Another new arrival

I was back at the airport this morning to collect Zoe, our latest arrival. Zoe comes from Northern Ireland. She had quite a trip to get here because when she arrived in London she discovered that her flight had been delayed 24 hours.

She finally arrived here safely this morning but unfortunately her luggage is still in transit, or sitting on the tarmac in Sao Paolo.

I was mean and took a photo as soon as she arrived.

Zoe is on the left, Jo in the centre and Beth on the right.

Please pray for all three girls as they adjust to living together in a new culture, school, and life in Asuncion generally. Pray for the Lord to help them all with their Spanish.

Back to work

Today we went back to work. They eased us in gently with a spiritual retreat in a beautiful place. We were taken out into the countryside to Atyra. There we were driven off the beaten track to what looked like an Italian monastery. It is only a few years old. It was built by Italian and Paraguayan artisans and it is filled with beautiful paintings done by local, Paraguayan artists.

We were hosted extremely well and we spent three sessions during the day listening to a speaker and then examining ourselves and listening for what God had to say to each of us individually. It was so refreshing for me in particular, after being cooped up in Asuncion for the entire holiday. People can go to spend a day or so at the centre by arrangement, so I think that may be somewhere to go for a weekend when the weather is much cooler. The drawback is that they have no air-conditioning and the temperatures soared again yesterday.

None of these photographs can really give you any idea of the size of the place or the sense of tranquility that we experienced.

The church is at the heart of the centre.

We were based in a hall for lectures and met under the cloisters for a break.

We all enjoyed a good lunch in the dining room and we could see through to the immaculately kept kitchen. The chickens came from their own farm.

A guide pointed out the amazing Italian artisan brickwork. Many of the materials used to build the place were recycled from elsewhere.

There is a beautiful, very unusual sunken Catholic chapel.

All doors are hand carved and each is an individual design.

There are paintings all over the building depicting scenes from scripture and of local history and culture.

Children the same the world over

This morning I walked to the supermarket under some ominous looking dark clouds. As I was walking home the rain came in torrential bucketloads so I decided to nip into our brand new MacDonald's for a hot chocolate until it eased off. Afterwards I walked home with my brolly up, but everytime I had to cross a road I had to wade through a foot of water so my jeans were soaked up to the knees. Iwandered down the hill, watching the river running alongside of me and sometimes having to plunge my way through it. As I drew nearer to my house I could hear shrieks of laughter.

I rounded a corner to see seven street kids having a wonderful time literally rolling in the gutter. They had been soaked in the storm so they figured that they could not get any wetter. They were playing in the water. I yelled at them to stay there until I came back with my camera. By then the river was more of a stream but they still had fun. After taking the pictures I rushed inside and printed a copy of each for each child. They were so excited. They told me that they come from the Chacarita and they had no photos of themselves. They could not wait to run home and show their Mums. Small things can make kids happy and water fun is one of them. I was so wet that I almost joined them.

New arrivals

There have been a few hectic days here, getting the house and garden nextdoor ready for a new teacher and two assistants who are arriving from UK over the next week or so.

On Friday Beth Bridgewater arrived to teach in Primary for two years. Leaving home and family in UK is a terrible wrench. To come to a huge, empty house was not easy for Beth, but she is now beginning to settle.

Beth is from a family which has a history of mission. Her grandfather was the founder of Wycliffe (Bible translators). It is a privilege to have Beth with us. As yet she is a little insecure about the teaching side of things so please pray for her.

Yesterday we all went to the airport to meet Jo Miller. Jo will be with us for six months as a classroom assistant. Next Sunday Zoe Eves is expected to join them from Ireland.

This morning I took Beth and Jo to the cathedral. There was an informal service. To my delight the congregation really welcomed them both and this has helped them to settle and feel happier.

One could instantly see their love for children.

As for me.... my arm is very much better and my hip is OK most of the time. We have had high humidity recently so I had a "jippy" day yesterday....... all part of the aging process, I suppose. Ha! Ha!

A good week

The past week has been generally good. I have been out and about a bit, visiting my doctor, shopping for new sandals for work and sorting out renewal of documents.
I saw my doctor on Monday about my hip. He told me that it will be about four more weeks before I am pain-free as I had torn a muscle in the fall. In fact, as he pulled me around he must have freed something which was trapped because it has been far less painful, unless I overdo things, (which I am inclined to do).

My arm is also much better. My doctor was proposing some physiotherapy but I showed him what I have been doing and what I can do. He said that I should just continue and it should get stronger in a few weeks without the need for going back and forth to physio.

I have been pushing things a bit as I love to cook. Preparing things can sometime mean that I have to take a day out afterwards as my arm aches so much, but that is small price for being independent again.

Another birthday, another year.

It is my birthday today. I always miss having close friends around on my birthday. Either I am here and they are in UK or vice versa. However, I was determined to enjoy the day.
I woke up in the early hours so I opened my present from Mags and Gwen and resolved to wear it today. It was a lovely, little, pendant with a typical Paraguayan Guampa and bombilla in filigree silver.

I then slept in late. When I finally opened my window shutters I was greeted by a sign hanging from Sharon's balcony across the road, in English, but which most Paraguayans understand. (At least it did not have my age on it!)

I invited Sharon to come out to lunch with me. We did it in style, calling a taxi and going to La Paraguayita, a well known local restaurant. There we indulged ourselves in a very typical Parguayan asado (grilled meats) lunch.Sharon, being Sharon, had brought streamers, a deflated balloon, a lollipop and a noisy blower to complete the birthday decor!

The amount of meat for two was the usual Paraguayan mountain (enough for four or five) but we took a doggy bag home with us.My day was finally made when two pupils came in with their dad and stepmother. Emmanuel rushed over to greet me first with a big "Hallo, Mrs. Van! (He had forgotten my name already, but at least he spoke English.) His older brother, then came over and he and Sharon sang "Happy Birthday" to me. I was so touched.
This afternoon I am putting my feet up and I am going to veg out in front of a DVD.

All in all, a good day and another good memory to stash away in my mind!

Historical day

Today is a historical day as several coins are being withdrawn from the market. We have all been told to take our old coins to the bank by today. Recently I disposed of a shoe box full of small coins. I used to save them and give them to kids at school who were fund raising. Now we will only have "silver" coins, 100guaranies, 500 guaranies and 1000guaranies. The notes are also gradually being changed for plastic ones.