Despedida

Joe here. Yesterday was the last day of school for me. I haven't completely processed the fact that the year is over. I'm going to need some time to let it all sink in. In my classes we had 'despedidas,' or farewell parties. In one of my 6th grade classes, I was presented with an awesome t-shirt with a picture of the class on it. I decided to wear it the rest of the day.

So thankful!

The 6th grade class that gave me the t-shirt

A picture with some of the girls from the class

A picture with some of the boys

Here is Mariam signing my school uniform

Cecilia had me wear these cool sunglasses

Some of my 5th graders, aka Paraguay's version of the Spice Girls

One of my 5th graders, Dahiana

Hugo (5th grade)

Sara Noemi (5th grade)

Matias, German, Jose, Gustavo (6th grade)

Diego, Josue Portillo, Junior (6th grade)

Ana Karen, Silvana, Ana Belen (5th grade)

I'm definitely going to miss all of this. It has been an amazing year and one that I hope to never forget.

Psalm 147:10-11

"His delight is not in the strength of the horse,

nor his pleasure in the legs of a man,

but the LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him, 

in those who hope in his steadfast love."

Trying to hope in his steadfast love daily.

October Highlights

Joe here. Our time here in Paraguay is coming to an end as we have a little more than a month and a half remaining. November is the last month of the school year and the thought of having to say good-bye to my students bums me out big time. This month is going to be extremely busy as we prepare final exams, turn in grades, and try to spend as much time with the friends that we have made here. Here are some pictures of what happened in October.

Olimpiada for upper elementary!

Team Bordo getting ready for their grand entrance

Some of my 5th grade students: Justine, Silvana, Ana, Violeta

A queen is selected from every class. Here they are taking their royal march.

Blanco vs. Bordo!

San Bernadino is a vacation resort for many Paraguayans. We made the hour and a half drive for a Saturday outing.

Posing in front of a lake

Yoe Jin, Eva, and Kacey

Lots of places to shop in San Bernadino too!

Trinkets galore!

Apparently Coca-Cola owns the park benches here

Kacey getting in her daily workout on a Coca-Cola donated machine...the irony

There is a large German population in San Bernadino and they were having an outdoor farmer's market of sorts

Delicious spreads of various kinds

Guinness World Record!

Paraguay broke the previous record for the largest harp ensemble. The previous record was 201 harpists. Paraguay more than doubled that!

430 harpists!