Grace Like Rain

I love rainy days. But rainy days are a little different in Paraguay. When it rains, the roads turn muddy and unpassable. The road infront of my house looks something similar to a creek if it gets wet enough. So when it rains, Asuncion takes the day off. Schools close, parents stay home, and the day is free.

On Wednesday, we had a very rainy day. I woke up to the sound of rain hitting the roof. It was a relaxing rhythm that coaxed me further under the covers. Once my tired body was convinced it was morning, I headed downstairs for breakfast, which consisted of a warm cup of cocido- warm milk, but for me soy milk, brewed jerva, the tea leaves used to make terere. Together, me and my host family sat under the patio, watching the rain spill over the terrain. It was such a tranquil sceen.

Since the Guardaria was closed for the day, the dawas very relaxed. For the rest of the morning I sat with Alfred and Edulia, drinking steaming hot mate while surrounded by the chill breeze of the rain fall. This was such a spiritual experience for me. It felt as if God was clearing away all the dirt from my heart.

As the clouds cleared and the rain ceased, the sweet smell of wet grass filled the air. Edulia began cooking bread for the month and the kids spent their free time watching tv. This rainy day was such a blessing. An opportunity to recharge and be reminded of God`s provision.

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demonds, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God.
-Romans 8: 38, 39

Digging to the Core

Being immersed in a culture which you don´t know the language give a lot a time for time for thinking. After a full day of thoughts, I go to my journal to release some of my questions. On November 1st, my day led to this entry...

Last night when I plopped onto my bed, I found myself questioning... who am I?

What kind of person am I becoming after just two months in Paraguay? For most of

my life I have been able to identify myself by what I did

or maybe by certian personality traits. But I don´t have those discriptions to hide

behind anymore. While all those charcteristics are great assets, they are not the core

who I am. The very center of me is that I am a child of God. I am his daughter. But

what does that really mean? How can I continue to dig deeper to discover who God

wants me to become? The only way I know how is to become hungry once

again for Christ. Over and over I must continue to fall to my knees and offer all of myself

to Christ. Because it is through him that I am made whole.

I have found that after journaling I am left with an eager heart. A new found excitment is developing in my faith. Who knows where God may lead...

La Guardaria

Coming into this year I didn´t have much of an idea what sort of voulenteer work I would be doing. But now I do! Now, I am beginning have a pace to life.

For the past two weeks I have been working with 10 wonderful co-workers at Iglesia de Amistad´s daycare and kindergarden program. About 96 kids between the ages of one and four spend either a part or the whole day at the Guarderia. With patience and kindness, both the faculty and kids have been showing me how things run. So far my job discription has looked something like this...

nose wiper, dish washer, lice picker,

dance instructor, cook assistant,

floor sweeper, terere drinker,

hair dresser, hug giver, shoe tie-er,

wardrobe assistant etc....

Each day is an opportunity to learn something new! Who knows what occupation I may be interested in after such a variety of experiences! :)