I finished teaching my first class at the Theological Institute of the Assemblies of God of Paraguay. It was fun, challenging, exciting, difficult, rewarding, hard, and a great learning environment. I learned so much about Spanish that I never knew before. Also, there are some really great people that God has called to be ministers in Paraguay and around the world. It was amazing to see that I have a part in molding them into the leaders of the Assemblies of God in Paraguay.
Sherry has been really busy lately. She has enrolled in the Theological Institute and is attending a 24 hour session every Wednesday to Thursday with some of the Paraguayan pastor's wives. She is totally immersed in Spanish for 24 hours every week. In addition, she will complete 3 college Bible courses (all in Spanish). So, she is really busy with that and being a wife and mother. I don't know how she does it, but she does.
The kids finished their respective grades in school with great report cards and even greater testimonies. Due to the many problems the school they were attending is having, we will be homeschooling them this next year. They are sad, but excited as well. It is our job to protect and nurture our children, not the school's job. In addition, our children will be able to travel with us as we minister in medical clinics and with the drama, "Heaven's Gates and Hell's Flames."
This past week has been really busy. Every one of us has been translating for a medical team that came down from Oregon. We worked three days in Aregua at a church for children who work in the streets of the capital city of Asunción. They are very poor children with poor health, nutrition, and home life. It is so heart-breaking to see and hear the stories of the people who came to the clinic.
Chaz interpreted for the man who was administering eye exams and giving out glasses. Kaylee worked at registration and had to listen and write the names of about half of the patients that came to the clinic (there were only 2 people working at registration). Chariti interpreted (all by herself unless they spoke only Guarani) for a nurse. Sherry interpreted for herself. She had both jobs. She was all by herself at one table taking care of patients. I interpreted for another nurse. He and I had a lot of fun together. I am so proud of my family. You should have seen the kids as they were working and playing with the other children. One national pastor, Camilo, told me that he has never seen missionary kids like ours. I asked what he meant, and he told me that he has never seen MK's who jumped in and talked, played, and socialized with the other children here in Paraguay. At first, I thought, "How sad!" Then, I beamed with pride that God is working through our children to touch the children (and adults) of Paraguay. You should all be proud of your missionary kids here in Paraguay. They are a testimony of Jesus' love, and you helped send them here and keep them here.
Yesterday, we went to a really poor part of Asunción and held an outdoor clinic at a really small, dirty park. It was windy and dusty. At first, there weren't many people there. Then, a lot of people showed up. We saw mostly people who needed teeth pulled or filled, but there was one lady who came to our table that I will never forget. She brought two little girls with her. One was her grandaughter. She was holding her hand and showing love to her. The other was this beautiful 7-year old little girl with big brown eyes and short brown hair. She looked so sad and lost. The lady told me that her parents had abandoned her and her three younger siblings. She said that she didn't know why but she's always crying. I told her that she just needs to know that someone loves her. I had already picked her up and put her on my lap. I kept telling her that Jesus loves her, that she was beautiful and smart, and that I loved her. After about 30 minutes, she looked up at me and smiled a beautiful smile. At the end of treating all three of them, the lady who brought them looked at me and asked me if I wanted the little 7 year old girl and her 3 younger siblings. My heart broke. She was serious! She didn't want them. I sure wish I could have taken her home with me.
I share this story to let you know that there is a huge need for children's homes here in Paraguay. There are thousands upon thousands of abandoned, abused, and neglected children here. Our dream is to one day have a home big enough to take in as many children as we can. We want to feed them, clothe them, teach them, and show them the love of Jesus. Please pray with us for the children of Paraguay. By ministering to the children, we can change this country for Jesus.
I will post more blogs this weekend. We have two more days of clinics. My camera is not working, but one of the gentleman from Oregon has a Nikon. He is taking pictures for me to use.
Blessings to all,
Charley
