Saturday 29 August 2020 Julie writes :
Beryl had travelled to Rio Verde to the petrol station/supermarket where reception is good, so was able to access her emails and ring. At the ranch, problems with communication as usual, though it is good at 2 am!
The corona virus has come to the area. Pastor Augustine held a celebration anniversary service; the visiting pastor had the virus and it has now spread. The visiting pastor has sadly died. It means people are back in lockdown.
Rhett has been to the ranch, driven here by his wife Mari. (A huge answer to prayer – thank you Father God.) Rhett has returned to Asuncion now. Beryl spent some time with him; he is well and has been checking the cattle and buying hay. Rhett doesn’t want his people leaving the ranch (54 of them including the families) nor anyone coming on to the ranch. Beryl has just been doing their shopping for them and for herself.
People are turning to the Lord. The women are holding daytime prayer meetings with bible readings. Initially they were organised by PastorVictor but since the lockdown Beryl has been leading them in her house or on the veranda. The men are at work and then too tired by the end of the day. However, weather is very hot, in the 40s even though it is winter time, and it is still very dusty from the road works so a struggle to continue. The tarmac is
due to be laid soon.
Although there was a 32mm fall of rain that has brought some grass back, all the water tanks are empty. Beryl buys mineral water to drink for herself but has to boil any other water she needs. The wild animals are coming closer to the water holes, pumas and leopards, occasionally taking sheep. There are no wild animals near Beryl, apart from the ones that live there, that is, alligators and anacondas, who are not a problem. One of the dogs was given a new home quite a distance away but returned on day 3. What to do with all the dogs continues to be a problem.
Tim Curtis returned to Paraguay and spent two weeks inquarantine. As there is no water where he lives and works near Rio Verde, he has gone to Loma Plata to work. Pray for him as he adjusts to the new situation with the virus and restrictions. Pray that post has come at last including an important communication from Beryl’s bank.
Pray Beryl has time to write a news update for CMS England and Ireland so that others can join in prayer.
Pray for continued protection for them all. Pray for rain. Pray for a functioning vehicle. Beryl’s car engine is now the problem, the ranch manager Tito says, so there is urgent need for a replacement vehicle still.
Pray that the prayer meetings and bible readings help thewomen grow in their faith and love for one another.
With love and prayers from Beryl, from a Whatsappconversation with her on 29/ 8 /20 from Rio Verde
Beryl referred to this passage from Lamentations ch 3 v21-24 :
Hope returns when I remember this one thing – the LORD’s unfailing love and mercy still continue, fresh as the morning, as sure as the sunrise. The LORD is all I have, and so I put my hope in him. The LORD is good to everyone who trusts in him. So it is best for us to wait in patience – to wait for him to save us. (Good News Bible)
Or from the NIV ‘This I call to mind and therefore I have hope – because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself ‘the LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him. The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.’