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Tools of the Trade

What would you do if you wanted a job but didn't have the tools you needed? Here in Paraguay day wagers don't know if they have work for the day until early each morning. They wait to see if a "patron" or general contractor comes honking near their wood shack. Sometimes the boss provides tools for his workers, but many times they don't. You helped us make sure that when a job comes around for these men, they wouldn't miss out because they lacked the resources.

As part of the Christmas projects, this week we've been able to distribute the following tools to farmers and day laborers. We gave out: 10 machetes, 3 hoes, 4 mason’s trowels, and two saws.

These men have 3-6 children to provide for and make $8-10/day. That's just enough to keep food on the table. We prayed with each family and told them that "friends from afar" would also lift them up in prayer. Thanks so much for helping these Paraguayan men provide for their families by keeping them employed! Your investment is making a difference in these lives:
Pablino
Roberto
Rafael

And more happy blanket recipients:
Ermie
Susana (in white) is my age and is already a grandmother to the children on the right. Her one room home gives shelter to eleven people!
Nimfa. She is crippled and walks on her hands using those black flip flops as cushion. She will be one of our closest neighbors when we move in 2 weeks.

Ruth. This beautiful girl's father committed suicide when she was one.
Abuela Riveros cried when she received her blanket, she was so overjoyed that someone would think of her with such a "treasure"!

Since you could not be here to see the look of joy in the faces of these humbled recipients, we wanted to bring their smiling faces to you. No one expects this type of generosity and it has allowed us to share God's love when they ask us, "Why me?" Thank you again for reaching out beyond your context to help people you most likely will never meet, but people that God loves.

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