CHECKPOINT

October 25, 2010

Driving in Paraguay, it is not unusual to be stopped by police at various check points. Sometimes it is as easy as showing them our identification cards and other times it is a bit more complicated. Today, we were stopped and Jeff showed all our IDs, plus the paperwork on the car and the trailer and he took off the tarps and showed them each bag. The police officer asked to see a different document on the trailer which we didn’t have (and actually there is no such thing). They asked Jeff to step out of the car and over to their “office”. This is how to conversation went in Guarani:

Police: Where’s your green card for the trailer?
Jeff: I wasn’t aware there was such a thing. All I have is this registration card.
P: How can you drive that trailer to Brazil without the green card?
J: Well, I guess we’ll have to take a chance that they won’t ask for it. If they do, I’ll just show them this registration card.
P: How long have you been in Paraguay?
J: about 5 years.
P: Where do you live?
J: In a small community called San Francisco in Caazapa.
P: What do you do there?
J: I’m a medical missionary. I see patients in my mobile clinic and share the Word of God and pray with my patients.
P: How much do you charge for a visit?
J: It’s free!
P: How can you live on that?
J: My salary comes from the States.
P: How much money do you make per month?
J: I’m not going to tell you that!
P: Why, is it $10,000 a month or something?
J: If I would have stayed and worked as a doctor there, probably so, but I gave that up to come here and work in Paraguay as a missionary.
P: Why?
J: There are more important things in life than money, you know. God called me here and that’s why I came.
P: We’re going to have to get the authorities involved in this case.
J: But I have all the paperwork you’re supposed to have on that trailer.
P: What are you going to do then?
J: Well, the way I see it, you could have mercy on me and let me go, or I could leave the trailer here for the next 3 days, put everything on the roofrack and get the trailer on my way back to Asuncion. I already paid for my hotel there and my guests from the States would really like to see the waterfalls. I’d hate to deprive them of that experience.
P: Why don’t you just buy us some barbecue and we’ll call it even! Hey, tell that guy to stop taking pictures. You can’t take pictures here.
J: My boss wouldn’t be happy about that, unless of course you gave me an official receipt. Then I could do it.
P: Laughing.... OK, how about some beer for me and my fellow officers?
J: OK, but I’ll need you to sign a receipt for that one too.
P: Aren’t you going to Brazil and aren’t you going to be drinking there?
J: Well, my mission frowns on that, so probably not.
P: Oh come on, who’s going to see you drink?
J: Well, God for one. And speaking of drinking, it sure is hot out here. Aren’t you going to pass me some of that terere?
P: Oh, here you go.
J: That’s nice and refreshing. So... where does that leave us?
P: Just go and have a good time with your friends in Brazil.
J: I think I will. Thanks for the terere! Ciao

BIBLE STUDY

October 21, 2010

Tonight I sat under a simple thatched roof and listened to the frogs croaking. I sat on a wooden milking stool and held a child with scabies. I shooed away pigs who insisted on being in the middle of the circle and watched chickens peck at the bugs around me. I watched little kids (including mine) burying their feet in the dirt floor and swatted at the mosquitoes on my legs. Tonight was Bible study.

Our Bible study probably looks different than your typical study in the States – both in the setting and in the way we teach. Since many of our believers are illiterate, Jeff has been working really hard at making our studies paperless and reproducible. In the picture below, Jeff is teaching II Timothy. Well, it really isn’t a story, but an encouragement to Timothy to not let go of his Christian heritage. Jeff broke the book into 4 parts and on a dry erase board he drew out the story in 4 squares. At the bible study, he told the story twice (from memory) by using the pictures in each square as a prompt. Then, he broke it up square by square and expected audience participation. He asked who wanted to tackle the first square (2 or 3 people did), then 2 or 3 tackled the 2nd part of the story, then a couple did the 3rd and then a couple did the 4th. At the end, a few people said the entire story. The whole process is very repetitive and a bit slow for our North American thinking, but it works here. Our believers are able to share the story with neighbors and family.....which is so exciting.

Pray for the various small groups that meet throughout the week. Currently Jeff is preparing bible study material and teaching the groups in hopes that they will one day be able to prepare and teach on their own. It takes a lot of time and patience, but it is so rewarding when we see the passion these families have for studying the word of the Lord.

VISITING and the NOVENA

VISITING
October 19, 2010

Jeff and I went to visit the family of the murderer. At one point last year the wife had begun studying the bible with one of the believers in our church. When her husband found out, he threatened to beat her, so she stopped. She seemed relieved when she realized that we were there to comfort her and not condemn. She feels disgraced and doesn’t want to go back to her house (we found her at a relative’s house). Her kids can’t go to school because the kids taunt them. She is worried because she is so poor and has no way to earn an income. We invited her to church to which she responded, “I am free now, so I can come.”


