Tatugi: A New Name and a Deeper Knowing

October 31, 2025    |    1.5 MINUTE READ
RYLIE NEWCOMER, STORYTELLING PARTNER

This past spring break, I had the incredible opportunity to travel to the eastern region of Paraguay and spend time with the Aché community, one of the indigenous groups within Paraguay. We partnered with two WGM missionaries, Gabe and Dahiana, who have been working with this community and others.

The first couple of days, our team spent training—learning about the Aché people, observing their youth group and church services, and simply being present. We talked with the children, played games, and started building relationships.

Translation Is Ministry

After training, we served three days at VBS with Gabe and Dahiana. Every morning and early afternoon, we worked on service projects around the village, played games with the kids who weren't in school, and shared lunch with other missionaries and adults in the community. We held VBS in the late afternoons—first for the children and then for the youth. We had Bible lessons, played games, made crafts, and shared snacks together.

One of the most special parts of our trip was studying the book of Jonah during VBS. The Aché community had recently received Jonah translated into their heart language, and it was powerful to see them reading and hearing the words of Scripture in the language that speaks most deeply to them.

Bible translation and youth ministry are both dear to my heart, so seeing both passions come together was such a gift. It was incredibly moving watching the Aché students wrestle through the story of Jonah, relate it to their own hardships, and reflect on what obedience means.

A New Name

In the Aché tradition, names are important. When a mother is pregnant, the father goes hunting to fulfill one of her cravings, and the child is often named after the animal he catches. Outsiders who are welcomed into the community are sometimes given a name, too.

The Aché people gave me the name Tatugi, which means armadillo. It was such an honor. Even though we spent a lot of time laughing together as the youth tried to teach us how to pronounce our new names correctly, the moment was full of meaning. It made me reflect on what it means to be given a new name by God—how He welcomes us into His family and gives us a place, no matter how far away we may be.

The Aché people welcomed us everywhere we went. I was deeply touched by how affectionate and sensitive they are. In their heart language, there are no words for "hello" or "goodbye"—there’s simply a hug. We were always met with hugs: during church, walking through the village, and especially as we said goodbye. Even though we didn’t speak the same language, we understood each other through those embraces. We knew how to say, "I see you," "I love you," and "You matter" without needing words.

Our team bonded in such a beautiful way, too. God had placed a love for missions in each of our hearts, and we spent a lot of time talking and praying together about what missions could look like in our futures.

For me, this trip was a reminder that the Lord has good and specific plans for me and for each one of us. Even when life gets busy and distracting, He is still speaking. When I slow down enough to listen, I get to see His work more clearly and enjoy Him even more deeply.

I’m so thankful for the Aché community, for the gift of being named Tatugi, and for the ways God continues to call and shape me through experiences like this one.

ACTION STEP:

GO: Are you interested in using the passions God has given you in another culture for a few weeks? We would love to walk with you as you discern what God is calling you to. Check out our short-term page to learn more!

Author Bio: Rylie Newcomer graduated from Taylor University in May 2025 with a degree in Biblical Literature. She is passionate about ministry and missions and is currently discerning where God is calling her long-term. This was her first trip with WGM, but she’s been on six mission trips with other organizations and churches. She studied both biblical Greek and Hebrew in college, and while she’s not bilingual (yet!), she loves languages and hopes to become fluent someday.