Acts 2

Posted on August 26, 2013 by Christian&Angelica

During the month of July, Angelica and I had the pleasure of once again hosting some of our friends from home. I often think of the early church during the days that we are together with our friends.

Many of y’all may think that as missionaries we live life like the early Christians did in Acts. Unfortunately, just like many of y’all, we get bogged down in the everyday routine of life. We often find ourselves focusing on our “work in missions” and loose site of how we could be living.

The few weeks each year that we have to live out the life presented to us in Acts: 2 are a tremendous blessing to Angelica and I, as well as to the Paraguayans.

We Don’t Have That Here

While Paraguay is changing (and I don’t hear it as much), I still hear the occasional “I don’t know what you are talking about” or “we don’t have that here in Paraguay.” A lot of times I can find what is needed after beating the bushes for a while. Angelica gets mad at me and says that I should just accept things, but my persistence is often rewarded. To my delight, this was the case with bagels.

Then again, sometimes I have to improvise. On more than one occasion, I have had to use something differently than how it is intended. Cutting wood planks with a chain saw comes to mind. Using a clear hose as a level is another. With some things I have just given up — like finding Philips-head screws.

As I have mentioned before, Angelica and I are looking into doing some different things down here. We are thinking about traveling more and maybe traveling to more remote places. We need to purchase another vehicle in order to be able to do this. We know what we want, but are having a hard time finding what would work best for us. We are confident that we will, at some point, find what we need and have the funds to purchase it.

A Shared Word

Over the years of serving here in Paraguay, we have come across a tremendous number of people who can do at least part of what we are doing and sometimes, they do it better. I have learned that communication is one of the most pressing problems third world countries have. To many, I am considered and expert in things that the Paraguayan should be better equipped to do.

Angelica and I spend much of our time helping people realize and develop their potential. It is amazing how much of what I learned in college is applicable to serving in missions. God has blessed people in third world countries with talents just like we have in the good old US of A — they just need to be drawn out of them. Because so many people in The States have invested in Angelica and I, we are able to help the Paraguayans reach their potential and follow through with their responsibility to share Christ in their own country.

Angelica always says that America is blessed because for years they used the gifts that God gives them to help others and if Paraguay wants to be blessed they must do the same.

PARAGUAY FACT

There is no such thing as a quick run to the store.

Sometimes it works, even when it’s not working

Posted on June 17, 2013 by Christian&Angelica

A few weeks ago a man who carries the cross around the world accompanied me on a trip to the Interior. He had traveled to over 200 countries and walked over 35,000 kilometers. Paraguay was the final country for him to visit in South America. In talking with him, I was surprised to hear that he had experienced assaults and verbal abuse while walking in the U.S., much more than anywhere else. Combining this information with problems that we face at a church near the school and Ag. Center, I was discouraged. I did not sleep well the night we arrived in the Interior.

The next afternoon, I finished up a few things at the school and Ag-center, then headed out to find “the man walking with the cross.” I was surprised to find that he had not made it very far. As I stopped to pick him up, he said that he had not gotten far because people kept stopping him and asking him to sit with them for a while. He said that he was surprised by how many people knew me. One man said, “Yeah I know him — the priest.”

Angelica and I want people to know more than just who we are — we want them to know what we do and why. Nevertheless, it is funny sometimes that we are not welcome where we think we are and don’t accomplish things through the methods that we think we will. The good thing is that an America walking in Paraguay and some missionaries working in education and agriculture — we can reach people.

On Tour

Angelica and one of the youth leaders, along with other church leaders, recently took a trip to Ciudad Del Este. This city is about 5 hours east of Asuncion on the Brazilian border. There are five Methodist churches in Ciudad Del Este. Most of these churches have only around 20 members, but they have lots of youth.

After spending time with Angelica and the national youth president and seeing what the youth are doing in Asuncion, their youth were crying for more. They begged Angelica to come back and show them how to reach more youth and liven-up their relationship with Christ.

This has snowballed into an interest to travel to all the districts in Paraguay. Over the years we have been asked repeatedly to travel and visit, but have never really had the time. Leadership in our ministries, including great youth leadership, now allows us to consider this new option.

The one obstacle is the additional cost of traveling in Paraguay. As some of y’all know, many of the roads in Paraguay are not exactly the Autobahn and our vehicles are not exactly Mercedes. We would need to raise additional funding to pay for everything involved with this new ministry.

Just in case you wondered

I have internet just like y’all do at home and sometime I am surprised, and even a little discouraged, by how some people think Americas are perceived in other counties. I just want to say that hardly a week goes by that I don’t hear about how much someone appreciates and/or respects the U.S. The Christians down here in Paraguay are very appreciative of what the American Christians have done for them socially and assisted in spiritually.

