Friends, Fun, and Fellowship!!! :)

October has been just as busy as September (probably busier actually), but every minute has been worth it!!! Where to begin...

As you can see from the pictures below, Cassidy and I (along with some good friends of ours and some people we had never met before) volunteered at a fun day for the kids of every Methodist church in the central district of Paraguay. The event was held at the local botanical gardens. We look goofy because, of course, we had to dress up, being the workers for the day! :) I was in charge of the egg/spoon race, and Cassidy ran the frisbee toss. There were many other activities as well, including sack races and a jump house! This was an evangelistic event, so one of the stations was a Bible story time. It was awesome to see such a wonderful turnout!

some crazy fun day workers!

working the egg & and spoon races

such a gorgeous day at the botanical gardens!

the whole crew!

clown roommates :)

Pastor David Whitworth (who was here earlier this year with a team from his church in Georgia) returned to Paraguay in October to speak at a leadership conference that was held on a Friday and Saturday. I took a day off school so that I could attend the Friday sessions, as well as the Saturday ones. While hardly anyone local spent the night, my dear missionary friend Mary and I did. The others who slept at the conference site were all people from the interior region of the country who obviously weren't going to drive back and forth. Because Mary and I were pretty much the only females to spend the night, we got our own room! That meant staying up late chatting about life, something that we do well!! God truly blessed us with that opportunity!!

Pastor Dave had asked me the week of the conference (upon first arriving) if I would translate all the material for the conference. I, of course, agreed to it. He spoke about being inspired, remaining inspired, and living inspired. My favorite individual chat was the one about spiritual friends. Spiritual friends last forever; wordly friends come and go. It made me meditate on the fact that God has brought some amazing spiritual friends into my life this year!! :) Each chat allowed time for discussion in small groups as well. It was neat to have so many churches from all over Paraguay joined together for times of worship and prayer! John and Colleen Eisenberg's son-in-law Kyle lead worship on guitar and vocally.

Cassidy, Pastor Dave, Tim, Eisenbergs, and me

leadership conference led by Pastor David Whitworth

one of the chats at the conference

worship time at the conference

Pastor Dave, Cassidy, Colleen, and me at school

I have spent SO much time with Mary Escobar again recently! She has become my closest friend and "counselor" here in Paraguay! As I already mentioned, we hung out at the conference together. She was also at the fun day for the local churches. On October 7, we had our missionary Bible study that meets every other month at one of the group member's houses. This month we met at group member Esther's house/workplace, which is the Salvation Army orphanage in town. I had fun at the study with Colleen, Mary, and the other ladies who regularly attend. We just finished a study on simplicity, not just with material possessions, but also in regard to time. It is always fun to congregate with other people who speak English and study the Word of God! We eat snacks as well. Our December meeting will consist of a Christmas cookie exchange! :)

I spent the entire weekend of October 17 with Mary and her family. That Friday, I had the day off from classes, so I went across town to the daycare where she works and spent the day helping out there! It was SO much fun to have kids sit on my lap, to play with them, to eat with them, and to watch a video with them throughout the day! My love for children has grown, especially the heart I have for adoption! These kids come frm VERY broken home backgrounds, and my heart just breaks! Once you understand that they tend to be rough with each other because they grew up on the streets, your attitude toward them changes. That evening, I went out to dinner at TGI Friday's with the Escobars.

The following two days, there was an evangelism event at Trinidad, Mary's church in that neighborhood (Santa Rosa). Saturday night we had a service outdoors, where several people shared their testimonies. The worship time was very powerful. The most powerful part for me though was the time of prayer afterward. I prayed over some people who accepted Christ for the first time and others who were re-dedicating their lives to Him. I LOVE praying with people, especially in Spanish! :) Sunday morning I helped Mary teach Sunday School at her church, then we spent time at her house all afternoon, and finally in the evening we had another worship service. Another testimony was shared, and there was once again worship and prayer time. I prayed with people in the same manner as the previous evening. The whole weekend was such a good outreach opportunity for that dark community! I hope that many people who need Christ were able to hear Him speaking to them!! I was so blessed to be a part of everything that took place, and the Escobars sure spoiled me all weekend, allowing me to sleep at their house, eat their food, share in their living space, and be a part of their daily routine. They treat me like a daughter, and I am SO blessed to have them in my life! :)

our dear friend Mary! :)

This is backing up from the end of last month after I wrote my previous blog post...

On Sunday, September 28, I shared my testimony and did special music at Trinidad church, the church Mary attends. I sang the Spanish version of "You Steady My Heart" by Kari Jobe. I was very nervous to share my testimony because it was my first time doing so in public, but God was with me the entire time! Now I have been asked to share it again! Since being in Paraguay this year, I had really missed being able to use my voice to bless others, so this was a time when I could let loose and share my love for God through song! I have also been asked to sing that song again at Trinidad later this month! :) I pray that the people who witnessed my testimony were blessed by the words I had to say, and I pray that it continues to be a blessing!!

singing in Spanish at Trinidad church

after sharing my testimony and doing special music

As you can see, October has kept me moving! Classes are still going well, and we are nearing the end of the school year! Hooray! The final day of classes for pre-school and kindergarten is November 21, and the final day for all other students is November 26. However, the specil classes (such as English) end already the first week or so of November. That means that really soon I need to give exams and have all grades calculated.

I will save the two biggest events from October for a separate blog post. Those events would be 1) Cassidy and my third and final trip to Argentina this year and 2) my parents' visit the last week of the month! :) Until then, take care and God bless! Thanks for your continued love and prayers! You all are the best! :) I can't believe time is passing so quickly! I fly home in just 7 weeks! What?!?!


Ways you can be praying...

1) my physical health (I spent more time at the doctor/hospital this month.)
2) my daily walk with Christ
3) my English classes, my students, and their families (especially as we wrap up the school year)
4) my host family and roommate Cassidy (She is so excited to return next year!)
5) my future plans after Paraguay (hopefully getting into grad school and a singing group I'm     auditioning for!) :)
6) the young people of Paraguay
7) the spiritual darkness in Paraguay