Passion for Paraguay

My book is out and now has made residency in cyberspace. Feel free to check it out here. https://a.co/d/6x0bSek It’s the story of an epic trip we took with our Chevy Suburban 1988 diesel 6.2 L engine (a beast) or blue cruiser. We left the USA in September that year, and pulled into the driveway of a small rental home, in the town of Obligado Paraguay November 2002 (three months later) We crossed 15 borders and learned a ton about ourselves and life from a traveler perspective. These borders have become light posts, beacons of some sort by which we have referenced other decisions over the years. Writing this book has been on my heart for years. I am thrilled that after two years of ups and downs, even with the idea of dropping the project altogether, the book finally found its way into print and hopefully into the hands of those who need a push and inspiration for their current life. For some it is marriage, for others it is an empty nest, maybe for the entrepreneurial mindset one, it...

Nine years ago today we pulled into Paraguay.  This is what we (and our poor truck) looked like the day before arriving to the Paraguayan border.  After being on the Pan American highway for over 70 days (we left Anderson, Indiana on Sept. 6) we were so elated (and exhausted) when we finally arrived that we both wept when we saw the " Bienvenidos a Paraguay " sign. As we reflect back on these past nine years in South America, they've been some of the best and yet toughest years of our lives.  I look at myself then and I see myself as a kid, a whipper snapper of sixteen years or so (I was much older than that!).  I feel like I've matured decades since arriving here; the Paraguayans are so gracious and have taught me so much.  Yet, I still feel in a way like a kid cross-culturally.  I'm still making language blunders and I'm still missing social cues and I definitely still (and perhaps always will) feel like an outsider.  I can't imagine what I woul...

We had the BEST time with our little girl this weekend!! We bonded with her so much and she just kept giving us sweet little kisses.  Leaving her behind was just the PITS.  Thankfully, we won't have many more goodbyes.  However, we have to continue the relating process with her so the social worker can give a report to the judge on how Anahi is dealing with her new family (that would be us).  So, I (Julie) am leaving on an overnight bus for Asuncion and will be with her until Friday night.  Norb is holding the fort down here (and teaching my classes) while I'm gone.  Our big interview with the judge is in one week, on August 30.  If all goes well, we will be named Anahi's legal guardians until the adoption process is complete.  We aren't sure when this long process will end the adoption will be complete, but we're grateful to God for our little girl and recognize that all these sacrifices are totally worth having her in our arms.  

This is part two of our trip to Ñeembucú .  Since we are fascinated by history (Norberto's masters is in History and Intercultural studies) we took the opportunity to visit four different museums in this historical part of the country, where the bulk of the Triple Alliance War was fought and where Jesuit ruins are preserved. These are the Humait á ruins.  This Catholic church was bombed for six months during the Triple Alliance War because it was thought to have held Paraguay's weapons. From inside the ruins you can see the beautiful Paraguay river.   This is in front of the museum of Isla Umbu , where General Lopez had his military base.  A new monument is being inaugurated for Paraguay's bicentennial on May 14-15 in Paso de Patria .  Along with the battle scene of the Triple Alliance War are General Mariscal Fransisco Lopez's famous words "Defeat or Die"  This is at the war museum of Paso de Patria.  We spent two hours in this tiny museu...

Only God could orchestrate that.  Plamen came to know the Lord in an underground church during the communist regime.  Shortly after the fall of communism, he founded this church in Bulgaria (which is one of the largest in the nation). He is passionate about God and motorcycles.  His dream was to bike through South America and he made it happen after months of planning and preparation.  However at the last minute his two riding partners backed out and he did the trip solo! He started in Texas and arrived at our house yesterday after 45 days on the open road.  He found us through the CMA website and we are so honored to have him stay with us!  Last night he spoke at our CMA meeting about his amazing adventures. Today he, Roland (CMA Paraguay president) and Norberto are out on a day ride to show him the beautiful region of the country in which we live.   Plamen flies to the US tomorrow and back to Bulgaria later in the week.  What crazy and abs...

This is the "special of the day" in our supermarket.  Should I take an order for anyone?

Saturday was a day I’d never like to repeat.  I woke up at 6:11 a.m. and I unlocked my bedroom door and went to the kitchen to unlock the front door.  As I was unlocking the door I felt someone behind me.  I turned and there was a man in our living room with a steak spear in his hand and he grabbed me.  I screamed and started yelling for our dog, for our neighbor, for anyone.  He was big, almost 200 lbs, and wore a white motorcycle helmet on his head.  I kicked and screamed and knocked down chairs.  I then realized after wrestling with him to escape for almost 10 minutes that I should ask him what he wants.  He said, “Quiero plata”  (I want money). I told him to let me go so I could get my purse. I desperately did not want him to go into my bedroom, where my four year old was sleeping. He did not let me go, instead he dragged me by the hair and took me to my room, where Timmy was sleeping and where my purse was.  I opened my wallet an...

