4th CMA Paraguay National Rally

8:30 AM. We leave the capital city of Asuncion. Several trucks and a dozen or so motorcycles line up to travel for six hours into the great Chaco, also known and coined by the early settlers as the green hell. Water is scarce and the soil is not good for crop production. 

3:00 PM. We arrive in Flor del Chaco is a nice and comfortable campground outside the town of Filadelfia. The place sits on 400 acres of real Chaco forest. Flor del Chaco is a  Mennonite retreat place - really perfect retreat place. No phone connection, no WIFI, no noise. The stars at night are breathtaking. Rodadores Redimidos - the local chapter welcomed us with cheers. Last year the event was cancelled due to covid. This year, they went ahead in spite of experiencing the worst yet during the pandemic. We had a blast and it gave us a reason to travel and join forces as CMA Paraguay.

I traveled with my two oldest kids, Marcos and Nicole. So it turned into a family trip as well. It was our first trip into the great Chaco together. 

This land is massive and inhabited. It comprises the larger portion of Paraguay. Settling the Chaco is a demanding task. It can be compared to the quest of the west in the 1800 in the USA. Its landmass is attractive for those who dare to invest, work hard and wait for a crop. 

Between 1928-1947 and in ensuing years communities of Mennonites immigrated to Paraguay to escape Russia, Germany and the growing tensions and persecutions against their faith during and between both great world wars. Although hostile, the Chaco provided a place for worship and to lead quite and peaceful lives. This is a Mennonite way of life. They have conquered the Chaco, and today the Mennonites are proud of their rich history and inspire a new generation to conquer their challenges while protecting their faith.

(Picture from left to right)

• Robert Reimer, Filadelfia chapter president
• Couple representing CMA Colombia
• Oscar Klassen, National CMA president
• Gerardo Panoto, CMA Asuncion
• Norberto Kurrle, missionary
• Igor, CMA Ciudad del Este chapter president
• Holly representing CMA International
• Far right, Representing Brazil

CMA Paraguay began in 2006, in the home of Roland Pohler a man with a love for Jesus and motorcycles. He said yes to lead and start CMA - and he did for over a decade. A few years ago Oscar Klassen was appointed national president. Oscar has done a great job in helping CMA become a national organization. He has given his time, resources and expertise to help CMA take the next step in its growth. I believe the best CMA Paraguay days are ahead. CMA membership is steadily growing and with official presence in four states and with one hundred plus members today. 

During the rally I spoke at the worship services. I used the metaphor for traveling as a base for the message. We are all on a journey, a journey called life. I challenged myself and those present with the following points:

• Avoid shortcuts - you will pay for it later. 
• Avoid abandoning the journey  -  you will make it even when things get hard
• Avoid running out of gas - refill before it's too late. 

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. I Corinthians 9:24

The Chaco is magnetic, and if you are not careful it will draw and mesmerize you. A land mass larger than some countries, and underpopulated offers much quietness and time to reflect. Marcos and Nicole made new friends and learned firsthand about the history of this country. Traveling offers such a bond and this time was no different. Serving God and having fun in the process is the best of both worlds.

One of my great desires is to have each member of my family discover their way of serving God and fulfilling their God given purpose.