Paraguay has been described as "half wilderness and half garden." Paraguayans have developed a fiercely independent spirit, which has taken them into several devastating wars. The nation's institutions and infrastructure urgently need rebuilding on the basis of democracy, truth, justice, and religious freedom. While Paraguay has long been dominated by the traditional religion of its early colonizers, there is widespread bondage to pre-Christian "deities," customs, and superstitions. Paraguay is still waiting for its first true spiritual awakening. Evangelical witness was severely restricted until democratic reforms overthrew a corrupt military dictatorship in 1989. The present constitution provides for freedom of religion and of the press.

SIM has worked in Paraguay since 1987. Key opportunities for witness have opened through veterinary work, sports ministries, youth centres and camps, computer training, and teaching English as a second language. SIM missionaries are working in partnership with Paraguayan believers to plant new churches in the urban centres of Asunción and Villarrica, as well as in the rural towns of Caazapá state.

Visionary planning for the future includes:

• recruiting Hispanic missionaries from SIM-related churches in other South American countries such as Bolivia
  
• more emphasis on discipling believers
  
• leadership development
  
• radio outreach
  
• more extensive work with children and youth (more than half of
• Paraguay's population are under the age of 25)
  equipping Paraguayan churches for ministry to HIV-positive individuals, and to their circle of friends and family

Please pray for:

1. Spiritual awakening.
   
2. Wisdom in laying the foundation for the SIM-related church in Paraguay.
   
3. More workers to go to receptive rural areas.
   
4. Theological training of national church leadership.
   
5. The grass-roots evangelistic movement spearheaded by nationals.