Linn’s News June 2012Thank you everybody for your prayers this past month. We have had some drier weather and most of our Chaco communities are now drying out and becoming accessible down the muddy roads. In school the second round of exams has been taking place and so far results are looking good.
The Church
Services in the English church have been both lively and inspiring recently as different people take them each week. A new projector, attached to the ceiling has made a big difference to the services. There is a lovely, family feeling as we meet together after the services.
School
This month, as well as doing exams, the children found time to celebrate Mother’s Day. This year we have been doing a whole school project about Great Britain. Each month there is a different aspect that the children work on. This month it was British Food. Therefore the Primary children decided to combine their project with Mother’s Day. They spent a few hours baking the day before and produced scones, chocolate cakes and shortbread for their mothers to share after each class had paid tribute to their Mums through song, dance and poetry. They had also made a gift (clay angels) to show their love for their Mums. There were lots of flashes of cameras and several tears of joy were shed. It was a lovely occasion.
In the secondary department everybody waited around a table spread with delights, then as the Mums chatted together after being entertained, the students swooped in. I had to giggle.
Last week some secondary students went to Brazil with the PE staff and Mags Southern, to the, now annual, international sports camp at Ranchito. They had a truly wonderful time and as always displayed great sportsmanship and were a shining example to all the other schools there. In the picture the girls are praying before their next match. We are so proud of our children.
The Country
As I write, it is Black Friday, not a day of mourning as one would expect, but a day of Sales, with discounts of “up to 80%!” I made the dreadful mistake of going to the market after school to try to leave my Saturday free. The traffic was horrendous and it took me forty minutes for a five minute bus trip. People could be seen all over, buying all sorts of rubbish while I stuck to buying my necessities of fruit and veg.
We are now into the run-up to next year’s elections so the usual demonstrations are taking place to make the politicians aware of the people’s needs and demands. There was huge demonstration in the city last weekend.
Aside from these events not much has been happening this month. The news is full of doom and gloom as usual. The journalists are having to dig deep for things to keep interest going.
Personal
I have now begun the process of packing up fifteen years of my life prior to returning to the UK ready for retirement. My advanced shipment was taken last week. It is supposed to take about three months to arrive, but as yet has not left the depot.
I am a mix of emotions at the moment and I still have farewell parties to face. Fortunately I will be sharing most of these occasions with others who will be leaving. It is so difficult to leave a country that I call home and a job which I love, but I am sure that the Lord is planning something fresh and good for me, in line with his promises.
Prayer points:-
1. Please continue to pray for the government and the President of Paraguay as they continue to try to deal with some of the problems in society. They have been very efficient with their support for the Indians in the Chaco through the emergency. However, there are many others, here in Asuncion, who have been flooded out and who are crying out for help. According to news reports they feel neglected.
2. Please continue in prayer for our health and protection from mosquitoes. A new epidemic of dengue has started. There is also an influenza epidemic.
3. Please pray for our new teacher Rebecca Sosa and her family who have come from the United States. Husband Luis is going to join us too. Their four children are settling in nicely, but they need to learn better Spanish to cope with the Paraguayan curriculum. Pray that they will learn quickly.
4. Please pray for the Hickmott family and for me as we prepare to move back to our respective home countries.
Linn Tedman working for the Church Mission Society, Watlington Road, Oxford, OX4 6BZ email:- ltedman@hotmail.com
You can read more detail and see more photos on my blog:- http://www.linninpy.blogspot.com
