Hot! Hot! Hot!

I chose to go on holiday this week. It was the hottest week this summer!

Thankfully God has sent us some rain today to cool life down a little, but it is still hot and muggy.

Bye for now.

After many despedidas (farewell parties) when she was always smiling, reality set in today as Babs left for the airport. Paraguay has been her home for nine years. It is hard to leave somewhere that you love.
Most of the children had already left for the holidays, however when we arrived at the airport Juan Bautista appeared and then the Hickmott boys.

We could see that it was all becoming too much for Babs and so she decided to go through into the waiting area. Just as she was leaving the girls from her fourth grade class all rushed in and surrounded her hugging and kissing her on her way. It was an emotional time. The girls stood waving as she went through passport control and they would not leave her until she finally disappeared into the departure lounge. The kids will miss you Babs!

Bab's Big Breakfast

This morning we were all up early on the first day of our holidays to go to the Bartlett's house for Bab's Big Breakfast despedida (farewell). The sun was shining and there was a lovely cool breeze as we sat on the patio and enjoyed a wonderful, shared breakfast. It was a lovely occasion.

"Delia" Bartlett.

Meat your heart out!

It was the final day of the school year today and we all congregated for the annual lunch. It was a wonderful asado (barbecue) with tons of high quality beef, cooked by a great team.

Meat. meat and more meat.

Ready steady,......Yes! Steady!

Go!

Making the most of being with Babs before she leaves us.

We also said a fond farewell to Diego Caceres, who is going off to South Africa to be a missionary with OM. (I still do not believe that he can speak English. I will look on his Facebook!)

Meanwhile two cat lovers were very happy with their gifts from the art department.

Redevelopment

We were up early for our last day of the school year. En route to school we called into the Annexe School. Work has now started in a "Beat the clock" fashion to redevelop the first floor where the library was. Thanks to a special project, funding has been raised to build a new computer room. This will mean real progress for the school.
Your prayers are needed for completion of the project by February, ready for the new year to start, also, for all the equipment that will be needed.

Up on the roof.

Down it comes.

Work begins.

Her last Sunday

After a week laid up with a rotten chest infection, I felt much better today and went to the English chapel. It was Babs Owens' last Sunday with us before she returns to the UK on Friday. It was a sad, but happy occasion, (if you know what I mean).

Mags led the service. Babs was allowed to light the Advent candles this week and she also preached a great sermon on The Gift. Babs is always so "Down to Earth" with her preaching.



















At the end she was presented with a beautiful book with a DVD all about Paraguay.

The Virgin of Caacupe

Earlier this week the annual pilgrimage to honour the Virgin of Caacupe began. Thousands of Catholics have begun the long walk to the city of Caacupe where they participate in masses held outside the cathedral.

Many take prayer requests to the Virgin and then return the following year to fulfil promises that they make in return for their prayers being answered.
The main fiesta will be tomorrow, when the country has a public holiday.

I wrote the story attached to this celebration on my blog last year in December. If you wish to find out more about it you can look it up. (December 2010 - National Holiday).

The pilgrimage has begun.







Even the police are on their way. (Are they trying for the Guiness records?)

The first aid stations are being kept busy.

For some it is just too much.

Meanwhile the city is preparing for the influx of pilgrims.

The chiperias are cashing in and providing sustinence, (Chipa - cheese flavoured cornbread biscuits)

and street vendors abound.

This year the Bishop has spoken out very strongly against a proposed new law to make divorce easier. He has spoken about how important it is to maintain family life in Paraguay. I hope the politicians take heed.