CELEBRATION ORCHESTRA
July 13 - July 23, 2023

The Alabama Baptist News Article: Global Missions Project Takes Orchestra Arrangements to Paraguay

We had an amazing project in Paraguay, which was a new location for us. Our mission partners are a singing group called aDorIOS. This group is a team of wonderful young men who love the Lord and sang with us on the project as well. They were a blessing in every way with their singing, but also with their planning of our itinerary in Paraguay.

Part of our project was serving with Mennonite colonies who were celebrating 75 years of settling in Paraguay, largely from Canada but with roots in Germany. Even though the country is primarily Hispanic, they speak specifically Low German in their colonies. How interesting to be in a country with 3 diverse languages. We were very thankful for translators!

We presented teaching and concerts in the Gutenberg School in Campo Nueve and also a Mennonite University called CEMTA. The students in both the church and the university were a joy to be with. Their energy was contagious! We also had about 20 young musicians traveling with us to all of our concert cities.

One of our presentations was at a Military Police station with about 400 officers in attendance. It was powerful to be there and hear the officers voice their approval and sing with us.

We enjoyed multiple churrascaria meals like they have in Brazil. The Mennonite colonies raise lots of beef and other agricultural products. It's all fresh and excellent!

Plus they enjoy a unique herbal tea called "mate" (pronounced MAH-tay) that they carry with them just about all the time with a thermos in one hand and their "mate" cup in the other. It's a cultural phenomenon in Paraguay with the Mennonites.

In every presentation of concerts and the Gospel, so many in the audience voiced their approval and joy of hearing the orchestra (one night we had 90 musicians on stage) and hearing the message of God’s love for them.