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| Hi everyone....
We've been doing ministry this whole week in the same barrios we've worked in before: Juan Pablo I, 24 de Septiembre, San Pablo, and Smata. But on the first day we visited the church site where they will be building a building later on this year. There's already an existing building but they need something much bigger. Here's a picture of us milling around the property.
Here's a picture of most of the guys who are on the Empanada team in the barrio of 24 de septiembre.
Here's a pic of some of us as we walk back to the base of operations in 24 de septiembre. From left to right in the front is Juan Manuel, Diego, Chris, and Mercedes.
We also took time to hangout with the translators one day at the hotel. Here's a pic of them in front of the pool.
We also upheld tradition....here's a pic of the annual orange peel fight. Naomi is hiding behind the chair, Teddy and Kara are winding up to throw, and Alyssa is getting out of the way.
My....what big eyes you have Steph!
Cesar lost a footrace to Cristian so he had to shave....probably plugged up the drain with all that hair.
Olivia and I are listening to a track from Camp Rock....forgot the name of the song....something about I am what I am so leave me alone or something like that....wait, that sounds like Popeye...
And my Sriracha sauce (some call it the Joker sauce) and my pepper grinder which have faithfully been at my side since the beginning of the year is almost gone. Actually I've refilled the bottle about 3 times and that's my second pepper cracker. But nevertheless, you have been good friends....
Okay....hope you enjoyed the update. Gotta go wash up for the day. Keep praying for us!
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| Hi everyone...
Well I'm up here in Tucuman with the rest of the Argentina team. We've had a great couple of days so far with the church and with the translators.
But before I share about the trip, just wanted to say that we had graduation this past Wednesday. Typical stuff...awards, speeches, a sermon, music, etc. Here's a pic of what's left of the graduating class.
Here's a pic of the team when they arrived in the airport. As a precaution from the swine flu, they had everyone wear masks...they're kind of freaky lookin' if you ask me....
We rode the bus together (LBC and the translators) to our lunch location. Here's a pic of them hanging out together on the bus.
We had a great lunch at Siga la Vaca (Follow the Cow).
After dropping the team off at the airport, the rest of us went to the Retiro (bus station) and waited a long time for our bus to come. But it was funny because they have these little TV stations setup all over the place that take coins to operate. So if you want to watch TV, gotta drop a peso. In this pic a couple people in our group is watching TV while Patty and Pablo look bored.
When our bus finally came we hopped on and took the 16 hour bus ride up to Tucuman. When we finally got there we went to Julio and Monica's house for a milanesa lunch. Sitting from left to right: Henry, Luis, Tiby, Emanuel, Pablo, Sol, Patty, Joyce, Monica, Richard, Diego, Juan Manuel.
So the past couple of days has just been hangout time in the park with the translators, church members, and americans. Of course that hangout time involves playing sports, especially soccer. Here's a pic of a stampede of ladies as they try to score a goal on GMao the wannabe Chilean...
People also played volleyball.
Oh, forgot to mention that one of the things we wanted to do for the translators was give them a nice gift that they could use. So here's a pic of a few of them sporting their new Lighthouse hoodies.
There were also times of teaching. This is a pic of Cesar teaching (Luis translating) the youth.
Here's a pic of David teaching (Tiby translating) the kids.
There's was also impromtu teaching and sharing going on as well. Here's a pic of Cesar and Teddy sharing with some of the guys from the church.
Angela also gave an impromtu teaching session for the ladies with Noelia translating.
Here's Grace, Kim, Keziah, and Chris chatting with Pastor Jorge.
And another teaching session of sorts....Naomi learning how to make the all precious empanadas.
Hope you enjoyed the pics....man, love having internet here at the hotel. Makes updating so much easier. Keep checking back....next update hopefully in a couple of days.
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| Hi everyone...
Well, being the 4th of July this past Saturday all the gringos had to celebrate of course and be our obnoxious, rowdy selves. We all sat together, hung up the american flag, sang the national anthem (like 5 times), recited the pledge of allegiance (like 3 times), and sang other good ol' american tunes. We had stuff painted on our faces. Yeah, it was a little over the top, but it was fun.
