Going Home

We are home. The trip was not without its challenges, but all five us and all of our baggage arrived in San Francisco on time. Thanks be to God that with the first two flights arriving late, we made the connections anyway, and so did our bags. There was a major strike at the airport in Brazil, but United waited for us, and we're home.

I think I'll sleep well tonight!

It has been a real privilege to represent our God and our church in Paraguay. Aaron, David, Lenny, Lori and I are so thankful for your prayers and support.

Keep praying for Bob and Brenda Boston, and all the work of the Alliance churches in Paraguay.

Paraguay, Days 10-12 (Monday-Tuesday)

Oh my goodness, this has been a full couple of days! Sunday night's service was wonderful, pretty much a carbon copy of the morning service. The church presented us with gifts to thank us for the work we had done. After the service, we ended up spending quite a bit of time saying goodbye to our new friends. Patricia, a friend of Kelly's, took us all into a back room and sang part of a song from Phantom of the Opera that she will be singing Wednesday as a requirement for her university training. She has a fantastic voice, and I wouldn't be surprised if she becomes a pro.

Monday, we got up really early (2:30 AM) to drive across Paraguay to Brazil. Armando drove us, while we slept. We passed termite hills, and a whole lot of countryside. We visited the largest dam in the world, and the accompanying largest hydroelectric plant, at Itaipu. It is 14 km up the Parana River, from the crossing of the border between Paraguay and Brazil.

Crossing over to Brazil is quite an adventure. The Paraguay side is somewhat of a wild west, and the actual bridge is no man's land. We had to keep the windows locked, and everything valuable looking hidden. Although traffic crawled across the bridge, we had no incidents. Once safely into Brazil, we went shoe shopping. The ladies all got shoes, the guys enjoyed the scenery in Brazil.

After lunch, we headed north to Iguacu Falls, which really does place Niagara a distant second. It is beautiful. David, Aaron, and I were going to do a boat ride to the falls, but it was cold, wet, and the $80 discouraged us. Still, it was fantastic.

In the evening we went to dinner at a place that features the dances of Latin America. It was pretty showy, but gave us a good taste of the cultures here. The people of these countries are proud of their heritage, and rightfully so. I will say that I enjoyed the Paraguayan dance the most.

This morning (Tuesday), we went to a bird park with some of the best aviaries I have ever been in. Lot's of parrots, macaws, and many other kinds of birds. I have some pictures of a toucan, which thought my camera might be good to eat. He couldn't bite that hard, so I let him have my finger. Now I have a toucan bite on my thumb. It actually drew blood. Way cool!

On the way home, we went to Big, which is the Walmart operation in Brazil. Cheap prices, lots of products, and a great place for Brenda to get some groceries. I bought a USB cable there for 2 bucks. It costs $40 at the Radio Shack here in Paraguay. Unfortunately, it didn't fix the scanner I brought Brenda, so I'll have to take it back home and return it.

This will be my last blog from Paraguay. We leave for home tomorrow. This has been a wonderful time, learning from the Lord about our brothers and sisters here in Paraguay, learning about ourselves, and experiencing God. It's going to be hard to leave, but good to get home. Thanks for praying.

Ciao.

Paraguay, Day 9 (Sunday)

Sweethearts Banquet

Ok, that's not what they called it. I believe it was a dinner for married couples. It was at the church on Saturday night, and it started at 8:00 PM. That's a pretty typical time for dinner in Paraguay. Anyway, the church underwent a major transformation. When we left at noon, we had swept the floor and put all the extra lumber in the office we had just constructed. By evening time, the place had been cleaned, there were flowers and decorations up, and the office had been converted into a temporary kitchen. There were round tables with 2 tablecloths each, and it had become a dining room for a couple's dinner. Quite lovely, actually. We were impressed.

The program consisted of Jorge Cabral entertaining the crowd with four songs, accompanying himself on classical guitar. A lady joined him for two of the songs. Pastor Roberto (Bob) Boston gave a "short" devotional on Ten Ways to Create a Juvenile Delinquent. (I didn't understand it, but he had told me ahead of time what it would be.) Then a dance troop from a local dance school performed Paraguayan dances, including the dances where the girls balance bottles on their heads. The star ended up with eight bottles stacked up. They received loud applause.

