Many Moons Ago

When I was little, I always enjoyed looking at my dad's pictures and news articles from his high school and college soccer games and wrestling matches.  There was one picture in particular etched in my memory, of Dad in full-kick and it was perfectly a goal he made during the game.  Yesterday was our church's annual soccer tournament, and, like last year, I planned to take pictures--and was hoping for one really good one!  Leave comments below to let me know your favorite!

Before the first game--still fresh!  9:30am

Team work to get the goals

Diego, Goalie

A very zoomed-in picture, but it was a great shot!

After Chino's goal

Chino, Scorer

Manu

GOAL!

Carlitos with good footwork

Carlitos again :-)

Capi, Defense

Kali--flying in the air!

Our guys' team at church won out of the 8 churches in the tourney!

Better than watching 9 soccer games yesterday and managing to take over 800 pictures in one day--was seeing these same guys worshiping the Lord this morning at church. Last night after the tournament, we all went back to the church to grill out.  The pastor asked "So how many goals did each of you make?"  Each guy went around the circle counting--"5," "8," "1" (the penalty kick that one the entire tournament!), "1" (the only goal made by a header,)...and the last guy, one who played almost the entire day?  "I didn't count."  The humility of these guys was impressive.  Everyone had a great day!

Lost in Translation

"AFTER CHECKING 

DOM STARG AT 

AID SHIEAG TO

WEANTS HIS

AT SHIRO ELUT IT'S

A GOOD START"

No, I did not fall asleep on my keyboard.  That's what this shirt says, at a fancy (read, expensive) boutique around the block.  I got a giggle from it each time I saw it, and finally snapped a picture.  As odd as it may seem, it was a daily reminder of the purpose of "getting it right" when it comes to the language.  I know I wouldn't want to walk around in a t-shirt with a foreign language misspelled (and making absolutely NO sense!)...and how much more important is the Holy Word of God?  Please be in prayer as I continue studying Spanish.  Thanks!

My People

Last weekend we had a special Saturday evening for Youth Day at church.  The evening focus was outreach to new youth & young adults.  A group of the kids put together a pantomime to a Christian song here.  I make my appearance in the video pretty early on. :-)  Hope you enjoy it!

(It's about a guy who has everything, but in reality, he has nothing..until...)

CLICK HERE to see the YouTube video


 

A Fresh Breath of Air

 Today was my language evaluation, and to celebrate, I ordered a kilo of ice cream.  It was delivered just a few minutes later!

Chocolate, Dulce de Leche, Pineapple, and Strawberry

I got a great kick out of the 15 baby spatula spoons...without plans to share with 14 other people!!

It's been 6 weeks since my surgery!  My lifting restrictions are now gone & I can get back to "normal."  So, tonight before I go to bed, I'll cut off the "Don't-forget-you-can't-lift-anything" bracelet.  I should know how I did on my eval within the month, until then--I keep studying!!

The Zoo

 Wednesday I got to take a "vacation day" and go to the local zoo with friends.  It was super quiet at the zoo, and we walked around for hours just looking at all the animals and then having a picnic lunch while watching monkeys, deer, capybara, and birds in a "natural" habitat. 

Tapir, often considered "All the leftovers from Creation in one animal!"

Emu or Ñandu--Each time we walked past he's show off

We got to the hippos just in time for lunch, so they were out of the water

Moto-Moto (okay, not his real zoo name!) in action--check out those teeth!

This little guy would hold on with his tail and swing down for a little drink.

This elephant is 40 years old!  A worker told us that she's protective of the tire like a boyfriend or her child--if they try to touch it, she'll attack them!

It's The Little Things

Las Residentas

This month has been encouraging as I am seeing each day little ways that I fitting in more and more.

*I lost my temporary ID card last week*

Plus side--I apply for a new one in November, and can carry around a copy of the lost one until then.  Encouraging side--I called the hospital and the pharmacy where I thought I may have lost it to see if someone had found it.  Why is that encouraging?  I didn't panic before the phone call...and it wasn't until afterwards that I realized I'd made a phone call without really thinking about it.

