When I wrote my last blog, I was in Yuty, since then, I have visited some historical sights, had an "exciting" adventure with livestock and a tow truck, and served young women back in Villarrica. Here is what the week has looked like:
After leaving Yuty, Karen (my mentor), Laurel and Lucas (other short-termers), and Mark and I headed Southeast to visit some old Jesuit Ruins. In the 1700s, the Jesuits came to evangelize to the Guarani and built churches and mission houses. They got kicked out by the Portuguese slave traders, so most of their work has been left to ruins. One night we heard that they light the ruins up for a special night show, and when we asked about it, they said it was happening that night. However, when we got there, they called in special favors from the tour guide and light artist so that we could have a good show. Their generosity and kindness to us but so sweet. It was interesting to see some of the history of the country I have been living in.
On the way home from the ruins, and almost all the way back to Villarrica, Karen was driving down the highway when suddenly there was a large horse in the middle of her lane. She pressed hard on the brakes and hoped that the horse would move, but he never did. The car rammed into the horse's rear end, in which the horse sat on the hood of the car while we pushed him a few feet until he fell over. At this point, we ran over the horse's body. We pulled over to the side of the road because the car was smoking and the entire front of the hood was smashed in. The horse however, got up and WALKED AWAY! We have no idea HOW the horse survived, but he did, at least for that time. All people that were in the car are also ok, but the car is in the shop. We had to call in favors to get home and we had to contact the SIM office to call in a tow truck to get the car to the shop . Now we are experiencing how to get around without a car, like many Paraguayans.
Once back in Villarrica, we started to prepare for this weekend's girl's retreat to be held at Karen's house. I was asked to teach a lesson, so I taught the youth group girls how to read the Bible and pray during Quiet Time with God, I also shared my testimony. I did a lot of the talking, and also translated for people, God really is showing how to be a leader and giving me the strength to do what is needed of me. About 10 girls from the church and Karen's old neighborhood came. We had worship time, watched Fireproof, had a few lessons, did art and nails, and enjoyed time together. It was a lot of fun and hopefully the girls enjoyed it as well. I wasn't in the room with the girls all night, but apparently they stayed up until 5am talking. Oh girls.... =)
Tomorrow Mark and I get on a bus and head to see Iguazu Falls! Yay!
Prayer Requests:
*That Karen's car will be fixed in a timely manner and will not be too expensive. Also, that she will be able to continue to minister to people far away without her car at the time being.
*That Mark will be able to serve people in his short time here (he has already been asked to help in several ways, and will probably be asked again!)
*That God will keep me focused on continuing to build relationships for my last few weeks here.
Cultural Notes:
*Paraguayans will go out of their way to make sure you feel welcome
*They carry a thermos and little cup and tea straw around with them everywhere like Americans carry coffee cups
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