Paraguay gathering will break down Mennonite stereotypes, says Duarte

-26/11/06

Paragua


Paraguay gathering will break down Mennonite stereotypes, says Duarte

-26/11/06

Paraguayís ëfirst ladyí has high hopes for the 2009 Mennonite World Conference assembly in her country. For one thing, she expects it will put to rest any preconceptions that all Mennonites are blonde-haired and blue-eyed ñ says Mennonite Economic Development Associates’ Wally Kroeker.

ìPeople will be looking at us and theyíll see that being Mennonite is a faith issue,î Maria Gloria Penayo de Duarte, married to the countryís president, told an audience of 450 at the annual convention of the MEDA network in Tampa, Florida, earlier this month.

ìWhen I introduce myself as a Mennonite, people ask me if I speak German, if I was born in the Chaco,î Mrs Duarte said in her lead-off keynote speech. ìPeople are often confused about this. The true evidence of being a Mennonite is the faith. Iíll be so happy in 2009 because then people in Paraguay will understand. When all Mennonites gather, from different cultures, theyíll understand the true concept of what it mans to embrace the Mennonite faith.î

The Mennonite family represents a significant slice of the ëhistoric peace churchesí, known for their commitment to discipleship, non-coercive Christian witness, social justice and non-violence.

Mrs Duarte said she was also excited by how the preparations are bringing Mennonites together as a team. ìWe have eight different Mennonite conventions [conferences] in Paraguay, but weíre working together. Itís beautiful to see the unity in the way weíre working. The indigenous population is also very motivated and they are working on this as well.î

The teamwork will have a lasting effect, she added. ìThe deepening communion will be very enriching. It will help the church in Paraguay mature.î

Mrs Duarte traced her own spiritual pilgrimage, describing herself both as a ìdaughter of Godî and an ìadopted Mennonite.î

Her husband, current president Oscar Nicanor Duarte Frutos, had just become the countryís minister of education 12 years ago when she sensed a new spiritual longing. While she had been brought up with moral values, ìthere was a hole in my life…. I didnít know the concept of a loving God,î she said. ìI gave my life to Jesus and he became my rock.î

In 1997 she was baptized and joined the Raices Mennonite Brethren Church in Asuncion, where she attends regularly with her six children (and husband, when his schedule allows).

Mrs Duarte also participated in a workshop titled ìWhy Should the Global Church Come to Paraguay in July 2009?î She was joined by Larry Miller, Mennonite World Conference general secretary, Alfred Neufeld, chair of the national coordinating council for the Paraguay assembly, and Merle and Phyllis Good, MWC communication consultants.


Paraguay gathering will break down Mennonite stereotypes, says Duarte

-26/11/06

Paraguayís ëfirst ladyí has high hopes for the 2009 Mennonite World Conference assembly in her country. For one thing, she expects it will put to rest any preconceptions that all Mennonites are blonde-haired and blue-eyed ñ says Mennonite Economic Development Associates’ Wally Kroeker.

ìPeople will be looking at us and theyíll see that being Mennonite is a faith issue,î Maria Gloria Penayo de Duarte, married to the countryís president, told an audience of 450 at the annual convention of the MEDA network in Tampa, Florida, earlier this month.

ìWhen I introduce myself as a Mennonite, people ask me if I speak German, if I was born in the Chaco,î Mrs Duarte said in her lead-off keynote speech. ìPeople are often confused about this. The true evidence of being a Mennonite is the faith. Iíll be so happy in 2009 because then people in Paraguay will understand. When all Mennonites gather, from different cultures, theyíll understand the true concept of what it mans to embrace the Mennonite faith.î

The Mennonite family represents a significant slice of the ëhistoric peace churchesí, known for their commitment to discipleship, non-coercive Christian witness, social justice and non-violence.

Mrs Duarte said she was also excited by how the preparations are bringing Mennonites together as a team. ìWe have eight different Mennonite conventions [conferences] in Paraguay, but weíre working together. Itís beautiful to see the unity in the way weíre working. The indigenous population is also very motivated and they are working on this as well.î

The teamwork will have a lasting effect, she added. ìThe deepening communion will be very enriching. It will help the church in Paraguay mature.î

Mrs Duarte traced her own spiritual pilgrimage, describing herself both as a ìdaughter of Godî and an ìadopted Mennonite.î

Her husband, current president Oscar Nicanor Duarte Frutos, had just become the countryís minister of education 12 years ago when she sensed a new spiritual longing. While she had been brought up with moral values, ìthere was a hole in my life…. I didnít know the concept of a loving God,î she said. ìI gave my life to Jesus and he became my rock.î

In 1997 she was baptized and joined the Raices Mennonite Brethren Church in Asuncion, where she attends regularly with her six children (and husband, when his schedule allows).

Mrs Duarte also participated in a workshop titled ìWhy Should the Global Church Come to Paraguay in July 2009?î She was joined by Larry Miller, Mennonite World Conference general secretary, Alfred Neufeld, chair of the national coordinating council for the Paraguay assembly, and Merle and Phyllis Good, MWC communication consultants.