We began December’s adventures referring to how hot it is here this year.  Well, January has proven to be even hotter.  We often have temperatures of 40° to 43° C. (that’s 104° to 109°)!  Our little town is growing, and we now actually have several asphalt roads and even 1 stop sign.  One of the members of the asphalt work crews took the temperature reading over the asphalt and it registered 49°, which is 120°!  Thankfully, our well (the old hand-dug type) still has water that is fairly clear.  We still don’t drink from our well, but we have enough water to wash dishes & clothes.

Driving has been a big part of January, as well as the heat.  We have driven to Yrybucua and back here to Santaní round trip in just 1 day several times this month.  That’s about 4 hours of driving on bad dirt roads, not including time spent in Yrybucua attending to business.  We’ve also spent a few days driving back and forth to Asunción.  With the shorter route finished, that trip is now only about 5 hours, round trip. 

Ed has performed District Superintendent duties by attending the monthly meetings of the Northern District pastors.  This group is so filled with the Spirit.  They have now started a radio program, broadcasted on Tuesdays and Saturdays during lunch time throughout the Yrybucua region.  They rotate preaching with other evangelical pastors in the area.  Besides preaching, they play praise music and give general church announcements for the district.  Birthday announcements are also given as well as telling where our ministry is currently working.

We’ve returned to Ara Pyahú to continue working on their well.  We have a team member who began with this well, and may continue with us for another well.  He is Adriano, and has proven himself to be very helpful, as he is also a diesel mechanic.  Here he is with the drill rig & cow helpers.

We finished drilling the well to 160’, and thought we were ready for a pump.  We drove to Asunción to buy supplies, and put on our hats as Team Leaders. 

We had enjoyable week-end, helping our 2 new missionaries, Alicia Gray and Vaneida White learn where to shop for food, furniture, linens, and general household supplies.  We also had a meeting with all the English speaking Methodist missionaries.  We say English speaking, because this group includes some independent missionaries, 1 of which hails from Holland, but speaks English.  Our meetings are filled with fun, fellowship, and prayer.

As we said, we “thought” we had finished the Ara Pyahú well, having drilled to 160’.  The Lord had other plans, because when we returned to install the submersible pump 1 week later, the water level had dropped below the level that would adequately supply water for this church family.

We made the trip to/from Ara Pyahú, returning to Santaní somewhat discouraged.  But, we trudged forward, drove to Asunción for 1 more trip to buy more pipe to redrill the well.  It was to be a quick trip in/out, so we could return to Ara Pyahú.  However, on our way back to Santaní, our radiator exploded!  We ended up being towed back to Santaní by a missionary friend! 

The end of the radiator story will come in our February report, but we are currently back to the drawing board for Ara Pyahú and will return in February to start again.  Here are a few photos from Ara Pyahú we wanted to share with you.