I left Paraguay a week ago today. I spent Monday night in the airport of Lima, Peru and caught a plane the next morning for Cuzco, Peru. I took a taxi and then a bus to Ollantaytambo (about an hour away from Cuzco) to meet up with family friends. My buddy, Brandon Wyatt (the brother of our youth intern Justin Wyatt a few years ago) is a missionary for two years in Lima and his family was coming down to visit him.
We went to Machu Picchu on Wednesday (one of the Seven Wonders of the World) which are old Incan Ruins. (Here's a picture I googled http://www.pdx.edu/media/a/l/alumni_machu_picchu.jpg)We woke up before 5 and headed up the mountain on a bus. Once the gates opened, we ran toward the back left corner to be one of the first 200 in line to climb Waynupicchu, the tall mountain in that background of the photo. They only let two hundred people in at 7:00 am and another two hundred at 10:00 am. The climb was hard but very worth it and about took a little over an hour. From the top, you could see all of the ruins, but more incredible were the jungle-mountaints that surrounded us. I could only say "God makes really cool things!"
We then hiked down the backside to a cave that served as a temple, ate lunch, and hiked an hour and a half back to Machu Picchu (MP). That afternoon we walked around the ruins and took pictures with llamas over looking the whole valley. I never knew that MP would be as big, beautiful, or mystical as it was. It might possibly be the coolest thing I've ever seen.
That night we took a train back to Ollanta and a bus the next day to Cuzco. We were all supposed to catch planes Friday morning for Lima, but my flight was cancelled and I couldn't leave until 4 o'clock Friday afternoon. The Wyatts arrived fine in Lima and I had an extra day and a half to see the city by myself. I called the hostal we'd stayed at and they picked me up. I went to my new room and prayed that God would help me make the most of my situation and be safe. I called my parents and the Wyatts and my Costa Rican family (who I was supposed to see that night in CR) and told them what had happened. I spent that day journaling, walking around the town, and meeting people. I met a woman and her daughter who were touring the area and we saw famous Incan stones and hiked up a mountaint to see the whole city right before sunset. That night I hung out at the hostal and met people from the Netherlands and Brazil.
Saturday morning I woke up and took a taxi to the plaza, ate breakfast at a local restaurant and read my book in the square for a couple hours. Every now and then people walked up to me and tried to sell me things. I kept telling them I didn't need anything else, but thank you. They each got tired of asking eventually and sat down and talked to me for a while. One woman talked for about an hour. I love that I can communicate with just about anyone now. I feel like my Spanish has really improved, although I still have a long way to go.
I had really wanted to be in Costa Rica, but God gave me friends and let me listen to people that I think don't usually have many listeners.
I left Cuzco on my 4:30 pm flight Saturday and arrived in Lima around 5:45. I had to go to the counter to see when I might be able to fly to Costa Rica since I'd missed the flight while I was in Cuzco. I figured it was late and there weren't anymore leaving that day and that I'd spend the night with the Wyatts in Lima. The woman at the counter said that there was a flight leaving Sunday morning and then asked if I had my yellow fever vaccination card. I'd never heard of that before and she explained that if someone has been in Peru, there are certain countries that they cannot enter unless they have this vaccine. Costa Rica happens to be one of those countries (the US is not) and it takes 10 days to get it. I would already be in Texas in 10 days so I knew that getting this in Lima was not a choice. The lady changed my ticket to Thursday the 14th (when I would have been leaving Costa Rica for Longview).
I cried for a couple mintues out of disappointment, but was excited that I would have more time with the Wyatts in Lima. They came and picked me up and I am spending this week with them in Lima. Yesterday I went to two different churches in the Lima area and will be able to visit with more of them later in the week. Tonight a family is coming over for dinner and I am making chicken pesto pizza. Last night, when we were with one congregation, I got to play translator for my two friends who didn't speak Spanish and talk with some of the members afterwards. They were so excited that I was able to communicate with them and kept saying how happy they were that we came down and spent time with them.
Things don't always go the way we expect them to and God has really taught me this week to trust in him and be flexible. Although I do not know when I will see my Costa Rican family again, I trust that God has a reason for keeping me in Peru and I am content wherever I am. Thank you for your prayers! I have really felt them this week!
Monday, August 11, 2008
Monday, August 4, 2008
We´re Safe!
Alsiha and I left Asuncion this morning and because my flight was cancelled, we ended up on the same flight to Santiago, Chile. Alisha will be there all this week and I am currently at the airport in Lima, Peru waiting to catch a flight at 8^30 tomorrow morning to Cuzco to meet up with some old family friends.
