There's a song that my kids learned when they were very small, with a line that says, "Moses, baby in a basket." For some reason, that line stuck in their heads and they obsessed over it for YEARS! So much so that one year, Caroline dressed up as the baby in a basket for some church function. She was small enough that we could poke a hole in the middle of a large basket and she stepped inside it, wearing it around her waist. I couldn't help but think of that song after what happened this evening, and now it's stuck in my head again!! AAAAA!

We took a quick walk back to a neighbor's house. Hang on, let me explain that most people don't have driveways or access roads to their homes, so everyone just walks right smack in front of the doors of other neighbors, all through other people's property and very close to their houses, most of the time, but no one seems to mind. On the way back, we passed a young lady swinging a small hammock. Like most people here in the outlying rural areas, she only spoke Guarani, so I couldn't talk much with her. I tried some signals to indicate that I wanted to go see the hammock, and she smiled and motioned me over. When I got there, she was swinging a BABY in the little basket she'd made from a flour sack. Very clever contraption! My pictures are a little blurry because it was dusk, and all I had was my phone on hand. In the first one, though, you'll see a small white "box" hanging mid-air. She was swinging the baby in this box-style hammock and singing a little lullaby, and she was proud that she'd made the fire in just the right spot that the smoke was billowing across the baby. She said that would keep the mosquitos away. The precious little four-month-old grinned at me the whole time we "talked." I'm hoping to visit this mom again soon.



I got back to the house just in time to sit for a second with some friends, and catch a beautiful sunset. My camera phone didn't do it justice, but sunsets here are just spectacular. Maybe soon I can get the real camera out there and share one with you.
(Short post--don't click below...)

We met a lovely American couple who has lived here in Paraguay for a number of years now. They only live a few miles from us as the crow flies, but we had to drive in a big circle to find roads that go to their house. LOTS of dirt roads, might I add. There home is a lovely log cabin-style hacienda just full of beautiful design and rustic touches, and they warmly invited us in to share a Thanksgiving meal.

You can't imagine how happy I was to fill my plate (twice before the day was up) with some good old home cooking. No empanadas there, folks. A real, true TURKEY with actual cranberry dressing. My attempt at contributing to
the dinner by making a baked macaroni and cheese like my Granny's, didn't quite go as planned (the cheese here is QUITE different), but everyone ate some anyway.

We walked the grounds of the 75 acres they live on, looking at all the beautiful Paraguayan trees and flowers, and their spectacular horses. They are developing a school there called ALMA, which will train Latinos to be missionaries to the 10/40 window countries. ALMA is an acronym for something I can't remember right now, but it's also the Spanish word for soul. As they shared their stories about coming to Paraguay and living here since, we were very encouraged. I kept asking Ken if he was taking notes. I am continually thankful that we are blessed to know people who have "been there, done that" and don't mind sharing their wisdom. God bless these people who received our family and welcomed us so warmly, and fed us in many ways.

(in no particular order)
1. Being safe and together
2. The willingness of the girls next door to explain how to cook in Paraguay (this one below is showing me how to boil the milk)

3. Our vehicle, which has AIR CONDITIONING!!!
4. The internet, and the ability to occasionally chat with folks from home
5. Friends we've met here (They're so willing to offer much-needed assistance to us in shopping, meeting folks, and cooking)
6. Modern conveniences like a refrigerator and a microwave
7. Our Christian heritage, as I realize how many people don't have a basic understanding of Jesus and the way to salvation
8. All the people praying for us, and their continued support and encouragement offered in so many ways
9. The realization of the dream to be cross-cultural missionaries
10. Our pet parrot, Chico, especially now that he lets us hold him without trying to run away (tah-dah, Ken made him a house!)
... and the list goes on and on. God is good.