Paraguayan Fact:

AnnaBelen asked me if “Princesses” really exist. I told her “Yes, especially here in Paraguay.”

Feliz Navidad from Paraguay

Posted on December 21, 2012 by Christian&Angelica

Christmas with the Bats

We just had our graduation and Christmas program at The Susanna Wesley School. It was a great night of celebrating the coming of Christ and the accomplishments of the kids. Angelica, the teachers, and the kids put on a super show but my attention was on the bats.

We always have bats in the interior and I normally don’t pay them much attention. It was just interesting to see them flying over the Baby Jesus and the kids as they danced. It made me think of how diverse this world is that God created. This Christmas season, whether it is cold or hot, whether you enjoy time with the family in front of a fire place or outside in the late evenings, whether you are drinking hot chocolate or frozen pineapple juice, we hope y’all have a Merry Christmas.

Ministry

It is very hot here. During the days, it is hard to really get much accomplished. The only productive people are the people that have jobs in the AC, and even they succumb to the heat during blackouts. We have been doing most of our work and traveling at night. Despite the heat, we have had a fair amount of rain and the crops are growing well.

The ministries at the school and agriculture project continue to open doors for Angelica and I to be more involved in the community of Yrubucua. We are finding that when we meet new people, they already know who we are and are very open to communicating with us.

This week Angelica had to go to The Ministry of Education in Asuncion to get some papers approved. The lady at the office asked her if she is the Director of the school and if this is the school that is in Quinta Linia. She said the school has “fama” — loose translation, the school is famous.

One of the tools that has helped us expand the number of people that we come in contact with is having events. Cook-outs, tea parties, sporting events, cooking classes, movie nights, plays, devotionals and concerts all help us meet and interact with new people. These are all things that really don’t happen much in the interior of the country. Most of their time is spent trying to keep food on the table and a little money in their pockets.

Because so many people from home and the Paraguayan youth from Asuncion have committed to helping us share Christ, we have been able to put on these events.

Best Year Ever?

Looking back on the year 2012, Angelica and I are thankful for all the help we had in serving here in Paraguay. Never before have we had so many Paraguayans assist us in our ministries, never have we had so much input in the work we are doing. The youth here have been a tremendous blessing and have added new life to the work we do.

Each year the teams that come down become more familiar with the needs here in Paraguay. Each year they are a little more in tune to the weaknesses and strengths of the Christian community in Paraguay. Having help sure seems to make our job a lot easier and much more effective.

We would like to state our complaint on the weather of 2012.

Coming Home

I will be in The States from December 30 to January 18. I will be alone but hope I can see some of y’all.

Paraguay Fact

When attending a party in the interior, you need to bring more than just your drinks.

Junior and Angelo

Posted on November 5, 2012 by Christian&Angelica

By Christian Dickson

Junior and Angelo want so badly to be a part of everything we do at church. They come to Bible studies for adults, show up to women’s meetings, drop in on youth activities and sometimes have to be carried home after falling asleep in the church. Usually before they leave, they ask if everything is over just to make sure they don’t miss out on anything. Often they inform Angelica that they have cleaned up and put on their best clothes to come to church. On occasion, their parents have been a little upset because the boys leave the house and wander up to church without telling them. The two boys are among the many kids that attend our church by themselves.

Last weekend we had an activity at the botanical gardens for the kids from all the Methodist churches in Asuncion. When we arrived at the church to pick up the kids, Angelica and I were surprised to see Junior and Angelo. Angelica asked if they had permission from their parents and they said, “yes” because they cried all night and both got up at 5:30 a.m. to nag their parents until they finally gave in. We had hours of fun with over 200 kids at the park. When we returned to the church, the boys were just hanging around, so Angelica told them that she would walk them home. They both questioned why we were not having our Bible study and Angelica told them because everyone had been at the park playing all morning and were tired. They questioned this and finally we had to admit it was because the adults were tired.

Agromissions

This last month we reached a goal that was set years ago by other missionaries and Christians in the US. It turned out to be a little more of a long-range plan than was first anticipated, requiring the efforts of many people other than the original people who were involved. Through lots of prayer, sometimes not so pleasant discussions, and work, the Agriculture Center (Centro Agritenico Metodista) in Yrubucua has had its first classes in the community on Agriculture.

We have developed a relationship with The Ministry of Agriculture and hope to build on this in our efforts to assist farmers. This is an area in ministry in which the nationals are playing a very important role. We are really coming in to help the Paraguayans help themselves. It is a blessing to be a part of a team, to see everyone contribute and to see what was once just an idea start to develop and contribute to the community and toward the plan of sharing Christ.

