Thank you all for your prayers this month. Although lots of children and some staff have had dengue fever, all of them have recovered. It has taken a while for some to get all their strength back.
The church
At the beginning of the month our church held a successful Bring and Buy lunch again. Also, some of the ladies set up stalls to sell some of the goods that they have been making in the ladies sewing group.
Both St. Andrew's churches were busy over Easter. On Good Friday Mags and Gwen led a reflection on the Cross, in the English chapel. It was a beautiful service. It was followed by Mags' delicious homemade hot cross buns. On Easter Sunday there was a full congregation, with many newcomers in the English-speaking church. In the cathedral we had a lovely service, focussing on the resurrection.
The Country
The economy is said to be on the rise here but so are the prices. Every week we have new surprises as inflation continues to be felt in the shops and the local market. Some families are struggling so hard to feed everybody. Now there is pressure to increase bus fares. That will affect a lot of the people who have to use buses to get to work, Some can barely afford the current fares.
The government announced a rise in the minimum salary. People are so desperate for work that they will work for whatever they can get. More and more children can be seen working on the streets.
On the television there have been some sad reports of old people living in subhuman conditions and of the children being exploited. There is also an increase in violence in many areas, especially among schoolchildren. It is a worrying trend. These children need to know Jesus and to feel His love.
Funigation continues against dengue-carrying mosquitoes. Along with it there has been an increase in people with respiraotory problems, which are allergy-related. The hospitals have been working flat out to meet everybody's needs. My doctor was exhausted last week when I saw him.
The school
I am delighted to have a new librarian, Angela. She is a breath of fresh air and a wonderful Christian, with an amazing testimony. She is Chilean. It is good to have somebody who really knows the job. We have started reorganizing everything.
School has been very busy this month, so it was a relief to have a week off for Holy week.
Two groups from the secondary department went to the Chaco helping in the indigenous communities, but when a child returned with dengue the third group's trip was cancelled.
Those who went gained so much and came back with changed attitudes, having experienced working with poor, humble, marginalised Paraguayans for the first time.
The first term ended with a fun day on the Thursday as the Primary department held their annual hat parade. This year the theme was the Bicentenary of Independence so all hats were very patriotic, the majority being red, white and blue. Of course everybody received a prize of an Easter egg.
On the final day we all congregated in the cathedral for an Easter service. The focus was "Jesus is alive!" It was a beautiful service with a fun spot when Babs Owen cut up the second grade teacher's tie and then fed him dog food.
There was a good message with it, which the Bishop followed up in his talk. The sixth form gave a moving presentation of God creating, ending up with a jig-saw picture of Christ.
There was a good message with it, which the Bishop followed up in his talk. The sixth form gave a moving presentation of God creating, ending up with a jig-saw picture of Christ.
The history presentations continue, with each grade taking a turn. This week the second grade gave a very interesting presentaion of the Chaco Wars. They brought in artefacts and family photos of grandparents, to talk about. Afterwards their teacher talked about the importance of forgiveness aftyer the war and also when we fallout with friends and family. The Biblical base was there again.
Today the Brits were up early to catch the Royal Wedding on television before the day began. we then went in to a celebration for Teacher's Day and Workers' Day. The children entertained us and presented each teacher with a certificate. (Mine was for being the teacher famous for her special stickers). It was all great fun with many laughs.
Later the parents came to give us a "merienda" (snacks) 
and we were presented with gifts.
and we were presented with gifts.I was stacked high with presents, much to my surprise. 
The children were wild with excitement.
The children were wild with excitement.Finally the staff had a wonderful lunch together before leaving early, with yet another gift, of a new shirt/blouse each. It was a lovely day and we felt well appreciated.
Prayer Points
1. Please give thanks for the Lord's provision of Anglea in the library. Pray for her as she setlles into the school. She has a few health problems at the moment so please pray for the Lord to deal with these. Pray for young Santi as he helps us both.
2. Please continue to pray for the continuing battle against the dengue epidemic.
3. Please pray for the poor and infirm here. Pray that their needs will be met. Pray also for the children who have to work to help their families or to merely survive themselves. Many are so young (about five or six) and they have no childhood as we know it.
4. Pray for the churches as they struggle to help those in need. it is not easy, when poverty is all around. Pray for those with the means to have generous hearts to help those less fortunate, so that God's love can be shared and felt.
5. Continue to pray for President Lugo and his government as they work against corruption and to improve the economy. Pray that they will fulfil promises made to the poor here, to improve their lot.
email:- ltedman@hotmail.com
