Refreshment

We kicked off this half term with a much-needed, spiritual retreat at our school Sports centre, out in the countryside. It was a valuable day about "La Vida que vale" (The life that counts.)
Prayers were answered and, after a weekend with torrential rain, the weather was perfect for us on Monday.

We enjoyed a day of talks from Bishop Greg Venables. He is well-known and loved by staff in St. Andrew's. He taught here many years ago and went on to be the school director. Later he became the Bishop of the Southern Cone, leading us from Buenos Aires.

The day gave plenty of time for chat and reflection together

and we enjoyed a superb barbecued lunch.

We also had fun, with comedian, pastor Ronnie.

There was "time out" for games for the energetic.

and rest for the less energetic.

Finally Bishop Greg was presented with a Paraguayan Flask and Guampa for drinking terere.

Happy holidays

I am enjoying a really good week of holiday so far. The weather has been glorious.On Monday Mags, Gwen, Hannah and I went to Aregua with an old friend, Pat, who has been back here on a short visit. We had a lovely day enjoying the tranquility of being by the lake in perfect weather, after which we enjoyed lunch in a local restaurant. We also visited the church and explored the pottery shops on the main street.

A local "kitchen".

Yesterday Caroline Gilmour-White and I decided to nip across the border for a shopping spree in Clorinda, Argentina. In fact by lunchtime we had decided to go on to Formosa. I had never been and so we hopped on a bus and had a lovely time exploring Formosa a little. It was great to get away from Asuncion. Formosa is a small, clean city with lots of wide, tree-filled avenues, around a central square with a cathedral, as well as small, busy streets. The people were generally very friendly. Unfortunately, because we went on the spur of the moment I did not have my camera with me so I searched the Internet for a couple pictures.

We enjoyed sitting under the trees and and relaxing, overlooking the port on the River Paraguay. Boats were busy taking visitors out to an island in the middle of the river. I hope that I will be able to return there for another short break sometime.

The bonus was that we found a branch of the Carrefour chain, (not known in Paraguay) so that had to be a "must visit" before we returned to Paraguay laden with shopping!

Folklorico fun

This week the children from the pre-school department and Primary have been busy practising for a big family Folklore evening, which took place last night.

It was all action packed, with dancing by every grade and the parents were busy selling typical Paraguayan food on stalls around the performers.

It was a wonderful night, with warm weather and a lovely atmosphere.

The children danced well although many were very tired.

                                                      My two "Paraguayitos". (the Irish boys nextdoor)

                                                               

                                           Preschool                                                                                                                                                                                 Sam

                                           Sam struts his stuff (far right).

                                           Waiting in the wings.

                                           Fruit sellers

                                                    Ben shares his nervousness with a friend.

                                               Fourth grade

                                          Fifth grade

                                                     7th grade sent up hot air balloons.

The next day told its story in the classroom!

Bombs Away!

The weather is terrible today with thunderstorms in Asuncion. So, what does one do for entertainment on a wet Saturday here? Easy......... (Look out Linn!)

Ready,

Aim.........,   Fire!

.....OOPS missed!

Linn!  Linn!! Get your camera ready!

OOPS, missed again.....
So what happens when the boredom of failure sets in?.........
You just get closer to aim better!

And if all else fails........ well..........!!!!

A load of hot air?!

Yesterday there was great excitement in the Primary department because it was Science Day. This year the theme was "Air".

That left a lot of scope. We had volcanic air with its dust (or bubbles, as the case may be), hot air experiments,

helium balloons,

a compressed air gun (complete with electric pump), plenty of air pollution and lots of other things, which were exhibited by each class. A lot of effort had been put in by the children.

 

Great fun was had by all (and I think that they learned a bit too).

Sports

Another busy week.
On Tuesday the Secondary department went off to our sports centre at Surubii for their annual Sports Day. This was swiftly followed by the Primary Sports Day on Wednesday. This was one of the quietest Sports days on record, due to a new arrangement by the P.E staff. I was confined to the library so I did not go this year.

On Thursday morning the winners received their medals in assembly.

Baby doing well

I have been nurturing my "baby" with sunshine and lots of water and now it is growing to look like a pineapple.

I have had a busy week with my sixth grade class. There are only ten days to go until the mock Key English exam and some are not putting in the effort so we will see what happens.

I had a bit of fun this afternoon. Ben and Sam were sent out to sweep the car park in front of the house (normally a ten minute job). Being Ben and Sam it took over an hour and they built up a huge audience of Paraguayans on the opposite side of the road, who were laughing their heads off at their antics and arguments. Unable to resist I decided to go and water the garden with the hospepipe at the same time. You can guess the rest. Fun was had by us all, I ended up a bit wet and the Paraguayans now think that I am nuts.