Jenna Currey Expanding the REACH of the Gospel in Paraguay The red apple…the apple is red…my apple is red…my red apple
Apples!
My red apple and I have never been closer! I am learning how to put different words that I have learned together in phrases and short sentences. It is so exciting to be able to put words together and say longer phrases. The question is, “When am I ever going need to say, “My apple is red.”? I am not sure. My heart’s desire is to be able to speak effortlessly and remember everything I hear. The difficult reality is that language learning is a lot of hard work and hours and hours of practice. Under the Lord’s loving hand, He has been teaching me to tackle each day with diligence, but also to rejoice in the small things. The seemingly small things like being able to say, “My apple is red”.
Tags: Language learning
The Day of Folklore
Paraguayan children performing a traditional dance
“The Day of Folklore” is just as the name suggests. It is a day when the Paraguayans celebrate their folklore history. Rebekah and I attended a celebration at the school attached to our church. Traditional Paraguayan foods were served from vastly decorated tables. Foods like beef on a stick, mandioca (kind of like a potato), Mbeyu (cheesy flat bread), empanadas, etc… Mmmmm! In addition to the food tables there were also carnival-like games for the kids. Little boys and girls all dressed in traditional Paraguayan attire were running here and there, playing all of the games and winning prizes. After the food, there was a folklore program, with dancing, singing and acting. What a great time! The more I understand the history of Paraguay, the more I understand their values and culture today. What a great time eating Paraguayan food, practicing my Spanish and watching the traditional Paraguayan dances.
Beautiful
Beef on a stick with mandioca...Mmmmm
They did a great job!
Playing games
The traditional "Bottle Dance". The ladies dance while balancing a bottle on thier heads. Some can stack them 10 bottles high.
Our pastor's son, who is in Kindergarten, did a great job!
Spring in Paragauy
Spring! Yesterday was the first day of spring here in Paraguay. The temperatures have been on the rise 85-90 degrees and climbing. A Paraguayan said “We only have one day of spring and then it is summer.” When you pause and survey the world around you, your eyes will see all the evidences of spring. Paraguay is decorated with bright pinks, yellows, and reds. The delicate flowers dress the branches of trees and bushes everywhere. While some plants are familiar to me others are completely foreign. The beauty of God’s creation is a testimony of His goodness.
Language update! “Doing what I love”
Doing what I love...COOKING!
I love to cook…I love to cook! Learning how to cook Paraguayan food is one of my favorite ways to learn more Spanish. I learn new words while doing what I love. Ruth, one of my friends from church, came over to our apartment and taught Rebekah and me how to make Chipa Guazu (a type of corn bread). I was able to learn the names of all the ingredients, the process and then eat it! Yum!
Chipa guaza recipe...all in Spanish
Cutting up the onion
Grinding the fresh corn
Eggs, cheese, oil, and salt
Eating the yumminess!
Tags: spanish learning
Another tickle my heart moment…
For the past couple years, during the few weeks before Christmas I have put an Operation Christmas Child box together. Buying all the little toys, school supplies, and candy and carefully placing them in a wrapped shoe box is a highlight of my Christmas season. As I close the box and drop it off at church, I always wonder where my box is going to end up and what little child is going to be blessed by the gifts inside.
Here in Paraguay there is a holiday called “Dia de Ninos” (The Day of the Children) which is similar to Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. Rebekah and I were invited to help with a church in the country that was celebrating by putting on a Children’s program. After a one and half hour bus ride, we arrived at the church. Soon after we arrived, I found out that we were going to handout Operation Christmas Child boxes to all the children! The boxes were packed back in December, arrived by ship, and were now being delivered into the small hands of children.
As I was handing a shoe box to a little Paraguayan girl, I was overwhelmed with joy and awe that God would privilege me with the opportunity to be a blessing. I love when God tickles my heart!
