PARAGUAY - July 2009

Engaging Mennonites from Around the World

Mennonite World Conference Assembly 15 will be held July 13-19, 2009, in Asuncion, Paraguay. This grand get-together of Mennonites and Brethren in Christ churches from around the world will be made up of the Global Youth Summit, Assembly Gathered, Global Church Village, tours ( Iguazu Falls perhaps?) and special activities for children and youth. Each day will include worship, songs from around the world, prayer, Bible study, eating together, playing and relationship building.

As part of Assembly Gathered, students will actively participate, with up to 850 others, in the Global Youth Summit (GYS 2009), designed for young adults from around the world. Worship and sessions at the GYS 2009 will focus on the theme, “Service: Live the Difference.” Biblical analysis, cross-cultural interaction and the sharing of experiences in ministry will deepen understandings of Christian service to include addressing social issues.

Students will engage the diversity of the Mennonite church by relating to German-speaking Mennonites, who first migrated to Paraguay during the 20 th century, Spanish-speaking Mennonites, who arose out of the mission efforts of immigrant Germanic groups, and indigenous Enhlet and Nivacle Mennonites, that emerged from interaction with Germanic Mennonite settlements.

Home stays with Spanish-speaking Mennonite families, or other indigenous Mennonites will complete this cross-cultural learning experience.