Starting in August of 2009, our local church has chosen the nation of Paraguay as our Level One Harvest Partner. As you will read more about below, the work and mission in Paraguay has continued to grow and evolve, and God continues to do amazing things through the people in Paraguay. We decided as a local church that Paraguay was in need of our full support. Below is more information about our history of short-term mission trips to Paraguay, as well as official stats and information about Paraguay, and the National Overseer in Paraguay.
Year COGOP Established: 1977 2008 Membership: 607 No. of Churches: 20 No. of Missions: 3 No Licensed Pastors/Ministers: 10
About
Paraguay: California-size Paraguay is surrounded by Brazil, Bolivia,
and Argentina in south-central South America and has a land area of
153,398 square miles. Population (2009 est.) 6,995,655 with growth
rate of 2.3%.
Click image above to visit Paraguay Missions
Nine years ago a group from High Point, Ward Avenue took it's first Short Term mission trip to a little known COGOP Youth Camp in Paraguay, South America. At the time the camp was unnamed. Today it is called "The Promiseland" camp. There was no doubt from our first preparations that God directed and ordained that mission trip. Several of us from the High Point church participated in this first mission, including Mariea Shean, Ashleigh Haire, Brooklynn Burney, Pamela Payne, and Gary Ellas. We made our plans, but God had other plans when we arrived.
Under the direction of God and Canadian Missionary Dan Miller, we were able to witness lives so hungry for God, and not material things, that we were forever changed. On our first visit our team showered once, maybe twice in 2 weeks because there was very little water. There is no sewer system, no heat, and sometimes no electricity. Large insects, spiders, and some of the homes we visited had rooms with no walls. Food was very different. NO potatoes anywhere! The Camp was under construction, and nothing finished but the caretakers house where 10 of us, plus 4-6 visitors stayed. One bathroom. But the VISION has continued and spread. And things have changed. More people know about the camp and its work. The camp is officially self-sufficient as of January 2007, meaning it will generate enough income to support itself.
Please be sure to check all of the photos and details below from all our trips to Paraguay, as well as photos and details. Also, if you would like to visit the official Paraguay Missions website, click on the image immediately below.
Click image above to visit Paraguay Missions
Dan Miller and his wife Gwen visited the High Point church back in August of 2008. In addition to attending the COGOP General Assembly, they visited supporting churches of the Paraguay Mission for approximately 3 months. We were blessed to have Dan come and speak to us at our local church. If you missed his visit, you can watch the video by clicking on the "Paraguay Missionary" link on this site, or you can simply click on the image of Dan Miller's family to the left.
August 2007 Mission Trip
In August of 2007, we took another trip to Paraguay, with two of our members going this time. Our two members were Gerald Shean, and Stephen Schaefer. For Stephen, this was his 3rd trip to Paraguay, and Gerald's first trip. It was a blessing to go and to see what God is continuing to do in Paraguay.
October 2006 Mission Trip
In the fall of 2006, another team headed for Parauay, with the following people: Mariea Shean, Stephen Schaefer, Grisselle Perez, Barbara Snyder, and Dottie Shean. During this trip, we helped organize a mini-retreat for women, we held a children's retreat, assisted with ministering in local churches, and also meeting with town's people to minister as needed. The children's retreat was a BIG hit as over 300 children showed up over the course of 2 days. Please look below for more photos from the most recent trip in 2006. As of April 2007, another trip is in the planning stages for August of this year. God is moving in Paraguay, and together with God, we can make a difference!
2006 Mission Team Photos
2004 Mission Trip
In 2004 we took our second team from High Point, Ward Avenue to Paraguay. This mission included Mariea Shean, Bill Ellas, Terry Marlowe, and Stephen Schaefer. On this trip we joined others from Canada, South Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee. Please scroll to below for photos from the 2004 trip. During our stay we ministered in a Kid's Camp, Youth Camp, Minister's Retreat, and construction. To-date all the cabins are complete, a water system is in place, a children's home with 8 homeless children is open, and lights glow along a dark path (thanks to Stephen Schaefer). Funds from the USA and Canada sent the first Paraguayans through Bible School, roofed several needy churches, and supplied clothes and food for many of the children. Funding comes mainly from churches in the USA and Canada and individuals. Dan's home church is currently working on church planting in an Amazon area and other areas of Paraguay. These generous funds are helping to begin construction on a medical clinic and school on the camp property, but much more is needed. Past contributions from High Point, Ward Avenue supplied the caretaker with a washer, roofing system for the children's home, and brick and tile for the Camp Cabins. Additionally, we convinced The Home Depot to donate a Table Saw to take with us!
The Promiseland camp in Paraguay was started by Missionary Dan Miller (and his family) from the Canada Church of God of Prophecy in the 90's. As we mentioned above, we are happy to report that the Promiseland camp is officially a "self-sufficient" camp in it's operations as of January 2007. This wonderful campsite is near the village of Carapegua, about 2 hours from the capital city of Asuncion. The most recent addition to the camp has been a Children's home for orphans. We could go on and on about this wonderful mission, and instead we thought it would be better to share some photographs from our visits.
2004 Mission Team Photos
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