A Small Tale

Our team of ten, friends till the end
Had packed our bags and snacks
And ventured out to lands unknown
For two weeks and now we're back.

When people ask, "How was your trip?"
It's hard to find the words
So many things had happened there
So many cows and birds.

The cows and chickens crossed the road
And dogs roamed wild and free
Dirt roads wove through the middle of town
Green pastures far as the eye could see.

We woke up every morning
to roosters cockadooing
Ate every breakfast as a team
with instant coffee brewing.

The girls would come with smiles
And give their round of hugs
Then at the end of the day as they walked away
They'd say, "I love you very much."

We taught them English, songs and games
And did some arts and crafts
bible studies, presentations,
And lots and lots of laughs

Especially when one night we all
Did zumba and the limbo
Lead by Yuliana
She put on quite a show.

And then Guillermo taught Kung Fu
And Justin made a tire swing
Aimee directed a fabulous play
Kaitlyn and Rob shared testimonies

Daniel taught computer classes
Leah gave important talks
Elias became a famous artist
I led games, we all thought outside the box.

But there was more, so much much more
And all of us worked together
We could do none of it on our own
We needed one another.

And God was there, He always was
Right in the midst of us
Working His plan out every day
While giving us just enough

We left the girls with heavy hearts
Because we grew so close
We became a family
A family God chose.

I find it neat that God's love meets
us all around the world
I saw God's love in Quyquyho
A story to unfold.

(a small tale in God's Great Story)

Just got back

Last night in Asuncion, saying goodbye to mom

21 hours later, at SFO

More reflections on our time in the villiage of Quyquyho

It's me again (Leah). We just arrived back in the Capital  city, Asuncion. I honestly have to say I miss the simplicity of the country side, the people and all of the vacas. On Monday in the villiage we did a VBS like event for the very poor part of the community. Many of the people lived in little huts made of sticks and boards. This was actualy what I was expecting to see in the main part of Quyquyho, but the peopl there semmed much better off compared to this community because their houses were nat least made of actual building materials and appeared more structualy sound. At the VBS event, we played games with the kids, face painted, did a pupet show, sang kids worship songs and Aimee gave her testimony.The kids were so proud of their painted faces.

God also did an amazing job in ordaining a meeting with some of the teenagers in the community. They ended up being a big part of our ministry even though they were not part of our initial plan, but His plans are so much greater. We spent several evenings hanging out with them. Some opened up to us about some of the issues they are dealing with in their lives and that they are so thankful that we were there to show them that there is hope in Jesus and that He does have a plan for them. Our young friends went to church service on Sunday and I heard that they do not normaly do this.  One of the teenagers accepted Jesus the other night! Prase God! It is my hope that they will continue going to church and seek the Lord. Please pray that they have people to come along side them and the the seeds that we planted will sprout and that the youngster who accepted Jesus nas her Saviour will continue to grow in her relationship with Him.

One of the homes in the poor villiage

Tagging in the villiage (in chalk). Jesus loves you in three languages: English, Spanish y Guarini

Aimee gives her testimony

Last Friday I twisted my ankle. Of course I am the one to injure myself while walking. It looked pretty bad at first as it was very swollen, hurt a lot and I could not put wait on it. I did not freak out in worry about being 3 hours from the nearest hospital, or what this was going to do to our plans. Instead I decided that it I was put out of commission, it would just be n opportunity to just spend time focusing on alone time with Jesus. I just put my trust in Him. This lack of worrying is not like me at all. I am definatly a worrier but this is something that has been changing in me and became very evident with my ankle issue. So I was praisng Him for woking on my worrying issue, as well as praising him that my ankle was much better the next day and continues to get better.

wrapping up our time in Quyquyho

Some more reflections on our time in Quyquyho and the surrounding areas are how gracious and giving the people are and how incredibly overwhelmed and blessed they are in receiving small gifts. Last week, we went to a small villiage and we were greeted by the community who provided us with a feast as well as a wheel barrow full of fresh tangerines and other yummy fruit. This villiage has so little and they they took so much joy in providing us with these gifts. At the villiage, we had lunch with the mayor. He shared with us his heart to serve the people and provide them with education, a source of income and make sure that they are not forgotten within the larger government structure. He also shared that his father was killed as a result of his fight for the people in this forgotten community, yet he has not let this cause him to stop him from continuing on the same path of His father in fighting for social justice for the low income people. He was very appreciative of our team and stated that he wished that the people in his community would go to church and serve as we have. It is my understanding that he is not walking with the Lord but he still appears to understand the life changing power of Christ. If this mayor is already doing greatthings for his community, it is amoazing to think of what he could do if he had a relationship with Christ.


Last night was truly special. The guys on our team prepared a very special dinner for the girls. The decorated the Comedor and dressed up. I have to say, the guys on our team cleaned up really nice. Us girls helped the girls at the home do ther hair and make-up. The girls had no idea what surprise was waiting for them. The guys were waiting when we arrived back at the comedor. As gentlemen, the guys escorted the girls inside where flowers balloons and a candle-lit dinner awaited. The guys then proceeded to serve them an elegant European-style chicken dinner. The girls were crying, stating that they have never been treated that way before.   They were also given simple gifts, lotions for the older girls and candies and stickers for the younger ones. They were so thankful and proceeded to cry again. They were  grateful for such simple things.

After dinner the girls took us to their home where they put on quite the show for us. They did a choregraphed dance to a christian song in Spanish then danced several Paraguayan deances in traditional dresses. What a treat! It was so nice to see the girl show their appreciation through their talents. There were many more tears as we took lots of pictures and prepared to say gooodbye the next day. As I am writting this, I don't know how I will say goodbye to the girls in just a few hours.

