Lucía Flores is a student at the Theological Institute of the Assemblies of God in Asunción, Paraguay. She shares that as part of her studies, they received church planter training from Multiplication Network Ministries (MNM). “At first, I took the church planter training as one more subject but it was a challenge! I realized we were not developing the vision of multiplication in the church,” says Lucía.

When tasked with putting the lessons into practice, Lucía was inspired to start a small group in a nearby neighborhood called Cambala. Every week they had to report their progress witsh sharing the gospel. “We started with adults but we had no adults who accepted Christ, only one child.”

It was very frustrating for Lucía to see that the people were not interested. A part of her did not want to continue but when she saw that interested child, Lucía felt God was giving her the strategy to reach the community.

Lucía started bringing food to the local children and then sharing the Bible with them. “We could see the children really needed the Word of God. At first, they did not respect us but, little by little, that changed as they received love and care from us, which is what God called us to do. Because of this new experience, I love seeing the fruit of what the Lord is doing. ”

Unfortunately, when the quarantine restrictions for COVID-19 began, they could not continue with this strategy to reach the community. However, in her heart, Lucía felt God was calling her to continue taking care of these little ones and their families. “Even though the quarantine affects us all, the need for food in this area is even greater,” says Lucía. They created a fund with other members of the seminary to be able to buy food and leave it at the homes of the children who were participating in their activities.

While they were distributing the food, people asked them what they were doing. In fact, a lady who had opposed Lucía’s activity with the children in the neighborhood was now more receptive to hearing about what they were doing and how God was moving them to bring not only food but also the Word of God.

“We went house to house to speak with the children so they would not miss hearing the Word. We are carrying the message more effectively. The parents were very grateful. This helped me to realize how necessary this work is.” Lucía is certain that when things return to normal, people will be more receptive to the message, especially since the seed continues to be sown. In the meantime, she continues to ask God for the resources to continue carrying food and the Word to the community.