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Warkentin Newsletter April 2008 |
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A New School year begins
Our campus at the Indian Bible Institute (IBI) took on new life on Feb. 18 as 27 men students arrived with their families for the new school year. Being spontaneous and short-term planners, registration day is always a suspenseful and exciting event. We are grateful for the good enrollment. Our freshman class is large and comes from various ethnic tribal backgrounds: North Lengua, South Lengua, Sanapaná, Angaité, Toba, Nivaclé and Guaraní. Our second and third year classes are smaller. Few of them complete in 3 consecutive years their studies, so we have almost a new student body. We are getting to know each other better each day.
One student is of particular interest to me: Augustin Paco. He comes from the North Lengua worker camp just within the city limits of Filadelfia. Back in the 90's I served there as a church advisor and became acquainted with him. It has been a real challenge to enroll students from that community. Most have steady jobs, which they are not willing to relinguish, nor are they academically prepared for further studies. Augustin is a mature believer and truly desires to learn, but is behind other students in the basic skills of reading and writing. Pray that he would have the courage to pursue studies inspite of these obstacles. We would like to see many more Native American students from this community and from other urban centers where the need for trained pastors is great.
Blessed are the peacemakers
It is very rare that we as Bible school teachers are called to help in cases of conflicts between German Mennonite employers and Native American employees, but due to our friendship with the employer (and my contacts with the Lenguas), I was asked to mediate. Once again it became clear to me that differing cultures and languages make fertile ground for such frictions. With the help of several Lengua pastors, steps were made in building understanding, and trust. Sad to say, this case was brought before local authories before we were notified, a step we would like to avoid where both employer and employee are confessing believers. Pray that future conflicts could be resolved in a peaceful way among believers.
My brothers' visit
A dream of mine was fulfilled when my three brothers and their wives came for a ten-day visit, this past Easter. It was a real treat to host and show them the country and people we have come to love and cherish. In addition to some beautiful scenery like the Iguazu Falls, and Chaco cattle ranches, they were able to meet Native Americans, German Mennonites and Latin Paraguayans in this unique cultural tapestry. Many things that are common day experiences for us caught their attention, for example: an Indian transporting 2 heavy buckets of water on his bike, the frequent use of stamps authoritatively imprinted by Latinos on documents, the vision and enterprise of the German Mennonites.
For us as a family, it was a special reunion. Our children renewed their ties with uncles and aunts. We retold many childhood adventures, and shared our concerns and burdens in prayer. We feel affirmed in our work and our choice of Paraguay as our new "home".
Questions regarding drought still linger
The long awaited summer rains did arrive, but here in Yalve Sanga they were scarce. Often rains fell all around but not here. Spotty rains is not unusual, nor are we the only community with a low summer rainfall, but the Indian community here is asking questions. A search for the cause of the drought is a typical response for those of an animistic background. Many have suggested that the drought is a punishment for the introduction of dance (which they describe as choreography) within their church services. Of course, some leaders are accusing others for their toleration of dancing and others find themselves on the defense. At one of the Lengua services I attended, their pastor compared himself to Job who due to his suffering was falsely accused of sin that supposedly brought on his suffering. I cannot say if he misinterpreted the Bible to defend himself, but I ask that you pray with me for Roberto and other pastors. Pray that their reading of Scriptures would help them understand God's sovereign rule over nature and mankind, and that they would fully trust God in times of suffering. We will need God's insight and trust in Him as our provider, as long as we live in the Chaco.
Other Family Highlights
Carmen had the opportunity to put into practice some of her acquired teaching skills this summer in working for the local education department in the preparation of materials. She also joined the girls volleyball team, along with Miriam. The girls team won second place again in a local tournament. Miriam was asked to help prepare and direct a children's Christmas program in a German Mennonite village outside of Filadelfia. Both girls were active in local girls camps. Both live in our house in Filadelfia along with 3 other girls. Pray that they would mutually care for each other. Delbert worked hard at a local printer's shop and was able to purchase his own motorcycle in January when he acquired his provisionary driver's license. This school year he is living off campus with an elderly couple. These freedoms of off campus living and mobility (without our supervision) assume a large responsibility. Pray for that he would learn to set his own boundaries, and find a suitable roommate that could be supportive.
Yours in His Service
Melvin, Gudrun, Carmen, Miriam and Delbert
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