March 22 - April 5, 2007

Thursday & Friday, March 22 & 23:

Our group will gather in Miami on Thursday evening for a late evening departure for Asuncion, Paraguay. After arriving in Asuncion around noon time, we will go to Mennonitenheim, our lodging while in Asuncion, for rest. We will be introduced to Habitat for Humanity Paraguay leaders at our evening dinner.

Saturday-Monday, March 24-26:

On Saturday, we will drive to the Sommerfeld Colony in East Paraguay and spend the day there visiting their hospital, a flour mill, have lunch with local Mennonites and learn about their church and programs. We will stay in this colony for the night and on Sunday morning, worship with them at one of their churches. After church, we will travel to Iguazu Falls-the most wondrous waterfall in South America-where the views are breathtaking. The countries of Paraguay, Brazil and Argentina meet here at the falls. Dinner and folk show. After having a guided tour of the falls on Monday morning, we will travel back to Asuncion with a stop at Kilometre 81 leprosy hospital where we will have our evening dinner.

Tuesday-Thursday, March 27-29:

From Tuesday to Thursday, we will be working with Paraguayan volunteers at a Habitat for Humanity site, building a home for a needy family in the city of Asuncion. Like other Latin American cities, Paraguay’s capital, Asuncion, is facing rapid urban growth, with people migrating from surrounding rural areas in search of work. Many of these immigrants live in shanty-towns just outside of the city in structures made of plastic, plywood or cardboard. Recent studies estimate the housing deficit for the country of Paraguay at more than 350,000 units. The Habitat houses, due to sub-tropical climate, are brick with tile roofs. All materials are locally made. Houses have a cement septic tank and an indoor bathroom. Electricity is optional. Your participation will help another family receive a Habitat home.

Friday-Sunday, March 30-April 1:

Today, we will travel to the Chaco to visit the Mennonite colonies there. An afternoon city tour of Filadelfia includes visiting the museum, a supermarket, hospital, retirement community, schools, churches, radio station, etc. We will stay in Hotel Florida in Filadelfia for four nights. On Saturday, we will visit Henry Epp’s ranch in Fernheim Colony and enjoy a delicious barbeque meal at his ranch. On Sunday morning, we will worship with the Mennonites in Filadelfia and then go to the Neuland Colony for lunch and a tour. Evening dinner at Hotel Florida in Filadelfia.

Monday & Tuesday, April 2 & 3:

On Monday morning, we will visit Yalva Sanga to learn about the Indian culture and how the Mennonites and Indians work together and relate together. The afternoon will be spent at the Menno Colony to learn about its infrastructure, schools, social and health services, church life, commerce and industry. On Tuesday, we will return to Asuncion and have some time for relaxation or shopping in the afternoon.

Wednesday & Thursday, April 4 & 5:

On Wednesday morning, there will be time to visit the Recova, a shopping area in downtown Asuncion, for last-minute shopping. After a farewell meal, we will head for the airport for our trip home. It will be early Thursday morning when we arrive back in Miami for connecting flights to our home areas. You will arrive home with many memories of working with a Habitat family in building their new home, meeting many Paraguayan people, and learning about their life and culture, as well as making new friends with those with whom you worked and travelled.

Your Tour Leaders:

Menno Epp, from Saskatchewan, served 12 years as a teacher/principal and over 30 years as a pastor. Since retirement, he is serving churches in preaching and teaching and particularly likes leading workshops on “Loss, Grief and Growth”. Menno and his wife, Elsie, both lost their first spouses. This is the second time he will serve as the storyteller on this tour.

Dave Worth is presently the Director of Constituency Ministries for Mennonite Central Committee in Akron, Pennsylvania. He has served many years with MCC and spent a year coordinating Habitat for Humanity projects in Jamaica. His love for our Mennonite people will be evident as he serves as tour manager on this Paraguay tour.  They hope you will join them on this service tour.

For further information regarding the complete tour fare, please This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it . We would be happy to be of assistance.