Coming Home

I'm back home safe and sound in the good old U. S. of A. It took me a couple days to adjust back into the North American culture, (it was weird falling asleep with no dogs barking and roosters crowing, not having madioca at every meal, and no terere with my family), but during that time I have been able to look back over the past 5 weeks and reflect on my time in Paraguay.

My biggest goal in going to Paraguay was to find out what in the world medical missions was, and what did that look like. During my time with the McKissicks I learned that medical missions isn't just about being a good doctor and healing people in a different land, but also interacting with your patients, getting out into the community, church planting, discipleship, and also not neglecting to take care of your own family God has given you. Just as medical missions is a two part word, so is the job. By using medicine as a platform we are able to fulfill our mission of making disciples and followers of Jesus, and this missions is the reason why we do medicine. 
I really felt like God was showing me a lot about myself and that He was shaping my view toward missions as a calling He has placed in my life to do someday using medicine as a tool to get there. 

By living with a host family I was completely immersed in the culture. It is really humbling to come to a point where you don't really know anything, and are completely reliant on learning from your host family for even the basic necessities of life. I was really thankful for this opportunity though as I came to really love my host family, which kinda stinks in a way because it was so hard to say goodbye. They have left a spot on my heart, and I hope that I left them looking at the God sized hole in theirs. I pray that my actions I showed toward them was part of the seed planting process and that someday they will give their lives to Christ.

When people ask me "What was your favorite part?", it's hard to give a simple answer, but I think I would have to answer this questions by saying it was the testimonies of the missionaries we interacted with. We were able to meet many different missionary families and individuals working in Paraguay, and they all shared with us how God called them into missions and the work they are doing now. It was really neat for me and my team to see all of their different testimonies and backgrounds and how God has been there for them. They encouraged us that yeah, it's not going to be easy, and many people won't understand why your doing what you are, but when God calls you, man that's the most fulfilling thing you can do despite the odds. When God calls, He equips. 

In the conclusion of my trip, I'll leave you with some random things I learned in Paraguay:

• take the time to greet everyone when you approach a group, even if it disrupts the whole church service
• eat it, ask questions later
• throw sanitary out the window
• church is held outside with everyone sitting around in a circle
• when it rains, the whole town shuts down, literally no one goes anywhere
• you can't flush the toilet paper down the flush
• take a shower during the middle of the day, because that's when the pipes are warm
• they don't really have dessert here
• it's a very trankilopa (all peaceful) type of society
• terere is very important cultural thing
• it is totally appropriate to just stop into someone's house for a visit without them knowing you're coming
• the day starts at 5a.m. and dinner is usually sometime after 7p.m.
• lemons are actually orange, not yellow
• manderinas (a cross between a orange and tangerine) are everywhere, and you can just take them off any tree and eat it
• Paraguayans are very materialistic
• the TV is on 24/7
• pig skin doesn't cut easily with a knife
• drinks (such as water and soda) are usually not served with a meal
• use the table cloth as a napkin and eat with your hands
• when in doubt if you get lost just ask where the Americans live, and they'll be sure to point you in the right direction

Once again, it cannot be over emphasized how grateful I am for your prayers and support during my trip. And I will be selfish and ask that you keep praying for me and my team as we integrate back into the American society and take the things we have learned in Paraguay and share them with people like you. Also for more long term prayer requests, that I will listen to the directions God is leading me and the call He has placed on my life. I know I really have no idea the impact each praying person is making in my life, but I thank you and encourage you to keep praying. Who knows it might be one simple prayer for a girl, that makes one big difference for the kingdom. I'll close with something we learned in Guarani Nandejara tanderovasa, which simply means God bless you.

Experiences

My team

Sometimes words aren't enough to describe something, until you actually experience it and you get the full understanding of it. When you actually see, hear, and smell things your senses are awakened to a whole new level.
I have been so blessed in my time in Paraguay. I have seen so many things and have definitely expanded my horizons. A few new horizens I have experienced include:
Food:
- I can now drink milk straight from a cow. (This is kind of a miracle as I have always been sensitive to lactose)

Pig roast anyone?

- Pig skin and cow stomach are a delicacy.





Spiritual things:
- God has opened my eyes to Latin American cultures and the mysticism they embrace
- I got to experience a funeral and the sense of hopelessness encompasing the people that were mourning for their dead. It made me realize just how much hope we have in Jesus and His eternal salvation.


Sugar cane

Medical:
- Put my EMT training into practice as I witnessed a very bad motorcycle crash infront of my house. I'll spare details for the squeemish, but the experience included nearly severed legs and lacerations. 

In the mobile clinic

- Have gotten to practice stitches on a real person.





Political:
- Witnessed in a govermental coup (me and my team are safe by the way)
- People's lives revolve around who is in governmental power.

Missionaries:
- Me and my team have met many missionaries in Paraguay and have heard their stories of how God has provided and all of their unique journeys that have brought them to the missions field.
- The faith and hospitality that the missionaries possess for the people of Paraguay.


Visiting in the community

My teammates:
- I love them all and we have lots of fun together and are experiencing the things of God together.
- It is really cool to see how God is working in each of our lives differently.

Home:
- My host family has really taken to me and I have been able to tell a Bible story once to my host sister.
- I got to cook an American meal of pancakes for them, and they loved it. It was funny trying to explain the concept of how to make maple syrup to them. ( I don't think they got it)

Music and Singing with Tara's host family

These are just a few of my experiences and not even in that much detail. I can definetly feel that God is putting His protective hand on me and my team and is blessing us by the prayers of the people back home. Thank you for all your support and I can't wait to share all of God's blessings with you when I return.

Mba`eichapa?! (How are you!?)

A rock we wrote our names on in the Detriot airport (don't tell security)

I'm pleased to say me and my team arrived safely in Paraguay on June 2! Yes we were tired, but full of excitment and anticipation for the days to come. Dr. Jeff and Amy picked us up at the airport with all 6 of their kids. We loaded all our luggage and 14 people into their vehicle, and off we went!


Yes, I had to ride in the trunk

We spent the first 3 days of our journey in the Paraguayan mountains studying the language and culture with another missionary family to prepare us for our host families. During this time we got to go hiking and exploring the land. We bonded as a team and built each other up for the days to come.
On June 5 we drove a few hours to San Fancisco (Paraguay). We got dropped off at our host family's homes and the adventures continued. :) My family owns the biggest store in town and I am very blesssed to have my own room and running water in our home. I have come to learn to appreciate a hot shower. I have gotten along very well with my family, and the girls in my home are really warming up to me and want to show me everything.
It's been hard to communicate as the language is dificult to learn and they mainly speak Guarani, not Spanish, but that is when your actions speak louder than your words. Speaking of actions, I have had a lot of action doing medical stuff with Dr. Jeff and my team mates. I got to do my first ultrasound on a pregnent lady, it was so awesome! We have seen many other things too.


Making cabure at the youth rally

Other things we were able to participate in and do, were a youth rally, church, deliver audio Bibles in the people's native language, and Bible study with the natives. It's been really cool to see how the gospel is presented in a different culture and what the Lord is doing here in Paraguay.
There is so much to say, but I think I could narrow it down to a few parting words: God is working here in Paraguay. Please be praying for me and my team to let our light shine and for those we come into contact with can see Jesus in us. I am so excited to be here and I can definitely feel your prayers. Thank you for all your love and support. Jajatopata! (Until next time!)