Sunday, April 25, 2010
toma, tómalo Jesus
The last few weeks have been a blur due to my busy teaching schedule. How much easier things would be if I didn't have to prepare or grade anything haha!
This afternoon, I arrived back home. How nice to be back! I was only in Villa Rica for a day, but it was so relaxing to be back in Asuncion this afternoon. I am so thankful for how the Lord has protected me over the last several weeks. On our way to Villa Rica, we had to travel a road that is notorious for hijackings and robbery, but we were able to make it to and from the city without any problems.
I cannot believe that my time here is almost over... it does not seem in the least bit possible. In some ways I am ready to return to the States, but in many ways I don't feel ready to leave. I am so thankful to have a God who can see the whole picture and takes care of me! My prayer has been "toma, tómalo Senor" which means take, take it (my life) Lord! It is incredibly to ask the Lord to "tomar" our lives, but after a short time, we feel the need to take it back and handle things ourselves. My prayer is that we will all be praying "toma, tómalo Jesus"
Chau!
This afternoon, I arrived back home. How nice to be back! I was only in Villa Rica for a day, but it was so relaxing to be back in Asuncion this afternoon. I am so thankful for how the Lord has protected me over the last several weeks. On our way to Villa Rica, we had to travel a road that is notorious for hijackings and robbery, but we were able to make it to and from the city without any problems.
I cannot believe that my time here is almost over... it does not seem in the least bit possible. In some ways I am ready to return to the States, but in many ways I don't feel ready to leave. I am so thankful to have a God who can see the whole picture and takes care of me! My prayer has been "toma, tómalo Senor" which means take, take it (my life) Lord! It is incredibly to ask the Lord to "tomar" our lives, but after a short time, we feel the need to take it back and handle things ourselves. My prayer is that we will all be praying "toma, tómalo Jesus"
Chau!
Thursday, April 8, 2010
A Little Less Serious
Well, my last post was a bit serious, so I thought this time around, I'd just update you on what I have been up to... which is a lot :) I have been helping teaching Sunday school to the kids, which range in age from 2-14 years of age. It's quite the age range, so I have been assisting Mirta in teaching Bible verses, answering questions, and creating games for the kids to play at the end of Sunday School. I never know what to expect... and I love that! Please pray for LaLao, one of the men at Nueva Esperanza. He is a new believer and such an encourager to the other people in the church (and the only Paraguayan in our church who knows English!!). LaLao has been through a lot and is trying to live his life for the Lord, please pray for the Lord to give him strength.
Additionally, I experienced my first asado a few weeks ago. Oh, how I love asado! I have never been a big meat eater, but something about the Paraguayan meat makes me rethink all of this :) An asado is basically like a Paraguayan barbeque with plenty of meat. Our church had an asado on Palm Sunday to celebrate the coming of Pasquas.
I had an entire week off from teaching last week and was able to go sight seeing for a few days in Argentina and Brasil. I was able to go to the Iguazu falls and do several other things. It would probably take me several hours to explain everything that I did, so if you're interested in finding out more, let me know and we'll talk over coffee sometime. Basically, we got to see one of the wonders of the modern world, and it was amazing! I was in awe of what an amazing and intelligent God we have; that the waters can work together in harmony and power without damaging the ecosystem. How amazing!
I also went to Itaipu with Emily and Mary. Itaipu is about 45 minutes away by bus and is known for having cheap tablecloths and handmade linens. However, none of the street vendors were out and about because it was Semana Santa... and in Paraguay everything stops for the Easter holiday. We were still able to do a little shopping and exploring, but it was not near as busy as Itaipu normally is.
The South African couple that lives downstairs invited three of us to go with them to a cantada/opera event at a "fairly large" church (by this Kevin meant that the church is so large that they added a hospital just for the people in their church and for outreach opportunities). The entire passion play was in Spanish and it was incredibly touching to see how the Paraguayans view Pasquas.
That's all for now... I will update you more tomorrow on the other things I did last week.
Besos,
Bethany
Additionally, I experienced my first asado a few weeks ago. Oh, how I love asado! I have never been a big meat eater, but something about the Paraguayan meat makes me rethink all of this :) An asado is basically like a Paraguayan barbeque with plenty of meat. Our church had an asado on Palm Sunday to celebrate the coming of Pasquas.
I had an entire week off from teaching last week and was able to go sight seeing for a few days in Argentina and Brasil. I was able to go to the Iguazu falls and do several other things. It would probably take me several hours to explain everything that I did, so if you're interested in finding out more, let me know and we'll talk over coffee sometime. Basically, we got to see one of the wonders of the modern world, and it was amazing! I was in awe of what an amazing and intelligent God we have; that the waters can work together in harmony and power without damaging the ecosystem. How amazing!
I also went to Itaipu with Emily and Mary. Itaipu is about 45 minutes away by bus and is known for having cheap tablecloths and handmade linens. However, none of the street vendors were out and about because it was Semana Santa... and in Paraguay everything stops for the Easter holiday. We were still able to do a little shopping and exploring, but it was not near as busy as Itaipu normally is.
The South African couple that lives downstairs invited three of us to go with them to a cantada/opera event at a "fairly large" church (by this Kevin meant that the church is so large that they added a hospital just for the people in their church and for outreach opportunities). The entire passion play was in Spanish and it was incredibly touching to see how the Paraguayans view Pasquas.
That's all for now... I will update you more tomorrow on the other things I did last week.
Besos,
Bethany
Americanizing Jesus?
Try visiting a church that does not speak your native language.
I know this may seem futile if you think that attending a church is all about the words that you hear. Granted, the words of songs and sermons may slip you by, but the awareness that our God is a great God, a God who bridges social, political, cultural, and linguistic barriers is overwhelming and becomes an ever present thought when you distance yourself from a familiar setting and visit a church with different traditions and a different language.
I cannot tell you how humbling it has been to be a part of Nueva Esperanza. I have learned so much about the Paraguayan people and about our God. I think many times we Americanize Jesus, thinking he must look a certain way or have acted in a way that fits our culture and our preferences. The people at our church are mostly first generation Christians (except the children, most of whom are second generation Christians) and live in the knowledge that they have been saved from their former selves. How refreshing to see people who so desperately want to learn more about the God they serve.
How thankful I am for the people of Nueva Esperanza and the new outlook they have given me.
I know this may seem futile if you think that attending a church is all about the words that you hear. Granted, the words of songs and sermons may slip you by, but the awareness that our God is a great God, a God who bridges social, political, cultural, and linguistic barriers is overwhelming and becomes an ever present thought when you distance yourself from a familiar setting and visit a church with different traditions and a different language.
I cannot tell you how humbling it has been to be a part of Nueva Esperanza. I have learned so much about the Paraguayan people and about our God. I think many times we Americanize Jesus, thinking he must look a certain way or have acted in a way that fits our culture and our preferences. The people at our church are mostly first generation Christians (except the children, most of whom are second generation Christians) and live in the knowledge that they have been saved from their former selves. How refreshing to see people who so desperately want to learn more about the God they serve.
How thankful I am for the people of Nueva Esperanza and the new outlook they have given me.
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