This past week has been filled with fun and new adventures. The rain storm of this week was by far one of the biggest one yet. We thought we knew what Paraguyan storms were all about until this one. It began blowing about 3 AM and we thought we would turn the cooler off and enjoy the fresh out door breeze. About ten minutes later Vicki thought she better check to see if the rain had started and if things were getting wet. Oh my Oh my. What we thought was a light sprinkle in the dark was in actuality sheets and buckets of rain as though someone just through it in the window. We spent the next 2 hours mopping the floor of almost an inch of water. The walls were soaked and the drapery was sopped. While trying to get the shutters closed we were both soaked to the point we had to change into dry clothes. Along with this storms havoc it also created an awesome lightshow. The thunder was incredibley loud and we decided we were up for the rest of the day. It was a bonus when the storm dropped temperatures into the 80s and we actually could stay outside for several hours at a time. The humidity was extreemly high making it difficult to breath but we have discovered we can deal with that if we don’t have to deal with the heat at the same time.
We have taken care of several missionaries this week. Athletes foot is on the rise as so are alergies. Several of the missionaries have developed heat rash. They look like scenarios shown in the text books and nurses in their wildest dreams never actually see. For the most part the elders are great not to complain and they get so miserable they are more than willing to follow instructions. It is such a huge blessing for us to be associated with the misionaros and watching them makes us buff up to less comforts as well.
We were able to ride on one of the newer colectivos today after church….just one problem…it was the wrong colectivo. While we were on the bus Vicki got about 5 phone calls. Since it is impossible to hear anything while riding she decided not to answer. The calls ended up being 3 different elders trying to call us and let us know we were on the wrong colectivo (they watched us get on). When we got back to the departamento and returned the calls the elders were shocked we were home. We explained that we realized we were on the wrong ride but we also figured if we stayed on it long enough it would eventually make it close to our home….It did. Besides…how often does one get to ride in a new buggy in Paraguay. This one was probably only about 10 years old. It was somewhat clean and the heat was not bad….We called it a great Sunday drive (tranquillo).
Our office segment is interesting….We have furniture, computadoras, phones, and chairs now. We stopped to take a peak and Vicki discovered water coming from the ceiling right above the desks and the computers…We quickly notified the engineer and computer guy. We think it may be a little longer before we actually move in. We have spent much time this week researching the purchasing supplies. We were shocked when we learned the fabricator was charging 300.00 US for an easel and a couple hundred each for the white boards and bulletin board. Needless to say we are reconsidering our needs. On Saturday we found a cheapy easel at a department store that will get us by for a little while (15.00 US.)
We met an awesome couple from Brazil (now living in Paraguay) this week and had them over for dinner on Monday. They loved speaking English as well as teaching us Portuguese words. He is a District President from the Centro Branch and she works in the family history center and is the YW president. They have a magnificant sprit of love for the people here and offered to help us in the service center when we are up and running. We are now up to three volunteers and we are feeling so blessed that we have met up with people who are willing, ready and able to help in the service center. Brother Nunuez also volunteered to help us with video streaming for video training presentations. He works for a TV station, has helpful skills and knowledge in this area…and since we do not…he will be a blessing to us.
We attended another Youth Conference hosted by the Mariano Rocque Alonzo district…Jovenes (the youth) were singing hymns when we walked in. We accompanied the Temple President and his wife and the kids were very excited to see him. He has been so good to visit with them when they come to the temple for baptisms and many of them knew him. This conference was well organized and the kids were having a great time. One of the volunteers, Liz, from the Employment Center (we visit often) was there and showed us around the camp and with excitement told us all about her time at the conference.
We made sloppy joes this week. We found the best buns that made the sandwich a perfect U.S. treat for us. Dad discovered a brick of dipping chocolate this week too….Of course we bought it. Now we just have to figure out when there will be time to make something out of it.
We visited with the Sister missionary that was staying with us last week. She is back in her area and doing better every day. She still struggles with the heat but is finding ways to work through it. It was a delight to have her in our home and once again watching her helps us to be stronger.
Thursday, it was back to the temple. It has been closed for cleaning and even though we worked extra hard we had a great feeling and were happy to return. We had 35 jovenes show up to do baptisms, and about 40 for endowments (per session). Sealings and initiatory was going full stream too. We were tired when we got home but were so excited that neither of us could fall asleep. We just layed in bed and talked about our night at the temple.
We are stoked about the phone bill this month…last month we did not receive our bill until after it was due. They shut the phone off and poor dad had to go in person 4 times to get it worked out. We were way excited when this bill came 2 days before it was due. This gave us time to pay it and not go through heck getting it figured out. This may not seem like a big deal but if you could see how they deliver bills here. Our different utility bills (along with everyone elses in the building) is dropped on the bottom stairs. Everyone picks them up, goes through them takes their own and drops the rest back on the step. When someone takes a bill home that does not belong to them it can take days if not weeks to get it back… When our internet bill didn’t show up dad called five different times to find out where it was…he was politely instructed to be tranquillo….it will come. Oh well…..we do find comfort in knowing we have real live mail at home.
This about wraps up our week. The operative word for next week is the same as it was for this week. TRANQUILLO.
Love
Alan and Vicki
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