I know I've already posted once today, but I couldn't let this one pass. We had a terrific thunderstorm today that cooled things off, and afterward, we went to a church service down the dirt road from where we live. We walked a little piece through the woods to the yard of a lovely older couple, complete with ducks, chickens, dogs, pigs, a cat, and a little boy that wouldn't come near but wanted us to see his slingshot abilities. Our family, along with Dan and Saul, joined the couple, their 19-year-old daughter, and their 12-year-old granddaughter.

A lot of the service was in Guarani, but we sang a few songs, read some scripture, and Dan told them there is a time and a place for everything, and that God has our lives planned out, with a definite plan for each of us. We may not know the plan, but we have to live each day ready to meet the Lord because we don't know when that day will come. The man began to confess some habitual sins, and then he and the daughter both said they wanted to rededicate their lives to the Lord. So right there in their back yard with the livestock looking on, they prayed a repentance prayer and asked for God's strength to live for Him daily. That turned out to be better than the refreshing rain that passed through earlier. Please keep this family
in your prayers. (Don't bother clicking below. This is a short post...)

...Christmas? We’ve always approached the holidays a little differently than most. We don’t care for Halloween a bit, and usually just ignore its coming and passing. We typically like Thanksgiving because it’s just nice to be thankful, and it’s a great excuse to be together with family all day. Any day that folks stop to thank God for what He really deserves thanks for all year, is a good thing. Christmas we celebrate, but not like everyone else seems to. We put up a tree (some years) and put lights out (I love decorating with lights all year, really), but we don’t go all out with decorations. We do put out our manger scenes because they’re each special gifts or sentimental for some reason, not to mention, they’re the “reason for the season.” I really love bundling up in sweaters and lighting the fireplace and hoping it’ll snow. We’ve never been really big on gifts, though. We do typically get a few small things for our children, and we appreciate the bigger gifts that always arrive via their grandparents. We’ve also enjoyed the goodies that get baked, and riding around to look at the lights. There’s definitely something special about lights and a cool evening drive, and realizing that most of the “world” is celebrating Jesus’ birth, whether they admit it as that or not.

So we’re really being put to the test now. I’ve defended our position over the years (Why don’t you have a tree this year? Is this all the decorating you’re gonna do? Aren’t the kids going to get a big gift? etc.) with the argument that the traditions we choose to keep for Christmas don’t center around the external circumstances, but the internal ones. So here we are, in blistering heat, with nowhere really to put a tree, no decorations to pull from the attic, and no real plans to get any more “gifts” than the necessities we would be buying anyway (shh—don’t tell the kids that). And we go to the capital city to see white lights being strung, Santa and his reindeer at the park (how does he stand that big red suit?), and believe it or not, giant cut-out snowflakes. Mind you, these folks have never laid eyes on snow, but somehow that translates into Christmas for them, too, and Santa is wearing his thick fur coat. Go figure. Hollywood strikes again. And this year, we’ll keep telling ourselves that Jesus wasn’t really born in the snow, and nobody wrapped him in red velvet with white fur, and that Mary wasn’t cozied up beside a fire Joseph made to go with the hot chocolate. Maybe if we say that enough, it’ll start to seem like it’s really almost December here. Somebody should tell the weatherman, though!!

It never got any cooler than 95 degrees in our house, but I couldn't put the cooking off any longer last night. We got our 2 liters of milk (straight from the cow)and needed to boil it so it could be refrigerated overnight in time for the next morning's cereal. It's quite fun to watch it boil, form the "skin" on top, and then start foaming up very quickly. Then it's a race to pull it off the burner before it bubbles over the top of the pot. Sure does take FOREVER to cool, down, though, even after skimming the foamy cream stuff off the top.


I figured I'd go ahead and cook a few chickens while the kitchen was heated up, so to speak. I opened the bag I got from the grocery to pull out the chicken and was quite surprised. I had asked the guy at the meat counter for chicken breasts, and he asked how many, to which I responded, "Oh, about three." I'm used to buying the styrofoam tray with a couple boneless, skinless breasts wrapped in clear plastic. So I imagined about that much in the bag. HOWEVER, when I pulled out the first of the three, I saw that it was a complete chicken breast, bones and all. It looked like all they did was remove the head and the wings. I already felt like I'd gotten a bargain to get three breasts for the price, but to get three almost whole chickens (I don't like dark meat anyway), I was thrilled. :) I think I like these grocery stores!!