This morning on my flight from PY to Chile, I sat my a man who was reading a newspaper. An article caught my eye and he let me have that section. I read that Paraguay only has 14 speech pathologists in the country (of over 5 million people!). When I tell people what I`m studying sometimes I feel like they don´t understand how important it is, or they think it just has to do with elementary kids who can`t pronounce certain sounds. There was a quote in the article that I liked (it´s in Spanish, but I´ll translate it.) ``It`s an art to express out feeliongs and furthermore it is the door to our thoughts. Therefore, if a person cannot speak well and doesn´t understand or learn in school, he or she cannot relate to people at work or function in society.`` This is why I am studying what I am. I want to be used where there is the most need. I keep thinking how cool it could be to get together a group of speech pathology friends to form a type of mission team who could help improve people´s qualities of life in the name of Jesus. When I got on the plane I did not expect to start thinking about these things, but God´s funny that way.
This morning on my flight from PY to Chile, I sat my a man who was reading a newspaper. An article caught my eye and he let me have that section. I read that Paraguay only has 14 speech pathologists in the country (of over 5 million people!). When I tell people what I`m studying sometimes I feel like they don´t understand how important it is, or they think it just has to do with elementary kids who can`t pronounce certain sounds. There was a quote in the article that I liked (it´s in Spanish, but I´ll translate it.) ``It`s an art to express out feeliongs and furthermore it is the door to our thoughts. Therefore, if a person cannot speak well and doesn´t understand or learn in school, he or she cannot relate to people at work or function in society.`` This is why I am studying what I am. I want to be used where there is the most need. I keep thinking how cool it could be to get together a group of speech pathology friends to form a type of mission team who could help improve people´s qualities of life in the name of Jesus. When I got on the plane I did not expect to start thinking about these things, but God´s funny that way.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Our Last Day
Alisha and I leave tomorrow morning for Chile and Peru (later Costa Rica) respectively. We've had a really great time and are sad to leave but look forward to our next stops to see friends from other churches/countries.
This being my second time to leave these people, I know how sad I will be this next year, but this time it's different because I don't know when/if I'll ever be able to come back. This time next year I'll be starting grad school and will be busy with that for the next couple years. My prayer is that I will be able to keep up with the church and friends that I've made here and that they have seen Christ through me. I have loved teaching English, hanging out with friends from church and the community. It's my prayer that these churches will grow in love and numbers as they reach out to the rest of this city and country.
Please continue to pray for Alisha and me as we travel. We hope to update again during the rest of our travels. Thank you so much for your thoughts, prayers, and love!
--Shannon
This being my second time to leave these people, I know how sad I will be this next year, but this time it's different because I don't know when/if I'll ever be able to come back. This time next year I'll be starting grad school and will be busy with that for the next couple years. My prayer is that I will be able to keep up with the church and friends that I've made here and that they have seen Christ through me. I have loved teaching English, hanging out with friends from church and the community. It's my prayer that these churches will grow in love and numbers as they reach out to the rest of this city and country.
Please continue to pray for Alisha and me as we travel. We hope to update again during the rest of our travels. Thank you so much for your thoughts, prayers, and love!
--Shannon
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Adventures!
Yesterday, Shannon, Rocio, Victor and I went to Argentina! Victor is one of the leaders here at the church and he came with us to help us get around safely. We waited on the outskirts of town for a bus, when it arrived, it was already jammed full of people, but we just squeezed in to add to the fun. It was a great experience, I found it rather funny. We are getting many opportunities to be a part of the culture and learn about another way of life. After awhile I was able to get a seat and enjoy the scenery of the country. We passed by a lot of palm trees and crossed a river. It is amazing to witness God's creativity and glorious art in nature. We arrived at the border and got our passports stamped and walked across a bridge to Argentina! We rode into the nearby town of Clorinda for the afternoon. It was great to be in another country and see more of the world. There were markets and little shops lining the streets so we looked around some and then ate lunch. It was a lovely adventurous afternoon in Argentina! I'm grateful that we were able to travel safely to and from the neighboring country. On the way back into Paraguay, we had a nice little ride and we got to watch the sunset--it was gorgeous. Thank you for all your prayers and support, I pray that you are able to see God's handiwork all around you.
Friday, July 25, 2008
God has been doing so much here in Asuncion, it is a blessing to be here. I really enjoy teaching English using different passages from the Bible. All of my students are so different; they come from different religious backgrounds, different families, different places and perspectives on life. However, all of them challenge me and all of them provide me with great joy. One of my students is very logical and he likes to ask a lot of questions--questions about the Bible and different rules, values, and commands that God gives us. I love getting to talk with this student because he really makes me think about what I believe and why I believe it. Even though he questions everything, he helps me grow stronger. I pray that this student will grow to understand more of the truth of God's word and be able to grow in faith. Although God's ways do not always make sense to our human brains, they are always the best way to live. I pray that I am pouring as much goodness is into his life as he has given me.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
I like people
Today I had lunch with a friend who I hung out with a lot last year. It was just the two of us which was great because we only spoke Spanish and that doesn't happen much. She's studying to be a lawyer and told me all about the Paraguayan government. Apparently they're getting a new president in August. (He's been elected already but doesn't start until then.) He's actually a Catholic Bishop and a member of the Liberal party. It's a big deal because the Colorado party has held the presidency and other offices for 60 years!
