In my room studying

I wanted to share with you what an average day for me looks like.  I wake up around 6:30am; take a shower, eat something for breakfast and have devotions.  By 8:00, I try to be working on Spanish and culture study.  It doesn’t always go smoothly, though I try to work at home for 3 and ½ hours each morning Monday through Friday.  This past Monday, I did 3 hours of culture reading and then a ½ hour of journaling in Spanish.  I’ve been trying to focus on one thing each morning… reading, processing culture/language information, grammar book, planning… and then I journal each day about the prior day’s events in Spanish.  I make a little lunch for Jenna and I (Jenna usually makes supper for us both), and we eat together.  Then I usually have to quickly walk 2 blocks up the street to catch my bus to the daycare.  I find one comes about every ½ hour and I try to catch the one that comes around 1:15pm in order to arrive at the daycare by 2:00pm. By 5:30pm I’m done at the daycare and I walk to a nice park to run.  I catch another bus from the park which takes me home.  I advise the bus driver I want to get off by ringing the bell at the back of the bus.  The driver will usually stop shortly afterwards.  I arrive back home around 7:00pm, shower and eat supper.  On Monday evenings, Jenna and I have a little devotional and pray together.  I have some time to relax, facebook, email or whatever, then try to go to bed at a decent hour though I do enjoy night hours.  Other evenings we have church events or just spend time with friends.  On weekends we spend quite a bit of time at the church or just out and about with friends checking out what’s happening in Asunción.

*Pray for self discipline and consistency in my study hours at home.

*Pray for the mind and ability to learn language and culture as the Lord would have me.

Part of my cultural experience here has been working at a Christian daycare center.  When I arrive at the daycare (guardería), siesta time is just

Outside with the school-aged children

finishing.  The lights are off and the children, all in different rooms according to age, are awakened.  I help out in the 2-year-old classroom from 2-3pm.  First things first, most of the children if they did not go potty during siesta time, now have to go.  Afterwards the kids play for a while, and then just before three, the kids all sit against the wall, drink from their bottles and have a snack.  At three o’clock the school-aged children get out of school and I help out with them.  They get to play outside in quite a large fenced-in area, though because they are not allowed out of the fenced-in area, they enjoy getting out.  Discipline is something I’m still learning with these children.  By five o’clock many of the children have been picked up, so we head inside to a more enclosed area.  Each of us helpers are assigned a job each day….cleaning the kitchen, the girl’s/boy’s bathroom, sweeping and moping the hallway or sweeping the different patios outside. Just recently, some of us volunteers have had the opportunity to visit a few of the neighborhoods where these kids live. Most of them come from very needy home lives.

Many of the daycare kids live in this neighborhood

*Pray for wisdom in knowing how to discipline the kids in a culturally appropriate way.

*Relationships at the guardería that they would continue to grow.

*Discernment in knowing how much and for how long I should work at the guardería…it needs to be beneficial for me in the area of continued  language and culture learning.

Early last month, Jenna and I had the opportunity to visit the Paí Tavytera indigenous people.  Missionaries have lived and worked with them for many years and now there is an established growing church among them.  One of the missionaries, who used to work with them (Luciane), took us to visit them.  It was neat to see the Holy Spirit evident in their lives.  The girls generally get married very young, at age 13-14, and feel strong peer pressure to do so.  One young Christian lady, who is 29, is waiting for not only a Christian man, but one who is a Bible teacher

Paí Tavytera indigenous church

as well.  One of the young boys was discipled by one of the missionary men some time ago.  Recently, at age 15, though crippled, he is discipling a group of boys in his home.  It brings tears of joy to my eyes to see the Holy Spirit working in these people’s lives!

*Pray for the Paí Tavytera church…that they would continue to grow in their faith, especially now as the missionaries have phased out of the work.

