Cassidy and my trip to Argentina during our week off school was absolutely fantastic! She and I traveled by bus from the bus stop by the school to the bus station in Asunciรณn. There, we met up with her friends Lily (a Paraguayan) and Felipe (a Brazilian) and traveled by a larger and much nicer bus to Formosa, Argentina. Cassidy met both of these individuals the first time she was in Paraguay in 2012. Felipe was then serving as a missionary in Paraguay, and Lily assisted with the team that Cassidy was on for the week she was here. It was between a 3.5 and 4 hour bus ride each way, and we are so thankful that the customs process went very smoothly each time we crossed country borders. When we reached Argentina, we disembarked the bus, stood in a line to show our Visa and get our passport stamped, and then re-entered the bus for the remainder of the trip.
While in Argentina, we stayed with the mom of the pastor of one of the Nazarene churches in town. Cassidy, Lily, and I had our own cute little area to stay. It was formerly used as a garage, so the building is attached to the side of the house. We felt like we had our own home for a few days (complete with a refrigerator, a table, a dresser, a bunk bed, a larger bed, and a bathroom). The hospitality was tremendous, and we were fed such amazing food each meal! We got to know the pastor's three daughters very well, as well as many of the church members. Everyone was so inviting and thrilled that we came for a short visit.We attended the special Easter services at the Nazarene church on both Thursday and Friday night and heard Felipe preach a series. He was invited to speak at each evening Easter service Thursday-Monday (we wish we could have stayed longer in order to hear all of his sermons, but we had to go back to work Monday) He also led a discussion time about life callings after his Thursday night sermon. He is such a great speaker and simply a wonderful new friend of mine! We had the opportunity to walk along the costanera (coastline) of Argentina and Paraguay with the young people of the church during the daytime hours on Friday. We then returned to the costanera that night to see the water light up at the farthest point. We also toured part of the city of Formosa by car with our new Argentinian friends from church.. We returned to Paraguay Saturday morning by bus, after saying many goodbyes. I feel like the people with whom we interacted for only 2.5 days already hold a special place in my heart, and I hope we can return soon to Argentina! :)
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| at the bus terminal in Asuncion ready to get to Argentina! |
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| I crossed country #9 off my list! :) |
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| the pastor's mom and family with whom we stayed |
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| our friend Felipe preaching at the Nazarene church during Holy Week |
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| the front of the Nazarene church in Formosa |
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| the coastanera (coastline) during the day |
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| the coastanera water lights at night :) |
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| some of my friends, both new and old, along the costanera |
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| Cassidy and I on the bus ride back to Paraguay |
The weather has FINALLY cooled off, and it has never felt more refreshing in the country of Paraguay! We are entering the equivalent of November in the States, so it makes sense that temperatures are declining. The outdoor temperature isn't cold by any means, but it's also not the scorching 90's and 100's that we had January-March. The nights, however, are somewhat chilly because we don't have carpet or heat anywhere in the house. This means that the indoor temperature is never warmer than the outdoor temperature. In fact, it is often warmer outside than it is in the house. I have been bundling up at night with my blanket, and I wear long pants, long sleeves, and socks, which is a much different scenario than when I arrived in January (shorts, tank tops, and lying on top of all covers with the a/c running). The daytime temperatures are perfect now with the sun shining and not as much humidity. I could live in 70-degree weather all year round :)
Teaching first grade is still troublesome, however, today was one of my best days (if not the best day) I have had all year with that age group! Praise God for answered prayer! It still wasn't wonderful, but it was manageable. I was able to talk above the students and give my instructions without having to completely stop class to lecture them about discipline. Once they got their workbooks out and began the exercise for the day, they were too occupied to talk much. My biggest troublemaker actually worked efficiently the entire period and didn't bother her classmates, so that was the main reason for the change in class atmosphere. I still thoroughly enjoy teaching the pre-school and kindergarten students with Colleen Eisenberg! They are at the age where they are still new enough to English that they are intrigued by it, so they aren't disrespectful like the slightly older children. They just don't focus very well. For instance, they always want to come up front and touch the book that we're reading. We have to constantly corral them back to their seats.
Alex and I began an adult English class last night (April 24) for the staff at school. We only had five students the first session, but I think more will come next week once they are more informed about it. We have a complete beginner and a couple of pretty advanced learners. The others fall somewhere in the middle. It is such a FUN group because they actually have a positive attitude toward English and help each other with their problem areas in the language. The more advanced learners naturally help the slower learners, so it makes it easier for us as the instructors. Alex and I are supposed to be holding an English club for advanced high school students at New Horizon, but we decided just yesterday that we sadly don't have enough interest to continue the class. We had three students show up, one with only a basic level of English. I am upset that this class isn't going to take place because I was looking forward to some great conversation practice with the older students. We can't force them to be a part of an optional class, and I can understand that they aren't interested in returning to school in the afternoon twice a week once they've been in school all morning.
Cassidy and I are still quite busy with church activities: prayer meeting on Tuesdays, Bible study on Wednesdays, youth group on Saturdays, and church service on Sundays. We also attend the monthly prayer vigil and other various activities that take place at our church. At times we feel overworked, yet we know that our work for the Lord is never done in vain!
Next week is looking to be exciting, as we have Thursday and Friday off school for different holidays. Cassidy, Alex, and I plan to head to Iguazu Falls, which is located on the Argentina/Brazil border. It is the largest waterfall in the world, at twice the width of Niagara. There will be plenty more pictures and exciting stories in my next post! :)
Until then, Dios te bendiga! Blessings to all!
Ways you can be praying...
1) my health
2) my classes
3) my students and their families
4) my roommate and host family
5) my walk with God
6) safe travels next week when we're off school