Here's a pic of the whole group.
Man, I really dislike it when people don't know how to take pics. Note: if you're taking a picture, unless you're trying to get more of the background, try to fill the pic with the subjects. In this case, the dude could have moved a lot closer to us and given more detail.
Here's a pic of people crowding around the popcorn that we popped with an air popper. It was actually pretty good. Steve tried to wear red to represent the colors, but having a big PERU on the front kind of defeats the purpose.
And here's a pic of Richard, Luis, and me looking patriotic...
Also my exams were completed this past Friday...can't tell you how relieved I was when it was all over. It was totally like finals week, made me feel like I was back in college again. But I was totally lost afterwards because I felt like I had nothing to do. But no worries, I have LBC sermons I have to catch up on. Since the year started at the end of March I've had no time to listen to sermons like I did during January-March because of going to school and having ministry on the weekends. So I'm going to try to catch up this week.
Well, this is it...my most likely last post from on campus here at Word of Life. I'm kind of in shock that it's ending. When you're at the beginning, it's like....man, when is this going to end. But now at the end it's like...man, where did time go? There are many lessons I've learned during my time here. But one of the most important things I've seen is how lazy my view of ministry is. Back at home I focus so much on ministry in the planning aspects, but I really lack the interpersonal relationships with the people of the church. I work with many people, but only in the aspect of music ministry, and not so much in the discipleship aspect. And that's one thing they do so much down here, especially in San Justo. I am so encouraged how much these people are sold out for Christ, living each moment for Him. Last week our bus broke down on the way to ministry so we had to jump on a public bus. Immediately the two girls in our group sat next to strangers, struck up a coversation, and then began sharing the gospel with them. They were so involved in their conversations that they totally missed our stop. And the whole weekend in San Justo is filled with ministry, visiting people, sharing the gospel, having Club Biblico (youth group), having Sunday services. What's my weekend at home filled with? Well, besides singles bible study on Friday, and Sunday church, that's about it. And people might think that that's a lot, but compared to what people do in ministry in Argentina, it's the bare minimum. Yeah, I know the culture's totally different, but the attitude should be the same....get involved in the lives of people to help them grow to be a mature believer and disciple of Christ. Changes need to be made in my attitude.
Well, this is it. I'm sure I'll be posting from Tucuman as we do the campaign...but time here is finished and it's time to move on. Have a great week everyone! I'll catch you on the flip side....
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| Hi everyone...
Well exams are this week and I'm sooper stressed about it. This month we have three exams so lots to study for. It would have been a lot easier if I didn't have ministry on the weekends and thus could just stay on campus and study and get things done. But really, being at ministry has been a huge blessing. It's been great meeting people in San Justo, getting to know Matias, and just seeing ministry at work in Argentina.
It's amazing to think that my time is almost up here in Argentina. Most of my classmates in the bilingual program are going back to the states next week when the semester is done. So we've been having some get-togethers and things. Here's a pic of the ladies at one on those shindigs....there were pics taken of the guys but I didn't take any. I'll have to get it from someone else.
It's weird because we spent pretty much every single day together for the past year. I guess you can equate it to college and living in the dorms. You're around the same people everyday. But then knowing that time is just about up makes you kind of wish it wouldn't end....kind of....
It's been a really awesome year. I remember way back last year when I was considering coming down here for the year, I kept getting cold feet and not wanting to go. But I knew that if I didn't go, I would regret it sometime later down the road. But if I did come, though I knew it would be hard, it would be something that I would remember for the rest of my life and I wouldn't regret coming down here at all.
One of my classmates asked me at breakfast today if I could go back in time and do this again, knowing what it would be like, would I do it? I gave him an emphatic yes, to which he seemed a little surprised. I said that though it was hard, it was definitely a time of growth for me in many ways and helped expand my view of what ministry really is. And one of the things I do regret is not taking even more advantage of my time down here and if I could go back in time and do things over again, I would take better advantage of the time....and as a bonus I would know all the answers to the exams so that would make things easier too...hahahahahaha....
