The Move

Dionisio, my language helper and only mbya believer in the area, is making a move to another community. He says that there is a lot of interest in this other community to hear God's word and wants to be there more often so that they can meet regularly. This seems like a good opportunity for him, but it means I will have to find a new language helper which will not be easy. Everything seemed like a good idea, but Dionisio's wife does not want to go to the new community. She says that she is happy where they are. Now, I won't even pretend that I understand the complexity of their relationships, but it seems like Dionisio is going to go to the new community for three or four days during the week and go back to his home the rest of the week. The two places are an hour apart.

Since Dionisio is staying in the other community, he had to build a home for himself. Traditionally, the houses were made of tree trunks of various sizes with mud put in the creases to seal it.

Now, especially around the city, more indigenous are starting to make their houses out of whatever they can find. Many of those who work in the trash dump use these big tarps. When there is a hard rain, no one sleeps. Here is the home that Dionisio built in the other community.

Here is the inside of his new house.

I was worried about Dionisio finding work. Where he used to live he had a job that payed him regularly. At this new settlement, there is not that type of steady work. He told me that he was going to make and sell artisan things. When I arrived for a visit one day, he was working on a basket.

Here is the finished project. Not to shabby. I'm hoping he can find a place where he can sell his things. The nearest town to them is about 5 kilometers, and it's not very big.

(Just for fun...) Here is a picture of two of Dionisio's grandchildren.

We are hopeful that Dionisio's presence in the new community will lead to the advancement of the kingdom. Please pray for Dionisio and his family. Please also pray for me as I look for a new language partner.