Anyway, at lunch she told me that i was a special kind of friend. That some other Americans that have come before were only friends for the little while they were here and didn't really care to get to know people and keep up friendships once they left. She told me that she thought my friendship was different than that. I told her that's the reason I came back and that there hasn't been a day since I left Costa Rica the first time or Paraguay last summer that I hadn't thought about the people I knew there. Somehow I cannot forget people. However, it's sad when I get back home because I want to be at home with friends and family but my heart also wants to be with my family and friends in both Costa Rica and Paraguay. I think that's a good thing. Maybe a God thing.
Anyway, at lunch she told me that i was a special kind of friend. That some other Americans that have come before were only friends for the little while they were here and didn't really care to get to know people and keep up friendships once they left. She told me that she thought my friendship was different than that. I told her that's the reason I came back and that there hasn't been a day since I left Costa Rica the first time or Paraguay last summer that I hadn't thought about the people I knew there. Somehow I cannot forget people. However, it's sad when I get back home because I want to be at home with friends and family but my heart also wants to be with my family and friends in both Costa Rica and Paraguay. I think that's a good thing. Maybe a God thing.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
I got a new student last week named Pati. She's really great. She hasn't had a lot of English background but she understands a lot if I talk really slow. The other day she came late and we just talked for the rest of the hour and got to know each other a little bit better.
Pati wants to study Psychology, but she told me that when she tells people that they often say that it's not an important field. When she asked me what I am studying (Speech Pathology) I had to explain it to her because they don't have that career here. Specialized careers like mine are not available in this country. She wanted to be a mechanical engineer with an emphasis on automtives but had to settle for psychology since they do not have the other as an option in Paraguay.
About a week ago a woman came off the streets into the church and told me that she lost her job and couldn't find another one. A student who was sitting in the lobby told me that there are jobs in the city, but nobody wants to do them. When you drive around Asuncion there are many people on the streets selling anything from gum and coughdrops to socks and maps of the city. Children enter busses and hand out papers with a bookmark that say "I'm poor and hungry. Would you please buy this bookmark for G1,000?" (about a quarter). This makes me sad because these kids will be doing similar things their whole lives to earn money because they aren't in school learning skills that could help them lead a financially secure life.
There are many people here who have great jobs, work hard, and continue their education. However, it breaks my heart to see kids selling things on the street in order to eat and who, because of this, will be doing this their entire lives.
I keep thinking how great it would be if I came to Paraguay as an adult and started some type of Speech Pathology school. How great would it be if education for more career fields became available to the youth of Paraguay and the next generation was better able to care for themselves. I want to ask that you be in prayer for the government here in Paraguay and that individuals can have better access to jobs, education, and that Christians can bring hope of Jesus to this country.
*In case you didn't see, I put a link to more photos at the bottom of my previous post.
Pati wants to study Psychology, but she told me that when she tells people that they often say that it's not an important field. When she asked me what I am studying (Speech Pathology) I had to explain it to her because they don't have that career here. Specialized careers like mine are not available in this country. She wanted to be a mechanical engineer with an emphasis on automtives but had to settle for psychology since they do not have the other as an option in Paraguay.
About a week ago a woman came off the streets into the church and told me that she lost her job and couldn't find another one. A student who was sitting in the lobby told me that there are jobs in the city, but nobody wants to do them. When you drive around Asuncion there are many people on the streets selling anything from gum and coughdrops to socks and maps of the city. Children enter busses and hand out papers with a bookmark that say "I'm poor and hungry. Would you please buy this bookmark for G1,000?" (about a quarter). This makes me sad because these kids will be doing similar things their whole lives to earn money because they aren't in school learning skills that could help them lead a financially secure life.
There are many people here who have great jobs, work hard, and continue their education. However, it breaks my heart to see kids selling things on the street in order to eat and who, because of this, will be doing this their entire lives.
I keep thinking how great it would be if I came to Paraguay as an adult and started some type of Speech Pathology school. How great would it be if education for more career fields became available to the youth of Paraguay and the next generation was better able to care for themselves. I want to ask that you be in prayer for the government here in Paraguay and that individuals can have better access to jobs, education, and that Christians can bring hope of Jesus to this country.
*In case you didn't see, I put a link to more photos at the bottom of my previous post.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Nos Falta Dos Semanas
It's hard to believe we leave two weeks from today!
