HERMELINDA

June 3-6

Tuesday, June 3^rd our dear friend and sister in Christ from the San Francisco (our previous town) church plant, Hermelinda, suddenly went to be with Jesus.  She was 45 years old, a past T.I.M.E. host mom, married to a deacon and leaves behind 7 children ranging in age from 4 years to college-aged.  Being one of 14 siblings, it is not an exaggeration to state that maybe half the town was related to her.  The whole community can be felt grieving their loss. 

This is only the second time a non-Catholic has died in San Francisco which is an extremely significant event not only for the tiny Bible church but for the community who will be watching how the evangelicals respect death.  In Catholic tradition when someone dies, the priest or an appointed lay-leader leads family in scripted prayers and repetitive Hail Maries, thus beginning the 9 day process of praying the deceased’s soul out of purgatory.  Since Hermelinda was an evangelical her family did things differently. 

Jeff and I went to be with the family Tuesday night and into the wee hours of Wednesday morning.  Around midnight we gathered around the body, which was displayed on a table in the living room, and worshipped the Lord.  Lucas, Hermelinda’s 16 year old son, stood with his eyes closed and head slightly lifted upward.  Tears ran down his face as he sang in a low whisper some of his mom’s favorite songs.  In the midst of incredible searing pain he worshipped.   

Jeff recently finished writing a 9 day Bible story set on death.  Who would have thought the stories would be used so soon?  Jeff had the privilege of sharing two of those stories with the group.  We pray they were a comfort and a reminder that we have a hope not steeped only in traditions of men but in a living, real and powerful Savior.

 Wednesday afternoon we gathered at Hermelinda’s house to prepare for the burial.  The mourning process in Paraguayan culture is often very external and emotionally draining. Loud sobbing upon the arrival of new family members, sisters embracing while screaming at the top of their lungs, children wailing as they caress their mother.  Many people passed out while mourning at the home, and a tank of oxygen was brought out to the burial site in anticipation of more.

As the men decidedly ushered the coffin out of the house and into the back of a pick-up, the family followed with tears streaming and wobbly legs.  In the truck they flung themselves over the coffin as the procession to the graveside began.  At the graveside there was more fainting and wailing and signs of extreme emotions.  We sang a few songs as the men bricked up the mausoleum.  

Thursday the family invited us to a karu guasu (big meal) where they fed about 90 people.  Jeff and Tony were each able to share a Bible story and Jeff shared the gospel message with the group which was what Hermelinda had wanted.  This is incredibly counter cultural, and it will be interesting to see what kind of response the community has to it.

 Jeff presenting the gospel

 dishing out food for 90

 lunch time

T.I.M.E update #1

May 31- June 3

After the first night (May 31) of staying with host families, the interns all had glowing reports.  One of the girls said, “I am blown away at God’s faithfulness.  Things are going so well.” 

Saturday (June 1) was cold and rainy but that hasn’t stopped the interns from getting muddy while playing volleyball, soccer, Ping-Pong and talking walks with their family. 

Sunday (June 2) the interns attended church with us and had lunch there afterwards.  Then they attend Bible study Sunday night. 

Dalia with her host sister

playing basketball after church

Today (Monday, June 3) begins the first week in Jataity….a week of clinic days, class time, visiting and Bible studies.

Dalia and Peyton in clinic

Time for T.I.M.E

Monday, May 26^th we welcomed 6 interns to Paraguay.  Over the next 6 weeks they will be shadowing us as we minister, completing reading assignments and discussing them during afternoon classes, living with Paraguayan families and learning culture and language.  It’s always a busy 6 weeks for us as we purposefully pour into these college students’ lives, but we absolutely love it.

The first few days are all about orientation and introduction to Paraguay.  The first night in Asuncion we sat around eating empanadas while our director and his wife shared about SIM in general and SIM’s work in Paraguay.  Then they gave their testimonies of how God called them to the mission field.

The following day we left Asuncion.  Our first stopped was in to the impressive Catholic church in Ca’acupe and then we headed to Escobar (about an 1 ½ away) to our missionary friends’ house.  

The Bowens help us put on a great (if I do say so myself) orienatation to Paraguay and T.I.M.E.  The students had classes in Guarani and we got them pumped up about learing the heart language of the Paraguayan people.  They had a class on expectations and a class in Paraguayan history.  The students had time to hike and explore Andy’s property and they went on an “adventure tour” complete with swinging bridges, a zip line, and rapelling.

 study time

Relaxing

 Adventure!

One evening we listened to Andy and Lizet’s testimony, another evening we watched The Mission (a taste of Paraguayan history) and a third evening we ate s’mores (thanks, Dalia, for bringing those U.S. goodies).  After three days, the students were ready to head out into the Great Unknown.

One aspect of the trip we really value is letting the students meet our team mates and hear their stories.  On our way home we stopped at a team mate’s house for terere, lunch and a time of sharing.  Then we pressed on to the next town and the next missionary house where we had cupcakes.  Finally we hit the muddy road which seemed really long in the dark and in the rain. 

 spending time with missionaries

Sipping terere

practicing Guarani 

sopa

Lunch

We arrived in town at 6:00 and by 8 all the students were dropped off at their host home.  They were a bit nervous but I know they’ll do great.  They've been practicing their Guarani greetings, diligently reading about Paraguayan culture, and asking lots of good questions.  But more than that, I know they’ll do great because they are a great group with servant hearts and a wonderful sense of adventure.   

MY KIDS in MAY

Look who’s riding forward facing now!

Ginny and her goats are a fun thing to watch.

 I love that my children love playing together.  They truly are each other’s best friend.

Josiah’s so proud of himself for standing up.

This is my life….dirt.  sometimes I don’t know where the dirt stops and the kid begins.

HAPPY 11th BIRTHDAY, JOSHUA!

 Friday, May 16th  

Time just doesn't want to stand still, does it?  Today we are celebrating Joshua’s 11th birthday.  He asked for scrambled eggs for breakfast, homemade napolitana empanadas for lunch. potato soup for dinner and pumpkin pie for dessert. 

Here’s what my Thursday/Friday morning looked like:

2 pumpkin pies made (Joshua birthday dessert request)

30 empanadas made (Joshua’s birthday lunch request)

A big pot of potato soup made (Joshua’s birthday dinner request)

2 loaves of bread rising on the counter (to go with the soup)

24 cinnamon  biscuits made and a big bowl of fruit salad chopped (for Saturday’s breakfast with company)

65 shish-ka-bobs made (for Saturday’s lunch)

2 9x13 dish of mandioca made (for Saturday’s lunch)

Three party signs painted and tons of balloons blown up

Plans for a smashing baby reveal shaping up

House semi-cleaned, guest sheets washed and dried

Saturday.  We had a “progressive party” at our place with all of our rural team mates.  We celebrated another team mate’s birthday, Joshua’s birthday, and our team mate's baby reveal.