Summer camp

This we had another good turn out for summer camp. Over 140 Alliance students came out. Marcos, the national pastor who is working with me in the Church Plant, lead the youth camp, while I headed up the College camp. After a tiring week, everyone left excited, in good spirits, and exhausted.

Don't ask how much it cost!

One of our local grocery stores got the shipment of American products. In past years, I have been able to resist myself, but this year I gave in, even if it was more than double the cost. I understand Esau (who sold his inheritance for some bean soup), Hormel Tamales are worth a week’s salary. We got the loot home and I fixed up the Tamales, they were accompanied with some Jumex Tamarind juice, by anyone’s standards, a truly authentic Mexican meal. As for the juice, what a trip it had, leaving Mexico up to the US, and then down to Brazil and finally over to Paraguay. Contrary to brief, Paraguayans don’t speak Mexican or eat their food.

Sarah and I also had “southern culture day” in which we ate Corned Beef Hash and Grits. Although the boys did not participate in the meal, they will need to go to “How to be southern” boot camp when we get back.

Somewhere between nervous and excited

That’s what I felt as the National Police told me to get into the back of the police pick-up truck as I was being carted off to the local police station. I had been on my way to Awana (our ministry to kids) on Saturday afternoon. It is close to where we live so I take a bus each week. I did not take my wallet (which has my ID in it) in case I get robbed. The bus I got on was completely full which is rare for Saturday afternoon, so I had to stand next to the driver. Three blocks down the road there was a police check point, in which they enter the bus asking for IDs, I was the first one they came to and did not have my ID. I then got off the bus and sat under the overpass with the rest of those who dare to leave their homes without ID. I was able to call Sarah to meet me at the police station with my ID.
We boarded the pick-ups in groups of 5. The officer, who sat guard over us, yelled at us a good bit in Guarani, I don’t speak Guarani, but I’m sure he was not asking us if we were comfortable. The “clown” next to me is throwing “shout outs” to his friends in the street, I’m sure he received so police brutality late that day. We were told we would be held for 5 hours there at the station, even after our IDs are dropped off. I knew I did not want to spend the next 5 hours there, especially after I saw the holding cell.
We sat in a courtyard while they took down our information. From where I was sitting I had a good view of our future cell mate. He had woken up with all the commotion, and was very interested in why we were there, he then when on to freshen up his cell and himself with some Glade. His cell was all of 4x6ft so I was pretty sure that we would not be with him.
I was counting on Sarah’s very pregnant stomach, two kids and good behavior for an early release with time served. But she sent our Field Director, who is less charming and not pregnant. But it all worked just find, before they had time to put into action their devious 5 hour plan, I was walking out the doors. Thanks Bob!
So lesson learned, always have your ID on you when in Paraguay.

Hot Water

Josiah did not want to get a bath the other day, it was too hot for him. Just out of curiosity I checked to see how hot it was..... it was 103.4 out of the tap. This is cold water right out of the ground. The ground gets so hot durning the day that it heats up the pipes and thus the water. After a hot day there is nothing like a warm shower. :)

Just what the dr. ordered.

Having a hard time getting rid of that cold or virus? We may have the cure. According to a Paraguayan home remedy the cure for a respiratory infection is a mixture of… the fat from a carpincho (capybara) and honey. I have not had the chance to take this home remedy just yet. (IF YOU ARE EATING WHILE READING YOU MAY WANT TO STOP READING AT THIS POINT) I have heard that after eating carpincho, that the smell of the carpincho will seep from your sweat glands!
They are the largest living rodent in the world, weighing in at 140 lbs. Kapiÿva in Guarani means “master of the grasses”. They can eat up to 8lbs of grass a day.
So next time you’re sick, go out and get you a fat carpincho!

New Building

We are moving into the new building! A few weeks ago we began renting a new building near where we have been working. It is in a good location and has space to grow. This past week we have begun the work of building an extra room onto what will be Marcos’ new house. Later we will begin working on the rest of the building, which was formally a warehouse. The landlord will continue to use the front of the building, while we will use the warehouse in the back.

Missed call

Don’t you hate missed calls; or when the call will not go thru because there is no service. The other day a national holiday fell on a Monday, which is the day our small group meets (which is across the street from children’s ministry, Awana). I had forgotten to tell Marcos not to come because the people were not expecting to have the bible study. So I called him before the Bible study to let him know. Well, he did not get the call, and came anyways. I was across the street, when he came, he told me that he had missed my call and asked if there was anything I had needed. I explained to him that the bible study had been canceled. We agreed but at least he could make a social visit to the family.
Because it was a holiday Juana’s son Cesar was home (the bible study is usually at Juana’s house). Cesar and his wife, Eva, had recently moved into Juana’s house. Marcos was able to present the message of salvation to both Cesar and Eva. At the end of their time together, they both accepted Jesus as Savior! Last week they were both at small group last week. Pray that Cesar and Eva will be strong in their new faith. They are excited that the church building will be close to where they live. (Photo: Eva, far left) Pray for Danny(in green), a new believer, that he will understand the meaning of salvation.