In a Groove

I think I have found my perfect daily rhythm.

I wake up early, because when it´s bright out my body just does that. I go sit out front with Maria (the house mother) and her husband Secundido or one of their daughters, and start the day with some mate.

Breakfast is around 8:00, followed by a family devotional time, and then the morning´s activities follow. Usually this is some form of Spanish lessons, learning about the culture, or visiting places in Asunción. High stress to-do lists are unheard of here, so far.

Lunch is the big meal of the day. Maria spends much of the morning preparing it, and it is invariably delicious.

After lunch, I check e-mail or read or journal for an hour, or else trade backrubs with Krista. Then, once my lunch has settled in my stomach, I crawl into bed for a two-hour or so nap. Whenever I happen to wake up is when I get up. It´s a beautiful thing.

There are always young people from the church stopping by here, so we chat it up and drink tereré, and sometimes head over to the church (super close) to play some soccer and volleyball. Supper is around 7:30 or 8:00, and then the evening is open for socializing or studying or whatever else until 10:30 or 11:00, at which time we generally go to bed.

Our days are not super-structured so far, and at times we North Americans feel like we are being lazy. The main demand on us right now is to learn Spanish, and that we are doing. It can be exhausting mental work some days! So instead of feeling guilty about not technically accomplishing much with my days, which would be a very North American thing to do, I am savouring these relaxed days.

I feel welcome here. I love the culture, which is laid-back and very relationship-oriented. Being lonely is impossible, especially since there is internet access in the house, so we can e-mail and Skype home freely. The people from this Mennonite church are super-friendly and inclusive, and that helps make this place feel like a home for me.

The heat may take some getting used to... but I think my body has found its happy place.