Today was the last day of visiting with our new friends in the barrio.  It was fun to sit and talk with new friends like Jorge and the Valiente family.  I really like how social the people are here.  When you show up unannouced and say hi, the pull up a chair and ask you to come sit down.  If they are drinking terrerria or mate, they offer you the guampa.  It is a wonderful culture for relationships.

Tonight, there was a special service.  It was a time to celebrate the formation of a new church, but also a time for goodbye.  Two of the women that I have met with all week got up to speak about meeting Christ, and how happy they are that we came.  It was very emotional.

I spent a long time with Alé  and Jorge.  Jorge was telling us about how he used to be addicted to drugs, but that once he had his son, he new that he had to change.  He described all of the violence near the neighborhood where we have been working.  He said that he is glad that we have come, and that he hopes that the church will help change the neighborhood.  He has invited me back to visit.  I hope that I am able to return some day.

Tomorrow, we will not be in the barrio.  We get to sleep in a little more.  We will go shopping in the morning.  In the evening, we will have dinner with Pastor Alcides and the translators.  Josh and I leave on Saturday.  I am sad to be leaving behind all of the friends that I have made, but I am looking forward to being home and catching up on some sleep.

Today has been a long day.  We got up around 6:15 to get ready for breakfast.  We had a quick team meeting around 7:45, and then headed to the site.  Once there we gathered everyone and had some introductions and prayer.  Then we went in groups of 3 to pray for the neighborhood and invite people to the evening´s activities.  Each group was assigned one block.  We had a chance to share the gospel with one girl while we were handing out invitations. Rebecca said she had to go to school in the afternoon, so she wouldn´t be there when we came back.  At the end, she prayed for Christ to forgive her sins.

After lunch and a relaxing siesta, we went out in groups of 3 to share the gospel and invite people.  We spoke with people at 8 houses.  We were able to share the gospel at 7 houses.   In all, a couple of people were not interested, one said that he already agreed with us, and 4 adults and 6 kids asked Christ for forgiveness.

I am wiped out.  We got back to the hotel around 10pm.  Then, we ate dinner.  It is almost midnight, and I need sleep.  We need to be up earlier tomorrow because we are going to a Christian school.

I will have to just give quick reports while I am here in Paraguay, and then fill in more details when I get back.  I am trying to journal more details, so I don´t forget.  I will probably not even journal fully tonight, so I can get some sleep.

It has gotten late.  The lobby outside our room as two computer that are free to use, but they have been busy most of the evening.  Josh and I have been journaling, talking, and playing games.  Because it is late, and I am tired, this will be a short post.  I hope that I will have some time to fill in more details of what we are doing, but not tonight.

We have been warned to be careful about drinking the water.  Any time that you travel to another country, there is a risk of getting sick if you drink the water.  It is not because of unclean water most of the time, it is because the bacteria is different than your body is used to fighting.  Of course, there are some places where the water isn´t clean.

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Josh and I arrived safely in Asuncion yesterday morning. The trip was very long, but it all went smoothly. We were able to meet up with the mission team without a hitch, and we are settling in.

Yesterday was mostly orientation meetings with the team, learning about the goals for the week, and the tools that we will use. We also met some of the people that will be working along side us. We will have translators as well as some local christians who will work with us. Finally, we met some of the pastors and elders at the local churches. The pastor who coordinates these trips seems to really like Josh. He has nicknamed Josh the ¨pequeño missionario.¨

We also went to a church service in our honor last night at one of the churches. Their worship is very passionate and fun to participate in.
This morning we will attend a different church. Then, this afternoon we will be at an event for children in the area where we will be helping to start a new church. We will also hae a little bit of free time.

I will post more later.

Yesterday marked ten days until departure.  The details are all falling into place.

I sent this e-mail out to those who have supported my trip, and to several friends who have encouraged me in taking Josh on this adventure: Continue Reading »