July 2006 Adventures

We began our winter month of July very hot!  We reached temperatures near 100°, but by the 31^st, we had temperatures of 35°.  What a swing, no wonder everyone has a cold.

We spent much of July transporting materials for the Susannah Wesley School.  The materials needed – electrical, plumbing, ceramic tile flooring – have to be bought in Santani or Asuncion.  Lots of miles have been put on our vehicles this month.

We also were able to deliver “goodie bags” to each of our churches.  After all the US teams working in our district left, we gathered up all the donated clothes, soccer balls, coloring sheets etc., and divided them into 9 bags.  Each church was very happy to get a bag full of supplies.  It gives them a real energy boost to receive the items, plus knowing there are folks in the United States who really care for the people of Paraguay.

We were able to deliver a few really special items this month.  Our goal is to provide a sewing machine for each of our churches.  This month we delivered an industrial type Singer sewing machine to the women at Ara Pyahu.  We also had the privilege of providing motorcycles to two of our pastors.  This month Felipe from Primera Linea and Mareco from Sanginacue each received a new, Kenton 150cc motorcycle.  What a blessing!

During our time in the North District, we’ve been amazed at how many turkeys we see in the yards; but we never see anyone eating turkey.  Pastor Rutildo and his family have been raising 3 turkeys.  Every time we visit them we mention how much we like to eat turkey.  They had been looking for a way to thank us for all the help we’ve given them with Elfirio – he’s the youth that had the motorcycle accident in May.  It was decided we would cook the turkey – they had never cooked a whole turkey since they don’t have an oven.

We picked the turkey up from their house ready for the oven (we requested this in lieu of picking up a live turkey!).  We had a great traditional turkey dinner complete with dressing and gravy.  The turkey was a bit smaller than we have in the states since these birds have to work for their food, but the taste was great!  I think we converted the family to eating whole, roasted turkey.

Later in the evening following our turkey dinner, we celebrated a “Quince Años” at Quinta Linea.  This is a great celebration for a young lady turning 15.  Pastor Rutildo is the pastor who “presented” Sintia to the congregation.  The service was held in her home.

We have an amazing story to share with you of how God protects each of us.  Pastor Pablo (the President/Bishop of our church) and his wife Claudete were on their way to Ciudad del Este, about 350 kilometers from Asuncion on the Brazilian border.  He was driving a Toyota van, and had a blow out on his rear tire.  They rolled at least 2 times, but they are not sure if it was more.  They ended their rolling with the top of the van skating across the pavement in the middle of the road.  Pastor Pablo said the top of the van was crushed to his head (he had on his seat belt), but from out a slit of the front window, he could see pavement flying by.  When they finally stopped, people helped him and Claudete out of the van.  Injuries – Pastor Pablo had a scrape on his head and a few sore muscles.  Claudete – 2 or 3 stitches to remove some glass in her arm!   God was watching and protecting those two!