2026 Paraguay

Getting to Asuncion

We landed in Asuncion, Paraguay on January 18, 2026. Asuncion is the Capital City of the Paraguay. It is a big city with over 2.5 million people. Paraguay has 7 million people. Asuncion is located across the river from the eastern most point of the Argentina Province of Formosa.

UPDATE: January 21, 2026

So how did end up in Asuncion, Paraguay.... when we were in South America Exploring Argentina???  So, while we have been moving about in Argentina (Buenos Aires, Cordoba, Mendoza, etc.), we have been looking for the an evangelism type of training program; one that was hopefully starting in January. We have visited churches; We have talked with people we have met; & We have talked with several different Christian Evangelistic Organizations both IN & NEAR Argentina. We looked in Argentina, Chile, Peru, Brasil, and Paraguay. We did find several programs that were actually starting in January, but one by one, they were either postponed till later in the year, or just outright cancelled. Most often, the reason for this was that they only had a few (or none) students. Then, the final option left was a program called YWAM Asuncion.  But this was an amazing option.  :)

Turns out, there are 24 students in their DTS (Discipleship Training School) and another 10 in a Leadership Track Program. Plus, they run a Bible School as well. For our part, we came for a program Called "Extreme Evangelism", which is a 4-week program that covers 2 weeks of training and then 2 weeks of outreach.  It is "extreme" because it is so short. Click Here to learn more... or watch the video below.

Then, during the first week, we were able to transition to a regular DTS program student. They first had to find extra housing for a married couple, which they did and it is right next to the base. Then, they invited us to stay for the full DTS (Discipleship Training School). This program will go for 3 months of training and evangelism practice. The video below (from last year) will give you and idea of what the program is all about.  Or, click the link if you want to see more about YWAM Asuncion.

Exploring Asuncion

So we arrived on January 18, and we had a day to explore the area, before the program starts. The YWAM Asuncion is located on an old Salvation Army property that used to be an orphanage. They have moved out, but now they rent the property to YWAM Asuncion. The property covers one full city block. 

Here is a look at the interior of the complex. 

There is even some open space on the campus. Here is a kids playground, and elsewhere, there is a soccer field... all within the walls of the campus.

The base is located in the heart of the city of Asuncion, within walking distance of stores and malls.

Another shot of the shopping area.

Here are our wonderful guides for the day: Diane and Gabbi. They are also DTS students, and they made our first day a great experience.

The "Biggie" is the local convenience store and pharmacy. They are everywhere, on every few blocks.

This paint job made me smile.

The big grocery stores felt a lot like stores in the US

We should also talk about the Pan Dulce: "Sweet Bread".  This what they bring when they go over to someone else's house. Every time. - - The traditional version is basically like a fruit cake. Then there is the chocolate chip version, which is much better. This was everywhere in Argentina, and now we see it everywhere here in Paraguay.

One of the grocery stores even had a special place for you to "park" your dog. I guess this makes sense in a city environment where most people walk everywhere.

Always good to find a Taco/Burrito place, right around the corner   :)

I was also amazed at all the construction in Asuncion.

All the buildings are built with cement structures. Then they brick the walls in between the cement beams. 

And then, sometimes, they add a nice looking finish to the building. Especially on these commercial buildings.

This one even has a curve to it. 

UPDATE: January 28, 2026

Meeting New Friends

YWAM WEEK ONE: January 18-24

After arriving on Sunday, January 18 and looking around the area, we began to meet some of the people who we will be spending the next few months with. 

Mark with Nadia, Julia, & Luka

Rebecca with Maria-Belen

Yasmina, Ester, Maria-Belen

Kauany, Alexandra, Ester, Kamila, _____, & David

Here is the whole group

Go Heal Someone

So, on Day One they hit us with our first task: (1) Get into pairs, (2) Go walking in the neighborhood, (3) Talk/Interact with the people you meet, (4) Ask if they are having any pains, & (5) Pray for their healing. If they say they are better, have them give the testimony on video. Nobody was allowed to return until they had accomplished this. All the groups were able to finish with a video. I was paired with Kauany. We made our way over to the main street where we spoke with a bunch of folks, and prayed with a few. Then we met Liliana, who had a really sore throat. After we prayed with her, she said that the pain was gone now. Here is her testimony video.  :)

Teacher: Bram

The Theme of Week One = Identity. We covered Creation through Eternity.  God created Man with the purpose of being "His Image" on the earth.  In this pic, Bram is on the left. The gentleman on the right is the Interpreter.  All sessions are giving in Spanish and English. And also occasionally in the Native Paraguayan Language of Guarani.

