June 2006 Adventures

Good news about the expenses for Elfirio due to his accident in May.  We received some very good advice from another patient’s family member, who told us to pay only a portion of each bill.  Upon Elfirio’s discharge, all other hospital charges were exonerated!  This has been a blessing for the family as well as for the national church.  One point of interest about Elfirio, several years ago his father had given him a gold chain.  About 8 days before the accident, he sold the chain thinking he needed other items more – new tennis shoes and a helmet!  He was wearing his helmet, so his father’s chain saved his life!  Elfirio is up and visiting friends and family, thankful for a new life.

We mentioned in May about the team from Memorial UMC.  We generally pass by our house in the route from Yrybucua to Asuncion, to give everyone a potty break and change out our luggage.  When we got home, we found out our water pump for our well was stolen!  What a surprise.  The good people from Memorial took pity on us and provided the funds needed for a new pump.  We have since installed the pump and put a metal cover with a lock on top of the well.  Hopefully this will put an end to thievery at our house (at least pump thievery).

Our home church of Cannon UMC from Snellville, GA came the last 2 weeks of June.  Much like Memorial, they were pleasantly surprised by the progress of the school.  Cannon had followed Memorial in 2005, so were also part of the “start up” team, preparing foundation, etc.

The team arrived on a Sunday, which was the day of a North District Women’s meeting.  The only 2 females on the team, Pam Moore and Sara Morris, attended the meeting with Linda.  The responsibility of District Secretary has been turned over to one of the pastor’s wives, which has been a blessing for Linda.

The team spent much of the week preparing the walls for painting.  The process used in Paraguay is to first cover the brick with revoque (cement adobe), next enduido (plaster) which is then sanded, and finally a coat of sealer and paint.  The team also was able to help the Paraguayan’s in the construction of the new water tower.  We think they were surprised at how much work putting up the columns (25 ft long 6x6 lumber) for the tower was.

Not to think we worked the team too hard!  We did have our 2^nd Annual Pig Roast.  This year we “had the privilege” of buying the pigs live.  This was an adventure, to say the least.  The pigs were only about 8 miles away, but it was pouring rain when the men took off with the Land Cruiser and trailer.  It took them about 2 hours to get there, “hog tie” the pigs, put them on the trailer, and then head back to the residencia.  We fed about 75 people at this year’s Pig Roast.  They guys had lots of fun, but next year we think we will just buy the pigs “off the hoof” instead of “on the hoof”.

On the left, Steve Collins and Steve Flint cooking our pig. Above, folks having fun eating!

We also took a couple of days and visited the Jesuit Ruins in Paraguay.  If you have not seen the movie The Mission, please take the time to rent it and see the story of the Guarani Indians here in Paraguay.

One last thought – never come to Paraguay on a mission trip and think you will loose weight!  Ask any of our former team members, we have the best food of any mission location!