I am so thankful for such a great support team, I really appreciate all of you!!  Love, Rebekah

Several weeks ago, Jenna and I took a trip to the Chaco…the dry, desert area of Paraguay where most of the tribal groups are found.  We stayed in a town where there is a large settlement of German Mennonites.  In fact it would be a very hard place to learn Spanish as German is the predominate language there.  The Mennonites have done a nice job of developing that area with their hard work ethic.  From the town where we stayed, we also visited two tribal locations where there are missionaries working.  The missionary family who works with the Manjui people were our guides for the week.  They took us to see the Manjui people for two days.  One afternoon while there, we took a walk in the bush with three Manjui women in search of a plant they call “iwazi.”  The leaves of the iwazi plant, once chewed, make your mouth happy, though the plant is harmless =)

Found some "Iwazi!"

Preparing the drink...

mmm...

Once we had gathered enough of the plant, we headed to one of the Manjui women’s homes and watched her prepare a drink made from the leaves of this plant.  In addition to the iwazi leaves, water is added, lots of salt, sour cactus fruit and hot pepper…makes for an interesting drink, slimy but quite good!  The drink is to be scooped out with your hands and eaten.  There is a growing church among the Manjui.  Currently the Manjui translation

Believing older couple

is in its final stages and the Manjui leaders will in the next few years be handed all leadership responsibilities.  The older couple to the left are believers and both are hard workers.  She makes bags out of a plant fiber and he is a honey hunter as well as working long hours in his garden.  The other indigenous group we visited is the Sanapana.  The difference between the two groups was surprising to me…physical appearance as well as a totally different language and culture.  The beliefs of the Sanapana people make picture taking a little complicated, therefore I have no pictures of them.

I continue working at the day care; it’s been nice to get to know the kids and the ‘tias’ (helpers)

Snack time - merienda!

a lot better.  We had a few of the ‘tias’ over not long ago – two Paraguayans, one Mennonite (from the Chaco) and one German.  Every year a group of German volunteers come and volunteer at the day care.  Last week the old group left and the new group of Germans have just arrived.  It’s a good way for the Germans (and me) to learn Spanish as they volunteer all day with children!  Thank you for your love and support, Rebekah

Palm Sunday...the priest blesses the palms

Just recently Paraguay celebrated Semana Santa or “Holy Week.”  The traditions of the  predominant church here in Paraguay are fully carried out.  Observing some of what took place during the week clearly reminded me why I’m here.  Paraguay has added some of their own traditions to the customary celebrations of Semana Santa.  Most everyone has off work the Thursday and Friday before Easter Sunday and many people in the cities take the opportunity to visit their families in the countryside.   They are not to eat red meat for a time, so chipa (cheese bread) and sopa paraguaya (cornmeal dish) are eaten in abundance.  Extra is often made and shared with

Tatakua (brick oven) often seen in the countryside

In the countryside during Semana Santa

neighbors.  The most traditional way to make chipa and sopa paraguaya is  in a Tatakua (a brick oven), which is used more in the countryside and can be hard to come by in the city.  The heat of the Tatakua cooks everything in about 10 minute’s time.

With some of the school aged children

A couple of weeks ago I started volunteering at an orphanage/day care.  Monday through Thursday at 1:00pm I walk down to the bus stop.  Once I catch the bus it’s about a 25 minute bus ride to the day care.  The day care is run by Paraguayan Mennonites who have been here for quite some time and have made Paraguay their home.  Nearly all of the workers are young women and are called “tías” or aunts.  Many of the kids are needy, and most if not all, come from single parent homes where only the mother is present.  The day care provides the opportunity for these mothers to work while their children are taken care of.  My first hour is spent with the younger children.  At 3:00pm the school children are let out and I help with them for a few hours.  Thanks for being a part of what is going on in my life and in the work in Paraguay.  It is always nice to hear from you too!

Love, Rebekah

Eva, Jenna, Mary, Rebekah and Ruth

This past month my cousin, Mary, came from Peru for a 10 day visit.  It was nice to see family and was also nice to have a break from the normal.  We had the opportunity to visit Iguazú Falls while she was here…our friend Ruth planned the trip.  The falls were much more beautiful than I’d imagined.  I think one of the reasons is because it’s tucked away in nature.  The amount of water falling down all at one time is amazing!

Teresa and I

I continue learning more Spanish and culture.  For a couple of months now I have been meeting with Teresa, she is such a jewel!  If you heard her testimony, you would probably agree.  She works at our missions headquarters here in Asunción and I meet with her on Thursdays as soon as she’s finished with her work.  Thank you for your faithfulness to me – what a blessing!  Love, Rebekah

Watermelon season is here!