For some reason I'm humming Christmas songs today.   I can't get "Joy To the World" out of my head! Our family is growing....the dog is about ready to have pups and the turkey chicks (if that's what you call them) are about to hatch.  Had a tough-love confrontation today with someone who's not "walking the talk."  Please pray for L. Help me feed my addiction to books win a Kindle by entering this blog contest for missionaries.  All you have to do is write the link to one of your favorite " Passion for Paraguay " posts.  We are moving forward on our construction slowly but slowly.  Can finishing a 4.5' x 8' bathroom really be THAT expensive? Timmy is pounding something with a hammer right now.  The kid is destined for construction work.  This is a many-times-daily experience in our home. Sad to say there is no news on our adoption.  We continue to pray for patience and for our little one. Killed 2 poisonous snakes in the yar...

We're the traveling trio!  Our little guy feels right at home in the car (Don't worry Mom, we didn't travel with him like this!) and being in new churches each weekend.  This past weekend (in Katuete and Ciudad del Este) we had the best response to ICI so far!  We had several people talk to us about the possibility of studying.  One couple in particular has a strong call to ministry.  They both work full-time and would need to quit their jobs to study, but we are praying that God will provide and give them the courage to take this next step. This weekend we will be in Santa Rita and next weekend we hit Encarnacion.  Please pray that God would speak to the people that need to be a part of the training program and that God would give us protection as we travel.

Paraguay Troop 33 was present at the annual Exploradores camp!!    A group of 45 children/adults traveled 6 hours this past weekend to the national "Exploradores Camparama" in Aregua.  This is Maria's first time to camp and she was so excited!  It was our job to set up camp before the kids arrived.  At least we didn't forget the poles, like at this camp !   There is nothing like camp to make memories! The troop had to make their own living quarters.  This was their creative way to store the tools. Here's commander Norberto testing out the port-o-pot!    The troop had great food to eat, thanks to some parents who came on board.  Here, they're eating chicken and rice.   The troop even won the cooking contest for best guiso , which is like a beef stew with rice! Ours is pictured far right. Our troop in formation; we had the biggest turn out of any troop in the country! They played games, had Bible study and worked on th...

Remember how we mentioned we were dealing with a few plagues?   Well, there is good news to share! The sand fleas are in hibernation due to the rain and freezing temps we've been having lately.  We haven't had to dig into our feet for over two weeks! We never thought we'd own a cat.  I hate cats.  However, extreme situations call for extreme measures.  We killed over 40 mice and rats and we still couldn't get a handle on the problem. Silver is here and the rats are on the run!  This little guy is only 2 months old, but he doesn't mess around.  He is a great hunter and he's very friendly too.  So, now we have a dog, a cat (his brother is arriving on Sat), six chicken and we'll be getting two turkeys this week sometime, so we can have turkey on Thanksgiving! It's raining animals at our house and we're almost becoming a farm.  But the pests are on the way out the door and that, friends, is a VERY good thing.

We're leaving today for the Land of the Incas!  We will be near Lima this week for the South American Missionary Ventures conference and are really excited about.  Unlike the last conference in Peru 2008, we will not be driving ( a 9 day adventure and four part blog post !).  We will both be sharing this week at some point on accountability (J) and serving cross-culturally (N).  We're looking forward to some great fellowship, worship and growth!  There's just one bummer....  our camera broke this week so hopefully we can snag a pic or two from someone else. This is the first time we'll be away from our little guy for more than one night, so pray for him.  He is in wonderful hands, with abuela/abuelo and his sweet tia , thank you for your love and care.  Also, pray for spiritual and emotional renewal and for safe travels. The day we return we receive international guests who will travel up north with Norberto to plan out all the details f...

Yesterday we heard our 1988 Surburban purr into the driveway for the last time.  It was a nostalgic moment as Norberto took us for one final spin around town.  We took some time to reminisce and thank God for the numerous ways he has blessed us with this practically, problem-free ministry vehicle .  It got us safely here, and ever since hitting the soil, it's helped so many pastors, children and of course, set records carting around youth!  We give God all the glory that even though it was almost stolen from us last year, that wasn't God's plan.  This was.   Blue will now be serving Hogar Ganar , a long-term Christian home for abandoned and at-risk children, in Itaugua, Paraguay.  The cool thing is that Julie's cousins, Jayne and Joe , arrived in Paraguay to serve as new missionaries with the children there just over a month ago!  We're so happy to have more family serving with us in the heart of South America and we ask that you would pr...