If you ever come to visit here, I should warn you that the world is really laid back. If you’re expecting to find “business as usual,” just in another language, you’ll be terribly surprised. For example, today is Sunday. Church service takes place in the all-purpose room of the camp, which doubles as the large dining hall when camp is taking place. We got there in time to help put out the white plastic lawn chairs for the congregation. Over the next couple weeks, rebuilding of the girls’ dorms destroyed by the tornado will begin, so the right half of the building is currently housing the lumber for that project. (I must digress here a bit. When I say lumber, I don’t mean the pretty little two-by-fours you pick up from Lowe’s or Home Depot, but actual trees that have been cut and “sliced” into hefty 3”x8”x10’ beams using a chainsaw, with the bark intact and chainsaw marks all along the length of the boards. Don’t quote me on those measurements, but suffice it to say that they’re big.) So these are stacked on the right side, meaning everyone has to sit in a long section on the left.

Because it’s extremely hot even at 9 AM, all the ceiling fans have to be on and the windows open. That’s great for a breeze, bad for the noise factor. The guitar player didn’t make it this morning, so a few kids volunteered to lead us in a praise and worship chorus or two, voices only. A beautiful sound, even if some of us at the back couldn’t hear the ones at the front and it ended up sounding like two different songs once or twice. Then those who wanted to, came to the front one at a time to testify or read a scripture. This past week was final exams for the school kids, meaning most of them thanked God for helping them pass.

Afterward, Dan brought the message (mind you, in shorts and an 84-Lumber t-shirt---casual here, I tell you!) about Jesus being the Way, the Truth, and the Life. This has been a sermon topic for some weeks here, and today’s focus was on the Truth. The kids volunteered various truths they know from God’s Word throughout the sermon. Then they came forward to be prayed for and to pray for others. Though the services are quite different, God is still the same, and His presence is definitely here.

Today was a fun day. We visited one of the sisters from church who had surgery this past week. We had a wonderful time hanging out in her home, which is part of her husband’s screen printing business. Then we went for groceries at the local store. Thank God for Saul, the evangelist who lives at the camp, just across the pond from us. He helped me maneuver through the aisles finding the equivalent of what I’m used to (not an easy task) and ask the men at the butcher’s area for the meat I wanted. He laughs at me often, saying I am very economical (I think he means cheap, but he’s trying to be polite) and a little crazy.

So we bought a few bags of milk, a few bags of yogurt, a chunk of meat, and a few odds and ends, when I remembered that ice cream is a good staple to carry in the freezer.... Really, it’s one of those must-haves, like sugar and flour and eggs, in weather such as this. They don’t have any big frozen food section, though, so I’m thinking this isn’t a possibility. There are street vendors pushing carts of individual servings, but I’m talking about the big bucket of Neapolitan (or Napoleon, as we grew up saying) that Bi-Lo runs a good sale on. So I do sign language for a bucket and ask Saul if there’s ice cream in “one of these” somewhere. To my excitement, he says, “O no problema!” The words I wanted to hear. He leads us through a million cobblestone streets to this man’s home, wherein resides a large churn, spinning away on a bucket of homemade strawberry ice cream. JOY! Not only did the girls get to see how it’s made, but I was able to buy some to bring home. At the same home, we saw a weaving loom, where the lady of the house makes hammocks and table cloths. Pretty neat!

We got back to the house to find out that Saul’s cat was birthing kittens, five little dark gray or black ones. It was the first time my girls had seen a live birth sort of thing, complete with “breaking the water” and the first nursing. Neato. Once all was settled and the girls were in bed, we watched the movie, End of the Spear. I had another realization that though it may seem like we’re roughing it to some folks, we are living in paradise compared to the sacrifice those families made to get the gospel to the Waodoni tribe. It was Saul’s first time watching this movie, although he’d heard some of the Jim Elliot story. I am quite sure he was trying not to cry, poor fella. We Americans put him through the ringer today.