Last week, the college student night went really well. Over 20 people met for dinner and then came over to our place for a devo, games, fireworks, etc. Some English students came and it was great to see them involved in church activities.
Three English teachers left last Monday which was sad, but Alisha and I acquired some of their students so we're kept a little busier. Our students range from those who have very little experience with English to a few that speak really well.
With those who are beginners, I have been using a Friendspeak book. It's the book of Luke in a very easy to read version with questions that help the student better understand the story. The English teachers from this year brought several sets of books that come in pairs. One is a Bible lesson and the other a grammar book. Each Bible lesson corresponds with a grammar lesson which they do at home.
A group from Tennessee has been in this week conducting a Vacation Bible School (VBS). They passed out fliers for it in the mornings and several families came who heard about it this way. The kids seemed to love it and we had about forty kids on the first day. The theme was Running With Joshua and the kids learned about Caleb and Joshua, Rahab and the spies, and the fall of Jericho. I helped with the skits and reenacted the Bible stories.
One of my favorite moments this past week was being at our friends' house (the Yegros family) on Saturday night. Alisha and I went over to email a document we'd translated for one of her students and we stayed and hung out with them once we finished. Their aunts were over and we snacked and listened to them speak Spanish and joke with each other. I love spending time with people from whichever country I am visiting because I feel very content and like I am a part of their family. The Yegros family has a way of making everyone feel at home. That makes things a lot easier.
Mirta, our terrific secretary, just came in and asked if there had been a baptism last night. She just found a towel and baptism clothes by the washing machine that hadn't been there earlier. Two men from the church in Tennessee preached yesterday and a couple men were present who had been thinking about being baptized. What a cool surprise on a sleepy Monday morning!
more photos:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2060833&l=9eef8&id=54602888
Last week, the college student night went really well. Over 20 people met for dinner and then came over to our place for a devo, games, fireworks, etc. Some English students came and it was great to see them involved in church activities.
Three English teachers left last Monday which was sad, but Alisha and I acquired some of their students so we're kept a little busier. Our students range from those who have very little experience with English to a few that speak really well.
With those who are beginners, I have been using a Friendspeak book. It's the book of Luke in a very easy to read version with questions that help the student better understand the story. The English teachers from this year brought several sets of books that come in pairs. One is a Bible lesson and the other a grammar book. Each Bible lesson corresponds with a grammar lesson which they do at home.
A group from Tennessee has been in this week conducting a Vacation Bible School (VBS). They passed out fliers for it in the mornings and several families came who heard about it this way. The kids seemed to love it and we had about forty kids on the first day. The theme was Running With Joshua and the kids learned about Caleb and Joshua, Rahab and the spies, and the fall of Jericho. I helped with the skits and reenacted the Bible stories.
One of my favorite moments this past week was being at our friends' house (the Yegros family) on Saturday night. Alisha and I went over to email a document we'd translated for one of her students and we stayed and hung out with them once we finished. Their aunts were over and we snacked and listened to them speak Spanish and joke with each other. I love spending time with people from whichever country I am visiting because I feel very content and like I am a part of their family. The Yegros family has a way of making everyone feel at home. That makes things a lot easier.
Mirta, our terrific secretary, just came in and asked if there had been a baptism last night. She just found a towel and baptism clothes by the washing machine that hadn't been there earlier. Two men from the church in Tennessee preached yesterday and a couple men were present who had been thinking about being baptized. What a cool surprise on a sleepy Monday morning!
more photos:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2060833&l=9eef8&id=54602888
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Cool Things About Paraguay
When people arrive somewhere or leave, they always greet everyone. Men shake hands with other men, but men & women and women & women kiss the left cheek followed by the right.
The fruit juice here is super!
People here speak a mix of Spanish and Guarani (they're original language). We've been trying to learn a few words of Guarani here and there such as "jajotopata" (see you later or "mi cuate" (my buddy/friend).
Our students are really excited about learning English and some are really excited about the Bible. A student and I finished class a little early yesterday and she asked me if we could read the Bible the rest of the time.
Pastries and desserts here are terrific. My favorite restaurant here is M.L. Calentitas and they serve the best crousannts I have ever tried.
Horses pull carts on the roads here along with all the taxis and busses. They're usually loaded with stuff to recycle or goods to be sold.
Strawberries are in season now and are sold on practically every street corner. Alisha bought some a few days ago and we made strawberry smoothies and ate some with sugar.
Ice cream here is fabulous and pretty cheap. Mondays are two for the price of one at the best ice cream shop in town. We took advantage of that this week.
The youth group here starts with about 13 years of age and includes some who are around 27 years old. If you're not married, you're still considered youth I guess.
Singing in spanish is one of our favorite things. It's so cool that we can praise God in all different languages (and some of the songs are the same ones that we sing at home or in chapel at ACU).
