What where we doing?
The group from St John's where working on the building of a large church at Sombrero Piri in the Chaco region of Paraguay. The tinglado is there (the metal structure and roof), but the floors, walls, doors etc. need completing. There will be a lot of manual work involved. Those going will also be able to see the aljibes (brick built water storage vessels) being constructed for which the people at St John's gave so generously at harvest time last year (please see the email from Bishop John Ellison below). The rain water from the church roof will supply the aljibes with water to be used during the dry season. The church project is one of three being organised through the South American Missionary Society (SAMS) which will be underway simultaneously in the Chaco.
The Chaco is a sparsely populated semi-tropical area populated by the indigenous Indian people. There is a wide variety of local widelife - animals, birds, reptiles and insects! Sombrero Piri is approximately 3 hours drive from Asuncion, the capital of Paraguay. An Anglican centre is located nearby and there will also be work available with the local children or in a medical centre.
Accommodation and facilities are very basic. We will be catering for ourselves while we are working but at the weekends there will be free time to visit Asuncion and Conception where there will be hotel accommodation.
Who went from St Johns?
Brian Donnelly, Noelle and Brian Greenhalgh, Derek Huyton, Sheila Martland and David Orritt.
In addition:
Les Newman and Ken Skelton from St Paul's Skelmersdale;
Hannah Sayle, Kenwyn Church, Truro, Cornwall;
Alan and Ben Hancock, Rotherham
where all working with us on the project at Sombrero Piri.
When did we go?
Leave heathrow, London 22:00 hours Wednesday 28th July 2004.
Change planes at Sao Paulo, Brazil for Asuncion Paraguay, arriving at 13:30 hours 29th July.
Travel by vehicle to the church building on 30th July. The journey will be along the Trans-Chaco highway which is a single-track road and then across dirt tracks to Sombrero Piri.
Work for 3 weeks on the church building and then travel to the Iguacu Falls on the Brazil / Argentina border.
Return to Heathrow at 14:00 hours on Wednesday 25th August.
How can YOU help?
Pray for the ongoing work of the South American Missionary Society and that the three projects taking place this summer in the Chaco will improve the standard of life of the local people and bring them into a closer relationship with Jesus.
Pray for the safekeeping of those travelling to the Chaco and that the experience will deepen their faith.
We will be taking adult and children's clothing for the local people-we are of course limited in what we can carry. In addition we require a battery-operated drill and safety equipment such as goggles and safety gloves. If anyone is able to assist please with any of these items or would like to contribute to the funding of the project please have a word with David Orritt.
Email received from Bishop John Ellison
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We are delighted to tell you that the Harvest Festival offering has been well used. The village of Nazaret now has a new aljibe for storing rain and an old one has been repaired. In Meyek an old one has been repaired and in Palo Blanco the guttering has been repaired and the existing aljibe repaired and a new one dug. Just as the final details were completed, God gave his touch and the rain started to fall. Hallelujah! Everyone is very happy as you can imagine. These villages are all in the community of Sombrero Piri where the volunteers from St. Johns, Burscough will be working in July/August, so they will be able to see the aljibes for themselves and meet the people.
The changes in weather in Paraguay are noticeable and the need for storing water when it does fall is greater than ever. Really over the last few years very little rain has fallen compared to previous years. The soil at Sombrero Piri is much heavier than in other communities, more like clay, so when there is a drought, the plants get destroyed very quickly as the ground is rock hard.
We send our grateful thanks to you all, especially from pastors Elvio and Teodoro and the Sombrero Piri community. |
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