World Cup Craziness!

World Cup enthusiasm is at a fever pitch in Asunción, Paraguay! The national team, "Albirroja" won their game against Japan which propelled them into the quarter finals. It is a historical moment for Paraguay because they have never gone that far in the World Cup. As soon as the game was over, there was an explosion of excitement in Asunción. EVERYONE was honking a horn, waiving a flag, singing, jumping up and down, and/or screaming! We went out front of the church building to wave at all the happy people driving by! The downtown area was also immediately packed with thousands of people - all celebrating! WOW! What a neat experience!

Siesta o Sin Hogar?

Kodak Moments

Asunción is a rather picturesque city (that of course, is subject to opinion - mine being that it is). There are many fascinating things to see which present various "photo opportunities." While Johnny Davis was visiting, he got the idea to take this picture as we were walking up to the old train station. Fun!

"Volante" Evangelism

Andrea and I are still learning the language here in Paraguay. We can speak pretty well, but it is still difficult to communicate effectively (especially about religious matters). But, we were wanting to do SOMETHING that would benefit the church - even if we weren't capable just yet to speak the language. So, we decided to start handing out flyers in the parks, street corners, and bus stops to invite people to church. In Paraguay, they are called "Volantes" and almost everyone will take one if you offer it to them. Thanks be to the Lord, we have already had several respond!! Please pray that these flyers will reach those souls who are searching to know the Truth!

Our First "Care Package" from Home!

Is there anything more encouraging to a foreign missionary than a care package from home??! I find it hard to imagine that there could be anything else. We just received our first from our sponsoring congregation in Milton, Florida. It was just a small box, with some trivial things inside, but it was one of the greatest gifts I believe we have ever received. I knew that every item in that box was purchased and placed there with us in mind. Our brethren went out of their way to provide a few little things that we had requested. To me, each item represented a great deal of love, a whole lot of encouragement, and a large portion of thoughtfulness. That little box gave me a lot more understanding to what Paul wrote in Philippians 2:4.

Sightseeing in Asuncion

Everyday we learn more and more about the culture and language of Paraguay. It is exciting, yet, also overwhelming at times. One of the things Andrea and I enjoy doing is just getting out and sightseeing in order to learn more about Asuncion at a little slower pace. Recently, we have been learning a great deal about the history of the country. In fact, one of the members of the congregation here has a great-great grandparent that was involved in the signing of the declaration letter for independence from Spain. This is a picture of the house where the letter was signed on May 15, 1811. It is known as "La Casa de Independencia" and is located in the midst of the bustling, modern city of Asunción.

"Retiro" (Church Retreat)

This past weekend we had a congregational retreat. We rented a little campground about 45 minutes outside the city that is maintained by a Korean denominational group. We spent two days singing, studying, worshiping, and fellow-shipping. This was the first experience Andrea and I have had with a church campground setting in a foreign country. It was wonderful! The entire weekend, I couldn’t help but think how thrilling it is to see God’s word working in the lives of the Paraguayans in the exact same way I am accustomed to seeing in the States. In reality, it doesn’t matter on what continent one may stand, God’s word touches hearts in any culture. The best part – going to the camp retreat “rejuvinated our spiritual batteries” even if it was in a different language!

More Street Talk

Chipa! Chipa! Periodicos! Regalos!
These are things you hear on the street as you roll up to a red light. Most of the busy intersections have street vendors trying to sell a product or service. There are many who want to clean your windshield, others want to sell you lottery tickets, while some just want your spare change.

In the afternoon, on the way home from work, there are lots of vendors selling "chipa." It is a traditional Paraguayan bread. Sometimes it is shaped in a big circle. It tastes sort of like cornbread. I have grown to love chipa (if it is made right) and it is, indeed, a perfect snack for the ride home.

Here is another picture of the street kids we saw the other day ... playing around between cars lining up.

