The Countryside made me realise what beautiful landscapes South Africa and Paraguay share. A land where hospitality and generosity are so evident.
I introduce to you, Grizelda. A middle-aged Paraguayan woman in the midst of fasting. Our team of 19 people divided into smaller groups of 3, to do a hitch-hike of 300km in one day. During one of our “standing next to the road moments”, this mother stopped in the middle of the road, cars behind her piled up and began hooting, but she climbed out and started helping us load our big bags in her car, patiently. She invited us for a lunch at her working space and blessed us with the local ‘Chipa’ (pastry with meat). She shared with us that she’s been fasting for several days and that morning she experienced the Lord say to her “Young people.” Later that morning she drove passed us, and she knew we were those “young people.” She believed that the Lord used us to an answer her fasting.
She shared with us her life story. She’s a strong woman raising 3 children as a single mother with a lot on her plate. Her life has chapters of turmoil and persevering in faith. I still remember the look in her eyes. Earlier that morning, I received a word from the Lord, “horsepower” and later when I saw Grizelda and heard her story I knew that word was meant for her.
Her character is strong. She kept cool and calm when cars were piling up, hooting as we were getting into her car. Her face told stories of hardship, but her eyes were radiant with love and softness. She was focussed and determined to keep on focussing on the Lord in the midst of trials. Themes that stood out for us as a team during this time was: single mothers raising children (a lot of broken families), bitterness, and hopelessness.
Thank you Lord that we could meet each other next to the road, pray and encourage each other. Thank you that where there is hopelessness in this world, we can be reminded of:
“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”
Psalm 34:18 ESV
Also during our time in Paraguay we did a phone fast, here is how a few of the team members experienced it:
“Abstaining from my phone was a pleasant experience, beforehand my relationship with my phone was a healthy one. During this time I realised the significance of having a phone for everyday tasks and more specific, intentional tasks. It’s a balance that every person should learn, to have tool and use it for good.” -Zack
“My experience with the phone fast started very negatively, because when I first heard that we would be doing it, I was quite upset and I felt like I didn’t have to participate because it was not necessary to do it, but during our travel challenge, God came and ministered to me. He gave me a new view of things and I felt like he was telling me to surrender myself completely to him. He came and worked with me in this time because my goal for Paraguay was to make God my first love and I believe that if my phone was with me it would not have had the effect that it had. I truly believe that he opened my eyes to see everything in a new light and to turn to him with everything, good and bad. If I could describe my time in Paraguay I would say that it was a time of SPIRITUAL GROWTH, because not only did I grow closer to God, but I grew closer to my teammates and I feel like I grew closer to my loved ones at home to an extent because I had to completely trust the Lord to be with them and that he would protect them.” -Lindi
“No phone, no worries. You only sometimes realise the value of something once it is gone. I learned this when we could not use our phones. I then quickly realised that now there is no more alarm to wake me up. No more torch when I am looking for something late at night in my bag. The luxury to quickly search for something I want an instant answer to was gone. But being without my phone has also taught me the value of true communication – true verbal, full attention, whole heartedly being present, wanting to listen and communicate. I could see how being without our phones helped the team to engage in meaningful conversations and I think as a whole. We laughed more, listened more, and enjoyed the value of being present together.” -William
Through the phone fast we grew closer towards each other and realised the worth of being intentional with the people around you.
We lived in a house next to the church and soup kitchen. In the mornings we divided into groups to help Nora prepare food for the children. The rest of the team did dances with the children and spent some time connecting with them.
Throughout our time in Paraguay, everyone in the team had the opportunity to share a testimony in church, schools and a prayer meeting. We visited an orphanage and two schools. Our team worked out new skits, ice breakers and dances that we used for kids ministry. A few members of the team also had the opportunity to preach on different occasions.
We did physical work, painting, and sorting out a storage room. We later moved to a different church where we also painted and helped to cleaned up.
Paraguay has special place in each of our hearts. We experienced the kind culture and beautiful landscape.
In this time that we did the phone fast, we were reminded how important it is to wear the helmet of Salvation. Without it, the enemy has access to your head, the most lethal part of the body. It allows you to identify lies and replace it with truths. God opened our eyes to grow more and be more dependent on Him. He made us aware of our team unity, and we could work on it as a team. We walked out of Paraguay with refreshed hearts.