An Unexpected Blessing

I love serving a God who knows my heart's desires and who loves to surprise me with everything I want and need in different seasons of my life.

Last year I came to Paraguay while currently in a relationship. I learned so much both during the relationship and in the months after it ended. I dug deeper into my calling and obedience and fell more in love each day with my host country and its people as I saw them through God's eyes of love. Little did I know, God was up to something bigger than I had imagined.

In the few weeks leading up to September, my roommate, Natalie, and I had many typical girly conversations about guys and marriage and the future. I was in a great place, thankful for the new season of singleness and excited for what God had awaiting me in the future, though I quickly found out His future was a little closer than expected.

In the middle of September I left for a week-long medical trip to the interior with a group from the US. My primary role on the trip was to supervise and tutor the lead missionaries' daughter.

Upon arriving in Yrybucua, I was quickly introduced to two young Paraguayan men who had recently returned from spending almost three years in South Korea learning English and studying at an international seminary. Alexis and Nolberto would be an essential part of the translation team since they can speak both Guarani and English, leaving out the middle step of translating to Spanish.

I spent the week teaching in the mornings and helping with translation and triage at the clinic in the afternoons. Lunch and dinner times were opportunities to fellowship with new friends. I enjoyed getting to know new people, serving in a new location, and most of all, experiencing the presence of God in an almost tangible way. It was an unforgettable week that left a mark on my life forever for many reasons.

I left Yrybucua with so much joy in my heart. God had begun something new in me that has yet to go away. The love I have for the people of this country and God's vision for their futures never seems to end.

Though as I looked out the window at the gorgeous sunset amidst the sprawling landscape of God's perfect creation as I returned back to "normal life" in Lambaré, there was something, or rather someone, I just couldn't get off my mind.

Nolberto.

One of the young men I met within my first two minutes in Yrybucua.
A man who loves the Lord and  serves with his whole heart.

We immediately hit it off during our very first conversation and spent the week getting to know each other, speaking both English and Spanish. I was surprised how well I got along with someone new so quickly and the neat things we had in common. Going home I couldn't get him off my mind. I knew right away this guy was special and I wanted to continue a friendship with him. I was secretly hoping I'd run into him again before I had to go back to the US in December.  Though it's kind of hard to "run into" someone who lives three hours away...

When I got back to the city I found him on Facebook. Within five minutes he had accepted my friend request and  by the end of the weekend we  had exchanged numbers and were chatting nonstop on Whatsapp. We had a blast getting to know one another and quickly found out that despite coming from completely different worlds, we had many things in common, especially our dreams for the future.

My plan to get to know this sweet guy and have a new friend in Paraguay to serve with, soon became much more than that. Since the day we exchanged numbers in September, we have talked almost every. single. day.

It was a friendship that was meant to be that quickly turned into something much deeper. As we began to share our hearts with one another and see each other at church events and brief visits on Saturday afternoons, we slowly began to fall in love. We prayed separately for what God was doing in our lives and we started talking on the phone for hours at a time, always ending with a prayer for God's direction in our relationship as we became much closer friends.

In December I visited his house in Yrybucua to meet his whole family for lunch and had a wonderful day with him out in the same places I had so strongly felt the Lord's presence just months before. It was beautiful.

The six weeks I spent in the US to visit family and friends just made our bond stronger, as we communicated daily about our holiday activities and expressed how much we wish the other was there to share in our traditions. 

When I got back to Paraguay I was excited to see him again in person. Now that I am in my second year of mission work and the "no dating nationals" rule was lifted, we have more freedom to advance our relationship. 

The first weekend back, I spent two days serving at the National Methodist Assembly. Nolberto happened to be there as well. It was wonderful to serve alongside him, while also joking and laughing with our friends. 

One week later, he formally asked my Paraguayan parents for their blessing and prayers for our relationship. 

This past Wednesday we were able to meet with the bishop to tell him about our relationship and receive his blessing as well, as he is our authority in our ministry positions. He prayed with us and congratulated us. And now I'd like to ask you all to do the same. Would you please pray for us?

Nolberto and I have entered into a serious relationship that we hope will lead to marriage one day. Our future goals include serving the Lord together, wherever He calls us, and starting a family. We love each other deeply, more and more each day we spend together. God has brought us a lot of peace and confidence about our relationship and we love watching it blossom. 

