Filadelfia, Paraguay
July 4, 2009 | posted by Lars under paraguay!, reflections, updates
I am glad, on this fourth of July evening, to be resting in the City of Brotherly Love. After a truly spectacular week of biking - riding 550 miles in 6 days, staying with a “traditional” Mennonite family on a colony in Bolivia, seeing incredible wildlife (including a toucan, several armadillos, & flocks of parrots) and unique flora, eating empanadas and staying the night with the Paraguayan customs officials, and riding with a young woman from Filadelfia 90 miles into town today - it feels wonderful to rest again, here in the home of the Klassens in Fernheim Colony, in the center of the Great Paraguayan Chaco.
It seems serendipitous that, on the day the USA celebrates its independence, we would be reminded by our host town’s name of the undergirding importance of love, over all. We, it seems, are not so independent after all; and maybe that shouldn’t even be our goal. Life seems much richer as it is given freely and shared with others; exclusion and self-preservation may be the way of the nations, but it doesn’t seem like the way of Life.
That said, we had delicious asado - barbequed steak & pork - and ice cream made with milk from the colony’s dairy today for supper with the Klassens. It reminded me of celebrating the fourth with family and friends in what feels like a parallel world back home, where the hamburgers, homemade ice cream, and fireworks all seem to point, not to our individual autonomy, but to our community. We, when we live well, live as if we need each other.
4 Responses to “Filadelfia, Paraguay”
• On Jul 5, 2009 Elly Wiebe wrote:
Congratulation!! you almost made it! and welcome in my country ,also my “hometown”!!! I hope you enjoy the Chaco, it should show his almsot best weather, because it is winter and not sooo hot!:)
God bless you as you continue to Asuncion!!
And yeah, it was very intersting for me to celebrate 4 the July here in America, it is little bit diffrent then our asado and icecream, but celebration with friends and the love of God, that is what counts in those moments!!
Blessings to you!
• On Jul 6, 2009 Linda Martin Burkholder wrote:
Wish we could join you for the last few days of your ride! Blessings as you connect with Paraguayans and end your journey to Asuncion! See you later this week!
linda
• On Jul 6, 2009 Rob Nofziger wrote:
Dear Jon and Lars,
Congratulations on a high mileage week. I can only guess that you are enjoying that O2 rich air after your trek through the highlands. So glad that you are being well received in the tropical east and are closing in upon your destination and goal. Menno convention was a summer highlight here in the States last week and today is kind of a reality check as we get back into our local ministries with new ideas and challenges swirling around in our heads.
Blessings,
Rob
• On Jul 6, 2009 Tom Spicher wrote:
Jon and Lars,
Thanks for the opportunity to take a virtual bike trip through the Americas with you. Your blog and pictures have been inspiring.
You have chosen this project wisely and have carried it out with great care and dedication.
It has not only been a great blessing to you but also to all of us. God bless your last miles.