HALLELUJAH!!! Who knew we’d become so attached to the internet? We weren’t really able to contact anyone for a little while after arriving, and then only very infrequently. Finally, we have acquired an internet connection. I can’t promise how often we’ll be skyping, since it’s one of those type that only allows so much sending and receiving per month. ANYWAY!!! The girls were able to talk to their Meemaw and Papaw and see their faces, so all are happy here.
They have also gotten a pet parrot, affectionately named Chico. There’s some disagreement as to whether or not he’ll grow up to talk, but either way, they adore him and it’s easing the sadness from leaving our boxer, Levi, behind. (If his new owner is reading this, we’d love to know how he’s doing!)
Today is particularly hot. It seems the heat builds and then a rain comes, so I hope it doesn’t build much more before some precipitation. The rain is very welcome, as it brings with it a small drop in temperature. At this point, ANY drop in temperature is a beautiful thing!!

It's Tuesday now, and we just put my mom and dad on a plane. They were a big help. Nana with getting us settled in our living quarters and entertaining the girls, and Papa with playing with the kids next door and tagging along on all the road trips. I managed to share my stomach virus with my dad (you're welcome), so his flights home may be loads of fun!!

We're still not "connected" as far as having an internet set-up at home, but we've driven into the city to use the Wi-Fi at the local McDonalds. Gotta love that Ronald, even if he's always clowning around.

Well, we're already in love with the country. It's beautiful land here (one day I WILL share pictures), and the people are equally beautiful. Just yesterday, a gentleman was asking me which country I'm from (how do they know before I even reveal my choppy Spanish?) and pointing out which foods I might want to eat. He tried to let me purchase mine first, but I convinced him to go. Secretly, I was watching him to see how it's done. Anyway, he was ordering the same meal he suggested I get, but he insisted that the server only give him the chunks of meat that had fallen off while being cooked, so that I could have the remaining fillet. Now that's sweet.

And yesterday, when my parents were leaving, the kids from the children's home near where we live came to present them with little trinkets from their rooms. A broken matchbox car, a leaf decorated with flowers, a tiny porcelain chicken that had seen better days. Obviously cherished toys from their few personal possessions, but they were thrilled to give them to Abuelita and Abuelito (they call most adults around here Aunt and Uncle, but they called my parents Granny and Grandpa). And little notes that said "I love you, I will miss you" and the like, in pretty little handwriting with cartoon drawings and hearts. Sweet, sweet, sweet.

And our pals the Millers, without whom we'd be completely and totally lost here, fixed us a meal the other night. That Gwen is queen of the kitchen. She made this torta (cake) of chocolate (she knows I'm a huge chocolate fan), poked holes in it and filled it with dulce de leche (caramel), and covered it in homemade whipped cream. SWEEEET! It gets better day by day!

All sweetness aside, we do need prayer for continued strength in our bodies. The adjustment period is a little rough. We're running around a lot getting things "in order" and eating things that are very different for us. Camille and I are still a bit sick stomach-wise, and Caroline is having a time with eczema-type rashes. So we need the Lord to keep His hand on us, as He's been faithful to do thus far. Thanks for the prayers. We miss you all and hope all is well back home. PS-We have phones now, so if you know us personally and want our numbers, just email....

We made it! It's been forever since we've been online (I'm borrowing a computer now), but all is well. We had fairly smooth travel getting here (my dad DID get to be on each plane with us, hallelujah!!), and were able to handle each of the problems that arose in the various airports.

We have spent the last several days getting unpacked, getting a vehicle, getting appliances, and getting to know the people here at the camp. Our aniticipated "home" for the next several months was the dorm at the campground, but the Lord opened the door for us to stay in a house temporarily. That's really a huge blessing, as now we have a bedroom for the girls, a place to put the appliances, a kitchen, and a bathroom, among other benefits (namely, the shady front porch that sits under a mango tree!!)