After dinner, a gentleman sang 2 songs and spoke a bit. One of his songs appeared to this non-Spanish-speaker to be a love song that could also be sung to God. It was beautiful. I closed out the evening with a message on marriage from Ephesians 5, Proverbs 31, and 1 Peter 3. A number of people indicated either a desire to accept Christ or to devote their marriages to Christ. I have to thank Brenda for translating for me. She does an excellent job of not only translating the words, but also the intent of what I say.

Sunday Worship Service
This morning (Sunday) we went to church. After a good time of songs of worship, led by Jorge Cabral, Aaron gave his testimony about his trip to Africa. The people of the church brought us on stage and thanked us for what we had done in their church, presented us with gifts, and then laid hands on us and prayed. After a Paraguayan dance by some young ladies from the church, I preached on the importance of rejoicing in Jesus, from Philippians 4. Several people responded to the invitation to receive Christ, and many asked for the peace of God to guard their hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Tonight, we will repeat the same service.

After church, Bob and Brenda took us to an incredible restaurant. It is an all you can eat buffet with delicious food. After filling our plates at the buffet tables, the waiters started coming around with various kinds of meats on skewers. They carved off pieces onto our plates, unless we said, "no gracias". It was delicious, and I am so full right now, I don't dare lie down or I might not get up for church this evening.

Tonight at 3 AM, we head off for Brazil. We are going to Foz de Iguacu, the waterfalls that apparently put Niagara to shame. In order to make the border crossing easier, I won't be taking the computer, so I won't be blogging until we get back on Tuesday (if I have any energy). Then we leave for the States on Wednesday.

If you have been praying for us, I want to say thank you. This has been a wonderful trip for us all. We have learned so much, and made some sweet friends. Please know that it has been your prayers that have made this such a blessing. I hope you will keep on praying for the mission and ministry in Paraguay. God is at work here, and you and I are privileged to be a part of what he is doing, whether by being here or by praying.

Ciao.

Paraguay, Day 8 (Saturday)

Hola,

As it turns out, I do have time for a short blog, although I don't have a lot to report. Last night, after posting the last blog, I was able to update the church's laptop so they can use it to run powerpoint, videos, and music. The sounds were all playing too fast, and it needed an updated sound driver. Unfortunately, the brand new scanner I brought for the mission office does not work. My guess is the cable is bad, but who knows. I'll probably have to take it back to the US, and exchange it for another, then get it to Sacramento for when Brenda visits her daughter there.

We finished the office and the painting this morning. There are a few more trim pieces needed, but we had to clear out so they could set up for Awana this afternoon, and the couples' dinner tonight. Lori, Lenny, and David are observing Awana, and Aaron and I are at the house.

This evening, I will be speaking about the seven basic needs of a wife at the dinner. Aaron is going to attend the college group. Tomorrow, Aaron will give a short testimony and I will preach at both services (morning and evening) at the the San Lorenzo church. In between, we are going to a Brazilian restaurant for a huge lunch. We have not been going hungry!

Ciao

Paraguay, Day 7 (Friday)

Last night, Lenny and I went with Bob to a cell group led by Jorge Encina. It was a small group, with mostly church people. Lenny gave her testimony in Spanish, and added some things in English while Bob translated. Then I gave the message about grace with Bob translating. Afterwards, we enjoyed a delicious "snack." The evening snack here is enough for dinner. There were empenadas, a kind of cookie, and a number of other baked goods. Some of the food was a bit dry, meant to be washed down with the fruit juice which was served. However, Bob told us not to drink the juice here because our North American digestive tracks would not handle the bacteria that might be in the water or on the fruit. (Ask Jackson about his "di di" experience in Ecuador! He wrote several blogs about it.) One of the hosts broke out a bottle of Pulp, which is a carbonated pomelo drink in a bottle. It was cold, sweet and wet.
This morning, we worked at church some more, and are almost with finished with the painting and the office. We have had a wonderful time working with the Paraguayan Christians, and have enjoyed their easy-going, friendly nature.
We returned to the Boston's home for lunch, and were joined by the 2 other missionary families who are serving here in Paraguay. Forest and Sarah Schell and Jay and Karen Spurling have both been here less than a year. They are working part time in churches, and are also in their second year of language study. Both came with one child and one on the way. They are wonderful couples who are adjusting to ministry here, and are having a great impact in the churches of Paraguay. Two young ladies from Toccoa Falls Bible College are doing their internship by teaching English as an outreach in Paraguay. They are working with the Schell's and joined us for lunch. It was a wonderful time of fellowship and prayer for our missionary team here in the greater Asuncion area.
I spent the afternoon working on computers. The San Lorenzo church's laptop, which they use for projecting powerpoint, and videos, and playing music, has been acting funny, running sounds at a higher pitch and a higher speed. Turns out it has never been updated, so I ended up staying home this evening to download and install 41 updates so far (I expect there will be many more once these are finished). I have already cleaned up an old computer for guests to use to check email. I am also installing a scanner on the mission computer. Most of my "free" time has been at a computer while others rested or talked, so the team decided to leave me home tonight while they are out at cell groups.
We have another full day tomorrow; we need to finish the church in the morning, then get it cleaned up in time for AWANA in the afternoon. We will be part of the dinner for married couples in the evening. That could go late, so I don't know if I will have time to write a blog.
Thanks for your prayers. They do make a difference.