THE NOVENA
October 20, 2010

Today I went to the novena (which actually began yesterday). About 50 people gathered at the deceased’s house to recite the rosary. They will do this for 9 days. At the end of the 9 days the community again will gather, the family will carry a small decorative cross and all will parade back to the graveside where the cross will be left on the tomb.


Jeff talked with our neighbor about the shooting. Our neighbor’s advice, “Know who you are gambling with. You just can’t afford to gamble with the very poor.” Really? Is that all we can take away from this senseless death? I sure pray that thus will be a wake-up call for some. Gambling, alcohol, death....sin.

FOR YOUR GLORY

GUN SHOTS
October 17, 2010

At 11pm last night I was awakened by a woman yelling in desperation, “Doctor! Doctor!” Jeff and I reached the front door about the same time. In front of our house was about 20 people and a maroon car. Jeff bolted out of our gate, looked in the car and immediately back toward our yard yelling at me to get the mobile clinic keys and wake up Pete (our doctor friend from the US who is visiting).

Jeff frantically attended a man who was laying in the backseat of the car. I had no idea what had happened, but I could see blood dripping onto the ground and heard labored breathing. His wife and a few other women were wailing and falling on the ground. The men stood around in clusters. I brought the wife a blanket (it was a cool night) and sat by her side hugging her and praying over her. I was very thankful that Pete was able to help. He was running back and forth from the road to the mobile clinic bringing Jeff equipment. It wasn’t until I was called to hold the light that I got a look at the man. He was shot twice in the head. He was unresponsive with blown pupils. Jeff tried to put in an endotracheal tube but with so much blood, it was impossible. Next he began to cut an airway. Jeff worked for about 30 minutes until there was no pulse. The family was told that the man had died. Immediately heavy wailing began and more people began arriving to comfort and grieve.

EARLIER IN THE EVENING

This man was playing cards at a local bar and left with a debt of 20mil (about $4). Sometime later the man who he owed showed up at his house and called for him to come out. When he did, the man shot him. Jeff heard the four gunshots a few minutes before all the people arrived (we live a block and a half away). The shooter left his motorcycle at the man’s house and fled into the woods. We were afraid the man’s family would kill him before the police found him.

The man who had been shot was the high school principal’s husband. He was the brother in law of the richest and most politically connected man in town and has many, many relatives in town. He leaves behind three daughters, ages 16, 12, and 9. His oldest daughter, “M” has been over her several times and I had told Jeff just earlier in the week that God had laid her on my heart to begin praying for and I hoped to get to know her better this year.

THE WAKE
October 19, 2010

When crises come, the community bands together. There must have been over 400 people who filed into their house to help, comfort and grieve. Shops were closed, the schools were out, and the men didn’t work in their fields. Mid-morning we walked to the house which was abuzz with people. The older gentlemen were setting in the yard, teens and young men loitered in the street, and the middle aged men were busy constructing a wooden awning for shade. The women were inside. We greeted those outside and then made our way through the simple living room filled with familiar faces. The man’s body was lying in an open coffin on a table. We hugged the family and said....well, what is there to say in a time like this? I just kept repeating the words that had been in my head since the moment they brought him to our house, “God knows.....it’s for his glory.” What a comfort there is in knowing that the God who created this entire universe is the Great I AM. I not only know him but I am known by him. He knows my every movement and thoughts, my emotions and each hair on my head.

Next, I waded through the sea of people and found “M” in her room. Oh, how I wish there wasn’t such a language barrier! I guess tears are pretty universal though. My heart breaks for her! She told me that her heart was heavy, that she had cried so much that there were no more tears. She also told me about hearing a gun shot and thinking it was thunder at first. She looked outside expecting to see an impending storm and saw her father get shot again and fall to the ground. We hugged and cried together for a long time.

THE FUNERAL

At 4:00 over 300 of us began a processional to the graveside (about a mile away on the outskirts of town). That mile, however, took us 25 minutes. The narrow dirt street was thick with people walking, motorcycles coasting and the occasional car. Stacey (Dr. Pete’s wife) and I were had back row seats on Nilsa’s (my friend) motorcycle. If the event wasn’t such a somber one, it would have been fun to pretend to be a part of Hell’s Angels (with my tattoo I’d fit right in, I’m sure).
Because there is no way to preserve a body here, the burial must take place within 24 hours. As soon as he hears word, the carpenter comes to measure the body and begins to build the coffin. Construction on the mausoleum is also begun. At the graveside, the coffin is slid into the mausoleum. An assembly line of a few men is made to carry buckets of cement to seal the end. As soon as it was closed people began leaving. The family stayed huddled around the tomb. As I gave the family a hug, both the wife and “M” told me to thank Dr Jeff for attending to their husband/father.