Street Kids

It breaks your heart! If there is anything that tugs at your heartstrings more, it is seeing so many children working in the streets. Many of them are begging for coins, food, or work (like cleaning your windshield while you wait at the light). They are usually barefoot, dirty, breathing diesel smoke all day, and standing in dangerous places. Sometimes parents carry their babys up and down the lines of cars asking for money.
It is, indeed, difficult for many to make a living here in Paraguay. But, it is most sad when children are not allowed to be just children and are thrust into such harsh circumstances.

A Little Holiday Get-A-Way

The week before Easter is a national holiday in Paraguay. Most of the stores shut down and many people leave the city for a little get-a-way. We were blessed to be invited to visit the home of one of our brethren who is from Pilar, a city about 5 hours south of Asunción. It was a wonderful few days of rest and relaxation. We visited with friends, went sightseeing around the old city, ate lots of traditional Paraguayan foods, and even had a chance to ride horses.

Pilar is an old city of Paraguay that has a very rich history. The basic layout and design was constructed by a group of Italians around the early 1900's. Until just 15 years ago, there were no automobiles in Pilar. Everyone rode motorcycles and bicycles.

Weekly Blurb:

4th Week of March – We're finally getting settled into South American way of life. We are enjoying being in our new place (even though it's bare). We now have air conditioning, a security system, appliances to cook meals, and to do laundry. Now, all we need is a couch to make it complete! Our shipping container is scheduled to leave around April 14th. This weekend we are going to Pilar to spend some time with our church brethren. It is a small town about 5 hours south of Asunción. Should be fun!

Precious Cargo

This is a very common sight in Paraguay. Motorcyles are used for all kinds of transportation and there are hundreds of them zig zagging through traffic all the time. Sometimes, they drive on the sidewalk! In this case, it is this family's means of transportation. Notice the little girl sitting on the gas tank. She wasn't the least bit frightened and I think Andrea and I were more afraid for her than she was.

Team Workshop

This is a picture of the current mission team in Asuncion, Paraguay. Also in the picture with us are Jerry and Gail Heidrich from Brazil. They came over to help the team learn how to deal with new transitions and to develop into a stronger unit. The workshop covered about four days and was a wonderful help for the team. We are thankful that God has provided such talented workers as the Heidrichs to help missionaries in the field. The team feels much stronger and closer now.

L-R are Vickie and Chris Fry, Gail and Jerry Heidrich, Cara and Josh Blackmer, Alba and Perry Hardin, Andrea and Troy Spradlin.

A Chance Encounter

Andrea and I went to a "garage sale" at the U.S. Embassy, last week, where several embassy employees were trying to sell their belongings before returning to the States. While we were purusing through the tables we happened to meet the U.S. Ambassador to Paraguay, Ms. Liliana Ayalde.
She was very nice and quite informative as to what the office of the Ambassador entails. She is from Maryland and also has a home in Ft. Lauderdale. She regularly speaks with the President of Paraguay, Fernando Lugo, and recently set up a meeting between him and Hillary Clinton. Later that afternoon, I saw a photo of her in the local newspaper and I have seen her on TV several times since then. Kind of neat to have met one of our dignitaries here in Paraguay.

Holiday Sightseeing

Today is a Paraguayan national holiday. It is "El Dia del Heroes." On this day, 140 years ago, Mariscal Francisco Lopez was killed in battle which marked the end of the extremely bloody War of the Triple Alliance. Lopez was the dictator of Paraguay and is now considered a national hero. He is buried in the Pantheon del Heroes in downtown Asunción alongside several other Paraguayan leaders.

Since we had the day off, we decided to go sightseeing outside Asunción to what is called the "Chacko" (also known as the "interior" by the locals). We went to San Bernadino and Los Altos. These were sights that were founded by German immigrants who wanted to start the "master race." It was 50 years before Hitler began his same attempt, in 1880 by a Dr. Forster. He became an influence for the Nazi ideas and the town eventually became a hiding place for the Nazi fugitives. Dr. Mengle, the "Angel of Death," is rumored to have fled to Los Altos when Germany was defeated.
The beautiful little town is on the edge of Lake Ypacarai. We stopped and had lunch, then took a walk down by the lake. Josh snapped this picture of us on a pathway near the water. It was a fun day!