CORN SEASON

April

This is the time of year when our town is harvesting corn.

After it is picked and the husk is taken off, it is left to dry in the sun.

Next, the kernels are taken off the cob.

The kernels are ground up for meal.

Paraguayans use corn meal in many of their traditional foods.

CRAFTY (in a good way) GIRL

March 7, 2011

SEWING
It was the blind leading the blind as Ginny and I embarked on trying to learn how to sew. It was very fun though. Ginny was patient as I read manual and how-to books. She practiced stitching straight lines on paper first and then on scraps of material. We have a new best friend – the seam ripper.

Ginny’s first sewing project....a pillow case! She made one for herself and several others for friends.




2nd project was this cute little bag. It was very easy to do. Ginny even taught 2 of her friends how to make one. Ginny has also made several for friends.

Our next project, a shirt, didn’t turn out as successful. It was HUGE on Ginny. We cut it down a few too many times and it became too low-cut and tight.....

KNITTING PARAGUAYAN STYLE





KNITTING AMERICAN STYLE
Ginny and I finished our first scarf! Thanks, Stacey for starting it for us.



Now, Ginny is on to learning to crochet.....

APRIL GUESTS

April 12- 18

The day after we arrived home from Asuncion, we welcomed 2 guys who are recent media graduates and have come to Paraguay to help us (our SIM team) put our ministries in media form. It was fun having them in our house for the week.


Our guests never know what they are getting into when they offer to help with dinner.

WHILE in ASUNCION

April 5-13

We only planned to be in Asuncion a couple days (to send off our intern), however the Lord (and our car) had other plans. We headed for home on Saturday and while stopping for lunch, we noticed a huge puddle under the car. Yikes! We drove 1 ½ hours back to Asuncion and had the car looked at first thing Monday morning. We were finally able to leave the city Wednesday.

While we were in Asuncion Julia began crawling, standing, drinking from a sippy cup and sitting with us at the table in a high chair.



not quite knowing how to get the cup to her mouth...


Crawling on hands and knees for the first time at the airport...how's that for a missionary kid....

INTERNSHIP

We really enjoy hosting interns.

For one, our kids love having them around. It is awesome for my kids get to see young adults on fire for the Lord and missions.

Second, Jeff and I really enjoying showing what missions is all about. We enjoy the mentor role and we’ve made great friends out of it.

Interns are a blessing to their Paraguayan host families. You’d be amazed at how much can be conveying through hand motions, limited Spanish/Guarani, and a smile. Friendships are made and tears are shed when it is time to part. The Paraguayan families are always so thankful and humbled that we’d entrust our friends into their care.

Be praying for our most recent interns, Courtney (public health) and Joel (med school). A trip like this is life changing.

Also, please be praying as we prepare for our next interns in May (there will be 6 coming as part of the TIME program).



Shadowing Jeff in the clinic each morning, learning what rural medicine looks like







Living with Paraguayan host families, learning about the culture, eating Paraguayan food





Visiting people in the community and attending bible studies.







And, you get to hang out and be mentored by a really cool family.







If you have a desire to do an internship here in rural Paraguay, drop us a note. We’d love to have you!

JULIA at 8 MONTHS!

April 5, 2011

Julia is sitting up so well now and easily goes from laying down to sitting.







Julia is still "swimming" around the house.






As you can see, it can be sooo tiring learning to eat!

DUCK DINNER

March 4, 2011

Two of my Paraguayan friends came over today to help me kill a couple of ducks. Jeff and I have done this before but it always takes a long time. I was curious to see how they did it, plus I just enjoy their company.



Hunters and gatherers: Zulma, Me, Rosi and intern Courtney


Dipping the duck in boiling water to loosen the feathers.


Rosi and I plucking feathers.


Zulma plucking and our cat intently waiting.


One thing that so impresses me about my daughter Ginny, is that she is so willing to try anything. When my friends prepared the brain, Ginny was the first person to taste it. “Mmmmm,” she said. “It tastes like chicken heart.” (She loves chicken heart, by the way.)



Ginny trying the brain.


Joshua enjoying the final product. yum!


A couple nights later we had the opportunity to try cow kidneys, tongue and small and large intestine. She ate them all with a smile.