Paraguay, Day 6 (Thursday)

Last night we went to 2 cell groups again. This time, Lori and I went with Brenda to one group, and David, Aaron and Lenny went to the other group with Bob. Once again, we all spoke. They were good meetings. At the group I attended, last night reminded me of my days in Hawaii. The night was quite warm and breezy, and we met outside in Jorge Cabral's back yard. He played guitar and led singing, there was good food, testimony and Bible message, and good fellowship, with laughter and conversation. What joy!

Today, we continued working on the church office and painting. We need to be finished by the end of Friday, so please pray that we make good progress. We've figured out how to nail the hardwood, and the pine tongue and groove strips are going on well.

Bob took us to lunch to a place that sells empenadas. Mmmmmmm! I was so full after the meal that I could hardly move, but we headed back to church, and then walked a couple of blocks into downtown San Lorenzo to do some shopping. Kelly took the ladies, and Jorge Encina (see the Alliance Life article) took Aaron, David and me. We went through the market place, which was an indoor maze of alleys, with thousands of shoes for sale, along with a multitude of clothing, cell phones, jewelry, etc. It is where the locals shop, definitely not a tourist area. Some of the team were impressed by the pig intestines being sold for packing sausage. It reminded me of the markets in the San Francisco China town, but more relaxed.

Bob had warned us to take only the amount of money we would need, and a copy of our passports. He instructed us that if we were robbed, to give them everything. We had no incidents at all. It was actualy a very pleasant time if you like shopping! We found a store like a 3rd world Walmart that has everything cheap, bought a couple of things there, then went to a local store owned by Christians, and purchased a few things there.

When we got back to the church, we went back to work for a couple of hours, and then headed home to prepare for a cell group tonight. Thanks for your prayers, and keep it up!

Paraguay, Day 5 (Wednesday)

Today we continued work on the church office and painting. The painting crew, Lenny, Lori, Aaron, and Kelly from Redding, finished the major painting of the auditorium. That was quite a feat. The room probably measures 75 ft long by 60 feet wide, and is 2 stories high, with a balcony. It looks much nicer now.

As soon as they finished in the auditorium, they tackled a 4-story metal staircase which leads to the classrooms, apartments, and storage areas. The first job is to sand the metal railing and stairs, then apply a rust converter which will convert the rust to a stable state. Tomorrow, they begin painting the staircase. It's hard, intricate, and messy. Pray for strength and safety for them.

David and I worked with Bob and finished the stud work in the new office. We are building it in the back of the auditorium, just on the left as you come in the door. We have bent a lot of nails, broken a lot of drill bits, and had quite a challenge with the beautiful hard wood, but it's done. We installed fiberglass insulation for soundproofing (yes, I itch!), and tomorrow we should begin the process of nailing on the tongue-and-groove pine walls. Please pray for that process; the pine is soft, but the studs we are nailing into is very hard, and every time a nail bends, that will damage the pine. We want to leave our Paraguayan brothers and sisters with a nice-looking facility!