I have a few more reflections about our time in Quyquyho, but I can save them for a later post, since you are probably tired of reading this by now. Chow for now.

-Leah                   

God's Story

Crisp air, green pastures, smiling faces, delicious food, chirping birds, and playful farm animals are just some of the sights and sounds we’ve been immersed in for the past 9 days. As we begin to wrap up our time here in the village of Quyquyho, I am reminded of God’s faithfulness in allowing us to be a part of His plan. I have been amazed by the way He has used each one of our unique gifts and talents to impart blessings on the people here. The blessings were evident by the joyful faces and silent gratitude of both children and adults. During one of our community outreach activities, I’ve had the privilege of painting faces and observing the smiles as the kids modeled their new artwork to their friends and family. While teaching in the schools, the joyful faces were harder to spot but emerged as we emphasized the importance of physical and psychological health, which was echoed by the teachers there. Behind the smiles we found layers of distress, insecurities and addictions. What we didn’t fully realize, is that God ordained these moments and specifically entrusted our team to pull apart the layers. The struggles that the youth encountered on a regular basis put us in a perfect position to challenge their current views in ways no one ever has. As we continue to finish our work here, we take a final walk through all the schools and encourage them to press into God’s enduring love, grace and mercy. In a land filled with mediocrity and hopelessness, our Lord Jesus sheds His light and confirms His love for the people by using 10 broken “North Americans”. This is a story that could have only been penned by God...

Well, we have been here for over a week and I haven't posted anything yet. I think this is because I needed some time to process and take everything in. Also, I have felt mentally exhausted after each day at the schools, eventhough I enjoyed being there immensly. I think I will share some of the things that have impacted me the most during our first week here.

The first thing that blew me away happened on our first day here. The kids at the home had a church service. They were asked to share what they are thankful for. They appeared so full of joy and were so thankful for God each other, food, people to take care of them..things that I think many American kids take for granted.

There was one day in particular that I had a difficult day, I think it was Wednesday. I think I kind of had a unrealistic understanding of the people in the community. The kids at the schools seemed happy and and I was content with providing them with the information on sex, alcohol, drugs and abuse in my presentation. I was unprepared when  the wounds they were carrying around were suddenly opened. During the presentations, we decided to give the kids a forum for asking  questions confidentially by writting them down. Some questions asked were about very difficult topics such as, "what does someone doif they are raped and become pregnant?" I felt so heartbroken and burdened. I felt that I had done a diservice by opening up the wounds and not being able to provide the follow through to help them because I am only here short-term. I felt that it was my job to fix it. During lunch I gave it all up to God in prayer. I realized that obviously it is not my job to ix it, it is God's job. The teachers told us that NO ONE has told these kids that abuse is wrong or to ask for help. They said that in itself is invaluable. It is my prayer that puttinglight on some of these issues will prompt someone to action and that the community will turn to God for help.

-Leah

God certainly has edit rights.....

In the days leading up to the missions trip I once again packed up my expectations, my thoughts of how its going to be, and my preceived notions of how this missions trip will turn out along with my belongings. I knew my part I was going to be leading some art classes, and interpreting for those who couldnt speak spanish and of course sharing the gospel of salvation through Christ Jesus. That was my to do list but of course God has edit rights. Of course HE worked through the art sessions with the kids. However on Friday night the community and schools we had been helping were invited to a screening of the movie Courageous that was shown at the town square. Afterwards Guillermo encouraged everyone there to stick around for anything that they wanted to talk about. When unexpectedly I was asked to share my testimony and my journey with God. Earlier I had shared it with just the guys of the school but now I was about to share with everyone. I was very uneasy and afraid to share specifically  what I was strugggling with as a young adult and if they knew the details would they look at me differently or treat me differently. But praise God He gave me the confidence to not hold anything back and to proclaim that God does change lives and that once in Christ you are a NEW creation and the old has passed away. Shortly after that God had remedied  my doubts and regrets about what i had just done with his confirmation and blessings through the reaction of the people there that i learned of and Guillermo told me they were thankful and blessed to see that someone just likethem are going through the same problems. Also I was immensely blessed by the encouragement given freely by everyone on the missions team about sharing that night. In closing praise and thanks to our heavenly Father for his grace and mercy and of course bringing something beautiful out of ashes.

Miscellany

My camera is acting up so I may not be posting many more pictures, but here are a bunch, as well as some other observations.

When Sam sings with the girls, she reminds me of Julie Andrews in The Sound of Music.

Rob goes by Roberto when he's here, which is his full name, but also because when the native Spanish speakers say Rob it sounds like "Robe."

Morning in Asuncion, Outside Guillermo's Mother's House

If the hammer is behind glass, how do you get the hammer?

Caution! Mangos may fall and damage your car!

Justin, Willfredo, and a Cow

Justin Serenades a Cow

A couple more shots of the old couple Justin mentioned in an earlier post.

The Giant Paraguayan Moth

The water heater is in the shower head. You know it's on because the lights in the house dim.

Salsa Golf?

It's tangerine season and they're everywhere, ripe and fresh from the tree. Yum!

The community at Guacu Caru school brought us all this fruit!

Justin put together a stick-cam, enabling all sorts of fun shots.

Jackie's Lake

Sunset in Chololo, Where We Visited Over the Weekend

Sprite in a Glass Bottle. Yuliana is Excited.

At the restaurant where this was taken, we frequently saw people going across the street and then coming back with eggs, potatoes, or other ingredients to make our meals.