Jesus came first today.

It was with some prayer that I forced myself to put Jesus first in my life today and I went off to church wearing my England shirt proudly, missing the match on the tele'. I did not even take my phone. (However, I had my MP3 in my back pocket ready to catch the end of the match on the radio after the service.)
In fact the service went on late, but the Paraguayans had their phones and they took great delight in commiserating with me as soon as they received text messages with the result. I can't really say that I was surprised. This time around England just has not had what it takes.

It was a sad day.

We now await Paraguay's performance on Tuesday, with baited breath.
FUERZA PARAGUAY!!!!

Onwards and upwards

It was great to see both England and Paraguay go through to the second round of the Mundial (World Cup).

We all arrived at school in our Albirroja t-shirts. The school stopped work at 10.00 a.m today and we gathered in the school hall around the BIG SCREEN and also around every television set and smart board available to watch Paraguay go through. It was great fun cheering them on.

FUERZA PARAGUAY!

Cheering them on

Everybody here loves football. Third grade even came into the library to cheer on England on Friday. The English team needed all the support they could get!!!!!









I spent the last half standing in the local supermarket watching them. A Paraguayan man next to me commented on what a rubbish team they are and how badly they are playing, when they only drew against Algeria. I opened my jacket to reveal my England shirt and agreed with him. He was so taken aback. His face was a picture.









The second grade decided to cheer on Paraguay ready for Sunday. We examined and admired the national flag and then they coloured their favourite team and finally wrote about them.

Another good day

Well the Paraguay match turned out to be a well-fought match but no winners. We still had some fireworks exploding around us though.

School uniform changed slightly today!

Giovanni survived his first day. He worked hard and he is keen to learn so I think that, given a week or more he will be a helpful assistant. He is a lovely Christian lad.

Photos at last

Pastor Ronnie Irene recently baptised Yanin, a young member of the St. Andrew's cathedral congregation.

Hoe, Hoe, Hoe

You are having an overdose of me this week. In this picture I have just arrived home from school (note the school uniform!) to try out my wonderful new hoe which Elaine Hutchinson brought out from Northern Ireland for me. It has been very useful for weeding and for digging holes for my new plants. (We have no proper spade or fork).

World Cup 2010

I cannot believe that it is four years since we were prancing around in England strips for the World Cup 2006. It seems like yesterday.

Everything stops for football in Paraguay, especially for the World Cup. On Friday morning we all assembled in the school hall to watch the opening of the World Cup 2010 on the big screen. Of course Mrs. T. was well into the spirit, having bought her t-shirt in South Africa....... the real thing!

What happened to England's goalie??!! on Saturday?

A measly draw. Come on England, you can do better than that.

Here I am bracing myself ready for the Albirrojas playing on Monday. (Paraguay v. Italy for those who don't know).

Aside from the fun, there is good news. Please pray for Giovanni who will start to work with me in the library on Monday. I said that the Lord would send me a handsome hunk to work with. I will post a photo later if Giovanni does not mind. Pray for him to learn the job quickly and also for him to be strong and firm with the students and staff about the rules of borrowing books and materials. He is very young so this may be difficult for him.