This afternoon we have some time to rest and email (and blog), and then tonight we are all speaking at various cell groups. Once again, we covet your prayers. Since this week is Noche de Amigos at the cell groups, everyone is encouraged to bring their unsaved friends to hear the gringos speak. That means that in this very eclectic spiritual place, we are blessed to be able to share the love of God with people who know Christ, and with people who have no hope, and with people who are slaves to demons, and with people who are caught up in their own sinful lifestyles. The blood of Jesus Christ covers all of that, and we have the freedom and power that these people need. When we were preparing for this trip, we had to receive shots to protect us from hepatitis, yellow fever, and typhoid fever, among others. It's a good feeling to know we are safe from those. It's an even better feeling to know we are immune to the spiritual slavery and oppression that many around us are experiencing, and that we have the antidote for those poisons--Jesus Christ.

What joy it brings us to share the good news. Being in this place, and hearing the stories of many people who have had life-changing experiences with Jesus Christ, has helped me to see just how good the news is that we share. To see the joy on the sweet faces of other Christians here, and to celebrate with them, is to experience the good news first hand.

Thanks for your prayers and support. We value it highly. You who are praying for us are a part of what God is doing in Paraguay.


Please also remember to pray for Dennis Way and the team that is in Romania. They have arrived safely, but are missing a couple of bags, and had a difficult time getting through customs. They will be preparing for the rest of the team to arrive at the beginning of July, where they will be doing day camps for the kids.

Paraguay, Day 4 (Tuesday)

Last night, we split up into two groups. Lenny and Lori went with Brenda to a cell group at the home of a lady who used to be an abortionist. The last issue of Alliance Life magazine has an article about the place and the people. Both ladies spoke at the cell group and really were blessed to have fellowship with the people there. It was a blessing to be able to minister in what used to be an abortion clinic, where countless lives were lost, but where lives are now being saved for all eternity. God has radically changed the hostess, and God used our ladies to minister hope and peace in Christ.

David, Aaron and I went with Bob to another small group, which met in the back yard of a small home. To get there, we had to drive around a detour that Bob told us he would not drive alone, because of the robbers in the area. We arrived at the home, and were welcomed into the back yard, where about 30 people were seated in chairs talking and laughing. There were a bunch of kids, and I was concerned that my message wouldn't communicate well to the kids. I had already been praying, but my prayer to God for his blessing on the evening increased as I saw the number of children. He answered.

After singing some songs, several of which we know in English, David gave his testimony about how he met his wife Holly by divine appointment, and how their commitment to each other and to God has helped them get through some challenges in their lives.. Then Aaron spoke about how when he accepted Christ, God helped him with his temper which used to be pretty bad. I spoke about grace, from Ephesians 2:1-10, and how God's mercy is like me reaching into the sewer and saving a cockroach, but that his grace is like me taking the cockroach and making it part of my family. The message went over well because of the cockroach story, and there were several first time decisions for Christ, as well as a number of rededications. We closed the evening by asking anyone who wanted prayer to stand in the middle of the circle, and each of us gringos paired up with a Paraguayan church leader as we prayed for the people.

Construction

This morning, we continued construction of the office at the San Lorenzo church. By the end of the day, we had the studs, windows and door in place. The office is coming along nicely, and we learned a few tricks in working with that beautiful but very hard and oily wood. The rest of the crew is almost finished painting the inside of the santuary. It's a huge job, and I am so proud of Lenny, Lori, and Aaron, who have been working so hard and faithfully.

We took a break for lunch with the pastoral staff of the church, and that was an incredible blessing. Each of them told us about themselves and their call to ministry. We asked questions, and learned just how similar this church is to our own. With tears in their eyes, and tears in ours, we rejoiced at God's goodness as he reaches people with his love through our churches. It was an incredible time.

Thank you

Thank you for your prayers. I have read other people's thanks for prayers when they were overseas, and have thought, "Yeah, I believe in prayer, and I know they are grateful for prayer." But now I know how important it is. Your prayers are making a difference here. People's lives are being changed by God through us because you are praying. Don't stop!

We are blessed to represent you as ambassadors for Christ here in Paraguay. May God richly bless and use you.

Paraguay, Day 3 (Monday)

Well, here it is Monday, and it already seems as if we have been here for a week, even though we have just spent 2 nights in Asuncion. It seems that's what happens when you pack a lot of new experiences into a short time.

