"Messengers of Christ," performing for the festival.

On the third night of the Festival of Hope, 1,000 people filled the stadium in Yuty, Paraguay. The three-day event organized by "Jesus Responds to the World of Today" was a huge success. SIM missionaries Dan and Christie Reich said, "[It] far surpassed our expectations."

"This big, top-quality event elevated the status of evangelicals in the eyes of the community," Reich said. "People have been speaking positively about it with each other and on the radio. ... We were pleasantly surprised with how many people attended. We hope to break down barriers, so that people will boldly follow Christ."

Spiritual Harvest

Each night, the festival included Christian music and a message about the love of Christ. Volunteer counselors spoke with nearly 290 people who showed interest in the Gospel.

Diana was one of the people who responded. On the day after the festival, she and her husband visited the Reichs. She had been struggling with post-partum depression. Diana said, "I went with my mom to the festival and felt my depression lifting for the first time. I asked Jesus into my heart and wonder when your meetings are."

	Three guys from the Yuty church youth group dressed up as clowns for the children's festival.

Answered Prayers

God answered many prayers for this event:

• The work on the church building was finished in time to house the volunteers.
• The three days of the festival were the only dry and warm days in a week of horrible weather.
• Many volunteers used their gifts to serve God. One lady designed and painted the stage backdrop, using her artistic abilities to serve the church for the first time.
• More than 1,000 kids attended the children's festival, where they enjoyed a special program of songs, skits, snacks, and a presentation about Jesus' love for them.

Praise God for the overwhelming response to the festival! The church in Yuty will be following up with 100 families who responded to the messages. They will also meet with teens requesting spiritual help after the "Decisions and Their Consequences" presentation in their school.

Pray

• for the church in Yuty, the Reichs, and other SIM missionary families who will be visiting the people who responded to the messages.
• for God to send more people to work in Paraguay.
• for the new radio program "Source of Light," a correspondence discipleship course to help both old and new believers grow in their faith.