Passion for Paraguay

“After finishing seminary, I was invited to direct a newly founded Paraguayan radio station. I spent almost nine years with that ministry, and although I am no longer involved full-time, I still serve on the board of directors. This book is the story of that radio station: Radio Alternativa, 92.7 FM. It was for a long time the only Christian radio station in southern Paraguay." That's a quote from my book, which I finally have in my hands. I am so thrilled. When the Radio station turned a decade old back in 2009, I began plans of writing something to celebrate that moment. But Julie and I soon got involved in the startup of a small Bible school, which became our focus. Then, in 2012, Anahi and I lived through a fatal highway accident that took the lives of Julie and Timothy. I sank into a pit for a few years. Now, as I am crawling back out and living in this new life, I am finishing some of the projects I had previously planned. This book is one of those latent projects t...

Dominick Norberto says, "Hi" I am blessed to announce the arrival of my son, Dominick, on May 25, 2016. He arrived smiling and healthy. He loves to eat, sleep, and just be hugged. The name Dominick is a Latin name, from dominkus, which means "of the Lord." A famous bearer was St. Dominic, who founded the Dominican order of preaching friars. In just a few weeks, this little boy has conquered our family’s heart. As a blended family, Dominick is adding to the bonding process. God has blessed us with the gift of life and the opportunity to care and love again. For Mark, Dominick is the little brother now. For Nicole and Anahi, Dominick is an opportunity to practice playing mommy. For Nancy and me, Dominick represents restoration and the beginning of a new life together.  Today we celebrated our sons first month. Happy one month Dominick

I dont want to dwell in the past, but today I did for a moment. I know I am not alone in this journey, as many others have experienced loses in different degrees. I could go on about the pain, the valley, the uncertainties, the questions, the whys, but I want to highlight the good that is coming from these last years. I had Timothy for almost seven years, six years, seven months and three days. I felt cheated when he was taken, but then I realized, I had a child to love and care for almost seven years. He was healthy, hardly ever had to see a doctor.  It is so true that people will come into our lives, some to stay for a very long time, others to fade away or suddenly dissaepear. Today, I look at people as a gift to me for a season, hopefully a long one. I had Julie for fifteen years. We dated three years and were married almost twelve. I learned about loving unconditionally. We did not always agree, but we learned to love in spite of our temperaments and styles. Julie was on...

Many things have changed for Nancy and I over this past year. After we got married in March of 2015, I moved into Nancys community (20 miles from my place in Obligado by Radio Alternativa). Nancys has a confortable, mid size home in a small town called Capitan Miranda. We both felt, this would be good for everyone for this first year as a new family. Since our kids go to school in Encarnacion, about 10 miles away and all their friends and activities are in that city, we decided to rent an apartment and move our family closer to our home church and school. Our two lane road connecting Encarnacion and Miranda is usually very packed and busy, and at times dangerous to drive.  Nancys pregnancy is moving along well. The due date for the arrival of the little one is June 6 th . Moving closer will spare both of us driving time. Plus, the kids are a now within walking distance from the school. Personally, I am involved with ministry in various places of our state and countr...

I got online and found a twelve week training program which I am using to prepare for my first half marathon this year. There are so many benefits to walking/running regularly. When I got back from my run yesterday, I had more energy, I solved an important issue that was on my mind and my appetite was huge. I realized over and over again the blessings of running. Running is now on my calendar, as an important item, a way of investing into the future of health. When I stop running, it takes two to three weeks to gain back what I have lost. So the more I stay with it, the easier it becomes to run. I run new routers all the time. I take narrow dirt country roads and trails. I learn about my community by running. I run by people having their evening terere (Paraguayan cold beverage), or playing soccer and volleyball. I ran by some elderly people, sitting on their rocking chair, who probably would like to be shave off a few years and run too. On my run yesterday I ran by a man in ...

Since about 2007 I have been using Skype to communicate. Using Skype has replaced expensive phone bills. Its been a great affordable way to meet, organize and connect with family and friends. Many projects have been solely managed over Skype. But with internet still unstable in my community here in Paraguay, even Skype can’t often help. A few minutes ago I was abruptly disconnected while talking to a pastor friend in the states. We had scheduled this conversation over a week ago. I realize once again, that flexibility is a virtue I will need to continue developing. I will put my notes aside, and then reschedule the conversation for a future date. My grandparents David and Lilian Meier, where missionaries to Brazil between 1935-1975. They took ships to travel to Brazil and back to the states. They communicated via snail mail or telegrams if there was an emergency. Thinking about my grandparents helps me with my current perspective on communications. 

Nancy and I love to travel. I believe you can learn so much about each other on trips. I grew up traveling a lot, and I desire to pass on that legacy to Mark, Nicole, and Anahi. This month we took a week off to visit family in Buenos Aires—aunts and uncles whom I rarely get to see because of the great distance—and get away while the kids are out of school. As we merge two families into one, we are all learning new skills and sharing our preferences on everything from the music we listen to on the radio, how money is spent, where to sleep, what to eat, and what activities to do. It's an adventure—and often a challenge—to reach a consensus. Trips are great triggers to bring out our best and our worst. At the beginning of our trip, I took a retreat to look back and look ahead. It’s something I have enjoyed doing f or a number of years at the beginning of each year. I can’t tell you how good these retreats have been for my soul, for my emotions, and for ministry decisions....