Last night, at the San Lorenzo church, last minute, we found out that even though Jorge, one of the pastoral staff, was preaching, they wanted someone from the team to give a testimony. The service had already started when we found this out, so as a good pastor would do, I looked at David and asked him if he would give his testimony. He wasn't scheduled to speak until the next night, but said yes. Lenny cued him when it was time, and Brenda interpreted. David told how he had met Holly, and presented a great testimony of the very personal way in which God works in each of our lives.

This morning (Monday), we began the construction and painting at the church. Lenny and Lori, expert painters, made great progress on painting the inside of the sanctuary. The building had been built with the help of teams from the Central Pacific District of the C&MA, so it felt as if we were working together with others from home. In fact, Kelly, from Trinity Alliance Church in Redding, is here for 7 weeks, and worked alongside the painters. Aaron worked with Alberto from the church in patching the walls with concrete, in preparation for painting. David and I started putting up one of the walls to the new church office, while Bob worked with one of his congregation, Andres, to put up the other.

The wood we are using for the studs for the all is 3" by 3" hardwood. It is just beautiful wood, and it seems a shame to cover it! It also likes to grab the drill bits and keep them, so we spent a lot of time getting stuck drill bits out of the wood. Oh for a drill with an American, precision chuck! Tomorrow, we should finish the stud work, mount the doors and windows, and be ready to put up the tongue and groove pine walls, which will be insulated for sound.

This afternoon is rest time, and preparation for speaking at cell groups. It looks as if everyone will be speaking tonight. The team is wonderful, all willing to be used by God. We are enjoying working together, both with each other, and with our Paraguayan brothers and sisters. It is wonderful to be a part of what this church here is doing as they are reaching this country for Christ.

We covet your prayers for strength, energy, and safety as we work. Pray also for God's covering as we speak at the groups. There will be many people who do not know the Lord at each group. Thank you.

Paraguay, Day 2 (Sunday)

Saturday night, while Bob Boston and David went to the airport to retrieve the lost but now found luggage, Aaron and I went with Brenda to the San Lorenzo church, where we met with the college group. The room was cold: it’s winter here, and they have no heat and lots of leaks in the windows and walls (the church is still being built). Of course, by cold, I mean it was in the 60’s inside, so it really wasn’t that bad. The college group started off with singing; I recognized about half the songs, and even sang some, even though I don’t know Spanish. Aaron gave a testimony on God’s grace, reminding these Christian college students that we are still dependent on God’s grace to grow, even after salvation.

While we were at the San Lorenzo church, Bob and David came back to the house, dropped off the bags (thank you Lord!) and then took Lenny and Lori to a women’s cell group, where Lenny spoke and Lori gave her testimony. From what I hear, it went well, although Lori left her notes at the Boston’s house, so she did it from the heart. Remember how in church she was so nervous about speaking in front of people? God used both ladies last night.

This morning, Bob took the team to visit 5 of the C&MA churches in the Asuncion area. We met some wonderful people, including missionaries to Paraguay from Argentina, the US, and the Philippines. And do you remember the video we showed in church? Remember the shot of the man with the black beard and a great smile welcoming the camera into church? We met him at the Asuncion C&MA church, right in the same place as in the video, greeting us. He is a barber and cuts the hair of some of the leading politicians in Paraguay. What a great guy. We were able to pray for and with the pastors of two of the churches. It was a privilege.

Tonight, we go to the San Lorenzo church, where Bob is the pastor. We’ll be there for the whole service, and may give a greeting. Tomorrow, we start construction of the secretary’s office and a counseling room at the church. It will be in one corner of their auditorium, just on the left as you come in the door. With David leading the crew, we hope to build something that is attractive, since it will be so visible.

Paraguay, Day 1 (Saturday)

Well, we made it to South America. Here's a picture of the team waiting in the airport in Buenos Aires.

We made it safely to Asuncion, and we are at the Boston’s beautiful home. It is an oasis in a neighborhood with cobblestone/dirt streets. There is both poverty and wealth side by side here. But from what we have seen so far, Paraguay is a pretty place.

We have not yet gone to the churches. We’re resting this afternoon (Saturday), and then some will return to the airport to retrieve missing luggage. Lori got only one of her bags, I got mine, and the rest came up empty handed. Hopefully in a few hours they will be there. Keep praying!

While some go to get the luggage, others are off to youth group and cell groups. (Cell groups are the same as small groups.)

Tomorrow we will take a tour of as many of the 7 C&MA churches as we can get to.