Passion for Paraguay

The sunset last night was breathtaking.  We've been so busy lately I haven't taken too many moments to just stop and soak in God's goodness. We've been running a race. welcoming students, preaching, teaching, hosting pastors, leading meetings, finishing taxes, traveling to Asuncion (twice) to get Esther Anahi's documents done (they aren't done yet) forming the itinerary for our furlough (in just seven weeks!!), sewing ripped school uniforms, cooking for crowds fighting a colony of bats in our house (over 50 of 'em buggers) spiffing up our car to sell the list just doesn't stop. breathe.  It's time to relax a little more around here and soak in the sunsets and the beauty God has painted around us. We accept all prayers during this more hectic than usual time and appreciate your patience for lack of updates.  We appreciate you!

While we were traveling last week I got a text message from another Paraguayan missionary sending condolences for my loss. I had no idea what that message referred to, so I told my husband I better find a place where we could check our email. Sure enough, we had gotten several messages from family informing us that grandpa Beam had passed away and his funeral had occurred that morning.  Even though Grandpa's health was declining for a few years now, I was so sad that I was unreachable and felt such guilt that I wasn't there. These are the times when the call to serve the Lord overseas gets tough. I knew that when I signed on to be a missionary this would be part of the package.  I count myself extremely fortunate that after almost 10 years on the field, this is the first family member I've lost. Still, I felt so helpless, so hurt. I didn't get to say goodbye. I also missed the celebration of his life; I wanted to laugh and cry with family as they shared funny stor...

Yesterday I spent a good part of the day weeping.  One of our most loved supporters died on Christmas day and we just got the news.  She had been battling cancer for over ten years.   She came to visit us for the first time in 2007 on a CMA trip and we became instant friends after that.  She would write us on a weekly basis with an encouraging word.  She would send us 3-4 care packs a year, she would mail cards on our birthdays.  She would pray for us consistently.  She arranged for us to have a vehicle while we were on our last furlough and drove it from Perry, GA to Orlando, FL to deliver it to us.  Seriously, who does that?  There are very few people like Anita in our lives.  Although we rejoice that she is no longer suffering, we mourn this great loss and wonder, "Who will fill the void that she left?"  She not only was our cheerleader, she sent packages overseas to our soldiers (she served in the U.S. Air Force for 24 ...

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...

This past weekend I (Julie) went to a retreat for missionary women, called Women of the Harvest .  The retreat is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and I'm so grateful that I was able to participate.     We were spoken to as real women without any expectations or pressures put upon us.  We were pampered with sweet gifts (like chocolate chips, candy and maple extract) and we were able to share in small groups (this was my wonderful group) about the issues we face and receive encouragement and prayer.  We worshiped in English and heard powerful reminders that who we are in Christ is not determined by our roles or relationships.  Each day we were allowed to choose different pampering sessions.  I got a pedicure to get all the red dirt off my feet.  I told them these are probably the dirtiest feet they've ever worked on.  They said they've seen everything, but she was scrubbing my toes for an entire hour!!! I got a hair cut and makeover done...

The first time our neighbor Roberto brought over some food, I looked into the pan and thought I was going to vomit.  It was a cow's hoof.  All I could think of was the amount of manure that was under that toenail and after saying a prayer to God for strength, I just barely get it down. That was nine years ago and he still continues to bring us over food about once a month and while I still don't like cow's hoof, the level of Paraguayan hospitality is the best we've ever encountered.  This family doesn't even have electricity, (no fridge or stove) yet they want to share with us what they have. This past week, when Roberto handed over some warm tortillas (like a salty pancake) to Norberto he whispered.... don't return the dish empty .  A little confused, Norberto asked for clarification. Roberto chuckled and said that true Paraguayan culture requires that when a neighbor brings you food, you, in turn, should fill it with something you've made to share ...

Mike the missionary* felt the pace of his life was picking up speed.   *Any resemblance to real missionaries is purely coincidental. Mike was inspired by this great 365 day series .

Hey, thanks for sharing your ideas on the characteristics of a missionary !  Feel free to keep commenting.... These are my hallmarks right now, or what I view as really important to keep us sane:  Prayer warrior-  Our first weapon when we are without a clue and without strength (which is pretty much every day). Resilience -or just being really thick-skulled and not quitting even when things are very tough. Major Flexibility- and I’m not talking ability to do the splits (thankfully).  I’m talking about the ability to go to the bathroom in really gross conditions. The ability to change plans at a moment's notice and welcome in an uninvited guest for lunch.  A deep love for people of different cultures, beliefs and perspectives.  MacGuyverish  -That's being ingenuous and creative with few resources, for those of you who are too young to have watched the show.

***As a missionary friend noted... "It seems like the guy on the right is showing Jesus' love to the stone-faced man on the left" So, we were just asked by a leader in the church what we would consider to be the top five "hallmarks of a missionary." Honestly, I didn't really know what a hallmark was.*blush* Our trusty dictionary.com told me a hallmark is " any distinguishing feature or characteristic."    Hmm, sounds sophisticated. Okay, I just got my top five.... BUTTT, before I share mine, I'd like to hear yours! Go on, don't be shy... and certainly don't be stone-faced like the guy on the left!

