A Busy Bountiful Week for Sure

So we were able to get our balcony decorated with icicle lights and even get a thumbs up from a family passing by.

This is a little out of order but we need to brag about the Christmas concert at Chloe's new venue she manages at Alma College in Alma, Michigan. It was so much fun to watch as they sang Christmas songs we know and love. Check it out if you'd like.Alma College Festival of Carols

Our new mission cards. It is so much easier to pass them out to all the people we meet with.

Saturday is such a busy day at the temple complex. Most people can't come during the week and many don't have cars. There were three buses from Cuidad de Este a 5 hour trip and some from Southern Brazil.

Mother and Newborn Care Conference

The first picture is (left to right) Aida Abdala(trainer), Dr Carolina Ruiz(Director General of Programs of Health) Vice Minister Dr. Miguel Olmedo, Dr. Maria Irrazábal (Director ) Wilma Piris, Director of Education in Enfermeria and Obstetricia). Over 70 trainors over 4 days were taught and will go out and train others so that newborns and their mothers will be safer during and after the birthing process.

The first picture here is of the certificate ceremony. At the podium is our boss: Guido Lucas along iwth the Vice Minister and Elder Riverola our Area Seventy, who happens to be a doctor himself, and the US doctors and nurse who came to put on the program.

The best thing was that the doctors from the US only had to listen most of the time. The trainers from Paraguay were amazing. Those who had taking the training 5-6 years ago did what they were trained to do and taught others. Our humanitarian aid is to help people become self sufficient and so this is a great example of success.

Above a beautiful sunrise from our balcony the day we left for our trip to the Chaco. Below crossing the Paraguay River looks similar to crossing the Mississippi River. It even has a golf course on the other side.

Notice on the picture below the word "INFERNO." The Chaco did not disappoint with heat about 102 and humidity nearly 100%.

On Ruta TransChaco there are not deer crossing signs but anteater crossing signs.

One of the indigenous communities of church members is in Abundancia, Paraguay. This is the church school and chapel. The District president is an administrator here and the physical facilities guy and the president's counselor drove with us to Mistolar. It is always good to have a second car so you can get pulled out if you get stuck.

On Friday we spent the night in Filadelfia. This is the unique statue when you enter town. This town was founded around 1948 by Mennonites so people here speak German and Spanish.

They joke about the mosquitos in the Chaco being huge just like in Minnesota. Here is proof they are huge and tough. The first picture is a mosquito that was supposed to be dead. The second is it's resurrection and the third was after it was squished with the bottom of a glass and the thumb is for perspective.

These type of toilets still exist here in the Paraguay. First time we've ever used one.

This is the palo barracho tree, loosely translates to "drunken tree" but it is also know as the gathering tree. (I guess you can do both) Not sure if this was planted on 1947 in Neuland, Paraguay but that was all I could make out on the sign because it was sun faded.

Below is the beginning of our off roading experience. As far as comfort it was all down hill from here.

252.5 kilometers(157 miles) took about 5 hours,two rest stops at the nearest tree or between the car doors, and a front end alignment and balance when we got back but we made it to Mistolar. The men went off to measure gardens, check out suggested spots for a well with agua dulce (the water they get now from the well is very salty and hard to drink) and check out their bee keeping operation. Hermana McClure and Chris helped the women with the food, had them sing I am a child of God in Spanish and they then sang it in English to try and make a bond. Below is Sister McClure entertaining the children(and the adults). For the grand finale they did the Hokie Pokie with the children and everyone was laughing at the silly Hermanas.

Below are the sisters selling their exquisite handy work. They are such a beautiful and hard working people. They want to stay on their land but it is so difficult to live so far away from everything.

On Saturday after lunch we had a Relief Society meeting to ask what they wanted to learn to do. Much of what they want to learn is dependent on getting electricity and water to them. These sisters are no different then anywhere else in the world, doing whatever it takes to help their families grow and progress. The meeting was in Spanish translated into Nivaclé. Nom is hello in Nivaclé

The children loved to see the picture of themselves on our phones after we took them. Next time we hope to bring some kind of printer in order to print them out a copy to keep. We brought little pictures of Christ to share with everyone. Maybe next time we can make family pictures for them. 

Below is a Paraguay Asado or barbeque.

Saturday afternoon the young women took on the old men in futbol and I think the girls won.

    Saturday night we camped in a church classroom. Remember the temperature and humidity. Generally at Mistolar the generator is run for about two hours a night to fill the water tanks that provide water for the houses. On Saturday they used their precious fuel to keep the generator on all night so we could have a fan and our CPAPs. All those with phones in the community were grateful for longer time on the internet, too. How humbling to see them just grateful for what they have! Makes us consider how the widow's mite is spent from Humanitarian Services or in our ward budgets. 

    Sunday was so spirit packed. It was beautiful to see families coming from the distance as they walked to the chapel. Most were there 30-45 minutes before the meeting started. Everyone sat quietly preparing for the sacrament even without prelude music. It again made us consider our own behaviors. The choir sang Silent Night and El Dia Santo del Señor. (Click the links if you want to hear)All four senior missionaries were then asked to bear their testimonies. (Fear and then faith)The retired school teacher translated from Spanish to Nivaclé. We drove away feeling uplifted and strengthened and ready to meet with people back in Filadelfia to get things to move along for our brothers and sisters in Mistolar. 

The Lord is really in all the details. Meetings we had today about another project will be opening doors for the Nivaclé in Mistolar as well.

The last few pictures are the flora and fauna of the Chaco. Bet you can pick the ones from our trip to Mistolar and the ones from in town.

Can you find the pair of parrots?

A cell tower with parrots nest.

In the bottom corner of the car window there is a red headed bird that is shaped like a cardinal.
Mom and Aunt Kaye you would love it down here-so many birds.

Wild boars (sorry the windshield is so dusty)

Big lizard although we saw plenty of little ones too but this one was slower so we could take a picture

Our spiritual thought for the day is about repentance: 

The plan of salvation, redemption, or happiness was not made for IF we make a mistake, suffer or need power beyond our own but was made for WHEN we make a mistake, suffer or need power beyond our own. (Daily occurrences for us) We are here to learn good from evil and that takes practice and dependence on the power of the Savior's atoning sacrifice. The saying practice makes perfect takes on a new meaning and a growth mindset. When we choose to look to the Savior in all things we will grow and be full and complete. He and Heavenly Father are the only ones we can always depend on.
Have a great week.