Human Sacrifice

I got you on that title, huh?  Well, tonight I thought I might become one.  Today, after delivering my lesson to a class full of 5th and 6th graders at the public school in town, the teacher pulled me outside with an, "I need to talk with you."  I got that feeling like I'd been called into the principal's office.  The classes we teach in the public school are always very basic Gospel messages, focusing on God and Jesus and how we can have a relationship with them and why we'd want to and well, you know what I mean.  I am super-duper careful to keep it non-denominational and only to focus on the Gospel, not on doctrines of any religion.  With most children here having a base knowledge of God due to their catechism classes, it sometimes feels like my job is just to teach them to put the puzzle pieces together.

So when the teacher called me outside, I quickly went over what I'd just taught, and whether I could have crossed a line somewhere and offended her faith.  She went the long way around finally inviting me to a special meeting tonight, but the details were sketchy.  Something about women getting together and talking about stuff.  Not one to turn down an invitation, I figured I at least had to see what was going on.  Ken said he'd leave his phone on in case they decided to tie me to a table or something.  I didn't really think I was walking into a coven, but one never knows...  :)

It turned out to be quite an impressive little meeting.  About 15 women gathered around pizza at a small sidewalk cafe near the plaza, and one lady shared the story of how her life used to be a disaster but changed radically after coming to know Jesus.  She then invited us to repeat a basic sinner's prayer after her, which all the ladies did.  After that, each wrote her prayer requests on a piece of paper, passed them to the Prayer Lady, and she said a lovely prayer over the folded-up requests.  As they explained about this group, which meets weekly, I realized they were a part of an international, interdenominational organization that gets together to lift each other up in the faith.  They are encouraged to bring their non-believing friends (which may explain why everyone was so excited to see me, a first-timer!) so that they can hear the testimony and the invitation to know the Lord.  Impressive.  Each week a different person shares a testimony, usually someone from a neighboring town.  They didn't talk about where they each congregate, but I learned through the pizza conversation that some are Protestants, some Catholics, some kinda in between.  What a joy to find ladies who are focusing on encouragement and evangelism, and even better to find out they didn't want to sacrifice me on some altar!!  ;)

Surgery on the Horizon

Let me say that I'll be glad when this blog no longer mentions surgeries, whether mine or Ken's or the neighbor's dog's cousin's.  That said, I thought I'd let you in on what I've recently found out.  You know, I like knowing that you know, and I like that lots of you pray.  ;)

Last week I had an appointment with the surgeon who'll be hacking into my leg in October.  Well, it didn't start out as an appointment with my surgeon.  It started out as a second opinion (that would make the 5th opinion, but who's counting?) with a specialist who happens to be highly recommended and an English speaker and a Christian and experienced in traumas and really, really nice.  He impressed us from the get-go with his understanding of what happened and was still happening, based on looking at the x-rays alone.  After a brief examination, you'd have thought that he was a mind-reader or something!

This doctor felt good about combining the next two projected surgeries into just one.  So in October, he will take out the plate on the left (outer side) of my leg, remove the seven screws that go through my bone, rebreak the femur by removing a wedge of bone from one side (and possibly putting in a piece of bone on the other side that he'd take from my hip), then reset that break and secure it with a new plate on the inner side of the bone, this time with a whole lot more screws.  For those of you who aren't getting my explication and like to google, the part where they take out the wedge of bone is called an osteotomy (distal femoral osteotomy, or DFO).

This is a much bigger surgery than we were originally expecting, with a much bigger price tag and a much more involved recovery.  The plate alone will be around $2,000, and insurance doesn't cover it.  I'm trying not to let that stress me.  My thought is that it's worth the trouble to get it over with all at once and combine the recovery into one slightly ugly, slightly long, time period.  I may not feel like that in the middle of it all, but feel free to remind me that I really did say that I prefer to get it over with.  I H-A-T-E feeling like life is on hold while the leg takes center stage, I hate feeling like our ministry is on a certain level of pause, I hate sitting in this chair all the time... you get it.  And if biting the bullet means I can shorten the time in getting back to normal, I'm all for it.

In the meantime, please help us pray for the pain that's pretty constant, for the surgeon who is working out the details of how this'll go down, for the finances to cover this, for my sanity as I try not to remember how "uncomfortable" this was the first time.  I know finding this doctor was an answer to prayer, and I know God hasn't forgotten us.  Thanks for the prayers you've already been sending up.  :)

My Birthday Weekend

You know, the older I get, the less excited I feel about birthdays.  The ones I expect to be the most difficult, though, end up working out a little differently than expected.  Take, for example, #29--yeah, I'm one of those folks who dreads 29 rather than 30, 39 rather than 40.  The year I turned 29 happened to come just after the 9/11 attacks, and the country was still reeling.  To be honest, I was just thankful I was one of the people who got to celebrate a birthday that year, in light of how many wouldn't get another one.  This year was 39, but after the accident that could easily have ended my birthdays, I was again appreciative to have one.

