Passion for Paraguay

Have you read this story of the baby alive in the morgue in northeast Argentina?  It's an absolute miracle!  While it didn't happen here in Paraguay, it was pretty close. 

This is a great post for parents who desire to raise children who will change the world.    What are you doing to help your children think beyond themselves?

This morning I read this article entitled, "Why You Should Not Buy Your Child an IPad" and the author mentioned that it's more productive to have a child go outside and play basketball or build a fort.  Although the author of the articple mentioned that the IPad has e-book and read-aloud capabiltities, he's never seen a child reading an e-book while using it.  The cool apps just "suck a child in" and affect a child's desire to go out and make friends and be active.  Why am I mentioning this, as I'm a missionary writing about events in Paraguay? Because it affects me.  Yesterday, while eating with some dear friends at their home in the capital, we were introduced to their new daughter-in-law.  She's smart, beautiful, in her mid-twenties and she couldn't look us in the eyes because they were glued to her smartphone.  I couldn't believe how addicted she was to hearing the "beep" of a new text message.  She couldn't even c...

Timmy's first day of school.  Our big guy started first grade on Thursday.   We are doing something completely different this year.  We are homeschooling him in the morning (primarily Bible, English and Reading) and in the afternoon he attends 8 de Diciembre Elementary School.  It is three blocks from our home and it is a national school.   This is their formation where they salute the flag before the children head to their classrooms. There are 14 first graders, which is an unusually small class.  It is shocking how few resources government schools have.  After two days of school from 1:00-5:00 p.m. the only thing they have done is read two stories and color two pictures.  The books have not yet arrived for the teachers and won't be expected for another month.  The state of education in Paraguay leaves so much to be desired.  Nonetheless, we feel like it is good socialization for Timmy to be in school, and he will get a b...

This Thursday was our annual Children of Promise Christmas party.  This is one of the favorite activities of the kids and they have to wait the WHOLE year for the day to arrive!     What beautiful children God has created!  Some of these children have gone through so much....from abuse to abandonment.  This boy, R,'s mom committed suicide this week.  Please pray for him and his two year old sister, that were left behind.  We played, "How low can you go?" Tug of war is a COP tradition.  Thankfully the weather was beautiful this year, so we could go outside and have a ton of fun. We had a raffle and each child took home a gift and a fruit cake.  One of the favorite items was this space shuttle, won by little Mauricio. Special thanks to the CMA group for donating some of the prizes!!  Muchas gracias to our new director, Sandra, for all her work in coordinating the fiesta.  And mostly, thank God for each of the sponsors of th...

We have been with the wonderful people of Children of Promise this week as they check on all the kiddos in the program.  This year, they brought Dr. Bob, who gave a health check-up to every child (and a few more) being served by the ministry.  He discovered the severe state of oral hygiene among the Paraguayan children.  The great majority have cavities and since cavities in Paraguay are not filled, dentists just typically pull teeth.  So, there is a great need for dental work.  He also mentioned how important it is that we are providing fluoride for the children, since it is not present in our water.  Since he also specializes in tropical diseases, he is giving us information on the best deworming meds to administer on the kids. Sandra, the new director, is doing such a great job with the children (now 80 are in the program)!   Sandra's goal is to continue growing.  We are grateful for all the sponsors, for the staff at Children of Promise an...

Here in Paraguay we celebrate Mother's Day (May 15), Father's Day (second Sunday in June) and Children's Day (August 16)!  However, the entire month is full of children's events. This past week some local churches and businesses sponsored a special concert with Biper , a Christian children's group from Argentina.  The stadium that was rented was packed with 4,000 children/adults!!   Timmy still can't stop talking about the concert.  He was especially happy to have a dream come true and eat cotton candy!   On Saturday, Aug 20 our church is sponsoring a big party with a moonwalk inflatable, and an afternoon of fun and games in a poor neighborhood about 10 minutes outside of town.  We are looking forward to serving the children and telling them about God's love.  We continue to pray that August will be the month that we bring home our sweet daughter as well.  We still don't have any news from the judge.  Our attorney says that she hasn't s...

As most of you know, we are in the LOOONG process of adopting a Paraguayan orphan.  While we feel that God is calling us to adopt, we know that it is not for everyone.  Yet, we do believe that God is clear that caring for orphans and widows is something Christ followers should take seriously.  Recently, we became familiar with the Reese Rainbow , an international orphan ministry.  They just turned five years old.  Since their inception, more than 500 orphaned children with Down syndrome and other special needs, who were hidden away in orphanages and mental institutions around the world, have now found "forever families" in the United States and Canada! For their anniversary, they launched the 5/5/5 Warrior Project to bring greater awareness and grant funds to all of their  5-year old children , both with Down syndrome, HIV or other Angels.  These kids are facing life-long institutionalization, instead of preparing for kindergarte...

