Americas

[Visited: January 2023]

While on the bus to Loma Plata on a Sunday morning, I am reading about it. It is supposedly more German than most other settlements in the Chaco, and I am wondering what it will look like on a Sunday. I would like to go to a church service, but have to decide which church to go. Then, I read that the oldest Mennonite church in Paraguay is the Osterwick church. The only such church I can find on the map, is not inside town. Given that the distance is just over 7km, I decide to walk. I can always see Loma Plata later, and if I walk fast, I might even make it before the end of service. So I set out on foot, walk past the main crossroads where I see a monument for the Colonia Menno which was founded here in 1927. I take a right, and walk a wide street with a narrow strip of water between the lanes. There is no more asphalt here, so it is dusty. Where I hadn't seen cars before, more and more start passing me now, throwing a cloud of dust over me.
This is supposedly an area with a high degree of immigrants from Germany, and indeed, I see signs in German pointing to places with German names. The closer I come to Osterwick, the more cars pass me. They indeed all seem to be on the way to the village I am walking to. When I walk down the straight road that leads to the church, I see cars parked in the distance. Indeed, it turns out that the cluster of cars is outside the church. Mennonite churches here are small affairs, and the Osterwick one is no exception. It has the same height as the houses in the village: one story. Outside, in the shade of the building, I see people sitting on plastic chairs. I immediately notice many children. Inside, the church is completely full. I find a place outside the rear of the church. Here, too, people are sitting on plastic chairs outside the building.
Inside, four people are singing a song. Then, a priest says a long sermon, and ends up talking about leadership and serving the community and not oneself. As far as I understand, a new leader will be appointed on the same day. Indeed, a couple stand up, and pledge to be working for their members. The wife pledges she will make sure to support her husband in his new task. People applaud, and there is more singing and music. All the while, I regularly see people with one or two kids coming to the back and disappear into a door, and assume it must be bathrooms. Then, the entire community sings religious songs. The entire service has strictly been in German and there is no hint of Paraguay anywhere. When, after more than two hours, people start getting up and out, I stay at the rear. Many are surprised to see a foreigner here, and some greet me. I see people that could be German, Scandinavian, Ukrainian and Russian. I go inside, and see a German slogan on the wall: "Your words are the lamp of my feet and a light on my road". I now see that the rooms at the back of the church are actually small playgrounds for kids. Several young people notice me, and come for a chat. Then, everyone goes home, and I have a long walk ahead of me, taking a different road back to Loma Plata. I see big factories, and a row of shops on the main street, before I reach the small bus station. Fortunately, someone sells some drinks there, and after a while, the bus shows up to drive me back to Filadelfia.

Around the World in 80 Clicks

inspiring you to travel

Loma Plata (Paraguay)

Loma Plata > Paraguay > Americas

[Visited: January 2023]

Around the World in 80 Clicks

Book your hotel in Loma Plata