Many trees are blooming and have beautiful flowers: hibiscus, orchids, purples ones, yellow, white, etc.
We like houses with balconies you can see the roofs of all the neighbors and the large buildings downtown. This morning I watched traffic drive down our street, including a couple boys pushing a cart and another cart pulled by a horse.
For the past two Sundays a few Paraguayan friends have taken us to zoo and to the fair and another took us downtown and showed us museums. It's been really great to have them show us parts of their city and country. They enjoy playing tour guide and we enjoy having them as our friends.
We try to take busses or walk as much as we can. A taxi ride from our apartment to church runs about $4 to $5, but a bus can take you much farther for only $0.60. I like the bus better anyway because that's how most Paraguayans get around and you get to people watch.
I added a few pictures to the album yesterday, so you should be able to look at the same link from the last post to view them. Enjoy!
Alisha and Shannon
The fruit juice here is super!
People here speak a mix of Spanish and Guarani (they're original language). We've been trying to learn a few words of Guarani here and there such as "jajotopata" (see you later or "mi cuate" (my buddy/friend).
Our students are really excited about learning English and some are really excited about the Bible. A student and I finished class a little early yesterday and she asked me if we could read the Bible the rest of the time.
Pastries and desserts here are terrific. My favorite restaurant here is M.L. Calentitas and they serve the best crousannts I have ever tried.
Horses pull carts on the roads here along with all the taxis and busses. They're usually loaded with stuff to recycle or goods to be sold.
Strawberries are in season now and are sold on practically every street corner. Alisha bought some a few days ago and we made strawberry smoothies and ate some with sugar.
Ice cream here is fabulous and pretty cheap. Mondays are two for the price of one at the best ice cream shop in town. We took advantage of that this week.
The youth group here starts with about 13 years of age and includes some who are around 27 years old. If you're not married, you're still considered youth I guess.
Singing in spanish is one of our favorite things. It's so cool that we can praise God in all different languages (and some of the songs are the same ones that we sing at home or in chapel at ACU).
Many trees are blooming and have beautiful flowers: hibiscus, orchids, purples ones, yellow, white, etc.
We like houses with balconies you can see the roofs of all the neighbors and the large buildings downtown. This morning I watched traffic drive down our street, including a couple boys pushing a cart and another cart pulled by a horse.
For the past two Sundays a few Paraguayan friends have taken us to zoo and to the fair and another took us downtown and showed us museums. It's been really great to have them show us parts of their city and country. They enjoy playing tour guide and we enjoy having them as our friends.
We try to take busses or walk as much as we can. A taxi ride from our apartment to church runs about $4 to $5, but a bus can take you much farther for only $0.60. I like the bus better anyway because that's how most Paraguayans get around and you get to people watch.
I added a few pictures to the album yesterday, so you should be able to look at the same link from the last post to view them. Enjoy!
Alisha and Shannon
Friday, July 11, 2008
Algunas fotos de Paraguay
Alisha and I thought you may want to see some photos of our time here so far. I tried to upload them on this page but it took a while so I think you should be able to click on the following link and view them...
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2060008&l=aa6ae&id=54602888
Thanks for checking on us!
Shannon
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2060008&l=aa6ae&id=54602888
Thanks for checking on us!
Shannon
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
SUNDAY (Domingo):
At our first church service we got to meet several new people and talk with some of the members. I enjoyed worshipping in Spanish and recognizing the old familiar melodies. Although I couldn't understand all of the message, we discussed what children need from their parents and mentors. After lunch a group of us went to the zoo. We learned some new animal words in Guarani, which is the other official language of Paraguay. Many animal names that we have are Guarani, for example, the Jaguar. The zoo was beautifully surrounded by all types of trees. At the zoo, a girl named Leti and I got to talk and enjoy the animals. She is very sweet and would teach me the words for all the animals in Spanish. I have enjoyed getting to visit with her, she has a beautiful and encouraging spirit.
--Alisha
MONDAY (Lunes):
The plan for Monday was to set up our stand at the Expo, but it seems that fell through. Oh well, flexibility is important here. We're hoping to go on Wednesday and pass out flyers for Bible studies and our upcoming VBS. We spent most of the day doing odd jobs around the office and had two English students over for dinner. We cooked mashed potatos, green beans, chicken, and bread. Our friends, Ricardo and Carolina, go to the International Church of Christ and we talked about that a little over dinner. It was interesting to hear the differences and discuss them in a friendly way.
--Shannon
OTHER THINGS (otras cosas):
Tonight (Tuesday) we are having three Paraguayan friends over for chicken pesto pizza, strawberry smoothies and a movie!
Friday we are meeting the college-age students for dinner and will head back to our place for games afterwards. Several people have expressed interest and we're hoping for about 20 people to come.
