First for Everything

I have never been to prision and frankly never expected to go there. But recently that changed...

The other day Edulia, Alfred and I went to visit two of the three young men who broke into the Klassen home about a year ago. Throughout my stay here in Paraguay I have seen a story of forgiveness and hope unravell from that unforgetable event. This visit to prision was yet another page in their tale.

When we arrived at the prison the three of us split into the lines for men and women at the front entrance. As Edulia and I joined the women line we noted that all the ladies among us were wearing skirts. Here to discover it is manditory for women to wear a skirt in order to enter. Lucky for us there was a skirt renting shop right next door. :) And of course that is exactly where we were headed next. Unaware of the fact that the skirts were not to keep, I picked out a cute looking knee lenth skirt. I was quite a site with my floral green skirt, sneakers, high green striped socks and burgandy work shirt.

Ready for anything, we made our way through the line, got patted down for drugs, and went to find the young men. As we entered the large meeting room I felt like I was in some sort of thug movie. Tons of men were crowded around, some at the gate, others on the balcony and others at the food bar. There was a steady beat of slow Paraguayan music and smoke from the cigaretts wafted around creating a shady atmosphere. As we made our way through I instantly regreted wearing a skirt that showed any part of my leg.

Upstairs we located the young man who stabbed my host dad. We had come with a cake for his birthday which was that week. It was an awesome moment of be sitting around that table with the two of them together. What a powerful display of forgiveness it was. The young man did not have much to say so our visit did not last too long. But sometimes it is not necessarly important what words are exchanged but rather the moment which was shared.

Top 10 Favorite Spanish Words and Phrases

Seven months of spanish learning has led to this list...

1. guapa(o)- (usually meaning handsome) here in Paraguay it means well rounded or skilled. example- Que guapa que sos!

2. de repente- suddenly or next

3. alegeria- joy, happiness

4. poder- control, power, authority, strength (great discription of God)

5. ya- already, now

6. todavia- still, yet, even

7. ¡Por supuesto!- Of course!

8. ¡Asi no!- This no! (first phrase I leared at the Guarderia)

9. verguenza- embarrassment (I like how the word sounds like its deffinition!)

10. ¡No puede ser!- It can´t be! (great phrase when talking to kids. Keeps the excited energy going :)

Semana Santa

Holy Week- a holiday I have been looking forward to since I arrived.

Some basic Paraguayan traditions that I have discovered include...

The making of chipa (a very traditional cheesy bread). Some households make chipa at the beginning of the week and both eat and exchange chipa until the end of Semana Santa. This tradition is more strictly followed by devout catholics in Paraguay.

Over Semana Santa my neighborhood was unusually quiet. None of the usual polka style music was being played and most people spent time inside instead of out in their usual seats with terere by the road. It was as if the whole barrio was showing reverence to this holy week.

But out of all of my experiences I enjoyed most seeing how my church celebrated Semana Santa. Thursday, Friday and Saturday night the church held outdoor services for the community. The program consisted of praise music, skits put on by the youth, and a short sermon with an alter call at the end. A beautiful part for me during this service was actually the alter call. It was so moving for me to see persons from my church living out their faith and praying with other brothers and sisters who have decided to follow Christ. Being a part of these services reminded me how important it is that as Christians we continue to share Christ with others. Not only that, but I was also reminded how great a God we worship. God is worshiped and viewed in a unique way depending on the surrounding culture. Even within cultural boundaries, we all have a variety of ways to connect with God. This only goes to show how big and grand of a God we worship.

A First for Everything

This past weekend has been filled with a whirlwind of events. It all started Thursday night...

Well technically this story started in the first week of March when I got some type of fungus on my knee. Don`t know where or how I got it- but it was nasty. A pussy, scabbing, itchy mess that grew to the size of a half dollar. When this nastyness in all its glory decided to spread to my left knee, Edulia (my host mom) and I headed to the free clynic where I recieved pills and a cream. Everything was good.

Two days later (Thursday March 11th) at about 8:30pm I was reallly itchy. First my head, then my back and upper thigh. Even for me, who is use to the usual allergic breakouts or bug bites, this was something out of the ordinary. As I prepared to take a shower to hopefully soothe the itch, I discovered red welts covering my body. My stomach, legs, and face- covered in red itchy bumps. It was then that me and my host family decided to go to the hospital.

On our ride there the red welts spread, cold sore type bumps formed on my lips and my nose inflated making it more difficult to breath. By the time we got to the hospital I was a mess. They took me to the Emergency room where I got an IV and some shots to slow the reaction. As the nurse wheeled me to a more permentent room, I caught a glimpse of my face. It looked as though someone had taken a bat to my face! Either that or some plastic surgery gone wrong. :)

We came to discover that I was having an allergic reaction to my anti-inflamitory pills for my fungus. I would need to spend the night at the hospital just incase I had another reaction. I ended up staying in the hospital for 24 hours (which was a good test of my patience).

During this whole ordeal, I felt an overwhellming sence of love. Alfred, Edulia and my host siblings were so concerned. My teammates were oh so supportive. God provided so much during my time of complete helplessness. Now I am starting to understand the beauty of God`s global family. Gracias a Dios.

Just Breathe

This past weekend Team Paraguay headed to Encarnaciòn for our mid-way retreat. We were blessed to stay in a church`s guest house of sorts for our relaxing weekend away. The church, located about 20 minutes out of the city, looked like a sceen from a painting, surrounded by green rolling hills of soy fields and a sky blanketed with some of the friendliest clouds I have ever seen. This home was our own little hide away. A hidden space for us to take a deep breath before entering into the second half of our journey.