*I was able to clear up a situation with a friend*

I hadn't realized that I'd hurt a friend recently, and she came to me to express how she felt.  We were able to sit and talk, clear things up, and heal our friendship.  

Encouraging side: It takes quite a lot of language & cultural understanding to be able to heal relationships. 

*I'm able to start a new ministry*

A few weeks ago I started a new ministry at church--managing the power points at church.  It's been encouraging to see that I'm able to keep up with the flow of the church services.

*People miss me*

Okay, this one's going to sound weird based on the who and why.  This week I had to swap out the LP tank for my stove, and the little gummy thing went out with the old tank.  So I had to go to the hardware store for the first time in months.  The Friendly Neighborhood Hardware Man talked to me despite helping out other customers, and called me "Carinata!"  (I call myself Car-ee in Spanish, like car from auto, he added a term of endearment on the end.)  His daughter, Karina, was there, too.  He said, "You never come anymore!"  "I got everything fixed in the house."  "I'm going to send someone there (to mess things up) so you'll have to come back more."   Lucky for him, I'll be back soon for more mouse traps and something potent for roaches.

*We're starting to think alike*

The other day a friend was here & she started singing a song that I had stuck in my head.  All. Day. Long.  I looked at her and said "Have I whistled that since you got here?" (Those of you who know me, know I whistle almost constantly...horrible habit.)  "No, it's just been stuck in my head all day" she replied.  Wow.

Resting

With my friend Hilda at 5am waiting for the surgery.  She's been faithfully at my side since 4am Tuesday morning!

Post-surgery

With my friend Anahi, one of 8 visitors at the hospital

I had flowers waiting for me when I got back in my room!

Downtown Asuncion--the view from my room.  My house is somewhere to on the left side of the picture.

My sweet friend sent me no-bake cookies.  I've been on a strict diet--but no one said I couldn't smell them!

Thank you so much for praying during the surgery and for the recuperation.  Today (Sunday) I definitely feel better, but still sore.  Praising God for antibiotics, pain medicine, and faithful friends who are taking turns staying with me, cooking me food, and even getting up with me in the middle of the night to take my medicine.  Thankful for the body of Christ this week!

Everyone Loves to See Twins

The bananas have twins!

Back in March, I had a few routine doctor's appointments.  Since I'll be here in Paraguay for a while, I wanted to establish a relationship with a doctor.  In the process, in a routine ultrasound, we found that I had two cysts in my abdomen ("The Twins.")   After a few months of seeing various doctors, last week the doctor and I decided that surgery is necessary to remove what are now three large cysts--now Triplets.  I appreciate your prayers as I'll be having laparoscopic surgery on Tuesday, August 14th around 1PM.  Thank you!!

Why I Love the Olympics

Lost Boys have new futures: Lopez Lomo once ran for his life

Everyone cheers for the underdog: Hamadou Issaka finishes the race--and that was a pretty big thing!

World records are broken: Usain Bolt is still the fastest man on the planet (and seriously, who doesn't love to see a sprint like that!! I remember the last time that world record was broken!)

We get to see respect among people who have trained their whole lives for their sport: "Immediately after finishing, James embraced Pistorius and swapped his race name label with him."--That's humility.

So, these are just a few little reasons why I love the Olympics.  I really only remember back to the 1996 Olympics, and remember watching all the "greats" compete.  More importantly than all the record holders, finishers, and two weeks of watching extremely dedicated people run, jump, twirl, swim..., Paul reminds us that we're all in a race, each day:

"Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but only one receives the prize?  So run that you may obtain it.  Every athlete exercises self-control in all things.  They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.  So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air.  But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified."

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Praying that you will recognize the race you are running, and that God will give you the strength to continue it!

VBS Pictures

Praise and Worship Songs:
"I Don't Want to Be a Yo-Yo"
"My God is So Big"

"Every Move I Make"
...all in Spanish!

 Craft Time:
Making Creation-themed mobiles

 VBS After-party:
Finishing the mobiles for the kids!

 We had plenty of sunshine at just the right times of day!

 Games on Parents Day

 Patiently waiting their turns to go get hot dogs

 Too excited to play with the big kids!