One of my friends dressed like a clown for the kids
Giving a box to a little Paraguayan girl
Campamento
My Paraguayan friends
Rebekah and I had the blessing of being a part of the annual Campamento event at a retreat center just outside of Asuncion. One hundred and fifty young adults gathered from all the Baptist churches in our area, to be challenged by the Word of God. Being that I am still very limited in my understanding of Spanish and have even less that I can speak, I was a little nervous. For three days I was completely immersed in a language and culture that I do not fully understand. I am grateful for your prayers for strength and courage. During the retreat I had the opportunity to practice my Spanish with multiple people and observe Paraguayan culture. Several individuals wanted to practice their English so they were asking me questions in English and I was answering in Spanish. It was something to hear! I am so thankful for the relationships that were strengthened during the weekend and the way that God showed me that my mind is understanding more and my tongue is learning how to speak. What a blessing to look back and see how far I have come. The steps ahead will come slowly…it is only when I take the time to look back that I can see progress.
Worship
Breakfast with friends
Mavi and me
Tags: Camping
Visions of Paraguay’s History
A paraguayan man selling chipa
How does the past effect who you are today? This was in my thoughts as I walked through the streets of downtown Asuncion, smelling fresh Chipa (cheesy Paraguayan bread) and hearing the vendors call out to me in Spanish. Ruth, a lady from my church, was taking Rebekah and me through a tour of the historical sites of Paraguay. Having read about Paraguay’s history, I was excited to see the places where important events took place. It was reminiscent of my school days when I studied about the Pilgrims and then when to Plymouth on a field trip.
At the beginning of our tour we went to the first railway build in South America. Then we visited the House of Independence, the river port, a history museum, and some outdoor shops. After the day was over and I was able to think back over all the events of the day, I found myself thankful for the opportunity to see a glimpse of Paraguay, its history, and its people.
The first railway in South America
War Hero
Ruth, Rebekah and Me
“Head and shoulders, knees and toes…”
Toes
Over the last two weeks I have had the blessing of having three ladies come and spend time teaching me Spanish. Last week I focused on learning the names of body parts. They would say the part of the body and I would point to it. I felt like I was playing “Simon says”.
Sandra, one of the girls that is helping me learn Spanish
The ladies were very patient and gracious as I struggled through certain words and were full of praise when I pointed to the correct body part or said it correctly. I am so very thankful for the friendships that are being built and for each new word that I learn. Last Sunday my pastor’s message was about praising God with our mouth and listening with our ears. I was overjoyed and elated when I could pick out a few words that I understood. I am eating this elephant!
Coats, scarves, and mittens in July?
All bundled up!
Brrrrrrrr! It is a cold day here in Paraguay. Before coming to Paraguay I had in my mind that it would be warm and humid all the time. Sitting here in my hoodie and sipping hot cocoa I am beginning to think otherwise. One of the adjustments of living in Paraguay is realizing that June through September is winter, and the hottest months of summer (up to 120 degrees) are December and January. Paraguayan winter days are cold and most often wet and damp. The Paraguayan people stay warm by bundling up in coats, scarves, mittens and hats. Large quantities of Mate and Cocido (two different preparations of Paraguayan tea)
Mate
Cocido
are sipped, as friends warm themselves and share local news. Most of the houses and apartments are made out of cement with tile floors and are not heated. When it was 42 outside in the morning it was 42 inside. One night I went to bed and was shocked to see my breath and I was in my bedroom. Thanks to a small space heater, lots of hot cocoa, and the three blankets I brought from home, I am staying warm. There is nothing nicer than waking up under warm covers. There is nothing harder than getting out from under warm covers.
How do you eat an elephant?
Because your pronunciation of a language comes from how you hear the language these last few weeks I have been listening with all that is in me. I didn’t think that listening could be so exhausting. Ithie, the missionary who is overseeing my Spanish learning, told me just last week that I could start trying to speak and learn new words. Excitement quickly changed into feeling like my tongue was being rebellious. Speaking is not as simple as just learning what to say. I have to train my mouth to make sounds that are different and difficult for me as an English speaker. Please pray for me as I am just beginning this journey of learning to speak. When I look at what is ahead of me I am easily overwhelmed. Pray that I will eat this “elephant” one piece at a time! Pray for my heart as it is discouraging at times to be corrected when you are trying so hard to communicate. The Lord made my mouth and I am choosing to trust him. Praying for diligence and courage.