Looking over the published list of mission agencies working in Paraguay, I see three denominations that may give support to missionary candidates. You’ll have to talk with them personally: • ABWE (Association of Baptists for World Evangelism) (www.abwe.org). They list 15 missionaries working there. • Assemblies of God World Missions (www.agwm.org), who list 12 missionaries working there. • United Church Board for World Ministries (www.ucc.org) who show 2 missionaries in the country.

Raising support is a challenge; none of us like to beg or ask for money. However, it has its advantages. • When one has raised support from interested friends and churches, it is a confirmation of God’s call. After all, missions is His idea, and as you mentioned in your note, you feel “called”. If indeed the Lord has called you, it is His responsibility to meet your needs as you follow and obey Him. • It teaches you principles of faith – trusting the Lord for your needs. It is faith which will be the basis of your effectiveness in serving Him anywhere. Raising support teaches one that God can be trusted to provide financially. We also need to trust God for friendships, a place to live, help in learning a language, how to make contacts, and being a channel of communicating His grace, love, and power to others. • It enables you to develop a group of people who will stand with you in prayer. Too often missionaries who are sent by denominational boards that pay them a salary feel unconnected and even alone as they carry out their tasks. When we are related to congregations and individuals who are supporting us we maintain closer contact with them, rely more on them, and have the joy of closer partnership with them. We have had people support us for over 40 years, and feel a real bond with them.

I would like to recommend a book that would be of help to you in raising support, should the Lord lead you in this direction: William P. Dillon. People Raising. A Practical Guide to Raising Suppport. Chicago: Moody, 1993. Many have found it has given them both ideas and hope.

Well, Brian, a longer answer than what possibly you were expecting, but I trust you find it helpful.