Beginnings in Paraguay

Paul Jacquay – Paraguay

So we complete our first two months in Paraguay…

Paul Jacquay – Paraguay

So we complete our first two months in Paraguay…

The first three weeks were spent at Camp Jack Norment in Caacupe. This is a camp owned and operated by the Disciples of Christ of Paraguay and the church takes advantage of this by having its own gathering of members by age group. The first week (which we were unable to attend) was for youth age 7 to 11. The second week was for adolescents age 11 to 16. The third week included single adults age 17 and up, and the fourth week was for families that included all ages, even grandparents. The camps were quite enjoyable. I served as “doctor”, and treated many scrapes and bruises and also some illnesses, but nothing serious. I was awakened in the middle of the night on 2 occasions, which reminded Marianne and me of the many previous nocturnal episodes in Montana. They sang a lot of songs at the camps, and this gave us an opportunity to improve our Spanish. We were able to take the song sheets to our cabin and look up the words that we didn’t know, and then sing along with the group and practice pronunciation. The songs in general were more earthy and practical. Whereas we tend to sing in praise of an almighty powerful God, theirs tend towards practical day-to-day practice such as raise your hands to God and your burden will be lightened.

Another very useful advantage of attending these church camps was that we got to meet and to know many of the leaders and members of the church here. Everyone was very open, accepting and helpful in spite of the language barrier. I promised many of the pastors from different churches in Paraguay that we would visit them when we learned enough Spanish to understand their sermons and they all expressed gratitude and asked when would that be. (Answer: 6 months or so.)

We are now into a bit of a routine here in Asuncion. The 2-bedroom apartment is sparsely furnished, but we will add to it as need and opportunity arise. The heat is stifling at times, but we manage to get a decent night sleep with the aid of 2 well placed fans. Marianne has been teaching English Literature at Colegio Lumen for 2 weeks now and is enjoying not only the students but also the staff that she works with. She also will be going to Mision de Amistad (Friendship Mission) 2 evenings a week to teach English to street children and also to staff at the mission. My work is basically on hold until I get a better grip on speaking and understanding Spanish. I see a tutor 3 times a week, and that has helped quite a bit. I can speak fairly well, but still have no comprehension when someone speaks in the normal rapid manner. The first task they have planned for me will be to go to a school for the street children twice a month and conduct clinics to care for their maladies. Second on the agenda will be doing some teaching at the school for practical nurses which is a program at Mision de Amistad. All of my work will be under the name and guidance of Mision de Amistad.

Marianne and I have been too preoccupied with settling in, getting adjusted, learning Spanish and starting new jobs to be able to relate much about the culture here. But I can say that my first impression of the people here is that they are warm, friendly and supportive of one another. An experience that fortifies this impression occurred one Saturday evening when Marianne and I went out to eat at a restaurant that a friend had recommended. This was a rather fancy place with waiters who wore suit and ties and a décor to match. On one occasion as we were sitting there 2 young, about ten years old, barefooted boys entered the restaurant, and our waiter called them aside to talk to them. He said something to them, smiled, and the boys hurriedly headed for the door as the waiter in turn headed for the back. He obviously asked them to meet him at the back door and gave them something to eat. A while later 2 similar appearing boys entered and approached the lady who worked behind the bar. She wasn’t even discreet about wrapping some food in paper and giving it the boys as they waited. The next Monday I related this story to the director at the mission, and he said that this is a common practice in many of the restaurants here. These are people who are willing to help each other in whatever way when ever the need arises. I can only imagine how different this scenario would play out in any of the major cities in the U.S.

In general we are doing well. We are looking forward to learning from the people, their ways, beliefs and culture, and hopefully we will be able to contribute something back to them in return.

Paul Jacquay
Paul Jacquay serves as a long term volunteer at Mision de Amistad (Friendship Mission) in Paraguay. Paul works as health consultant for the medical department and is a nurse trainer at the Mision de Amistad School of Nursing.