Tour Leader’s Blog

Yesterday we visited the spectacular Iguazu Falls on the Brazilian side. Initially we were looking across to the falls in Argentina but as we walked, new cataracts and vistas appeared. It is such a magnificent display of nature. Ruth Mark had trouble controlling her emotions she was so filled with joy. Laverne Petersen said it was “indescribable”. We were told the park has been declared a World Natural Heritage site by UNESCO and was the site for the filming of the movie “The Missionary”.

Today we crossed the Parana River into Paraguay. Edgar reminded us that East Paraguay is more fertile because the rainfall is more balanced. We visited the Sommerfeld Colony who occasionally works on projects with the Bergthal Colony on the other side of the highway.

Today was Hedi Ratzlaff’s birthday so we stopped at the Sommerfeld Co-op Dairy for ice cream. Albert and Mary Hildebrand gave us a tour of their flour mill and their newest project - a factory which makes pasta products. Ina and Eldon Martin were impressed with the size of this very modern operation and the many Paraguayans who are provided with meaningful employment there.

Mennonite Hospital at KM81

At the hospital at Kilometer 81 we were welcomed by Adeline Fehr, the hospital administrative assistant. This hospital is famous for its leprosy ministry. We toured the beautiful campus called “the thank you project” by some Paraguayans since it was a gift from the Mennonites to the people of Paraguay for welcoming them as refugees.

We learned that to date 5,500 leprosy patients have been treated by the hospital with 139 new cases each year, although the facility is also a general hospital. Before continuing on to Mennonitenheim for the night, we enjoyed “faspa” served by the cooks and the volunteers. The meal was so delicious that Irma Evenson was seen to take a few sweets with her to the bus. LeRoy Friesen thought Marion should ask for the recipe.

~ Wilmer Martin

Our Experience South America tour, with Edgar Stoesz serving as our teacher/story teller, arrived in Brazil yesterday.

It was a joy to be able to be in Curitiba on a Sunday. This morning we attended the joint German service, with the Mennonites (MG) and the Mennonite Brethren meeting together. Our group was invited to share greetings and to sing a song. Walter Dyck led our group in a song that the Mennonite refugees sang on the boat from Europe to South America “O Have You Not Heard of that Beautiful Stream.” We sang the four verses in English and then the first verse in German. It was very moving to see the members of the congregation join on the German verse with tears streaming down their faces. We were one family hailing from three countries; Brazil, United States, and Canada. Our faith in God, as expressed in the hymn, and a common history unites us. Following the service there were many greetings and the minister let us know that we are always welcome and “please come again.”

Following our tour of Mennonite-related businesses, cemeteries and schools, we enjoyed a Faspa at Heidi Pauls’ home co-hosted by her mother Anneliese. This evening our tour members reflected on our time here.

Laverne Petersen was impressed “how you could worship and not understand a word. The spirit that was present and the facial expressions helped me have a meaningful experience.”

Marion Friesen shared that “Mrs. Fast talked to us following the service showed us the garden and education facilities. She told us with pride how happy she is that they have a Portuguese service at 11am filled with young people.”

Hedi Ratzlaff reflected that “being present, talking and hearing their story helps us to feel their energy. The church is alive as witnessed by the many daughter congregations.”

Bill Stout “was surprised how large the Mennonite church program is in Brazil.”

Tomorrow we are off to visit Iguazu Falls on the Brazilian side.

~ Wilmer Martin