 Hot dogs for snack on Parents Day

 Praise and worship

Language Learning

Sometimes, language learning is great--you get to sit down with a language helper/friend and really get some solid study time in.  Hopefully this happens more often than not, but...well...sometimes life happens, too!  I've had many people ask over the years what it's like...so here's a little idea of the past few weeks:

Sometimes language study means:

Getting in some study time with S

Learning how to talk and manage a classroom of children for VBS

Taking time to help with projects at church (paper-maché)

Taking a break with other language learners (9 in an SUV!--Kids, don't do this at home!)

Getting burnt out--like the smoking iron plug, which was being used as it smoked out of the wall.  I have a new iron now!

Almost always, it means going with the flow--at the laundromat, I am now "Carmen Martinez"

And, sometimes it means being sick and resting--therefore, not getting much language learning done at all--Day 5 of doctor-ordered rest.

As you can see, language learning is flexible!  Please pray that I'll have some good study time during the next two months.  At the end of September, I have another language evaluation, and I'm working really hard to be in level 7.  July has been a month with many extra-curricular activities at church, and I'm looking forward to some focused language study time. 

Thank you for your prayers! 

The Better Nationality

   Tomorrow is Independence Day.  Family and friends will be barbecuing, watching fireworks, shooting firecrackers, and sweating.
   Tomorrow is July 4th.  I'll be preparing crafts for VBS, listening to Spanish recordings, eating rice and beans, and probably not sweating.  It is winter here, after all.
   Due to the U.S. holiday, and an unpleasant experience this morning, I've spent much of the day thinking about nationalities.  This morning I was appalled by the words of someone I did not know, in a mixed-nationality group, who claimed that someone else was rude because of her nationality.  I wanted to say something, but chose to listen to the group.  In the end, I know this statement was made in ignorance and immaturity.
   We are all so proud of our nationalities.  Americans quote a poem to a cloth flapping in the wind, Paraguayans dress in red-and-white shirts on game day, Mexicans stand on the street as a three-hour parade passes.  Americans decorate in red, white, and blue; Paraguayans decorate in red, white, and blue; and Mexicans decorate in red, white, and...green--all to show our allegiances to our respective flags.  All three nationalities celebrate by eating.  Each is proud of their country, and who they are.
   But, in my semi-tri-cultural self, which is the better nationality?  Do I celebrate three independence days each year?  Honestly, no; I generally go with the country where I am physically.
   Why am I able to do this?  Why does July 4th not stop me in my tracks for a culture shock meltdown?  Because I know which is the better nation:
                               "But you [Christians] are a chosen race, a royal priesthood,

                               a holy nation, a people for [God's] own possession, that you

                               may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out 

                               of darkness into his marvelous light."  1 Peter 2:9

For this, I am able to set aside former traditions for a time, and pick up new ones.  Despite my passport, my identity is not based on where I was born.  My true identity is based on who the Holy Spirit is transforming me to be in his "holy nation"--the people of God.
   So today, as many Americans are celebrating, take a moment to "proclaim the excellencies of him who called you [...] into his marvelous light"!
   And, please, someone eat some ribs, sweet corn, and potato salad for me.
                                        Love, Carrie


PS--Fellow outside-the-US-ers:  No judgment is being passed on people spread around the globe who are struck by culture shock on July 4th.  I'll get it another day and for other reasons, don't worry--but I hope this has been some encouragement to you as you may be missing home!

Birthday Bash

 It's traditional here in Paraguay to invite your friends or family over for asado.  A friend came over Friday evening and helped me clean the house and get things ready.  Then we watched a movie while I finished sewing the giant bean bag chair.  (I had no idea it would be so huge!!)  On Saturday morning I went with a friend to the grocery store and got everything we need for the asado from meat to paper products.  We made it out of the store for under $100USD, which I thought was pretty impressive for the amount of meat we bought!  I got things ready on Saturday, so that on Sunday after church we could all sit around and visit.

 The asado: wish you all could have come!

Praying for the meal

 Alicia and I shared our birthday, because hers was the day after mine.  We put (almost) enough candles on the cake for the both of us!  After a minor bonfire we got to taste the cake. :-) 

Afterwards we sat around talking until about 9 pm when everyone had to leave.