The children in our church sang a few songs

Just wanted to wish you a Merry Christmas and a great upcoming New Year! I’m so thankful that we do have a reason to celebrate…as a SAVIOR was born to each one of us. And, I can trust my Savior now and in the year ahead! There is no snow on the ground here in Paraguay for Christmas…rather the weather is quite the opposite. Three things that mark my Christmas here in Paraguay are watermelon, coconut palm flowers and many various and different Nativity scenes. The Christmas festivities are in full swing here, one being our church’s Christmas program this past Sunday evening. The little kids are just as cute here in Paraguay…the smallest girl (in the picture to the left) put on quite the show during the singing�   Thanks for your faithfulness and for the extra gifts and packages!!

Sandra, Ismael, Jenna and Ruth

I hope that you have had a nice Thanksgiving!  My Thanksgiving was different, but good.  Jenna and I had several Thanksgiving meals including a Thanksgiving meal shared with some of our Paraguayan friends.  I think our friends were appreciative and enjoyed the meal…some of the food however, such as stuffing and pumpkin pie, were new for them.  The only thing that we could not make as part of our Thanksgiving meal was pecan pie…but I hear there are now a few pecan trees in town, so maybe in a couple of years

 The man in the picture above is selling ‘chipa,’ a very traditional Paraguayan food often sold just as

Mandioca y Pororo!

he is doing.    As I continue learning Spanish and the culture here in Paraguay, please pray that I would rely on the Lord in all my efforts.  Pray that the Lord would give me the ears, the eyes, the understanding…whatever I need to continue learning.  I’m thankful for the Spanish I came down here with and for the years I lived in Venezuela.  It’s definitely been a help to me in my adjustment here.  There are similarities that carry through in most all Latin cultures, but Paraguayan culture is definitely not Venezuelan culture.  One of the hardest things for me is re-learning Spanish words…mandioca is not yucca, neither is pororo, cotufa (popcorn) and guapo does not mean good looking but rather it means strong or hard worker. 

Before the 10K race

I’ve had some good cultural learning experiences lately, one of which was a 10K race that both Jenna and I participated in.  There were a total of 4,000 runners and all 4,000 wore the same bright yellow shirt…we must have looked like a sea of yellow running down the streets of Asunción.  One thing I liked about the race was the fact that the route led us right down our own street. I also had the chance to share my testimony with the youth of our church one Saturday evening.  I shared (with many pictures) how the Lord has worked in my life down through the years.  I also shared a bit about the needs there are among the indigenous people here in Paraguay, many of them are not aware of the needs in their own country.  My friend, Ruth, kindly helped me in preparation for giving my testimony. 

Traditional dance and dress

It seems there is not a lack of children’s programs…the children here in Paraguay are just finishing their school year and will be having a three month summer break, just the opposite of what I’m used to.  This past week the preschoolers and kindergarteners graduated, celebrating with an end of the year party and a bit of show-and-tell.  Jenna and I were invited by the parents of two of the children and were also asked to take pictures.

As I think of the blessings the Lord has given me, one of those is definitely you…I’m so thankful for your prayers, your generosity and your thoughtfulness.  Keep in touch!

Dear friends,

            It’s hard to believe I’ve been in Paraguay already 4 months!  Here in Paraguay spring is here…the heat will shortly be coming so I’m enjoying the nice spring weather with blooming trees and flowers while I can.

A birthday party after Wednesday night service

I’d like to give you a bit of a taste of what my days look like as I continue learning Spanish and Paraguayan culture full-time.  All of my learning has been from the Paraguayans themselves.  Prior to arriving in Paraguay, Jenna and I had been assigned a host church and family (from within the church) to be a help to us.  By regularly attending church services several nights a week (including youth group) and then also Sunday morning, we are getting to know the church people, especially the core group.

