Linn’s News May 2009
Thanks
Thank you all for you prayers this month. The weather has cooled down considerably but the pollution is still terrible some days. A thunderstorm earlier this month brought lots of black muck to our streets and patios from Argentina where the campesinos had been burning off the fields.
Added to smoke problems we are now having trucks coming round pumping anti-mosquito gunge into the air. Many people have chronic sinus problems as a result, but we are thankful that so far it has kept down the number of cases of dengue-fever in Asuncion.
Sue Nagaitis, our new teacher, is settling well and she has started language lessons.
The School
We celebrated Easter a little early in school with a lovely service in the Cathedral at the end of term. This was followed by a welcome break during Holy Week.
We have a young gap year student, (Andy Poole) working with us for six months as a teacher volunteer. He has been an asset to the school, teaching in both secondary and primary departments. It was his birthday last week, so of course we all celebrated with him.
On 29th April we celebrated Teacher´s and Worker´s Day in school. The children entertained us well and then went home, leaving the staff to enjoy a wonderful barbecued lunch together, followed by a long weekend.
The Church
All the churches celebrated Easter. I attended a lovely, reflective Good Friday Service in the English Church followed by an Easter Sunday service in San Andres Cathedral.
Last weekend a very successful EJE (Youth Encounter) event was held in the school. It was a time when some of our youth could have the opportunity of a real encounter with Christ. Andy Poole also attended, a bit nervously, but his reaction afterwards was that it was a great weekend, full of surprises. The people who attend are all sworn to secrecy afterwards so that the surprises are unspoiled for future attenders.
The Country
Nothing really changes…., demonstrations and more demonstrations.
We also had the revelation that President Lugo (ex-Catholic bishop) has fathered at least two children and there is a total of six paternity claims pending. Lugo’s pre-election campaign was based on ‘honesty’. He has asked forgiveness from everybody publicly, in a very matter of fact manner. It was then business as usual.
There has been a very mixed reaction, but the news is already ‘Old Hat’. Most people say that it is natural for a man to father illegitimate children in Paraguay (there are lots of illegitimate children everywhere). They do not seem concerned about the fact that Lugo is a priest. (Once a priest always a priest, according to the Vatican). Others have condemned him because he has set a bad example as both a President and a male role model. His political party members have said that it is an attempt to destabilize the government. Not many Catholic priests have spoken out against him. Meanwhile Lugo now carries on in his presidential role, leading the government and saying that they will not be destabilized due to what he has done. He intends to remain in power until 2013.
Drought in the Chaco
The drought in the Chaco is very acute this year. Apart from one or two thunderstorms there has been no rain since last August. Water holes in the Central and Northern Chaco are now dry. Ranchers are having to sell off stock before the animals die. There is hardship and sickness as people struggle to exist there. Our own water tanker trailer is now out of commission because the water holes within transporting distance are dry.
Tim Curtis said that he may have to stop the Bible translation for the time being and send his team home as there is no water for them in Rio Verde.
Last week Pastor Elvio, one of the Chaco Indian pastors, came down to Asuncion and came into school to try to launch an appeal for water among the students and their families. You may remember that a few years ago we helped out.
The government has been sending in tankers but the water is not clean drinking water so it all needs to be sterilized. Indians are not good at heeding the need to boil water.
The tankers have started early this year so we do not know how long they will keep going into the Chaco. Even now the tankers cannot reach some communities. Some Indians in completely dry areas are locking up their shacks and moving to places that have a little water, which then uses more water in those communities.
Prayer points:-
1. We give thanks that your prayers for us are being answered.
2. Bishop Peter and his wife Sally have now begun their ministry. Pray for the Lord’s wisdom and guidance for them both as they work with the pastors in the Diocese.
3. Please pray for the nation of Paraguay. Pray for better role models to emerge so that the future generation will grow up to be more responsible people with a proper sense of Christian values and morals.
4. Please pray for the Indians at this time of extreme drought. Pray for the Lord to meet their needs and to sustain them. This drought could go on until at least September. Pray for the Lord to show us how best we can help them. Pray for them to have a heart to help themselves wherever possible and not to wait for others to come to their aid. Pray for rain to fall.
5. Please pray for all in St. Andrew’s school as we start the first set of exams this year. Pray for good health and for calm among the students, staff and parents.
Linn Tedman, Colegio San Andres, Casilla 1124, Asuncion, Paraguay, South America. Information on http://www.samsgb.org/people/documents/tedman.pdf
If you wish to support my work through SAMS please contact Philip Tadman (Financial Secretary), Allen Gardiner Cottage, Pembury Road, TUNBRIDGE WELLS, Kent TN2 3QU (email finsec@samsgb.org).