A group is coming to conduct a Vacation Bible School on the 16th, so we're looking forward to that. There is an orphanage down the street and this is a really great treat for them.
Thanks for reading! More to come later! Let us know if you have any questions or if there's something we've mentioned that you'd like to hear more about.
In Him,
Alisha and Shannon
At our first church service we got to meet several new people and talk with some of the members. I enjoyed worshipping in Spanish and recognizing the old familiar melodies. Although I couldn't understand all of the message, we discussed what children need from their parents and mentors. After lunch a group of us went to the zoo. We learned some new animal words in Guarani, which is the other official language of Paraguay. Many animal names that we have are Guarani, for example, the Jaguar. The zoo was beautifully surrounded by all types of trees. At the zoo, a girl named Leti and I got to talk and enjoy the animals. She is very sweet and would teach me the words for all the animals in Spanish. I have enjoyed getting to visit with her, she has a beautiful and encouraging spirit.
--Alisha
MONDAY (Lunes):
The plan for Monday was to set up our stand at the Expo, but it seems that fell through. Oh well, flexibility is important here. We're hoping to go on Wednesday and pass out flyers for Bible studies and our upcoming VBS. We spent most of the day doing odd jobs around the office and had two English students over for dinner. We cooked mashed potatos, green beans, chicken, and bread. Our friends, Ricardo and Carolina, go to the International Church of Christ and we talked about that a little over dinner. It was interesting to hear the differences and discuss them in a friendly way.
--Shannon
OTHER THINGS (otras cosas):
Tonight (Tuesday) we are having three Paraguayan friends over for chicken pesto pizza, strawberry smoothies and a movie!
Friday we are meeting the college-age students for dinner and will head back to our place for games afterwards. Several people have expressed interest and we're hoping for about 20 people to come.
A group is coming to conduct a Vacation Bible School on the 16th, so we're looking forward to that. There is an orphanage down the street and this is a really great treat for them.
Thanks for reading! More to come later! Let us know if you have any questions or if there's something we've mentioned that you'd like to hear more about.
In Him,
Alisha and Shannon
Saturday, July 5, 2008
4 de Julio
We hope you all had a great fourth of July! We sure did. Yesterday morning we hung out at the church building for a while with the other English teachers (from Freed-Hardeman:Bonny, Jordan, and Tracy; from ACU: Joe, and from Lipscomb: Clay). We ate a light lunch at the amazing M.L. (Media Lunas) Calentitas, meaning "Warm Croissants/Half Moons". They've got great fruit juices and pastries and they're close enough to the church and our house that we could walk to it!
Afterwards, we headed back to our apartment and went to the Fry's house for our Independence Day celebration: hamburgers, hotdogs, ribs, cookies, brownies, chips, ice cream, classic American music, trivia and Pictionary. It lasted for about 6 hours and was a fantastic way to spend the holiday!
The rest of the night was spent at the Yegros' house--friends from church who are very hospitable, friendly, and speak English (a plus when you hear Spanish all day and need a rest at night).
Today we were planning to go to the Expo (Paraguay's biggest fair with rides, shows, displays, arts and crafts, food, etc.) and set up a stand. Alisha and I are planning on spending each day selling Bibles and representing the church there. I'm a little nervous about my Spanish speaking abilities, and would love your prayers that Alisha and I can communicate love and interest in everyone who stops by the booth. This will possibly reach many people who have never seen or heard of the Iglesia de Cristo here in Asuncion. Thousands of people attend the Expo this year and we're excited to be a part of it.
Prayer requests we have:
--Our ministry at the Expo
--The family of Alex and Marlene (Shannon's Costa Rican parents who have experienced a recent death in the family)
--That God will open our hearts and ears to the people here in Paraguay
--For us to love people as God loves us
Afterwards, we headed back to our apartment and went to the Fry's house for our Independence Day celebration: hamburgers, hotdogs, ribs, cookies, brownies, chips, ice cream, classic American music, trivia and Pictionary. It lasted for about 6 hours and was a fantastic way to spend the holiday!
The rest of the night was spent at the Yegros' house--friends from church who are very hospitable, friendly, and speak English (a plus when you hear Spanish all day and need a rest at night).
Today we were planning to go to the Expo (Paraguay's biggest fair with rides, shows, displays, arts and crafts, food, etc.) and set up a stand. Alisha and I are planning on spending each day selling Bibles and representing the church there. I'm a little nervous about my Spanish speaking abilities, and would love your prayers that Alisha and I can communicate love and interest in everyone who stops by the booth. This will possibly reach many people who have never seen or heard of the Iglesia de Cristo here in Asuncion. Thousands of people attend the Expo this year and we're excited to be a part of it.
