Giant Anteater
This shaggy, long-snouted mammal can flick its sticky tongue up to 150 times per minute to catch thousands of insects in a single day.
Flag of Paraguay
Field Report
Paraguay is a small, landlocked country tucked into the heart of South America, bordered by Brazil, Argentina, and Bolivia. It is home to wide rivers, dry grasslands, and a people whose ancient Guaraní language is still very much alive today. Most Paraguayans have heard the name of Jesus, but many in rural areas and indigenous communities are still waiting for someone to tell them clearly who He is.
From the Field Notebook
Giant Anteater
This shaggy, long-snouted mammal can flick its sticky tongue up to 150 times per minute to catch thousands of insects in a single day.
Yacaré Caiman
This South American crocodilian patrols the rivers and wetlands of Paraguay and is one of the most numerous large reptiles on the continent.
Hyacinth Macaw
The world's largest flying parrot, dressed in vivid cobalt blue, nests in the palm trees of the Paraguayan Chaco and can crack open a coconut with its powerful beak.
Sopa Paraguaya
Despite its name meaning 'Paraguayan soup,' this is actually a dense, savory cornbread baked with cheese and onion that Paraguayan families eat at almost every meal.
Chipa
These chewy, ring-shaped bread rolls are made from cassava flour and cheese, giving them a slightly tangy, satisfying flavor that you can smell baking from street corners across the country.
Tereré
Paraguay's national drink is yerba mate herb steeped in cold water and passed in a shared gourd among friends, making it as much a social ritual as a refreshment.
Paraguay is one of only two landlocked countries in South America, meaning it has no coastline at all — the other is Bolivia, its neighbor.
Paraguay has two official languages, Spanish and Guaraní, and most Paraguayans speak both — Guaraní is one of the few indigenous languages in the world that most of an entire nation's population actually uses every day.
The Itaipu Dam on Paraguay's border with Brazil is one of the largest hydroelectric power plants ever built, and Paraguay generates far more electricity than it can use, so it sells most of it to neighboring countries.
Paraguay sits on top of one of the world's largest underground freshwater reservoirs, called the Guaraní Aquifer, which stretches beneath four South American countries.
In the late 1800s, Paraguay fought a war called the War of the Triple Alliance against Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay at the same time, and historians estimate that the country lost more than half of its entire population by the time it ended.
Daily Life
74
Years life expectancy
95%
Can read and write
87%
Kids go to school
Missions Field Report
Paraguay is home to 36 distinct people groups — 6 of them haven’t yet heard about Jesus.
Most Paraguay's people follow Christianity (94.6%). Evangelical Christians make up about 8.1% of the population.
What People Believe
Unreached People Groups
These are communities of people who haven’t had the chance to hear about Jesus yet. They need missionaries — and they need kids like you to pray for them.
Deaf
15,000 people
Japanese
7,200 people
Guarani, Eastern Bolivian
2,400 people
Chamacoco, Tomaraho
1,900 people
Jewish, Spanish-speaking
1,100 people
Prayer Journal
Tick each one as you pray. God hears every word.