June 12,2025

[Susan Hoover]

Dear family and friends,

Greetings once again.  My head and heart are so full of happenings, that I feel I need to write it all down, before I forget, or before the emotion of it all passes.

The day began in the usual manner. I believe I mentioned in my last letter about a new man that was brought in on Friday evening -- Alejandro by name. He did fairly well here for a few days, but his body seemed worn out and starved. He could not eat much at one time, and it seemed the Paraguayan staff here did not understand that a person who has been starved like he was, needs to eat smaller amounts more frequently. Peter would bring him snacks in between meals -- a banana or a bun, or some yogurt, which he really appreciated. His mind was very clear. Peter talked to him about Jesus, and he seemed very receptive and eager to learn more. Peter often prayed with him, and Alejandro liked that. He told Peter at one point that he does believe in God and Jesus, and he one time he even prayed himself when Peter was spending time with him. He was clearly not well, and by yesterday he only wanted to be in bed. He developed a high fever and repeatedly asked for water. This morning Peter and I were planning to go to town to do the grocery shopping, as well as some business of our own. We both went into Alejandro's room before we left and spoke a few words with him. He was very hot. Peter prayed once more with him, then we said good-bye and left. (He was supposed to have been taken to the hospital yesterday evening, but the folks who were responsible to do this never showed up.)

We were gone about two and a half hours. When we came home, we noticed several police officers were here. And yes, we were met with the news that Alejandro had passed away. I cannot explain the emotion that washed over me, but I am so thankful that our God is merciful, and is a righteous judge. I also cannot help but feel that if the thief on the cross could receive forgiveness in the last moments of his life, and Jesus promised him a place in Paradise, well, there is much hope for this man too. He did believe. And he prayed to God. His faith was simple, but real. We only knew him for a few short days, but it seemed he found a special place in our hearts, and he also loved Peter because he could feel Peter's love for him. I'm so glad we could give him some joy and love in his last days!

We have been here only a little over a month, and this is the third death here since we came. Victor, Argundio, and now Alejandro. Argundio was also here only for less than a week, till he died. Sometimes being here is hard, and sad. But, as always, God's grace is sufficient.

In town, we were looking for a fridge. We would like to have our own fridge, and after looking at several places, we found one that we liked, at a reasonable price. It's even a frost-free one!! It costs a bit more to have that feature, but it will be well worth it, I know. I've had fridges that aren't frost free, and it's a pain.

After we decided on which fridge, we headed to the supermarket and did a big grocery shopping there. We actually needed two carts, till all was said and done!! :-) Of course it was for the Home here, not just for us.

Later in the afternoon, we had a big celebration here, for two of the elderly men who are having birthdays! Antonio's birthday is today, (June 12) and Francisco's is tomorrow, so we had a joint celebration for the two of them. The town mayor's wife always plans something special for these birthdays. Always snacks and a fancy cake, at the very least, but there is often more. Today we had a 12-year-old boy that came in to sing!! And sing he did. He was dressed like a Mexican and sang Mexican mariache. With loud accompaniment, of course. We actually enjoyed it very much! He must have sung for close to an hour -- song after song. He walked back and forth, singing into the mic.His mother managed the speakers, and his grandma was there too. He is actually a professional. It was amazing. He was so polite and grown-up, too. Afterwards he and his mother went around giving a little gift to each one of the residents. Last of all he came up to me and shyly, politely gave me a gift too. "This is for you," he said. I spoke with him a little and told him how much I enjoyed his singing. His name is Tiago and he is 12 years old. The gift he gave me is a nice cozy, fleece scarf to wear around my ears and neck when it is cold. I love it!

They had a snack big enough that no one needs any supper tonight. Each little plate that they passed out, had an empanada filled with meat and cheese, a milanesa (slab of chicken breast, breaded and fried), a chipa, and a piece of chipa guazu. Then after that was all eaten, everyone got a generous piece of cake too. The cake had pudding and chocolate between the layers -- yum. Everything was delicious! I made it a point to talk to the mayor's wife (she's been here pretty often so we know her already) and thanked her for doing this for their birthdays, because they get so little joy in life and this is very special for them! The birthday men are actually often in tears during their party. It is touching to see how much they love and absorb the extra attention. We also included another man, Pedro, in today's celebrations. He says his birthday is in June, but he does not remember which day.

So, what a mixed day! Shopping, a birthday celebration, and a death. And of course, laundry, as always! And tonight we have a service of some kind. Each Thursday evening someone comes and has a short message and some singing. The Luz y Esperanza group does it every other Thursday, and on the Thursdays in between it is usually one of the other Mennonite groups. We always enjoy it. (Oh, Joel just told me now that no one is coming tonight for a meeting. I'm kind of glad -- I feel like we had enough to process today!

Yesterday Florencia and I did a lot of tomatoes again. We filled the fridges' crisper drawers with the best ones for immediate use, then chopped up the rest and put them in the freezer to use in cooking. There were also some beets that we rescued -- we cooked a big kettle full of them and in the afternoon Peter and I peeled them. Cooked beets with butter and salt are a nice addition to our meals! There are enough for several meals.

Good morning now, this is Friday morning! I did not get finished last night. It is a windy morning! Several blankets are already out on the clothesline, flapping in the wind. Looks like it should dry well today, if  the rain holds off. It is a bit cloudy. On Wednesday morning it started out nice and sunny, but in just a short while a cold fog blew in, and hanging more laundry out was useless. A few hours later it cleared and was sunny again ... so the weather can be fickle here too!

We have been enjoying a number of visitors. One day last week a couple came to visit in our little casita, but we just simply cannot remember their names! What a shame. We did enjoy the visit and should have written their names down. Rudi and Helen Toews were here on Saturday afternoon. Tuesday forenoon a couple from Begthal dropped in for an hour or so -- Franky and Susanna Friesen. And that same afternoon, Dennis and Lorna Hildebrand, and their youngest daughter, Jana, came to visit. We enjoyed each one! Dennis is the oldest son of Hein and Tina. Their son Walter comes over every now and then too, as well as Randy and Rosie Fehr and family. She is a daughter of Hein and Tina too.

And now our new fridge just got delivered. It's a nice, pretty, compact thing and I like it. It will be handy to not have to run over to the main kitchen for the things we have in the fridge over there! Milk, cream, fruit, etc.

God has been good to us, and we have much reason to praise Him! Offering the sacrifice of praise continually. In the ups and downs of life, in joy or in sorrow, God is ever present. And we love Him!

Serving with gladness,

Susan, for the Hoovers