡Dios le bendiga! memo. All donations are tax deductible.)
Mailing address:
Ken and Christie Hagerman
Ñandejára tanderovasa! Casilla de Correo 13134
Shopping del Sol
Asuncion, Paraguay, South America
Email: hagerman100@yahoo.com
Webpages: www.hagermans.blogspot.com
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our newsletter to you in that way. It is much quicker and more efficient. If you don’t have an email address,
or if you just prefer the regular mail, don’t worry. We’ll keep sending it to you that way.)