I'm Here!

My First Few Days!



I finally arrived in Paraguay after lots of prayer, 24 hours of traveling, and 10 months of looking forward and preparing for this day! Despite a few challenges and delayed flights, we made it in the nick of time (walking right on to the airplane after a sprint across the airport). The Lord really protected us and got us here safely.
These last few days have been a whirlwind of settling in, meeting new people, building relationships, and diving into the Paraguay culture. This is one of the first times that I actually feel like I can sit down and take a breath. It has been incredible getting to know the new teachers, leadership, and the people of Paraguay.

In two days I will be starting orientation for new teachers. Then Monday and Tuesday are the in-service for teachers with school starting on Wednesday! Everything has been crazy, a bite challenging, and truly a chance to grow.

I have already experienced so much and have so many stories to tell. Therefore I have decided to present my posts in this pattern: Summary, then Firsts (a list of my first time experiencing something), and finally Prayer Requests). I will try to keep this up as much as possible!

Firsts:

- First picture with Obama…..which happened to be in Paraguay.

- First U.S.A. exhibit that I visited about the US that I understood only part of what it said since it was entirely in Spanish.

- First time someone tried to sell me a USB flash drive that is also an air freshener.

- First time buying electronics from a store whose space takes up less than 10 square feet, and you stand in the middle of a hallway 3 feet away from 5 other store fronts when you shop, select, and purchase the product.

- First time riding a Paraguay bus, overcrowded by US standards times two and that was a medium day on this system.

- First time I used a shopping basket in a store that is on wheels with a handle that then has the trolley trail behind you.

- First time being asked if I am from Spain and complemented on my Spanish (thanks to all my Spanish professors, know the language has been a huge help!)

- First time buying a block of yeast (it is a paste like yeast that come in a large brick); I had meant to buy butter and was surprised by this. The product had nothing about yeast on it and was in the store between the margarine and the other choices for butter. Oops, I guess I will be learning how to use it and make some great bread.

- First time cooking a full meal on my small challenging Paraguayan gas stove, not an easy task at all. Though I must say it turned out pretty good. Several meals later and I think I am becoming a quick learner.


Prayer Requests:
Despite arrival these prayer requests remain very much the same.
1. Please pray for me and all the new teacher as we prepare for school. So people have had very little notice, but the Lord has been in control and blessing us this far and will continue to do so!
2. Please pray for the students that they will be safe as school begins, that they will feel loved, and that they will be reached and shown God's light in this up coming school year.
3. Please pray for the poor of Paraguay, witth all of the rain that has been coming down streets have been flooding causing danger to traffic, surprise potholes and flooding. This is also highly dangerous to pedestrians as they can get swept away which can be fatal. We have had to stay in already due to severe weather. Flooding also takes out the homes of the poor in the Chaca near the major river ever time big rain comes. Furthermore the weather has been bitterly cold in the 40s and low 50s. While this may not seem so severe these buildings and houses are prepared for the 90 degree weather that is present more the 10 months out of the year. With little insulation and high prices for heating many families are struggling.

Thank you as always for all of your prayers and support it is more than appriciated!