Bram is the director of YWAM Asuncion. He has an amazing story out of Holland. And then in Brasil. Before getting the call to start a base in Paraguay.

Taking Notes

Listening Intently

Worship Time

Praying for those who ask

Here is a video clip showing a glimpse of the worship time. You might recognize this song. We sing it in English, here it is in Spanish.

And another glimpse of worship time.

Outreach: Limpio

At the end of each week, there is an "outreach" to a nearby town, usually around an hour drive away. Each one is different, but all involve serving the people there is some way, some worship songs, a gospel message, and a time to minister in prayer with those who are there. 

Here is a clip of the end of the bus ride to get to Limpio. You can see that sometimes the road becomes unpassable. 

For this outreach, we were at someone's house, where they are working to start a home church. The pastor there was blessed by the work we did to help bring folks.

We had clothing to give away. And we were providing a big mid-day lunch for the folks in the neighborhood.

And since a lot of kids showed up, we organized some fun games.

So the way we let folks in the neighborhood know about the event, is we break up into groups and go down each street, talking with folks. We do this a few hours prior to the event. As we interact with the neighbors, we ask if there is anything we can pray for, for them. Sometimes, we are invited to sit with them on the porch and visit for a minute. For these encounters, we are better able to get a sense of their need. Here is Rauley, with Izaque, Kamila, Juanco, and Anibal. Here you can get a sense of the neighborhood. 

Side Note: In this neighborhood, we saw a lot of simple block construction.

What was interesting about these blocks that they used for construction, is that all of the block had these holes in them. Those gaps go all the way through each brick. I can only imagine that they are lighter to work with... and perhaps cooler to live inside due to the air pockets. I do wonder about the strength of these style of bricks. 

UPDATE: February 4, 2026

Teacher: R.K.

YWAM WEEK TWO: January 25-31

R.K. has an amazing story and testimony of what God can do. We was a strong man on an evangelistic team that toured the world doing feats of strength and sharing the gospel.

The Theme of Week Two = Evangelism. We talked about: How God Speaks to us; How to give someone the Five-Fold Blessing; How to disciple Nations; & How to plant the gospel in new areas so that there is a "multiplying" group there when we are done. 

After learning about it, we were sent out into the nearby neighborhoods to go do it. Our task was to tell people the gospel message about our Messiah/Jesus/Yeshua... And offer to pray for them, if they are hurting or have any needs. Our goal was to get 5 "rejections". What's fun about this exercise is that it turns out to be quite difficult to get rejected. This is because many people here are in Catholicism, so they basically agree with the idea. These folks are thankful that we stopped to talk with them. 

Here is Kamila & Kauany praying with a lady on the street.

The Send (Brasil)

So towards the end of the week, the whole YWAM Asuncion base went to an event called: The Send. It is located in Brasil, and is held in 5 different stadiums at the same time. It is essentially an all day corporate worship time, alternating with speakers and evangelists. We went via Tour Bus to the city of Curitiba, Brasil. The YWAM Asuncion base director, Bram, is from that city, and he wanted all of the DTS students to experience the event.

The stadium was built for the local soccer (futbol) team. 

Here is part of the group, posing with the Paraguay Flag at the event. We were on the floor right next to the back of the stage.

And of course, a "selfie".

Video: Entering the stadium

Video: "We Exalt You, Oh Lord"  (in spanish)

Video: Joy in Praising the Lord

Here is a pic looking down from the top of the stadium.

Here is Mark goofing around with David.

316 Church (Brasil)

So before we arrived at the send, we spent the night here at the 316 Church. This was the home church for Bram. But that evening YWAM Asuncion Students and Staff held a service here for the teens/youth of this church.

This is a big church. They even have their own billboard. Also, that is the double decker tour bus we rode to get here from Asuncion.

Inside the Lobby. Remember, this is in Brasil, so everything is in Portuguese. 

The folks here welcomed us with open arms. They fed us food and beverages. I loved this cup.

Here is a glimpse at the music portion of the service. One big praise concert.

UPDATE: 

UPDATE: 

2026 Paraguay

THANKS FOR TAKING THIS JOURNEY WITH US!
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