In many ways I am looking forward to being back home....enjoying mom's kalbi, getting back with Lighthouse people, being back in the music ministry, talking in a language that I don't have to constantly rehearse what I have to say next, not having to ask for permission to go anywhere, having a car to get around in (wow...I haven't driven a car since January 3, hope it's like riding a bike, you never forget...), and having more variety of foods to choose from (Mama Rosa's is great....but after so many times even Mama Rosa's gets old).
So anyways, as time comes to a close here I start thinking about "lasts"...my last time at Mama Rosa's (maybe today), my last time at ministry (next weekend), my last time at work (maybe it was last week, who knows? work's been so inconsistent lately which is fine by me), my last lavado (this Friday, yes!), my last class (last Friday), my last exam (this Friday), my last day at sports (last Thursday). Here's a pic from my last day at sports.
Some of those guys (like the Dominicans) are pretty good at baseball. But most of them were playing for the first time and had no idea about the rules. Sometimes comical, sometimes frustrating...
Anyways, time to close off this post. I believe my last post from campus will be next Monday. And then the following Thursday (July 9) I'll be heading up to Tucuman with the rest of the translators. Really looking forward to being with them as most of them are really good friends...and really looking forward to seeing the Lighthouse team...
Have a great week everyone! Take advantage of the time!
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| Hi everyone,
Well there were some special guests that visited me this week. Kent and Romi!!! It was really good to see them...and all the things they brought for me too...hehehehehe...
Anywho....one of the first things they did was come to UME night on Wednesday night. Basically it's the night where we go to our missions groups. I don't know if I told you this before, but I got "stuck" in the Asia group. My first choice was Argentina Norte, second was Mexico, and just because I had to pick a third, I picked Asia. They probably put me in there just because I'd make the group look more authentic. Anyways, Kent and Romi came too and then we took a group pic together. Having them there made the group look even more Asian-y...
The next day I took them into town and treated them to some fabulous Mama Rosa's. They took some pics so I'm sure they'll be showing them off when they get the chance. Afterwards we went to a local cafe called La Banca and had some coffee, tea, liquado de durazno, etc. Here's a pic of them and Noelia.
That night I arranged for the translators for this year's Tucuman trip to miss bibioteca (study hall) so they could spend some time with Kent and Romi and hear about their experiences in Tucuman. Here's a picture of Kent sharing. I don't remember what he was sharing at this exact moment, but it looks like he's flexing or something. And we only had about half of the translators there because a lot of them had other responsibilities they had to do.
The next day they left for Tucuman. But when they come back I think they're going to come visit me at San Justo where I participate in ministry. So I'm sure more pics of them to come!
This past weekend the ministry people of San Justo were invited to a 15th birthday of someone someone knows. Now I don't know if you know, but the 15th birthday is really huge down here in Argentina. No idea why, it just is. I guess it's kind of like the Sweet 16 birthday. Anyways, I didn't know but we were supposed to get all dressed up but I didn't bring any clothes so I had to just borrow some of Matias' clothes.
When we got there, there were tables setup with some yummy apetizers. We just hung out for like and hour or two waiting for the girl to show up. She finally showed up around 11pm....yes, they party real late. When she walked in, it was seriously like a wedding or something...minus the groom. She walked in dressed in a pseudo wedding gown and everyone lined up and she waved and hugged people as she walked by.
Then we all sat down and she sat down at a special front table. Then there was a slideshow of her life. Then someone came up and sang a special song. And then the food was brought out. And then afterwards she went around to each table greeting us. And then after eating we took off early. Doesn't this seriously remind you of a wedding reception? hahaha... Anyways, here's a pic our table took with her.
Okay, there was one thing that was pretty different. Matias was actually invited up to the front at one point and shared the gospel with the people. I'm not sure if it was the girl who requested this, or the parents, but whoever it was they wanted the gospel to be shared since there were many in the room who weren't Christians.
Alrighty then....one more week of classes, then a week of exams, then a conference week, and then it's off to Tucuman! Can't wait to get to the slightly warmer weather of Tucuman because it's literally freezing here!
Have a spectacular (very popular word down here) week!
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