Though before hand we planned for the main highlight of our trip to be visiting the Jesuit Ruins (which was an amazing experience!!), the highlight for me was our time spent at the guest house. The relaxed conversations that came out of our time together are unforgetable. Basking in the beauty of God`s creation gave me a sence of calm. The simple yet priceless things in life such as star gazing on a perfectly clear night. Laying under an acient cluster of trees discussing life questions. Watching an incoming storm. Standing in awe of the grand rainbown afterwords.

This time away was just what I needed. Recently I can across a verse...

But what happens when we live God´s way? He brings gifts into our lives...we develope a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people.

-Galations 5:22-23 (Message)

God knows us better than anyone around. He understands our needs. He hears our prayers. When I was worrying about coming to Paraguay, He was preparing for me an opportunity of a life time. Chances to feel like a total fool away from home and times of the purest joy. Both the ups and downs are blessings because they add to our experiences and understanding. I am so thankful for this trip and whatever blessings God has in store.

Food!

Looking back on past blog entries, I noticed that I have neglected sharing anything about the amazing food of Paraguay. With this inspiration I created...

Rose´s Top 10 Favorite Foods of Paraguay
(not in any specific order because that would be impossible)

1. Asado (steak)- usually asado is prepared over an open flame, rich with fat and salty seasonings

2. Fresh Fruit- some fruits that have been in season during my stay include mangos, watermelon, apples, pears, plums, pineapples, melon, oranges etc.

3. Neokies- a delicious mix of potato and flour which creates a mouth watering pasta like glob

4. Gizo- very traditional Paraguayan dish usually consisting of pasta, meat and a tomato sauce with onions and peppers

5. Chipa- traditional Paraguayan treat made with madioca flour and cheese. Sold on the streets, in the park, on the bus... everywhere!

6. Waffelen (waffle)- a German Mennonite Paraguayan food homemade by my host mom

7. Pie- sweet fruity treat hidden between two flakey layers of crust (a thinner version of traditional American pie)

8. Dulce- a thick jam spread made from most any fruit or milk

9. Tortilla- dough batter, sometimes containing green onions or meat, fried and delicious

10. Empenadas- a flakey dough sandwhich containing anything from beef to ham and cheese

Redefining Strength

I use to be strong
A stable, confident person
Sure of my beliefs.
Comfortable.

Then God came along.
He showed me a new reality.
My eyes were open to new ways.
Different customs.

I´m not sure what I believe anymore.
Now I don´t feel that strong.
Insecurities flood my thoughts.
Uncomfortable.

But there is comfort in the unknown
A relief that control is not with me.
No, I have intrusted my life in someone greater.
Someone who is so much wiser that I.

In Him I am strong
I recieve stability and confidence
And an assurance from Him.
In God I find rest.


¨That is why, for Christ´s sake, I delight in weakness... in difficulties. For when I am weak, I am strong.¨ -2 Corinthians 12:10

A Service to Remember

At the young adults retreat there was a certian worship service that I will not easily forget. A service filled with a new light on worship that I had not experinced before.

It started with praise and worship, like the others that week had. Clapping, jumping and loud chanting at times created a lively atmosphere. During one of the slower more moving songs, the speaker of the day took the mike and began speaking about possibly what the song inspired him to tell us- I am not sure really because his spanish was hard for me to understand. But before I knew it, youth were bawlling around me. Youth started heading up to the front starting an alter call of sorts. They were kneeling, weeping and crying out to God while at the same time sharing testimonies at the mike. As more time passed, even more youth headed to the front. By now there was loud wailing and crying from all around. People I knew from my youth group were up. They reconized how undeserving we are of His love and were litterally falling to their knees in repentance.

While everything was unfolding around me, I felt like a silent observer among the group. I had been introduced to this style of worship before in Asuncion , but nothing of this intensity. Watching everyone, I could feel the importance of this moment for some present. But I personally was unable to connect the same way. Maybe it was the language barrier or maybe the newness of the style of worship.

Even though I was unable to connect, this moment gave me appreciation for different styles of worship. There is something valuable to be taken out of any style of worship, weather it be a new way of connecting to God or a deeper understanding of the global church. By seeing worship in a different context, I was reminded of how complex and indiscribable God is.

The Art of Play

Life has been busy recently! Over the holidays there has been a LOT of traveling...

1. Going with the team to Argentina to renew our visas
2. Visiting the Chaco with my host family for the holidays
3. Going to Casaapa to visit Rosanna, a friend at church
4. Attending the Youth Retreat for the Mennonite Conference in Paraguay

What do all four of this trips have in common? Learning the Art of Play. What exactly does that mean you may say? Well for me- it means learning to live life to the fullest. When life throws you a curve, as South American travel usually does, learning to take it with a smile. When you do not understand what is going on, which is a common occurance when learning a new language, learning to ask questions and laugh at your self along the way. When God blesses you with beautiful moments, like visiting Iguazu Falls, learning to thank him constantly.

During my time in the Chaco, I had the opportunity to see what genunie play looks like. My host moms father was the source of this moment. Over my stay in their house, it was not unusual to see him running right along side his grandchildren. This served as a great reminder for me. I too want to keep the art of play in my life. God desires for us to have a child like faith. He wants us to come running to him with our arms wide open, ready for his warm embrace.

Today I challenge all of us to redefine what it play looks like in our life. There is nothing to loose... and I am finding it to be a lot of fun :)