A month in Paraguay, Sept 10th and Sept 11th

Education, education, education

I went back to school last year thanks to a friend who encouraged me to consider some formal training again. I graduated in 2002 from seminary. Nancy has been very supportive of this decision as well. What motivates me? First, to better understand higher education in the context of Paraguay. Second, is to better be equipped for the ministry I am involved.

Last year according to records of the ministry of Education, only 14,520 Paraguayans graduated from 60 university’s in the country. This represents 0,22 % of the population. This country is experiencing and awakening in many fronts and higher education is just one of the many fronts to be pioneered.

This lack of education translates into a lack in many areas of leadership for society. This country’s resources and its hidden potential are starving for leadership. Churches and any type of Christian or secular organization has work cut out. As the saying goes, when there is a problem the opportunities also lay ahead. I am constantly looking for opportunities to maximize my time and effort in ministry.

Baptism in the Parana River

This man traveled all night to for his baptism

Right before going into the water. Twenty 28 baptized

This morning I had the chance to baptize new believers in the Parana River. It felt great, and it was an incredible experience. One man took a bus and rode most of the night, for his baptism. Twenty 28 people said yes to this public step of obedience. Four couples decided to be baptized together.

I realized again today, that very few things on this earth surpass the joy of leading people to Christ and walking alongside them as they grow.

On Saturday night, we spoke to a group of teenagers and youth at the quinceanos birthday. Camila was the birthday girl. It was a moving night. Camila wanted to share the message of Christ on her birthday. I thought about the two girls in my house, Nicole 13 and Anahi 5, in a few years, going thru this passage of rite in the Latin American culture.

Thanks for hanging out. More tomorrow.

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Christmas in Paraguay!

If you're wondering what Paraguayans do at Christmastime, they have some great traditions , including the " noche buena " meal on Christmas Eve at midnight. They eat lots chipa guasu (a type of corn casserole, stay tuned for a recipe), asado or grilled meat (some eat it cold), salads, especially fruit salad, watermelon and drink mucho terere . Families travel from all over the country, many even return from working in other countries like Brazil, Argentina, and Spain, to celebrate with loved ones. This is us at last year's Kurrle celebration in Asuncion. Festivities are anything but a silent night with fireworks, loud music and drinking cidra (hard cider). Most Paraguayans do not decorate Christmas trees (we decorate ours in shorts!) or emphasize Santa Claus. Instead, they put beautiful nativities " pesebres " in their yards and in store fronts. Kind of novel to focus on Christ at Christmas, isn't it! To beat the heat, many Paraguayans g

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Fighting Discouragement in the Busyness of Life

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Passion for Paraguay

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