I wanted to ask for prayer for some fellow servants here in Paraguay. Ken just had a major heart surgery in Asuncion, the capital, and after spending a few days in ICU, is recovering in the hospital.  However, their insurance company denied their coverage three days before the surgery (the policy says they have to give a 15 day notice).  Also, another missionary friend in another region of the country just received word that she might be have multiple sclerosis.  She is my age with young children.  Please pray for our missionary friends who need healing, provision and God's peace.

We never thought we'd have to put bars on our windows, but after our recent robbery and assault , we've decided that it's an important security measure.  Thanks to the help of some supporters in Michigan, tonight we can sleep with our windows open. Needing bars on our windows is a result of living in a fallen world.  I'm looking forward to a time when locks on doors, guard dogs and alarm systems aren't necessary.  Aren't you?  Guess that will only come in heaven.

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

Seems like all we can do these days is say "Gracias Dios."   Gracias.... for His unconditional love and grace and protection. Gracias....for family that sticks together. Gracias...for friends who care. We are so thankful for each and every one of  you  our supporters, who make our efforts possible here. Our family counts each one of you that has prayed, encouraged, given, journeyed alongside, and loved a blessing and gift from God.   GRACIAS! We want to wish you and your family a very happy Thanksgiving.   (Eat some yummy turkey for us, kay.)  We love you, Norberto, Julie and Timmy

This month, our eighth anniversary here in Paraguay, we finally got hot water!  I can finally wash white clothes without having to boil them. I can wash greasy dishes and get them clean the first time. I can take a shower that lasts for more than 30 seconds (our widow-maker electric shower device only got the water warm) and I had to heat up four kettles of water every night for our son's bath.  We are all SO thankful that we now have hot water. Now, why is it that I feel so guilty for having this luxury, when none of my neighbors do??  I'm struggling today between gratefulness and being undeservingly privileged. This is my struggle many, many days.  

I've been reflecting this week on the recent robbery I faced and I wanted to share a few more interesting details: I didn't have my cell phone with me when I went to bed the night before the attack.  My phone was charging in the kitchen, but I got a late night call from a friend and brought my phone to my nightstand, just close enough to reach when I was bound and gagged. My sister-in-law had her cell phone on silence when I made the phone call to her at 6:25 a.m.  However, at 6:22 she had to go to the restroom and when she came back to her bed she saw the flashing light on her cell phone with a new message. I was extremely calm and at peace during the entire ordeal. Our little guy remained asleep during shouting and more yelling (I'm still hoarse) and the dog barking and the crashing of chairs...you get the idea.  He still has no clue that a bad man was a few feet from him and did him no harm. He sensed something happened since we didn't sleep at home at night, b...

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...

Right now our power is out.  Usually that would mean no internet and we'd be up a creek, because today is our office day.  However, our computer has a charged battery and we have a portable modem, so thanks to technology, we're in business! What a HUGE savings technology has been for us!  I think about Norberto's grandparents on the mission field and when they received a telegraph it meant someone had died.  Even missionaries twenty years ago had to make very expensive phone calls and pay for slow fax messages to connect with those back home. When we first arrived in Paraguay we could only call mom once a month because it was so costly.  Today we whip out emails daily, upload videos, scan documents and we talk via skype and do video calling for free .  I heart skype .  Grandma can see her grandson every week and check out what new invention he's created with his legos and she can see his boo-boos and blow him kisses, like grandmas love to do.  H...

When I visit the sick in our town's public health clinic, I always bring along a bag of goodies:  I am stocked with Bibles, toiletries and toys for children.  I was chatting with a friendly elderly lady named Petrona.  She smiled brightly and I noticed she had a toothless grin.   After I prayed with her, I reached into my bag and pulled out a tube.  Thinking that it was a hand cream, I handed it to her and told her it was cream and bid her goodbye.   Her daughter-in-law came over to the next room where I was talking with an agnostic man (the first patient this year that has rejected prayer for healing, but changed his mind after conversing a while... if you think about it pray for Claudio).  She asked me if I realized that I had given her toothpaste instead of hand cream and she told me her mother-in-law only had one tooth!  Oh my goodness, I was so embarrassed.  I gave her a bar of soap for her mother-in-law and told her to keep the toothp...

Plucking the last of our chicken for the season. 

Today is Friendship Day in Paraguay!  It is one of our favorite holidays here.  It is full of teas, BBQs, gift exchanges, poems and showing appreciation for good friends. I just got back from hand delivering a bunch of pansies to our friends with a scripture verse and a hug.  Wish we could send YOU a hug too! We are so grateful for your prayers, funny and uplifting emails and for your comments on our blog.   We pretty much feel the Apostle Paul hit it right on when he wrote about his friends far away during his missionary journeys... "I thank my God every time I remember you, in all my prayers for all of you. I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel."  Philippians 1:3 -5 Thanking God for you today, dear friends!  You are a gift from above.