The fun began early because we were invited to a little buddy's 5th birthday on Saturday.  This guy is the son of my Guarani teacher, Andy.  Friday night, my leg really started hurting, to the point that Ken had to carry me from the kitchen to the bed.  Serious pain.  So I had this stinking feeling that it was going to rain and get cold.  A few hours into the night, the bottom dropped out and the thunder told me the leg was once again a better weather forecaster than the local stations.

The rain continued all night and I woke up thinking, "Oh, well, no party today."  Remember that in PY, rain generally = cancelled events/school/church/getting out of bed.  I fell back asleep, then awoke suddenly with the realization that Andy is an American, and we DON'T hide from the rain!  So we jumped up excitedly and took off for an adventure.

This party was going down at the same locale as my Guarani classes... remember?  Long dirt roads up the side of a mountain, crossing several creeks, driving through folks' yards, a real off-road adventure.  We managed it okay in the little Golf about half of the way, but we ended up having to get out and walk over one creek, through the mud, and over a half-built bridge thingy.  In the rain.  With a cane.  In sloshy slick mud.  Ken and I were REALLY close that day!!  On the other side of the creek, Andy met us in his 4x4 truck and taxied us the rest of the way up.

Then we enjoyed a great day inside the home of the Bowens, meeting other missionary families, some Paraguayans from their church family, and a few old pals.  It was sunny indoors, so we just ignored the rain and enjoyed ourselves a WHOLE lot.  And when Timmy's mommy decided to make us homemade doughnuts a la Krispy Kreme, well, that day just topped my "favorite rainy days" list.  The trip back that involved all that hiking through mud and over the creek and all that jazz (in the total darkness this time) almost did me in, but I kept flashing back to the doughnuts for my hidden, super-power, sugar rush strength!  ;)

The next day was my birthday, and we enjoyed entertaining friends at our home.  Ken and Saul cooked their famous homemade pizza for the guests.  I hung out in the chair all day and really, really appreciated that God has filled our lives with friends.

Dana Gets a Taste of Carapegua

Today I played tour guide and took Dana to Carapegua to see what all the hype is about.  She got to experience our old stompin' grounds and meet the people she hears us talk about all the time.  Okay, the real reason for the trip was a much-needed visit to the dentist, but I thought I might as well take advantage of a nice day and introduce Dana to one of the coolest towns in Paraguay.

We had lunch in the market, on the sidewalk beside a tiny room that functioned as a kitchen. Our friends' mom runs this little restaurant, so we caught up with her and got the latest on how their family is doing.  It was a good day to see a lot of the young people who were regulars at our youth center, and even some of those who played in the Friday Night band.  Then we visited with Silvia and Adolfo, who operate Metamorfosis, another youth ministry.  They were showing "To Save a Life" in the public high school that day, followed by a chat with the students about the themes of the movie.  While there, our artistic pal Ivan doodled some great graphics all over the top of my cane.  After hanging with them a bit, we headed over to Susi's place.  She's a merchant whose shop is close to our old house.  I stopped in there a lot with her for visits, and Dana fell in love with her like I did.  She's one of those I feel like the Lord has begun a work in, and I pray someone comes behind to water the seed.

We planned to leave in time for her to get back, rest a few, then teach her twice-per-week community English class.  When we'd said our goodbyes and loaded into the car, no go.  It wouldn't even make a click noise when she turned the key.  I called a few mechanics and started trying to figure out what the problem might be while she called to cancel English class.  Once the fix-it man arrived, it turned out to be a minor electrical problem (phwew), but we'd already wasted enough time that she'd never make it back for class.

Plan B.  If we don't have to hurry back, let's explore some more.  So I took Dana to the first place we lived in Paraguay--Arazaty.  This is the rural place that still holds our heart, and some great friends.  There was a soccer game taking place when we drove up, meaning most of the community was out and we could do a lot of introductions all at one time.  My friend's little boy, who is typically EXTREMELY shy and nervous (4 years old) was just ecstatic because we drove up in Dana's VW Bug.  His mom said that's his dream, to ride in one.  Dana promptly put him in the driver's seat and let him wiggle the steering wheel.  I wish you could have been there.  This little shy fella who only understands and speaks Guarani was just SQUEALING with delight.  Since he was already wearing his backpack (he wanted to show me that he'd started school recently, for the first time), I asked him if he'd like to show Dana where his school was.  I got a prompt no, until I mentioned that we could go in the VW.  What a treat!

When it started getting dark, we thought we'd better get out of Dodge.  Good thing, because on the hour-and-a-half trip back, something in the car gave out.  We were stranded on the side of the road.  This time we were closer, so Ken just came to tow us home.  Despite the car woes, it was great to show Dana a part of Paraguay she'd not experienced yet, and to visit with our friends there.

A New School Door Opening

My nephew in Minnesota is just getting started in school about now, and in the South (SC) it's been rolling for a few weeks or so.  Well, here in the DEEP SOUTH, it's almost the last quarter. No matter, it's always a great time to start something new!

