Victory and Waiting

One of the after-school programs that Brandon helped to start was a debate team for the high school students. Eight students met after school for weeks, preparing for the first debate tournament in which the school had ever participated.

The tournament, sponsored by the United States Embassy, was a multi-week endeavor. The Thursday of this last week found the team in the finals, competing against other American schools from the city. After several rounds of debate, the team claimed victory and enjoyed a Burger King lunch to celebrate!

Below is a photo of the four team members who lead the team to victory (together with their coach, Christian Ayala).

With the success of the debate team, Brandon is asking for prayer as he continues to expand the after-school programs. He knows that it is easy to get distracted by success and busyness. Rather than fill the school calendar with events for the sake of staying busy, he desires to stay focused on the things that God would have him do for His glory.

This week has also found us in the midst of spring - and REAL genuine spring-like weather. The temperature has been in the upper-70's to low-80's, something we were told NOT to expect. Those at the school who have lived here for years are surprised, too, at the mild weather. Apparently the seasons usually just jump straight from winter to summer. Well, at least that's what they remember from year to year, anyway. Perhaps the summers are so extreme that it just SEEMS like there's not a spring to speak of before the scorching temperatures and matchless humidity arrive. Whatever the case may be, we are thoroughly enjoying these days!

We were met with still more "unexpectedness" this weekend as we waited for Stacy's parents to arrive. Apparently they needed to have visas to visit, which we did not know they needed, so they were not allowed to board the plane in Mexico City to finish their journey through Sao Paulo, Brazil, to Asuncion. They've spent the past two nights in Mexico City and, as I type, they are headed to the Paraguayan Consulate (in Mexico City) to get their Paraguayan visas. The airline has promised to honor their plane tickets once they have their visas and we are hopeful that they will arrive on Tuesday. Please pray for favor with the Paraguayan Consulate, that they will receive their visas on Monday, and for a safe trip through to Asuncion. We are anxious to see them!

UPDATE: As of Monday night, Dave and Faylin are en route to Brazil! They don't have their flight information for getting to Asuncion, but they should be here either at 6:30 or 11:30 P.M. on Tuesday night! PRASIE GOD!!! I've attached a copy of the e-mail we received updating us on their progress. Please pray special blessing on Graciela, the author of the e-mail, for all of her help communicating Dave and Faylin's flight plans.

I hope you receive my e-mail. I helped your parents to buy a couple of sandwiches at Subway in Mexico City. I'm an Argentine journalist living in Mexico and I gave them my phone number in case they need help. Your mother called me this afternoon asking me if I could send you an e-mail to you with details of their arriving. I explained all this as perhaps you think this is a joke or something strange. But I'm just a person who helped a couple of tourists, the same way I had received assistance when I visited other places.
So I repeat what your mother said:
1. They are leaving Mexico City tonight a 11:30pm, arriving Sao Paulo, Brazil, about 8/8:30.
2. They are leaving from Sao Paulo through airline TAM and arriving in Asunción, Paraguay, during the afternoon, but your mother said they didn't know the time.

I don't know if you speak with your parents, but they had to stop in Mexico City to get a visa to enter Paraguay.
Regards,
GHO