The past six weeks have flown by as we sought to get settled into our new home. Adding the process of getting new cement floors put in made the process drag on, but it was worth it! The old floors were so thin they took just minutes to break them up and dig them out. As we listened to the laughter and chatter coming from the rooms, I was impressed by their enjoyment as they worked. After awhile it got quiet, and I noticed another sound. It was then that I realized they were listening to the recordings of Bible stories in Guarani. Off and on throughout the day they took breaks to stop and enjoy terere or a meal with one another. We appreciated the opportunity to practice our Guarani, and we enjoyed the fellowship of having them around for several meals together.
Another high priority on our list for getting settled here was to get a garden planted. We brought lots of seeds from the states in hopes that we can get grow our own vegetables since they are few and hard to come by in this community. Kevin gained a new understanding of the difficult process planting a new garden can be without the convenience of a tiller. After asking our neighbors, we found there was no available oxen and plow nearby so Kevin hired a man to work alongside him as they dug up row after row of extremely hard dirt. The soil here was not rich and fertile like it had been in Escobar. This meant that Kevin also walked with a wheelbarrow to the nearby woods where their was fertilizer available. They brought loads in and also built a fence to keep the animals out. It was a long process, but we are realizing how much more we can relate with those around us when we choose to live life more like they do.
The kids have had no problems adjusting to our new home, with lots of space to run and play, a huge sand pile, and animals for their entertainment. Micah looks forward to feeding the animals every morning, and he's quite proud of the fact that he can handle tying up the little goat out in the pasture. He, also, has taken on the responsibility of overseeing his sisters as the three of them (ages 2, 3, and 5) walk across the road to our neighbor's place several times a week to get fresh cows milk. It is his responsibility to make sure their are no cows or motorcycles coming and they all work together to make sure the milk is delivered safely back to mommy. It brings me such joy to see my little ones working together and taking on new responsibilities around the house.
Alicia and Lydia have also discovered a newfound joy in sweeping the house whenever I do, and I gladly accept the help. There is more dirt in this house than could ever be taken care of so I am happy to encourage their eager spirits by handing them a broom.
This house comes with many querks besides the dirt and bugs including several leaks in the house, but we have managed just find even under heavy rainfall. They other night, however, was a different story. Kevin and I were getting ready for bed as the wind howled loudly through every crack in our walls. I was standing in the kitchen examining some of the leaks, when I felt sprinkles on my face. All of a sudden, it was no longer sprinkling in the house. It was raining in my kitchen. I yelled to Kevin and ran to the kids room. I ducked though the doorway where water had begun pouring in. Micah's bed was already getting soaked and Lydia's was not much better. Kevin and I worked together to grab the kids and carry them to our bed (which thankfully was the one dry spot in the house). Water poured in through ever crack, window, and door. The kids, amazingly enough, simply rolled over on our bed and continued to sleep soundly.
The rain poured and then we begin to hear loud banging on the tin roof. Kevin went out the back door and brought in marble size hail that was pounding our house mercilessly. I continued to grab books and papers and anything else that might be ruined, piling it all close to our bed. Then we grabbed the squeegees and went to work. Thankfully the worst of the storm didn't hang over us for to long and the rain began to let up. After getting most everything situated we headed to bed and hoped that everything would dry out quickly. I couldn't help but laugh as I looked around at the reality that rain had just poured into our house like we were standing outside in the middle of the storm.
The next morning we still had no power, which we soon realized was because the power lines were flat on the ground. Our landlord came over to check on the house and when I began to explain the "tragedy" of water coming in everywhere, she looked around and said, "Wow. Your house is fine. My whole roof blew off and my entire house was filled with water. Everything is soaked and much of it is ruined." She was very scared and was not really sure what to do. She kept commenting on how nervous she was about the whole thing.
As we continued to visit neighbors and talk with them, it was clear to see how fear dominates the way the responded to this storm. The difference in those who are following Christ was a clear sense of peace and dependence on the Lord in spite of what damage was done and what they had lost in the storm. This weeks Bible story was focused on leaving everything to follow Christ, and the memory verse was from Matthew about storing up treasures in heaven. It amazes me to think how literally this must be applied in the midst of these things happening. It is our prayer that we can continue to be a light in this community, and that we can use this opportunity to share about the love and faithfulness of Christ as well as working together as a body of Christ to help those in need.
