Paraguay, the happiest country in the world!

Paraguay has been said to be the happiest country in the world.  Everything is very relaxed here.  One of the main pastimes is drinking Tereré. The way that the people here sit in groups, talk, and relax reminds me a lot of Andy and Barney relaxing on the front porch (from the Andy Griffith Show).

Tereré is more than just the national drink here in Paraguay. It is a way to spend time with friends and share what is going on, a source of hydration, offers natural health remedies for just about everything, is a direct connection to local history, and so much more. Sharing the same cup with your friends is a way to show that you care and you value spending time with them.

Here are some excellent videos that explain really well about the people of Paraguay and some reasons why they are happy.  We hope you enjoy these videos and learn something new.

Video #1: Happiness in Paraguay

Video #2: Happiness in Paraguay

Video #3: Happiness in Paraguay

An Orchestra Made of Garbage

These kids from Cateura, Paraguay (a vast landfill outside Paraguay's capital of Asuncion, Paraguay) have a passion for music, but no money for instruments. So they made them out of trash! The world's only Landfill-harmonic orchestra sounds like a million bucks!

Amy is in Paraguay

Amy left yesterday with our church team to Paraguay.  Please pray that they arrive safely and that they will have a blessed time ministering to the people while they are there.

Andy and Lizet Bowen

We recently had a chance to meet Andy and Lizet Bowen who currently are serving in Paraguay. They visited our church and Andy spoke about their ministry. They work with English-speaking missionaries to help them learn the Guarani language (one of Paraguay’s two national languages) and Paraguayan culture.

Who knows, maybe we will learn Guarani from them one day?

Update on the Santa Rosa Daycare

Amy received an email update on the daycare on Sunday. Yea!

Subject: RE: Daycare Children

Hi,

Blessings from Pastor Hugo and Estella. There are 35 children at present. They will compile a list of the children's names and birthdays for you. Estella will do it this week. The children need toys. Small trucks for the boys and small baby dolls for the girls. No plastic or porclein. The toys need to be hardy in order to last.

The team from 'my' (Liz's) church arrived on July 21st and left August 2, 2008. They built a porch in the front over the new doors. They built a porch over the patio in the back. The front walls were stuccoed. The glass was put in all of the windows. Both bath rooms now have plumbing fixtures, toilets, wash basins and showers where needed. The baths and the kitchen were tiled (walls and floors). The electricity was pulled throughout the building. Waiting on Ande to install meter and run the wire to the electric box on the building. The floors have a layer of concrete on them and the guys will begin to lay the remainder of the tile on the floors this week and then will put the second coat of paint on the inside and paint the exterior. Pastor Pablo estimates that this will take two weeks.

God bless you for all you do!

Liz Boggess for Pastor Hugo

That is great news! Thanks Liz for the update!