palm trees!

I know I've shown you these palm trees already but

I just can't get over them!  I LOVE seeing them every day!

They make the neatest sound when the wind blows through 

its leaves - so calming!

These trees are in our neighbor's yard but sometimes

the branches fall in our yard.  Below our boys are 

helping you understand how large each branch is!!

I can't help but love these little boys God gave us!

I love it when they come up with creative ideas

and I love their laughter.

Below you can see two creative ways they have used 

the huge palm branches - I'm sorry you can't hear

the laughter that went along with it!

(A slippery slide.)

(A race track.)

a cozy Saturday afternoon!

 My kitchen was filled with the smell of Sopa Paraguaya

baking in the oven for tomorrow's lunch guests.

 Our porch was filled with boys and legos

and happy Spanish chattering.

 One bed was filled with our sick little boy, 

getting some healing rest.

I guess the only thing that wasn't filled was the 

gas tank for the oven.  It, of course, ran out right 

in the middle of the Sopa Paraguaya baking!  

But my husband, filled with joy at the opportunity 

to serve :), ran and got more!

the air in my lungs, your lungs, right now.

goodbyes for good reasons.

     Last month we helped another missionary family pack up their house for their 6th move.  They left before sunrise the next morning, moving about 8 hours away.

T helping load the moving truck! 

The "chica" in the green shirt and glasses beside me is 

the wife and mom of 5 who moved. 

  

C and I enjoying their friend before he moves.

J playing away with his friend while the adults
pack, clean and load!

      Three years ago now, we arrived here in Paraguay along with several other families with young children.  Although we were encouraged to spend more time with Paraguayans than other American missionaries, we did look forward to our weekly meetings at the Mission!  After a week of straining to understand Spanish and attempting to string together words to make a sentence, it was so nice to hear and speak in English!  It was a relief to hear that others were struggling with home sickness, funny to share language bloopers we made that week and comforting to know that there were other people who understood what it was like to be an adult who could only communicate at a 2-year-old level (it probably would have helped to have those cute chubby cheeks and adorable grin that makes everyone smile!)!  So, in a sense, we “grew up” with these other families!

     Well, three years later many of us have completed or almost completed our Paraguayan language and culture study.  We are ready to embark upon the next step: reaching the unreached.  This was the first family to leave the "nest".  On one hand, it is hard to think about not seeing them each week.  On the other hand, the Paraguayan tribal group they are moving to may one day know and understand  TRUTH!  

So, although it was hard, 
I consider that a good reason to say 
"Goodbye!"      

         

all the kids who came to Vacation Bible School!

 During Easter week, our church decided to have a 4-day Vacation Bible School.  The main purpose was to invite the children back to Sunday school each week to learn more about what the Bible has to say about God (most are not from Christian homes)! 

 My husband and I were teachers for the 3-5 year olds, which was a lot of fun!  Our youngest son was in our class!  I'm not so sure these little guys understood the Bible stories about Jesus but we hope they felt Jesus loving them through us!

  Snack time circle

Ladies of the church serving the snack

I didn't get any pictures of our other boys because I couldn't find the camera after the 1st day - what a bummer!  But they really enjoyed their classes, snacks and game time!

I think the kids, as well as the adults, really enjoyed those 4 days! 

We're hoping that the relationships built will lure them back so they can learn about the Way, the Truth and the Life!

John 14:6