El Puente Dental clinic

Thanks to you, generous friend/family member/supporter, in less than a month, we were able to raise enough funds to purchase this fancy, almost-new, dental chair to be installed at El Puente Girls' Home. As soon as we purchased it, a technician went to the Home last month to set it up and make sure it worked properly.

The new chair, all set up and ready to go.

But you won't know until you try it yourself! So last week, my dad and I went to the Home with two super cool dentists: Fátima and Daisy, as well as Enrique, Daisy's husband.

The road to Quyquyho, where the Home is located.

As soon as we arrived, they got to work right away.

About 10 girls had left to spend the holidays with their extended families; the rest remained at the Home. All of them got their teeth checked and cleaned. Some of them got fillings done, others had extractions. Not a single one of them cried or complained.

Fátima, Daisy and Enrique.

While the dentists were working, dad and I installed new security cameras throughout the Home (again, purchased thanks to the donations). Neither of us had any clue of how to set these things up, but by the end of the day we figured it out and got them all working!

Trying hard not to scratch the wall. Didn't succeed.

Ramona was a huge help

Donna was our test subject

The dentists finished their work and promised to return in March to check on the other girls.

Donna, Enrique, Daisy, Fátima and the girls.

Daisy and Fátima were thrilled with the girls and the work being done at El Puente. Over lunch, we all sat sown together and dreamed up an idea: to open a dental clinic at El Puente.

Don Carlos, Fátima and Osvaldo enjoying Maria Luisa´s five-star cooking.

Starting in March, the dentists will return and offer a free consultation to the entire community: surrounding schools, neighbors, nearby towns; everyone.

After the free consultation, those who wish to continue their treatment can do so by paying a very affordable amount: an amazing thing given that there's no reliable dental services available in the area at all. We're looking forward to seeing this dream come to fruition!

We had brought candy and chocolate as a late Christmas present for the girls. Since they had just been seen by the dentist, we decided to behave and postpone the sugar fest. Instead, we got together and talked about their future careers.

"Life is like a ladder. You just have to take one step at a time"

The following day the dentists left. Candy time! We had them line up and turn around, as we placed bags full of goodies behind them. 1...2...3...go!

It was a challenge to hide all the candy without the girls seeing it

All in all, it was another fruitful and encouraging visit. It's a joy to see the girls grow and become who they were created to be: thriving, flourishing, gifted young women who love God above all and their neighbor as themselves. Girls who will no longer be seen as burdens, but who will become burden-lifters in this world. I'm very excited for their futures.

And here are some cows we found on the highway.

Short but sweet visit

I managed to squeeze in a brief visit to El Puente Home while I was in Paraguay. Totally worth it.

The Home now has a fresh coat of paint all throughout. Looks brand new.

We arrived just in time for their Sunday service. We all learned new songs. The worship set was led by Stephen and Jessica.

Stephen and Jessica have moved from North Carolina and Georgia, respectively, to live in Quyquyho for 2 years! Looking forward to seeing more of them when we come visit.

That same weekend, Sascha, Ximena and Fernando worked tirelessly to set up ten desktop computers that had been donated earlier this year. 

They loaded the machines with Linux Mint, LibreOffice and made sure they're all up and running. 

 Needless to say, the girls are ecstatic about their new computer lab. Finally, the Learning Center can offer computer classes free of charge to the girls and the students in the community. Now we need volunteers that want to come and help with that =)

There have been lots of other repairs and upgrades at the Home.  The girls proudly show their new showers:

 Their new laundry area:

And new shelves for their clothes:

On Monday morning, the younger girls got ready for their last day of school. They turned in their last assignment for their Arts and Crafts class:

Some finished painting the wooden boxes they made in Justin's carpentry class, last April:

The older girls go to school in the afternoon. When the academic year is over, most girls will leave the Home to spend the holidays with their extended family, after which they will return.  

Our friend Donna has been at the Home since late September, teaching at the Learning Center and helping out in countless other ways. It was a treat to see her in Asuncion! Here we are with Belén, who is currently taking personalized violin classes, an instrument in which she has shown great proficiency.

It was a short but very profitable visit. I'm always hugely blessed to see the girls grow and thrive in their own gifts and interests. I'm exceedingly excited to see how the Home continues to evolve into something much more than just a place for shelter, but a place where these young girls can prosper in all areas of their lives. 

An unforgettable weekend

Two weekends ago, all the girls from El Puente Home were treated to a 3-day field trip to Asunción. Most of them have never been to the capital. Certainly none of them have spent an entire weekend there for fun -which is why this trip was so special and memorable to them.

Some highlights:

Get these girls some food! Thanks tia Ani and friends for the amazing spaghetti and hot dogs.

Eagerly waiting for lunch 

A quick tour of the Jardín Botánico (Zoo).

Enjoying the animals

They even got a personal tour from a Zoo staff

Listening attentively to the explanation

Not afraid of the tiger

 The girls stayed at abuela Nonocha's house in Luque. She has a big yard with lots of room to play. Of course, the girls took full advantage of that.

Next stop: the Costanera (waterfront) near downtown Asunción. 

The beach next to Asunción Bay

The little ones riding on the surrey

They loved the carts you can rent out there

On Sunday, they woke up early and attended a church service. When it ended, the church members treated them to a lunch prepared specially for them. After that, the biggest surprise: a special "merienda" for them at the Sheraton Hotel in Asunción. 

The spread was impressive and very fancy. 

Another surprise! They all got aprons and toured the kitchen in the hotel.

Time to play some soccer -the girls' favorite sport.

They don't mess around. These girls play rough!

They were also able to squeeze in:

A visit to the mall to watch a movie.

A pizza dinner:

A BBQ, of course.

A birthday party:

A costume contest:

And games. Lots and lots of games:

This is a weekend they will never forget. A huge thank you to all who helped, donated, drove, cooked, coordinated and otherwise made this event possible!