We would love your support as we continue to follow God's calling in both our individual lives, and as a couple. We both have very busy schedules, as we are heavily involved in both church and school activities, so we would love your prayers for strength and energy. And because of those busy schedules, we will only see each other maybe twice a month this year. Please pray for our relationship as the distance can be quite difficult. We are excited to move forward each day into what God has for us and we're excited to share this news with you. :)

Thanks for your prayers and support!

A Busy Start! (PHOTOS!)

Hello again!

I've been in Paraguay now for almost two months! It seems like every year time just flies by faster and faster and this year is no different. In fact, this year really does seem to be the fastest and busiest ever! I have done so much in just a few weeks and I'm way overdue for an update! Here's a look and what I've been up to since my arrival. :)

The first weekend I was back in Paraguay, the Methodist church had their National Assembly. I attended as a "naranjita" and spent the two days serving alongside other volunteer youth from various churches. It was a great time of fellowship with new friends and old. 

Taking a tereré break with the girls

Afterwards, Bishop Pedro and his wife, Carla, took us out for a snack, fruit salad at Paraguari, to thank us for our hard work!

Every year at the national assembly, the bishop appoints each pastor to the church they will be working with for the year. This can mean staying at the same church or moving to a new one. This year there were quite a few changes in the Central district where I live, along with some others. 

Ordination service for two new Methodist pastors

Fuente de Vida receives their new head pastor, Alcides,
and children's and women's ministry director, Carla

This year was the first ever spiritual retreat for the faculty and staff of the four educational institutions under the Methodist church. These include: New Horizon School in Lambaré, Susana Wesley School in Yrybucuá, the Vocational Center in Yrybucuá, and the Mary Jo Phillips Daycare in Asunción. It was a wonderful time of fellowship and spiritual enrichment before we began our busy school schedules. 

Last year, Sue, Natalie, and I hosted a few sleepovers for Sue's two "god daughters," Antonella and Tali. This year's first sleepover was on Valentine's Day. Due to some rain we weren't able to camp outside, but we still made "camp food," and the girls got a special surprise! Autograph books from Disney World filled with signatures from all their favorite Disney Characters! The girls spent the evening coloring pictures of the characters to fill their book while we watched Mr. Popper's Penguins. 

February 16th we started the 2015 school year. These year's theme verse is Luke 1:37 "Nothing is impossible for God!" As always, the teachers had a big assembly to introduce the students to the year's theme and this year we did a skit about social networks and how they can be used to glorify God! The students enjoyed it and we had a lot of fun pretending to be technology-addicted teens while we took selfies onstage! 

The last weekend in February was the annual National Methodist Young Adult Camp (17+). This year's theme was Attention! Nehemiah 4:17 - one hand at work for the kingdom, with the other hand armed with our weapon, the Word of God! This year over 120 young adults participated, a new record! Many of this year's participants were invited by a friend or students who haven't been attending church in a long time. It was great to see the youth hungry for God and actively seeking Him and His presence at camp. The testimonies heard afterwards were amazing. God really spoke to many and we all left excited to bring our passion and energy to the local churches. 

Leadership team with Pastora Joyce, our guest preacher from Brazil

This year marks 25 years of marriage for my host parents. Just a few days after their anniversary they renewed their vows in a special ceremony. As one of their "daughters," I was invited to participate in part of the court. It was a great night of memories and love and I felt honored to be recognized as a part of the family. I am so thankful for my host family and so glad I have such a great family to share life with here. :)

Here's a few more pictures from the past few weeks! 

On Valentine's Day I started a five week Spiritual Warfare class at the seminary

Last weekend I participated in a two day training for a new children's
program we will be starting in the local churches this year - JUAD!

Cielo (PreK), Evelyn, Celeste, and Claudia. (3rd graders)

Shaiel learning "Good  Night" in Preschool!

As you can see, it sure has been busy around here! The school year is off to a great start and God has been teaching me so much through many different experiences. This year is going to be full of challenges, but I'm up for the fight! Please keep me in your prayers! :)

Ñandejara tapenderovasa! - God bless you all!