Girl's Night

We are having a pamper party with the girls, which followed a study on Proverbs 31.  

Caroline's Crochet Class

Sewing with Caroline

Yesterday Caroline taught the girls how to sew.  We were planning on using sewing machines, but the elastic string didn't work in them, so they sewed by hand instead. The older girls are working on sewing shirts while the younger girls made little stuffed owls.  Tomorrow Caroline will teach them how to crochet.  They really enjoyed their sewing projects.

Hanging out with the sewing machines we couldn't use.  

Waves of Mercy

Last year the girls loved singing the song "Waves of Mercy" with all the fun dance moves.  They were excited when we brought it back this year.  Yesterday, Greg spent some time with Osvaldo teaching him how to play the song.  Now, throughout the year when we are gone, Osvaldo can lead that song with the girls.  

Worship at El Puente

We went to the El Puente home tonight to sing worship songs with the girls followed by a short Bible study.  When Greg led us in "Mighty to Save" our team sang in English while the girls sang in Spanish.  It was a powerful display of the unity of the body of Christ; all over the world people with different languages are worshiping the same God.  It was a joyful time.  

First Day in Quyquyho

The girls were so excited to see us!  Lots of hugs and smiles and laughter tonight.  They have three new dogs since last year.  One is a puppy, which they named "Jackie" after me!  Haha!  

The girls and Aimeé made the most delicious empanadas ever for dinner while the younger girls entertained us with singing and braiding our hair.  We played lots of games.  Some games we taught to them and others they taught us. It was a beautiful family reunion.

We. Have. Arrived.

Hola! Our team has arrived in Asunción, Paraguay!! \(^o^)/ < Praise the Lord!!)

It was a full day of traveling yesterday. The team went from SFO to Miami, had a 2 hour layover and then went straight to Pa-pa-pa-Paraguay!!

At Miami airport, Guillermo presented the team with this year's quiet time/devotional guide... it's pretty sweet and legit! Looks official, huh? :)

Thanks, Guillermo!

So far I have achieved 2 things off of my bucket list:

1) I saw someone in Miami wearing an all-white linen outfit.

2) I am in a new continent!!

Both plane rides were uneventful-- in the great sense and then, boom, we made it!

Right after arrival at ASU. (Not pictured: Aimee & Guillermo)

Guillermo's family came to greet us at the arrival gate and drove us to Guillermo's mother's house (which, by the way, is GORGEOUS!!), where she had a big breakfast ready for us.

Muchas gracias, Gladys! <3

I think we were all like 50% awake at this time, but the food and lovely company definitely woke us up for a bit. :)

Then we took loooooooooooooooong & awesome naps. We had a team meeting going over our agenda for tomorrow: visiting St. Andrew's School and teaching and encouraging the students there.

We are so excited to go and serve there! :)

Post-nap glow. Gladys played the guitar for us. ;)

Oh, and then we went shopping at a nearby mall near Gladys' home to pick up extra supplies for tomorrow's activities. (Shoppinggg!)

Waiting for our musical members to make purchases.

Why, yes, Rob *did* put that sombrero on.

 And then we came back and ate some delicious dinnerrrr!! Miam! :9

From left to right: bori-bori, tarta de queso y espinaca & tarta de queso y palmito
translation: chicken & dumpling soup, cheese & spinach quiche, and cheese & heart of palm quiche

Dessert: flan made by Guillermo's aunts! nom nom nom!

My laptop clock says it's 7:49pm, so I feel very grandma-y telling you that I am about to go crash as soon as I post this, but me gusta las abuelas! Ja ja...

We will be up and early to get to St. Andrew's-- please pray that we will have a great time with the students there and that God can use our lesson plans and just the fellowship that will happen there to accomplish great things.

[Isaiah 55: 10-11]

As the rain and the snow
    come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
    without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
    so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,

so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
    It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
    and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

In Jesus' name I pray, amen! <3 

Preparing the talks and activities for St. Andrew's School.

First Day Happenings

We are here! ¡Estamos aquí!  I think it's Sunday, but I'm not sure because we were on the plane a looooong time, and then we took a nap when we arrived in Asunción, so I'm all mixed up, but I'm having a great time so far.  We went to the mall a few hours ago, and after we drove all the way there we realized that we had left Greg at home!  But Guillermo went back and got him, and Greg forgave us.  I think that's my highlight so far.  

~Jackie

On our way!

Packing party

American Airlines: "Only one checked in bag per passenger".

Team Paraguay: "Challenge Accepted"

Recap of God's journey while preparing for this Trip.

Recap of God's journey while preparing for Paraguay

Thank you all for your support.  

It has been a great fun to share with you at every adventure... 

...even the Flamingo's flocking!!!

May Christ be Glorified

God bless you!!

For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Eph. 2:10

International Dinner

Garage Sale #2

Team Interviews

First draft of our schedule

5k Fun Run