A sea of motorcycles heading to the graveside


Passing the cement bucket to seal the grave


"M" in the middle, her sisters on either side and her mom on the far right. PRAY FOR THEM!


Grieving with "M"


Nilsa, Stacey and I ready to go.

ENCUENTRO SUNDAY

Sunday, October 10, 1010

God has been working in the lives of the believers; they are maturing and growing in the Lord. They are learning what it means to be the body of Christ, to bear one another’s burdens and have a servant’s heart. We are encouraged that several men have stepped up to help lead and teach from God’s word each week. Last Sunday we had an incredibly encouraging service. Jeff led the Lord’s Supper and did something new. He put a chair in the center of the group and said if anyone had sinned publically and wanted forgiveness could come and sit and be prayed over. Two ladies ended up confessing sins. One is a dear friend of mine who I have been praying for regularly. I was blessed that she wasn’t ashamed to confess out loud and I pray that she continues to walk in Christ. Then, one of the leaders washed everyone’s feet. What an incredible act of servant hood!

Today we had a wonderful church service followed by lunch (we do this once a month). One of the ladies of the church (who is a gifted evangelist) spontaneously told the story of Nicodemas and then gave the gospel presentation. Later she mentioned to Jeff that she did this because there were at least 3 people in the group that she knew had never accepted Christ and she didn’t want to opportunity for them to hear pass her by.

Church


Little girls and Julia


friends




A lot of batter!


Frying the tortillas


The finished product - Paraguayan tortillas


Girls making lemonade


Lunch time!

ENCUENTRO SUNDAY

Sunday, October 10, 1010

God has been working in the lives of the believers; they are maturing and growing in the Lord. They are learning what it means to be the body of Christ, to bear one another’s burdens and have a servant’s heart. We are encouraged that several men have stepped up to help lead and teach from God’s word each week. Last Sunday we had an incredibly encouraging service. Jeff led the Lord’s Supper and did something new. He put a chair in the center of the group and said if anyone had sinned publically and wanted forgiveness could come and sit and be prayed over. Two ladies ended up confessing sins. One is a dear friend of mine who I have been praying for regularly. I was blessed that she wasn’t ashamed to confess out loud and I pray that she continues to walk in Christ. Then, one of the leaders washed everyone’s feet. What an incredible act of servant hood!

Today we had a wonderful church service followed by lunch (we do this once a month). One of the ladies of the church (who is a gifted evangelist) spontaneously told the story of Nicodemas and then gave the gospel presentation. Later she mentioned to Jeff that she did this because there were at least 3 people in the group that she knew had never accepted Christ and she didn’t want to opportunity for them to hear pass her by.







Squeezing lemonade


Making a TON of dough for the tortillas


Frying the tortillas


The finished product - Paraguayan tortillas


Eating lunch. Yum!

CHURCH WORK DAY

Saturday, October 9, 2010

This past year while we were gone, the church bought property (before they met in the yard of our colleague). There was already a shed on the property (where they store the chairs) with a small covered patio. For services we sit outside – wherever there is most shade. Saturday we had a church work day and I couldn’t help but think about how different a work day would look in the states.

This is the way we cut the grass - with a machete and a horse




Then we rake the leaves and grass into piles. Even the kids help. Notice the Paraguayan girl’s homemade broom made from dried weeds.




Then the leaves are carried to the corner of the property. A LOT of trips are made.




This is how we dispose of it all – the leaves are burned and the cows eat the branches.


Jeff mixing cement


Taking a terere break

HAPPY 6th BIRTHDAY TYLER!

Sunday, October 10, 2010

After church we ate cake (shaped like a #6) to celebrate Tyler’s birthday. He decorated his cake with some of his toys.

OUR GUESTS HAVE ARRIVED

Monday, October 9, 2010

For all of October Pete, his wife, and their 2 year old boy will be staying with us. Pete is at the same residency in South Texas where Jeff attended and will be working alongside of Jeff. It has been wonderful to have them here. Be praying for them. Pete graduates in July and they aren’t sure where god is calling them next.

Stacey is teaching Ginny to knit


Story time with Pete

MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU

Sunday, October 3, 210

Today we celebrated Tyler (turning 6) and Micah’s (just turned 4) birthday with a Star Wars theme. A big thanks goes to Jeff’s mom who sent decorations and shirts for the boys. The kids had a blast.