Youth Ministry

Each year, Angelica and I discuss the possibility of not continuing as the Chaplains for the national youth. As Chaplains it seems that we are always having to balance between the “rebel” youth and the “boring” adults. The youth want to do things more exciting and the adults want the youth to calm down. We get phone calls from adults and e-mails from the youth. We have to balance between being cool (which I am helping Angelica with) and keeping the kids in line. Sometimes this tug-of-war can get old. Just when we think we have had enough, we are replenished, refreshed and renewed through our time with the youth.

Meet the Children

Many of you have asked to know more about individual children so that you can pray for or sponsor a specific child. We will periodically be introducing you to the children at the Suzanna Wesley school and surrounding area. Regular updates will be under the menu item Suzanna Wesley School. Or, just click here to “meet the children!”

Paraguayan Fact

Paraguay is rough on trucks! Angelica and I have a lot of truck repair that we put off because of other expenses. With our current funding, it is difficult for us to maintain our trucks.

People Take Notice

Posted on August 13, 2012 by Christian&Angelica

by Christian Dickson

There is a saying in Paraguay for people who drop in uninvited to events. It’s used in the verb form and is called Pirateando (being a Pirate). When we have events at the school or the Agriculture Center, we get lots of people Pirateando-ing. There is not much happening in the interior of Paraguay, and the Paraguayans always jump at the opportunity to get together. We just say, “the more the merrier” and are happy to have them.

Several weeks ago, we had an event at the Agriculture Center with Paraguayan music and dancing. I noticed a boy there who I had never seen before. After the event, Angelica and I were on the front porch as the young boy headed off into the distance on his bike. With tears in her eyes, Angelica told me this young boy had approached her and asked if he could attend the Susanna Wesley School. He said that he wants to be an engineer and knows that he won’t be able to get the education he needs from the school he attends. The boy had attended the Susanna Wesley School several years ago and had moved away, but is willing to travel a good distance to attend again. Unfortunately, he is just finishing up the sixth grade and the Susanna Wesley School only goes up to sixth grade.

There are so few opportunities for children living in rural areas of third world countries. Occasionally, there are kids who have the will to persevere and just need a little luck or help along the way. The ones who really want it will diligently seek out opportunities. Many of these opportunities come from Christian programs. While the Suzanna Wesley School may not be able to help this young man, Angelica and I plan to pay him a visit to see if there is a way we can help.

Jefry’s Story

Sometimes, it is not the kids that take so long to come around. Jefry is a boy in our Sunday school class, who has been either Angelica’s student or my student for over seven years. He had always been very active Sunday School, but has never been able to participate in any extracurricular activities. This has always gotten under Angelica’s skin. We know Jefry’s mom, as she lives right next to the church. In the past, I have told Angelica “some day she will lighten up.”

Jefry had been struggling with school and asked us once if God would help him make good grades if he prayed for it. We told him that he would probably get better results if he prayed for a changed attitude in study habits and paid better attention in class. This last quarter, he got good grades and the best math grade in his class. His mom asked him how he did it and he said, “I prayed that God would help me be a better student, just like Angelica taught me.” The other kids in class also took note that he would pray before tests. Now, Jefry’s mom says that he can go anywhere he wants with us.

Women's Bible Study/Tea Party in Paraguay

In July 2012, a missionary team from Alpharetta, Georgia hosted local women for a traditional American Tea Party, then offered a devotion.

I Always Thought Being Married to Angelica Would Pay Off Someday.

Being a family made up of both Americans and Paraguayans, Angelica and I have been able to benefit from our long relationships with friends from both countries. I have mentioned this before, but it is worth mentioning again. The Christian friends that we have here in Paraguay and in the US are a tremendous part of what we do down here. We have received so much help from so many people that I sometimes feel bad about taking credit for our successes and occasional miss steps.

God has blessed us with a talented group of youth here in Paraguay, who are always available to jump in and help us out. Every once in a while, God will put an idea in my mind and after a few phone calls home, the wheels are set in motion. So much of what we do here is relational, and it strengthens us to have such good relationships with people in Paraguay and the US. Almost nothing that we do here could be done on our own, and we thank God that we have other Christians to call on for assistance.

Paraguayan Fact: Missions is fun!

Prayer Requests

Pray for an event we have planned for August 24-25 at the Centro Agritenico Metodista. We have invited someone from the Ministry of Agriculture to teach.
Pray for a baseball clinic that we are hosting in conjunction with a medical team in September. Pray that this will open up new opportunities for us to share Christ.
Pray for AnnaBelen in her new class this year in school.
Pray for AnnaBelen’s teacher. The teachers at the school are missionaries and sometimes have difficulty in the first months.

Christian and Angelica Dickson

Missionaries in Paraguay

Tag Archives: Christian Dickson