 Giving sports balls is one of the best ( and cheapest ) projects available to bless lives through  Missionary Ventures' Gift Catalog . This year we were able to purchase 8 balls.   The five balls on the left are thread bare and the five new balls on the right put smiles on all the kids' faces. This soccer club meets every Saturday morning in Asuncion.    The 70 participants practice two hours and end it out with a devotional every week.   These kids come to the Hora Feliz in Cerro Cora every Saturday afternoon.   The boys got a soccer ball...  and the girls got a volleyball (of course)! The last ball went to the Explorers' Club . That is the local ministry that Norberto serves in.  Wanna reach out to kids through sports?  You can help a children's ministry by giving a soccer/volley ball here . 

We have really good news today!!!  Just wanted to let you know what we're thrilled about:   I got a text message saying that Jorge has been found!  Thank you so much for your prayers.  We know that the Lord cares so much for little Jorge and he always looks for his lost sheep.  We believe the prayers brought him home.  I wish I knew more information about his case, but all I know is that he is staying with some relatives in another city until his situation can be evaluated. We are not sure if there is abuse involved, but something is obviously is not right and I hope to know more this weekend. Continue to keep him in your prayers. We have received the money we need for the Universal Nut Sheller and we purchased it yesterday!!! We are so thankful to the folks that are supporting this micro-enterprise project. Now, we just need a way to get it here.  We have a possible lead with other missionaries who have a group coming next month, but it is...

Norma came to me in tears.  She collapsed in my arms as she told me that her son Jorge has been missing for over two weeks.  My heart stopped for a second.  He's only eleven, but so small that he looks more like an eight year old.  She has no idea where he could be and she's very, very worried.  You see, this is the second time that Jorge has run away.  The first time was in February when he wanted to visit Carnaval in Encarnacion, which is certainly no place for a child.  He was found on the street of the big city seven days after leaving home, filthy and hungry.  This week the local radio has been announcing the physical features of Jorge and asking for any information and so far there have been no clues to his whereabouts. This little boy weighs so heavy on my heart.  He has been in our Children of Promise ministry for five years.  He was diagnosed with learning disabilities and ADHD a few years ago after troubles focusing in cla...

Remember when the group came to help build the school last month?  Well, " Luz para las Naciones " (Light for the Nations) school was inaugurated this weekend and classes start today!  The church rallied around the project and different people donated their services to make the tables, sew the curtain and smocks, paint the walls and decorate.  Doesn't it look fantastic!   The school will start with kindergarten and the goal is to add a classroom each year. Norberto shared a few words at the dedication service.  Here's the ribbon cutting.  This is a very exciting time for us, because we believe it is crucial to invest in the lives of children and youth if we want to see any lasting change in Paraguay.  ICCI leadership school for youth is set to open next month and our hope is to open another Christian school in San Lorenzo next year.  Keep praying with us that we will be light to the nations!! 

There are over 2500 orphans in Paraguay (I believe the numbers are much higher) and over 147 million children without parents in the world .  We are currently in the process of adopting a Paraguayan orphan and yesterday marked our year anniversary of waiting for that precious child to be a part of our family forever. Today is Orphan Sunday.   Orphan Sunday stands as a day specifically set apart to bring attention to God’s call for us to stand for the orphan. We are a people called to defend the fatherless, to care for the child who has no family, to visit orphans in their distress. Orphan Sunday is our opportunity as preadoptive families, adoptive families, and those who have hearts for children around the world to rouse the Church, our communities, and friends to God’s call to care for the orphan. It’s an opportunity for the Body to demonstrate what we are for instead of simply what we are against . What we are for is what God’s heart is for–and God’s heart is f...

This week we are so privileged to receive visitors from Spread The Word , (STW) a dynamic ministry of the Church of God .  The goal of STW is to pump up giving to missions among teenagers.  Young people are challenged to give to the Lord and His Kingdomwork by sacrificing a fast food meal or a music purchase.  STW started around 2002 and this year, normal teens surpassed the $500,000 mark of giving worldwide!   With these funds, they give evangelistic tools to national pastors such as bicycles, projectors and even a boat to reach island villagers! Paraguay has been blessed most recently with musical instruments, a projector and laptops to give talks in public schools and share The Jesus Film in remote areas (like Barrio Milagros, pictured below). The team is here sharing 5 Principles of Leadership in different cities and encouraging our pastors and youth and loving on people (including us!). Here's the group with the spectacular Paraguayan Youth Minis...

 Of the 80 blankets were received this year , through the Missionary Ventures Christmas Catalog , over half went to children on the streets or who are living in orphanages.  We worked through the Secretary for Children and Adolescents to make sure the blankets were distributed to the most needy children.  These are some more blanket recipients, which were delivered in June-August (our winter): These kids were found either working or sleeping on the streets by social workers.   These boys wash car windshields on very dangerous, busy streets to help their family make ends meet.    This little guy's mom works all day and he stays home alone. These are some girls in a shelter for abandoned children.    Thanks so much for making a difference in the lives of these little ones!  Please pray that the situation changes in Paraguay to better defend and protect these vulnerable children.

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...