Here’s the food we had: Pizza the Hut, Luke’s Light Sabers, Moon Rocks, Han Solo and Chewbacca Cheese


The cake was fun to make.

THIS WEEK

September 22, 2010

Everyone loves the hammock (even the chicken?).




A common sighting – cows in our yard. Ginny is trying to shew this one away. This particular cow finds his way in several times a day.


Another common sight around our house is one of the kids taking care of Julia. They love her so much.


Julia is smiling all the time now. She is so precious!






Ryan won – he had the first pique of this term (a burrowing flee)….sorry no picture this time.

Ryan and Jeff took a bus to Asuncion Monday and brought back the mobile clinic the following day. They were covered in red dirt when they got back. The mobile clinic sucks it in. Many people have been asking him when he will start seeing patients. He has decided to see patients every weekday here at our house from 8-12. Last term he also worked at the health outpost, but it isn’t the optimal place for evangelism. At our house, Jeff is free to share the gospel, share bible stories and pray with each patient.

Pedro came over to pull weeds in my garden and prepare the soil for me to plant. He brought with him a gift of small tomato plants (which he planted) and lima bean seeds (which he also planted). While he was working, Titiana brought me baby lettuce plants, so he planted those and Alva brought over cucumber seeds. All I had left to plant was carrots and green beans, so I asked him to do those while he was at it. I feel bad that I someone else planted my garden, but it just kind of worked out that way. I also have green onions, squash, and watermelon growing.
People have given us all kinds of things to show their thankfulness that we are back - mandioca, eggs, honey, bunches and bunches of bananas, cabbage and other fruits and vegetables. We feel very blessed. Some people truly give out of their “widow’s mite”.

Our neighbor brought us a gift of a mother chicken and her 11 babies (born that day). What an incredible gift! Plus, this week we had 9 chickies hatch. The kids are excited! Jeff worked hard the first few days back to repair our chicken coop.


Joshua and Ginny holding the new ducklings - Joshua's is still wet.


Micah trying so hard not to squeeze the duckling too tight


Micah swimming with the experts


In some ways life is so much simpler here. We don’t have the hustle and bustle and constant coming and going like we did (and many do) in the states. However, sometimes just the everyday household tasks can consume all your time. Our house has to be swept and mopped everyday because of the red dirt. Clothes are hung on the line. Dishes are hand washed. Bread is handmade in order to have sandwiches for lunch. There are no shortcuts to cleaning or cooking. Want meat? You have to track it down by asking various neighbors if they know anyone who has recently killed a pig. Sometimes you wait days and sometimes you hit “the mother load”, as Jeff did recently. We had no meat in the house (chicken and ground beef I have to get in the capital 5 hours away), so I sent Jeff to find some. He came home with 35lbs of pork (for $40). We spent the next 1 ½ hour cutting it off the bone and packaging it up to freeze.

The kids have been a tremendous help. I employ them anytime I can. Tyler and Ginny love working in the kitchen and Joshua loves going to the store for me. We’ve assigned jobs – Tyler waters the garden, Ginny feeds the animals, Joshua pick up all the fruit in the yard, and Ryan burns the trash. The 3 older kids rotate dishes each night.


Ginny uses goggles when she cuts onions.


The kids definitely enjoy having more freedom here than in the states. They can walk to the store for me and ride their bikes on the “street”.


Ryan's trash burning chore


Ginny asked Joshua, “How long have we been here in this house?” Joshua replied, “6 days.” Ginny said, “Wow! That’s a long time.” I laughed to myself. That is a definition of a missionary kid – always on the move. When I stopped long enough to think about it – I figured we’d been living out of a suitcase for 4 months! May 17th we left on our West Coast trip (which brought us back to Belton for a week before flying to Paraguay) and September 15th we were finally able to unpack in our house. Through it all, the kids have been such troopers and I am thankful for their adventurous spirit. I am also so thankful for our close-knit family. One of joys of raising a big family (something I missed out on growing up as an only child) is that we can easily share each other’s burdens. When one person says, “I don’t know how to speak to my friend in Spanish.” We ALL can relate because we are ALL learning a new language. When one says, “I wish we could stay in one home forever.” We can ALL empathize, because we all feel a bit of that too. I tell my kids all the time – what a blessing it is to have so many siblings going through the same things….who better to know how to pray for you.

About prayer – THANK YOU so much for your prayers over our family. We covet them, we feel them and we need them! God is so faithful and allows us to lack nothing. We’d feel honored to share your burdens too. You too are in a mission field and need spiritual covering! Please never hesitate to write us with prayer requests. We serve a great God.