Julian Goodsir, Matt Cameron, Josh Cameron, Michelle Silver, Carlos Garrido and Nathan Agnew from Church Street Bible Chapel in Timaru have just returned from a mission trip to Paraguay, connecting with GC3 Mission Partners Frank and Jo Fleitas (and their son Benjamin).
Left to right: Matt, Michelle, Julian, Josh, Nathan and Carlos.
The connection between the Fleitas family—who have been serving in Paraguay for over 20 years—and Church Street started when Matt helped facilitate their integration back into New Zealand during the covid period, using his supervision and counselling skills. The partnership with Timaru has grown since then, through financial support and regular Zoom calls.
It was during one of their conversations that the idea of visiting and taking on a specific project was born. Matt says he asked Jo if they'd rather have the money instead of a visit from the team, and she said a visit would be 50/50—that they would benefit and the lives of the team members would also be impacted.
A plan was put in place to bring a team to tile the floor of a youth hall. The existing cracked floor had become a hazard for games and activities that support young people in their community.
Matt says their goal as team was, "To make an impact both practically and spiritually to as many people (including ourselves) as possible for God's glory."
The team of six raised their own funds—including members who sourced and fundraised to bring over equipment (trowels, wedges, grinders, measuring tapes etc.) and other gear (sports equipment etc.) for the youth ministry.
The team had about six days to lay around 300 tiles!
They also had an opportunity to play games with some young people on Saturday afternoon, followed by food and a devotional message. Matt had the opportunity to facilitate two counselling sessions—one in English and one through an interpreter in Spanish. The team got to know other English-speaking believers in the village and attended their local house church.
Plans are already being made to return again, and Matt says they'd be glad to chat with other churches who might be interested in knowing more: "this trip has grown us as disciples, as we've seen what God is doing and how we can be part of that here—both here and overseas."
Get in touch with Matt: churchstreet.timaru@gmail.com or directly with Frank and Jo Fleitas: fleitas@paraguayperspective.org