There is so much to tell and some pictures to share, but we are borrowing this computer, as I said. So that'll have to wait. We have hooked up cell phones. As soon as I know what our numbers will be, I'll try to get those out somehow. We only have like 20 minutes or so per month to use, but those minutes don't include incoming calls. All incoming calls will be free for us to receive. Praise God!! So give us a call sometime....

Camille and Caroline are just great. They are having the time of their lives getting to know the kids here at the home and learning more and more Spanish. My mom and dad are doing fine, also. The kids call my dad Papa Noel (Santa Claus) and love to touch his goatee. One in particular sets up a little beauty shop around his lawn chair and fixes his hair and beard continually. The heat is just about unbearable most of the time, but the house is breezy and has some ceiling fans, and we're looking for the perfect mango tree for a hammock.

This morning, while Ken waited for the fridge and stove to come, I drove (yes, I drove) into town to try to get my Hepatitis A shot. No luck in finding the injection, but I did learn where to go for dairy, where to go for bread, and where to go for refilling the gas tank that hooks to my stove. And I learned how to back into a motorcycle. In my defense, these things are EVERYWHERE!! And no one was on it. Thankfully, we had the local evangelist in the backseat, and he jumped out to assess the situation and smooth it over. What a help he was today. No damage to speak of, praise God!

Tonight, we go to our first service in one of the house churches. Can't wait to see how that goes. Hopefully, we will have our own internet hooked up soon and can send out email and photos, and keep this blog updated.

Thank you so much for all your prayers. We feel them and can see where they are helping us daily. We miss you all. :)

Well, tomorrow is the day. Less than 24 hours and we'll be in the air, on our way. We had a great going-away party after church Sunday night, at our home church of Carolina Heights. Some of the gals had put together a wonderful slide show, which they gave to us. LOVE IT! Nice memories. Some of the youth spent the night with us Monday and a few girls have been coming by to help me out. :) I sure am going to miss those gals. Tonight, we have family dinner at Ken's sister's house. For now, we've packed everything we can think of, we're going through the last of the stuff here in the house, and we're taking loads to storage, the dump, and the donation box.

Believe it or not, our stuff all fits in the airline's weight limits in the bags we've allocated as "luggage"--except one. Ken didn't start packing his clothes until today, and there was only one bag left. So his is crammed all in tightly at 70 lbs. (I can't complain, b/c my clothes took up two bags, and I wear a smaller size than his, of course) Oops. 20 lbs more than the allowance.

Good news, though. I called the airlines to pre-confirm our flights, and I found that my dad's flying WITH US!!! This is a HUGE answer to prayer. For those who know him, you know that he wakes with a "bang" every time, and he falls asleep at the drop of a hat. So I had already pictured him sleeping hard on that long overnight flight into Brazil and then when the stewardess comes through to wake him, and either knocking out the stewardess or the unlucky passenger seated beside him. He ALWAYS wakes up swinging, and he's been known to hit more than one hospital nurse who chose to ignore our warnings to wake him from afar. He also would be landing in Brazil alone, where Portuguese is the language of choice. Did I mention he walks with a cane, has hearing difficulties, and is quite impatient when things aren't going as planned? So thank the Lord, it looks like we'll be able to avoid that disaster and be on the same plane. Phwew! That already takes a load off my mind!! Now to get this load off to Goodwill....

My next blog should be from inside Paraguay, but I can't promise when I'll get to it. Thank you all so much for your prayers, your encouragement, your donations, and the outpouring of love you've shown our family. God has been very good, as usual. He has provided the amount of "one-time gift" money we were trying to raise before leaving, so that we could find transportation and housing in Paraguay. We still aren't at our monthly goal yet, but we know He is faithful to fund what He calls us to.

We will sure miss y'all, but we are SOOOOO excited to see what God has up His sleeve for us in the near future. Too busy to feel the excitement today, but I know it's there. Ha, ha!