Yesterday I had just taken Timmy to preschool and I look up and the sky was full of black smoke.  I told my sister-in-law as we were driving home that the smoke looked like it was really close to our house.  As we approached our road my heart started to beat really fast....the smoke seemed like it was in our back yard!  Our neighbor's field was on fire!   I pulled in the drive to find Norberto and our international guest were in the front yard and going next door to check it out.  On the way, he called the firemen to alert them of the situation.  Thankfully, they were already on the scene. Here are the firefighters in action.  At one point in the video, Norberto is telling them where to go to get more water because they ran out!   Also, look closely at the hose; this is Paraguay people!  Remind me to lend them some duct tape. I stayed at home and watered our straw hut because the roaring sound of the fire was getting awfully close....

We always enjoy getting out in nature and exploring new places.  Yesterday we went with some friends to the district of Alto Vera.  However, arriving was quite a challenge!  There were no signs and the locals didn't even know how to direct us.  So, we would stop and ask 3 different people for clarification! We finally arrived around lunchtime, when the heat was so intense!  We had been warned about snakes, but we only saw one snake on the trail. We had lunch at this beautiful rock quarry.  Thank goodness for shade! We had a hard time making it up the hill because we were all attacked by ants.  We had to run on the trail to keep them from clinging to our shoes!  This is the view from the top of "Cerro Pero" It was so hot, that we had to stop and swim in the river on the way back down!  Ahhh, that's much better! Norberto is preaching tonight's Easter service.  Thanks for keeping him and all the visitors in your prayers.  H...

"The ultimate adventure that I've experienced in my entire life!"   That's how 10 year old Oscar described his day on Saturday.  The Explorers had a special rappelling session, led by extreme adventurer, Norberto.  71 kids braved the experience by rappelling the three story radio building. Norberto explained that when you rappel, you have to trust in the harness, in the strength of the rope and trust in those that are belaying (holding the rope) down below.  As followers of God, we have to trust that he will hold us up, even when we can't see him; he is with us. The hardest part is taking that first step off the platform and putting your faith into practice!  The kids can't stopping talking about the "awesome adventures" they had rappeling.  We'll keep you posted as to what the next ultimate experience will be!  In the meantime, pray that the faith of these little ones would grow leaps and bounds!

1.  Kill the chicken by either snapping its neck or chopping its head off.  We've found that the former method is less messy, but the chopping block is faster.  Let the blood drain into a bucket. 2. Plunge the chicken in boiling water for 30 seconds to loosen the skin to facilitate the plucking process. 3.  Hang the chicken by its legs and pluck all the feathers 4. Singe the chicken over a fire to get rid of any remaining feather stubs. 5.  Take out the gizzards, wash them and preserve in another container for giblet dressing. The results:  The best ever Thanksgiving dinner under our hut!

We are asking for your prayers again, friends.  We were robbed this week.  While we have had chairs stolen from our patio, clothes stolen from our clothesline and shoes stolen from our front porch, this is the first time in seven years (we celebrate our 7th year anniversary in Paraguay today!) that we have had someone steal inside our home. We arrived home from a funeral (we were the choir) around dusk and as we pulled up to gate of our house, Norberto's mother said she saw a light go off in the house.  Norberto ran into the house and our door was wide open and our curtain had been pulled down.  Also, as we were pulling in there was an unknown man in front of our house texting on his cell phone.  When Norberto greeted him, he looked down at the ground.  We have no neighbors and since this man was just "hanging out" that was our clue that he was working with the person inside. We realized immediately that although we arrived before they could take much...

Yeah!  It's Paraguay day in the Candle in the Corner Event .  We are gratful for your interest, prayers and investment in God's work around the globe.  I'm going to tell you a secret...I never considered being a missionary.  I knew that I wanted to be a CEO of a large corporation when I was 15.  I double majored in college (marketing and finance) and was on a fast track to making big bucks.  I would donate to God's work, of course; I just didn't want to get dirty myself.  Until... I went on a college mission trip, then two, then six.  I just loved serving cross-culturally and I knew that God was doing something inside of me.  My junior year I changed  my focus and finally admitted that God had other plans for me.  It was at the same time, God was preparing me for something amazing... my latin lover .  God brought to Smalltown , Indiana the most incredible man, who grew up on the mission field.  He lived in the jungles ...