Sonia, Ruth, Jenna, Rebekah

While attending services is a help, it’s a hard way to learn everything.  That’s why I’m so thankful for people like Ruth, who patiently teaches us Spanish.  She has also shown us how to make several Paraguayan dishes, taken us downtown to several historical sites and has introduced us to her friends and family.  One thing she is quite gifted in is picking up on people’s needs and interests.   I really like plants, so one day Ruth took us to La Isla de Francia, a street where all kinds of different plants are sold.  Both Jenna and I like pizza and ice cream (who doesn’t), so she and a friend introduced us to a nearby pizza place and afterwards an ice cream place.  Just recently, she contacted a lady from our church who was able to make curtains for us.  What a helpful and thoughtful friend she is to us both! 

Lacking recorders here, but with cameras!

We take our handy dandy digital voice recorders and cameras with us nearly everywhere we go.  My new project is called, the story of my life…as it implies, I’ve been asking several individuals specific questions regarding their lives (past, present, future).  I record their responses and input these pieces of information into a program called CLAware (specifically designed for the language/culture learner), then listen to it 10 times or so and transcribe it bit by bit.

A big necessity in continued progress is guidance and encouragement from experienced missionaries.  On Wednesdays Ithie comes to our apartment and meets individually with Jenna and I for this very reason.  Also, every Friday afternoon, those of us who are currently learning the language and culture, meet together at the mission with an experienced missionary for two hours.  Other Fridays are times of open sharing…very refreshing to know others are going through the exact same things.

Thanks for partnering with me – I wouldn’t be here without you!

Love, Rebekah

Our church...just accross the street from us!

a home although we are still waiting for that day when our kitchen storage cabinets will be delivered.  A huge advantage to the location of our apartment is its proximity to our church.  It is only a block away from our grocery store and also within close walking distance of many other places we frequent.   It’s so nice to be able to walk instead of having to catch a bus everywhere we go…although bus rides can be fun =)

A few of the youth took us to a park

Free time during the retreat

A large part of our time is spent with the youth of our church…particularly a few of them.  Those in the youth group (called jóvenes), range in age anywhere from 15-35 or so, given they are single.  Jenna and I just recently went along with the jóvenes on a retreat.  Other jóvenes joined from different areas of Paraguay and 9 from Argentina, all meeting at a campground about an hour and a half away.  It was quite an experience, and all the more grateful I am for those who are upholding me in prayer!  Pray that the Lord would use me amidst the young people of our church.

These past three weeks I’ve begun taking a one on one Spanish class with a lady by the name of Nidia.  Our classes are two hours a day, Monday through Thursday for 8 weeks.  She has done a good job of discerning what level of Spanish I’m at and taking me on from there.  Another plus

Nidia and I during Spanish classes

 is that she is an excellent communicator of culture.  Many times she’ll say “this is how a Paraguayan thinks….”  She not only teaches me, but also teaches a wide range of different internationals here in Asunción, including individuals from Brazil, Taiwan and Australia.  Pray that my Spanish would continue to improve, but also that the Lord would use me with the Spanish He’s already given me.

Very thankful for you, Rebekah                                            

At a restaurant after some shopping.

Watching the World Cup with our host family!

 I’m not so sure about other parts of the country, but Asuncion really is quite green and lush.  Several times Jenna and I have gone running at a beautiful park nearby, we do have to catch a bus to get there and back (a bus ride costs about $.50 cents no matter where you go).

A nearby park with a lovely array of fauna.

Jenna and I after a short run.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A week ago we moved into our apartment and little by little we are getting appliances, most of them are being made so at the current moment we are living quite simply with much of our things yet in suitcases.  Our bed frames and Kitchen table were to arrive today…but now possibly either Monday or Tuesday.  I’m thankful that the Lord has kept both Jenna and I safe and healthy this far.

Our apartment complex, we are on the 2nd floor.

This cardboard box came in handy.

 

Welcome to Paraguay!

Wow, I have to say so much for our host church – they’ve been so encouraging and helpful and have already given us a world cup jersey!  The people here are quite enthusiastic about the world cup starting in just a few days as they will be participants…I do enjoy soccer too

Saturday night with our host church

Currently, Jenna and I are staying at the mission’s guest house until we find a place to move into…you could pray for a place to rent!  Thus far we’ve been enjoying meals with some of the missionaries in the area here and this morning was the first time to go to market and buy a few things ourselves.

A great selection of fruits and vegetables!