Prayer requests we have:
--Our ministry at the Expo
--The family of Alex and Marlene (Shannon's Costa Rican parents who have experienced a recent death in the family)
--That God will open our hearts and ears to the people here in Paraguay
--For us to love people as God loves us
Thursday, July 3, 2008
¡Empezamos!
After the long flights, I finally arrived in Paraguay last night at about 7:30. The flights were pretty exciting because I got to look out the window and see all of the amazing landforms and sights God created. On the first flight I got to see the sunrise, it was so bright and deep red and orange. On the second flight I saw the sunset with a big orange sun and gorgeous sky. I also got to see the Andes mountains covered in snow and several other hilly places on the way to Paraguay.
Today, I had a lovely first day in Paraguay! We met with the rest of the missionary team and planned out some upcoming events. The best part of the day was going to the orphanage down the street from the church. One of the missionaries, Chris, and 5 of the interns went to play with the kids. All of the kids were really excited to see us even though they didn't know us. They ran up and gave us big hugs and called us all "tio" or "tia," which means uncle or aunt in Spanish. The kids were very friendly and loved to be held. We all played different games with them: kicking around a ball, a modified version of hide and seek, or just jumping up and down. We also got to play on this little playground some, sliding and swinging from everything. The love the kids show is so beautiful, so pure and free. I think the kids at the orphanage love how Jesus loved--they loved everyone just for being who they are.
Today, I had a lovely first day in Paraguay! We met with the rest of the missionary team and planned out some upcoming events. The best part of the day was going to the orphanage down the street from the church. One of the missionaries, Chris, and 5 of the interns went to play with the kids. All of the kids were really excited to see us even though they didn't know us. They ran up and gave us big hugs and called us all "tio" or "tia," which means uncle or aunt in Spanish. The kids were very friendly and loved to be held. We all played different games with them: kicking around a ball, a modified version of hide and seek, or just jumping up and down. We also got to play on this little playground some, sliding and swinging from everything. The love the kids show is so beautiful, so pure and free. I think the kids at the orphanage love how Jesus loved--they loved everyone just for being who they are.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Aqui estoy!
Hey everybody! I am here in Paraguay finally... (1) after a delayed flight in Shreveport, LA (2) a hurried run to my next flight from Houston to Sao Paulo, Brazil where I sat for 10 hours by a Croatian man who only wanted to talk to me about ¨senoritas¨ (3) arriving in Brazil to find out my flight was full and I waited 6ish hours for the next (delayed) flight (4) buying carbonated water by accident and spilling it all over myself (after dropping my food on the floor) (5) and spending the rest of the day trying not to look like I don´t know what´s going on and am traveling by myself. whew! It feels good to be here.
Once I arrived, I dropped my things at the apartment where I will live and went to my friends´, the Yegros family´s, house for a late dinner. It was so great to be with friends I hadn´t seen in a year, but it didn´t feel like it had been that long at all. It has been really exciting to experience sights and smells and sounds I´d forgotten over the past year and I am really looking forward to seeing friends´faces throughout the day and week.
I am so thrilled to have this opportunity to return and encourage the people here, teach English, hang out at the orphanage, etc. I am also so happy that you all are invested in this trip too, with your prayers, finances, interest, and love. Please pray that God will do amazing things this month here in Paraguay and that Christ will be shown in many ways.
*On a sadder note, I received an email last night from a friend in Costa Rica who said that the father of my Costa Rican dad (my house parent) was killed. He was a taxi driver and was attacked by someone who got in his car. Naturally, this is really hard on them, but my CR parents are going to have their first baby and this happened a few years ago to another family in the church. Please pray for peace and comfort for all of those who knew him. He was a really great Christian man and a leader in the church.
Thank you all again!
Shannon
Once I arrived, I dropped my things at the apartment where I will live and went to my friends´, the Yegros family´s, house for a late dinner. It was so great to be with friends I hadn´t seen in a year, but it didn´t feel like it had been that long at all. It has been really exciting to experience sights and smells and sounds I´d forgotten over the past year and I am really looking forward to seeing friends´faces throughout the day and week.
I am so thrilled to have this opportunity to return and encourage the people here, teach English, hang out at the orphanage, etc. I am also so happy that you all are invested in this trip too, with your prayers, finances, interest, and love. Please pray that God will do amazing things this month here in Paraguay and that Christ will be shown in many ways.
*On a sadder note, I received an email last night from a friend in Costa Rica who said that the father of my Costa Rican dad (my house parent) was killed. He was a taxi driver and was attacked by someone who got in his car. Naturally, this is really hard on them, but my CR parents are going to have their first baby and this happened a few years ago to another family in the church. Please pray for peace and comfort for all of those who knew him. He was a really great Christian man and a leader in the church.
Thank you all again!