This week we started Bible classes at a new school in the town of Itauguá.  There are 350 students in  preschool through 6^th grade, and the principal asked us to do a half-hour or so lesson each week during both the morning and afternoon sessions.  The fifth and sixth graders fall into my care, and Saúl will be teaching the second through fourth graders.  The principal of the school here on the campus, Francisca, will be teaching preschool and first grade.  INTERESTING FACT: Here, kindergarten (simply referred to as garden) comes first, then preschool, and then first grade.  Same system as in the states, just named differently.

Francisca is a Christian lady who works really hard at the private school here at Hogar Ganar.  She was attending one of the teachers’ workshops recently when she met the vice principal of the school in town.   Before the day was up, this vice principal asked if Francisca might know of some folks that would be willing to teach Bible classes, and violà!  Instant door-opening!   This is a public school, which means it’s traditional—basically we can count on most of the students and the staff being Catholic.  They have a basic knowledge and belief in God, which is a start.  We’ll build on that and teach them how they fit into God’s plan.

When we met with their principal on Monday, he used the phrase “spiritual activities” to describe our classes.  I guess that’s because they have physical activities (P.E.) and artistic activities.  Why not spiritual activities, too?  For the afternoon session today, I was introducing myself to the class and explaining a little about what they could expect, and I told them that each Wednesday we’d have spiritual activities.  The guys got all antsy, grinning at each other and saying, “Oooo!”  I don’t know if they thought we’d hold séances or what, but I recognized that look and said, “Not like ghost stories and horror movies, but talking about God and His plan for us.”  They looked like I’d burst their balloons, but the girls all breathed a sigh of relief.  With so much folk magic here, I guess the same thing popped into their minds as when I heard the term spiritual activities.  From now on, we’ll call it something else.  J

Reaching Out

Today I had the privilege to attend the missionary ladies' Bible study in Asuncion.  They meet once per month but it hardly ever works out that I'm in town on the right day.  What a wonderful time I had with these women of faith!  The topic was Crises of Faith, and we talked about how every Christian at one time or another will question God, question what he knows about God, question whether God can be trusted, question whether He will do what He says--you get it.

We read what David and Job had to say, and we identified with how God came through for them. It refreshed me so much to sit in a group of ladies that openly shared their times of struggle and doubt, and I felt renewed by their encouragement and understanding.  I'm aware that there are a lot of women in ministry who don't have an outlet, a place where they can feel safe to confess what they're going through.  How thankful I am that God made a place like that for me today!

Let me encourage you to reach out to your pastor's wife, your youth pastor's wife, your local televangelist's wife, whatever leader you find that may not have a person they can truly be real with.  Okay, if you're a man, find a male leader and don't be reaching out for ANYBODY'S wife... ;)  I remember a time that I was in a fix and really needed a friend, and I felt I couldn't talk to anyone or admit what was happening because we were youth pastors.  We shouldn't struggle, right?  Well, we all do.  Thank God I had good girlfriends to turn to and lighten the load.  I'm betting you could be that friend to some leader you know.  Give it a shot....

Tigers and Hawkeyes in Paraguay

You just never know what you’ll find here in Paraguay.  Most of the time I feel like I’m stepping back into the days of TG&Y,or maybe like shopping at Dollar General.  To get a Wal-Mart-level of quality, you’d generally go to a specialty store and find a high price tag for these imported items.  Every now and then, a store here will buy a lot of seconds from a major chain, like JCPenney or K-Mart, but you can expect to pay several times the original price.  That’s why I got all excited recently. 

We went into one of the stores that is like a big Family Dollar, where you wouldn’t generally find nice imported stuff.  Ken was wheeling me down the aisles when we rounded the corner and found my old alma mater staring me in the face—a folding Clemson lawn chair!!  You know, the kind that packs into a bag you can sling over your shoulder.  There were only two, one from Clemson and another from Florida State.  Easy choice. ;)  I had seen a tiny version of these once in a sporting goods store here, but I wasn’t willing to pay a trillion dollars for a toddler chair.  Well, this one was about HALF the price of the US, and it was ORANGE with that lovely white tiger paw on the back rest.  I felt like I’d hit the jackpot at a yard sale!!  Needless to say, we snatched that up and it’s been a very handy thing to have—lightweight and with that strap, so I can carry it to places where I normally couldn’t go because I wouldn’t be able to just stand there for a long time.  And it gets a few stares when people want to know what's in my bag.  And then to find that this chair has a guampa holder in the armrest!!

My second favorite college is Iowa, since I have family there and we used to visit every couple of years as a kid.  I always thought that Hawkeye was cool, so imagine my surprise when we saw this trashcan on the next aisle.  We left it there, but not before getting a few stares from the worker, who surely was wondering why I’d take a picture of a trashcan.  I didn't bother to explain.  This country is full of surprises!

**Don't be alarmed at the 18,000 price tag. That's guaranies, so just under $5.