Back in Charagua

Well, we are back "home" in Charagua...and it feels good! We returned from Santa Cruz a bit more than a week ago and have slowly been getting back into the swing of things. After sweeping all the cobwebs and inches of dust out of our house and Centro Menno, we opened back up for business. We also bumped all around Durango Colony, re-visiting our main contacts (and friends) and checking on the progress of the water projects. It was encouraging to see some new, flourishing gardens. Ramont has also been busy helping coordinate water systems for two Guarani communities. Footings were poured for a windmill in Caipepe, and talks are well underway for a pump (called a "burrito," of all things) to be built for another farming community in its initial stages.

It is dry, extremely dry, and the harvest this year in these colonies and surrounding area was quite poor (though Durango Colony faired not as badly). In fact, the government has declared the Chaco an emergency situation because of the drought, saying that families and schools are being harmed by men leaving to find work elsewhere. In talking to Bolivian and Mennonite folks, though, it doesn´t necessarily seem all that worse than many of the previous years. We´ve again planted a garden, which will have to be irrigated quite regularly.

Our little Charagueño, Jonathan, is now back in his homeland and doing pretty well despite the constant wind, dust, and bumpy roads...and four-month vaccinations. His smile is quick and his "language" is becoming increasingly varied. He is truly a joy--and quite the entertainment in an otherwise slow life!