Shannon
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
3 Weeks Away!
We are three weeks away from beginning our summer adventures with churches in South America and I wanted to thank our friends and family for all of your support. Alisha, my friend who will be in Paraguay with me, will also be using this blog so you will have two different accounts of the happenings this summer. Thank you again and may God bless you all!
Thursday, April 3, 2008
I'll Be A Big Sister!
A few weeks ago, I called Marlene (my Costa Rican mom) in the middle of the day. I knew that she and my dad would be at work, but I was so excited I tried anyway. Each time I've called previously she has been at work and I, consequently, hadn't spoken with her since I left over a year-and-a-half ago! To my surprise, she answered the phone and would not stop talking. I wanted to tell her the exciting news that I was visiting this summer but before I had a chance, she told me her good news...
She's going to have a baby! I was stunned because she and Alex have been married for over 20 years and have always wanted children but never could have one. She is still in her first trimester and is over 40, so please keep her in your prayers (of thanksgiving as well as for safety).
I have bought my plane tickets to Paraguay for July, a quick side trip to Peru, and then for a week in Costa Rica! I am having a great semester and look forward to being a youth intern at Alpine Church of Christ from May through June, but look forward to revisiting too.
In Paraguay, Alisha Sneed, a freshman friend from ACU will be an intern with me. We've been trying to spend time together every now and then to get to know each other before we head to South America. She's very sweet and I look forward to getting to know her better.
Thank you so much for your help, support, and prayers. You are very special to me and these ministries.
I love you all through Christ,
Shannon
She's going to have a baby! I was stunned because she and Alex have been married for over 20 years and have always wanted children but never could have one. She is still in her first trimester and is over 40, so please keep her in your prayers (of thanksgiving as well as for safety).
I have bought my plane tickets to Paraguay for July, a quick side trip to Peru, and then for a week in Costa Rica! I am having a great semester and look forward to being a youth intern at Alpine Church of Christ from May through June, but look forward to revisiting too.
In Paraguay, Alisha Sneed, a freshman friend from ACU will be an intern with me. We've been trying to spend time together every now and then to get to know each other before we head to South America. She's very sweet and I look forward to getting to know her better.
Thank you so much for your help, support, and prayers. You are very special to me and these ministries.
I love you all through Christ,
Shannon
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Things are shaping up!
Hello friends and family!
I am very excited to tell you that I am beginning to make plans for revisiting Costa Rica and Paraguay this summer! This past weekend I went on the World Wide Witness retreat and met many peers who are traveling to other locations for internships with churches, missionaries, orphanages, and other Christian Organizations. I was blessed to be a part of a panel of past members that answered questions and gave tips to the future WWW interns of this summer. The retreat really focused on team building and getting to know others who will be on our continent. Each continental group is headed by a missionary who has experience there. Gary Green is working with Latin America and was a missionary in Venezuela for a number of years and has lots of insight into the Hispanic culture.
I am also thrilled to tell you that God has given me the opportunity use my Spanish to help others each week! Stephanie Fletcher, an ACU Alum, runs a community building program and I have volunteered with an after school children's program in her house for the last year and a half. The Fletchers are on a team of young families,including Justin and Allison (Orozco) Thompson, who will be doing mission work in Lima, Peru (where I visited last summer). Both Stephanie and Allison mentioned that they'd like extra practice in Spanish and I volunteered to teach them what I know. (It's not a whole lot, but I think that it will help.)
I want to thank each of you who are reading this for your interest in missions, your prayers and support. Other Christians will be able to share God's word because of language training I have received and because of your involvement in my past summer experiences! We're all in this together!
I am very excited to tell you that I am beginning to make plans for revisiting Costa Rica and Paraguay this summer! This past weekend I went on the World Wide Witness retreat and met many peers who are traveling to other locations for internships with churches, missionaries, orphanages, and other Christian Organizations. I was blessed to be a part of a panel of past members that answered questions and gave tips to the future WWW interns of this summer. The retreat really focused on team building and getting to know others who will be on our continent. Each continental group is headed by a missionary who has experience there. Gary Green is working with Latin America and was a missionary in Venezuela for a number of years and has lots of insight into the Hispanic culture.
I am also thrilled to tell you that God has given me the opportunity use my Spanish to help others each week! Stephanie Fletcher, an ACU Alum, runs a community building program and I have volunteered with an after school children's program in her house for the last year and a half. The Fletchers are on a team of young families,including Justin and Allison (Orozco) Thompson, who will be doing mission work in Lima, Peru (where I visited last summer). Both Stephanie and Allison mentioned that they'd like extra practice in Spanish and I volunteered to teach them what I know. (It's not a whole lot, but I think that it will help.)
I want to thank each of you who are reading this for your interest in missions, your prayers and support. Other Christians will be able to share God's word because of language training I have received and because of your involvement in my past summer experiences! We're all in this together!
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