Thursday Ramblings

We just got back from the bank and our card works again. Thank you God! We were also able to exchange money into Argentina pesos for our trip tomorrow morning. We were able to get the front row of seats on the upper deck of the bus both ways so that we will have a great view out the front windows. We leave our house a bit before 6 a.m.

It is cold and cloudy today. It is supposed to be even colder over the weekend when we are at the falls with a high of about 60 and a low of about 40, but lots of sun hopefully. Next week it is supposed to get down into the low 30s at night. Two days ago it was hot, humid and in mid 80s. Today we are wearing sweaters. Next week, it may be coats.

The community we are staying in is San Lorenzo, about 30-40 minutes from Asuncion. In many ways it has the feel of a poorer country. The roads in the town are paved with lots of broken areas and mud since all the rain. As soon as you get a couple blocks off the main streets, they are cobble-stoned or dirt. Busy traffic is interspersed with horse and carts making their way up and down streets selling their wares, street vendors, typical south-american markets, beggars, children at every street corner trying to wash your windows or sell you something.

We are staying with the Franzes who live beside the Bible seminary(CEMTA) in an area where we hear roosters in the morning, dogs barking occasionally at night, vendors on their horse and carts shouting their wares through a small loudspeaker. The neighborhood has a lot of poor also.

Yesterday, we visited downtown and saw the old parliament building and the very modern new parliament building. Both are near the river right next to a large area where the very poor live right down by the river. We also drove by a large park where many people had moved in with tents where they are camping in protest until they are heard.

It is very inspiring to be with the Franzes in the middle of all the hub-bub of preparing for the conference. It has become a family affair with everyone helping. Renate is very busy with the youth and service projects and other projects. Renates sister Esther is helping in all kinds of ways. Werner is graciously helping us with many details like getting bus tickets while attending many meetings, preparing for the theological conference, and preparing for the conference. Meanwhile Marlene is serving everyone - her family, Judy and I and the girls, and poor people in the community with whom she continues to reach out to in very meaningful ways. We are very impressed with the service, mission, commitment, and love of each person in the Franz family. We have been richly blessed, encouraged, and inspired by having this opportunity. We are also learning much about their culture, community and the Mennonite church. What an opportunity to learn another culture with people on the inside.

The girls are at the day care all day. Judy and Marlene will be picking them up at 5. They will greatly miss the children they have fallen in love with. Hopefully they will have a few minutes tonight to update the blog berfore we head to Argentina. When we are in Argentina, we may not have internet access. If we can, we wll post more updates.

Blessings to all!
Ron