Testimonies from Virginia team, July 30-August 11, 2010
            Snapfish       Kean (with pictures!)       John          Drew           Lizzie       Albert      John Evert    Jen

Dear Family,
    I have returned from the land of no time, where breakfast starts whenever you get there and work starts when your hands find the tools, and I would really really like to thank you for sending me. I waited with toe-tapping, fidgety excitement to get through that customs line and embrace the dear church family I have missed so much, and when I stepped out of the airport and smelled the Paraguayan smoke and jungle (it's a very unique smell, really) I felt like I'd finally come home.
    It was important for me to be able to reconnect with friends and come to grips with the triumphs and the sometimes heart-breaking struggles my dear church faces as they try to break into a drug-infested, poverty-stricken society with the hope of Christ. One of my friends who two years ago had disappeared into the arms of a physically abusive boyfriend has since returned to the church, re-started her education, and brought forth a beautiful baby. Praise be to God, who gives self-worth, a reason to live, and a motivation to serve the community that really revolutionizes lives! It's very encouraging to see how once the youth embrace Christ, they tend to stay in school longer and girls begin to escape emotionally and often physically abusive relationships. I was also excited because in the two years that I've been away from Paraguay one of my friends, an eight/ten-year old named Alex, has since brought his mother AND older brother into the church. Knowing that story made it more special to hand out tracts and invite children to church to hear about the God who loves them. Our team provided evangelical supplies and backed-up the Paraguayans, who put on really wonderful outreach parties for neighborhood children on the weekends. They even got the opportunity to broadcast on the local radio! We got to say a little bit, but mostly we watched and learned how outreach works in Paraguay, where a ten-year-old child may singlehandedly bring his entire family to Christ.
    Evangelism and learning from the Paraguayan church took up our weekends. During the week we spent every day presenting a sort of "sacrifice of praise in the house of the Lord," as we painted, tiled, and put up concrete stucco to make the church building a more beautiful center for worship. Not only was this a special offering to God in His house, but it was a way to show the Paraguayans that we care about the work they are doing and recognize that its significance merits beauty. We also brought them medical supplies (which are hard to come by in Paraguay!) and clothing that the Paraguayan mercy ministry can bring to those in need. It's very very difficult for some of these families to provide food OR clothing for their children, so this was wonderful.
    For me, personally, the most important thing that could happen on this trip involved making connections. As you all know, I love Paraguay and have worked my life career plans towards the goal of living there someday, so it brings great joy to my heart when others see what I love and love it, too! I was really touched with the way the team members connected with their host families and the youth group, and I really pray that the relationships begun in Paraguay will be of great future comfort to people in both countries. I hear rumors that some of the team members might consider going back for a longer period of time (like I did, with your help, back in 2008). That, to me, would be the most wonderful outcome of this short trip--that people could be permanently impacted with the preciousness of God's work in Paraguay, and that Paraguay would become a part of their prayers and their lives. I pray that people will want to STAY and bless Paraguay in every way possible, materially and spiritually...
    Thank-you again, for all your prayers and all your support. I'm back to missing Paraguay again, and in the midst of feeling that and the gratitude for the memories that have been formed and reformed, I really want you all to know how special it is to me personally that you have cared about this country that I love. Please do not forget Paraguay, and do not forget how wonderfully God has used your precious support for us! --Jen

P.S. If you'd like to know more about the fruits of your support for Paraguay I hope you'll take the time to visit our snapfish (password harmon1a and email projectparaguaybarrioparque@gmail.com) and check out some pictures, or to contact me to hear more! You can also join us on facebook to keep up with what's going on, and of course, our website, http://www.projectparaguay.org/ .