A belated thank you to Nilda and Ignacio Medina in Guarambaré, their family, and the priests of Iglesia Natividad de Maria, with whom I spent New Year’s Eve.  It was an occasion of fun, laughter, and warm conversation.

I’d had a rough week with some safety issues in my site so I’m grateful for the time spent in Guarambaré – a time to refresh in the company of good friends who have such a strong faith that their home exudes total comfort and joy. I was there knowing that all is well no matter what comes my way.

I mention safety.  Yes, a turn of events over the holidays had started out as fairly insignificant, then escalated. One dangerous event after another occurred, along with suspicious activity, all taking the issue of my safety and well-being in Yataity to a whole new level.

It started a few days before Christmas when in the middle of the night, something fairly insignificant occurred. Someone stole Christmas decorations from the front of my house. Certainly not a big thing, however, someone did climb over the front railing, entering the property, and within yards of where I was sleeping in my bed.  I called the Yataity police and made a call to the Peace Corps Security official in Asuncion as we’ve been instructed to do.

Two nights later in the dead of night, a more serious event occurred once again as I lay sleeping in my bed just a few yards from my door.  In the early morning I saw that the front door lock had been mangled, the wood carved down to expose the lock with wood chips and shavings scattered there at my feet. I examined the metal strike plate which had been pried out of shape then noticed that the object used, a rusty old butcher knife, had been dropped on the front porch.

I placed a fresh call to Asuncion to Peace Corps Headquarters, and this time,the Director of Safety and Security got the Chief of Police of the U.S. Embassy involved. What a testament to the diligence of the Peace Corps and the U.S. government that immediate attention was given when a matter of personal safety came up for one of its own. In the end, I believe their actions inured to the benefit of the whole.

As the scene unfolded, another event occurred that I felt might lead us to the owner of butcher knife.  I heard from various people around town that my stolen decorations were seen adorning the large pesebre (nativity scene) of a man who lives less than two blocks from my house.

Our little pueblo is known for its tranquil and peaceful atmosphere. crime is rare.  However, there are a few individuals in the community who cause problems for the rest.  The victims feel helpless and fearful to press charges. I wanted to check it out.

I took my camera and walked over to the man’s house, introduced myself, and said I’d come to admire his famous pesebre.  I admired the scene and silently eyed my very own decorations he had put front and center on his display.

Soon after, I returned with the police so we could confront him. He is known throughout town for his big business — He has his “assistants” steal objects from the people of this community, then he either sells them or enjoys them for himself – televisions, outdoor furniture, or a chicken to have for his supper.  In my case, because he is quite the decorator type, it was clear that my adornments were stolen for his own pleasure.

The objects were removed from the pesebre much to his consternation. He turned to me, frowning, asking if they could stay out of respect for the blessed Virgin Mary. I told him I felt it was an abomination to the blessed Virgin Mary that stolen objects were placed there to honor her. He sighed as he removed them and we left to make the police report and travel to Villarrica for filing the report. The Safety and Security Director of the Peace Corps came and interrogated the man and the Villarrica authorities told us that the man will be taken in for interrogation there.

I did not realize until a few days later as word got around, that many people, although upset that I’d experienced such things, seemed to be breathing a sigh of relief that measures have been taken to stop the man from continuing his escapades. Little did I know, another dangerous occurrence was about to happen.

In the second week of strained experiences, I saw large footprints in the mud surrounding my back patio. I found near my back door a rusty iron tool with pointed tip. Then a few days passed and on one sunny, lazy afternoon, as I worked at my desk near the window, I saw a man peering into my backyard.  I went to the door to see him climbing over my spiked iron fence, looking me in the eye all the while, then pointedly and eerily asking me if I live alone. I fiercely asked him what he was doing, he then urinated in front of me, all the while leering at me.  He walked away as I made calls to the police.  The man has not been apprehended and I doubt that he will be. What if I had not seen him and interrupted him?  On that breezy summer afternoon, he would have entered through the open back doors where I was seated inside at my desk, and…?

Everyone here in Yataity repeats to me something I’m very aware of – that this has been a town virtually free of crime.  However, I’ve been warned repeatedly about the crazy and violent man who apparently gets away with whatever he pleases.  The man who was climbing over the fence fits the description of that man.

I’ve spent recent days in Asuncion, Jose Fassardi, Nueva Italia and Carapegua as Peace Corps investigates and options are considered.

In the meantime, my landlord did extend the height of the side fences; however, left untouched are large openings in the corners of the property and an unprotected front porch, open to the side patios, giving easy access to every inch of the property.

The lights on every side of the house are so bright that it seems like daylight outside in the middle of the night. But the last episode occurred in broad daylight, and that tells the story:  Sadly, I’m not safe here by day or by night.

It has been discussed that I could simply get someone to move in here with me.  I could get a brave, large attack dog.  I could move to a house very close to a family.  I could live in a room surrounded by family.  The fact is, I’m different. I’m a foreigner. I am a fish in a fishbowl. I’m the very, very friendly stranger (perhaps seen as naive or easily accessible), the North American (perhaps seen as the owner of riches), and the single woman (perhaps seen as weak and vulnerable). The multiple attempts do seem to indicate that I’ve been identified as “an easy target” and these are the facts that are under serious consideration by the Peace Corps.

I’m not fearful. I’m relentlessly cautious, yet at the same time, full of hope. Certainly a special Light has shone down on these happenings. I’m grateful for these events. We are fortunate that they have occurred because they are bringing Light, in so many ways, to those things that need illumination.

I will keep you informed.

Love,

Jane

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