Until Next Time...

I've put off writing this post because to put the words down means the admitting that the trip is really over.

Today seems fitting though as it was mission Sunday at Northgate to share a few of the stories and lessons the Lord taught us while in Paraguay and how He is continuing to use those now.

I'm reminded of Nehemiah once again. In chapter 1, he receives news of his people and his homeland and his heart is broken. The people are living in despair and the city walls are broken down, leaving them defenseless against the enemy.

Each of us on the team has returned to our homelands. We have begun slipping back once again into the daily demands. Yet, we will miss our own cities, our own town, our own people if we are not careful.

Nehemiah weeps for his city. He cries out to the Lord for redemption. He confesses sin for himself and yearns for mercy.

What about us? Do we see the purposes of where God has us right now? Are our hearts moved towards compassion for those in our own homes, our own neighborhoods, our own towns? Are they any less needy of a Savior? My heart is convicted. Y'all, there is purpose. Right. Where. You. Are.

I leave you with these photos. Sightings in Paraguay.

Many of the roads were a cobblestone type creating lots of bumps and fun for those in the very back of the van. 

How many of us remember doing this as kids? Love it! 

The thermos of water and the infamous guampa (the cup) and metal straw. 

The mate is the hot water version using the loose tea, while the terere when used with cold water. 

Bricks were a common sight throughout the country. 

Cows just hanging out next to the soccer field. 

Bananas everywhere. So. Delicious. Best bananas you will eat in your life. 

Lots of dirt soccer fields throughout the country. 

Lots of meat in Paraguay - yum! 

What a great combination - tea and chocolate! 

Yucca. 

Chipa Guazu (Paraguayan corn bread) - Yum! 

Tortillas (I cannot remember what the name was for these) 

You can buy bananas or other fruit while sitting at a stop light. 

Convenience! 

A supermarket - remember there is an exchange rate! 

See the thermos and guampa? 

A very common site in Paraguay. 

Coke still does come in bottles throughout the world! 

Medicinal herbs are commonly sold on the streets and used by people. 

Paraguayan empanadas - Oh. My. Yum. 

A local cemetery. 

This sign made me laugh - it looks like a parent grabbing their child to dash across the street. 

Which would be accurate in order to avoid being hit by a car! 

Beautiful country. 

The Lord has used you to change us. 

Chao. 

Faces of Paraguay

Paraguay started for each of us on the team as a place we had heard of, but maybe weren't even sure where it was located.

It was an unknown.

A place that required stamps for a visa in our passports. 

A country on a globe we once studied in school. 

And then is became a city listed on our boarding passes. 

A place still 2-dimensional until we arrived. 

And then...

Paraguay became faces.

People. 

Laughter.

Wondering eyes. 

Enthusiasm.

Smiles.

Joy. 

A place to grow our understanding of the world outside of our own corner.

A place to experience life in a way unknown to us.

To be reminded that the Gospel is a whole lot bigger than we think. 

For the faces of Paraguay to become etched on our hearts. 

To find joy in the simple.

To ignite within our hearts a greater fervor in praying for the church in Paraguay and for those who are daily living the Gospel in that place.

To see life lived in a way starkly contrasted with our own.

To gain a compassion for others.

To see leaders being trained for the church in Paraguay.

To stir a love within us for those we met. 

To pray for the continued growth of the church in San Antonio.

For our hearts to ache knowing our time would end and the goodbyes would come. 

To learn names we had never heard of become sweetness. 

For 1 Thessalonians 2:8 to take on flesh - "So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the Gospel of God but also our very selves, because you had become very dear to us."

For the beauty of music to transcend language. 

To see the world-wide church in action.

To experience hospitality and love. Simply because we were Jesus family. 

To be humbled by these faces. 

To see how we could cover others in Jesus' love.

We learned how to greater entrust those we love to the care of our Savior.

Our lives have glimpsed the joy that awaits in heaven...

...longing to be reunited with our Jesus family we have met...

...and there now resides a greater anticipation for the forever. 

To one day worship alongside this family together. Forever. 

At the foot of our Savior. 

This is Paraguay. 

More than a place on a map. 

It has become the faces that captured our very hearts.