Missions Conference: Day 1

We are thrilled to be a part of the first ever Missions conference at La Mision church. Personally it has been a challenge as we prepare for our workshops. Last night was the first big meeting, and as I sat there I realized this is all new for everyone there. In the States we are so accustomed (we, meaning church goers) to mission conferences and all that goes with them. It is a whole new experience to be at the place where for the first time these youth are being challenged with the call to missions especially when there is so much to do right around them. For all of us, believers, missions is an everyday thing; something we all need to remember no matter where we live. Yet there is also much to be done around the world. Pray with us as we prepare our workshops and that they would communicate to the youth where they are and help take them to a new level of understanding. Our prayer is that many will receive the call to GO, and that those that are called to stay would also Stay and make an impact here in Buenos Aires! Revolution is the theme! Bring on the Revolution!

A Taste of our First Year

We praise God for this year. It has been a year of many transitions. He has carried us through each one. We thank God for each of our supporters that make it possible for us to be here! Celebrate with us and enjoy a taste of our first year.

Making a Joyful Noise

We are so thrilled to have a music school in La Misión. Children from the community and the church come to learn an instrument as well as music theory. Also in one of the "villas," there is also a separate school run by La Misión called "Sonidos de Esperanza,".. (Sounds of Hope).. And that is what these music classes are for a lot of these kids that come from hard living situations. The hope of the gospel, the joy of music and the love of the teachers, all experienced weekly in these classes. Personally, God has used the music teacher, Martha in our children's lives. She has taught them to worship in song not just sing. We praise God for this tremendous ministry. Enjoy some of the clips from the end of the semester recital/program.

Isa has been taking drum lessons for 4 months. Kids can choose from drum, guitar and keyboards to study. Then they have an hour of music theory as well. You should see him learning his notes!

This is my favorite song the children sang. It says "I have so much to be thankful for.. my friends, my parents, and mostly Jesus." It is a great reminder to have a thankful heart!

Following your Call at all Cost

Words can't express how proud I am of my brother and his family.  They are in the midst of leaving the USA and headed to a new land to follow their call.  Join me in praying for them in this season.  It is surely a time of so many emotions.. overwhelming at times I am sure, but I trust that our Father is sustaining them now and will continue to do so!  There is no greater joy than to be in the center of His will watching Him work wonders.  What a privilege to serve our Lord! God speed familia! 

http://sevenmileroad.org/blog/?p=1022 

Learning to expect the unexpected

As you all know we came to BA with a set of goals and ideas of what our time here would be about.  Of course we knew in our minds to expect the unexpected and we were open to serve in any capacity needed or wanted.  Well, after being here several months, we also began to feel a desire to work with the college students at church.  Many of them we knew from when we lived here before and they were teens.  As we began to hang out with them and discuss life, college, theology, we realized that a group was needed to discuss things further and with more of them.

So back in March we had a first meeting where we presented the idea to them to form a university/professionals ministry at La Mision.  It was a  great night of discussing needs, ideas, and service projects.  Since then we have met again to continue planning, and this past week we were able to fellowship with a college team visiting from the USA, chaperoned by a friend of C's.  What a great time of comparing college lifestyles and sharing how faith is lived out in both.  For us it was perfect timing to have them come and spend time with the college students from La Mision; it inspired them to view college as an opportunity to share Christ.. not just a place to go study and then leave.  (It was also great to share our life here in BA with an old friend of C's)

We are excited by this unexpected opportunity God has placed on our laps.  We enjoy this group very much as well as are challenged by them to stay on our toes. Pray for them as many of them come from humble backgrounds and are the first in their family to go to college.  It is an exciting time for La Mision to have about 15 of its own youth attending one of the top universities in  Latin America, the University of Buenos Aires.  In the future we will share more with you about this ministry and the students.

 

The ladies from La Mision  and the missions trip from Ohio practicing language skills and getting to know each other.

C with a friend from her "youth group" and college days, visiting BA with a college team.

K and a youth from La Mision practicing English.

The two groups together.

Thursday Workshops

The dream of the vocational school is slowly coming together.  Phase one is bringing the carpentry classes to the neighborhoods near the church.  These neighborhoods have high unemployment and the residents have very little means to acquire job skills. The Lord has opened a door in the community center in one of the neighborhoods and for now K is teaching every Thursday evening.  For now they are more like mini workshops since new people come every week along with some regular attenders.  Even women are attending that want to build furniture for their homes.  We wait and pray the Lord uses this to draw people to Himself as well as give them a means to provide for their families.   We will keep you posted as the school continues to develop and the vision becomes a reality!

Happy Easter: Celebrate the Resurrection!

USA Easter tradition: Coloring Easter Eggs 




Celebrating Easter.. we constantly remind our children what is Easter about.. Isa will answer "Jesus' resurrection" then we will continue to say "why celebrate it?", "How does it affect you?" After talking about it with him and getting funny answers as always, I am left wondering, why do I celebrate Easter. Do I really internalize what I say I believe? Do I believe in resurrection life and all that Christ did for me on the cross? And if I really do believe it, do I see change in my life brought about by that belief? I long to see the power of the resurrection in my life and the life of those around me. Our prayer is to see that power transform lives here Argentina. We pray you see it in your life today! I leave you today with those questions as we celebrate Easter together in different parts of the world! Felices Pascuas Amigos!

Argentine Easter Tradition: Making Easter bread called "La Rosca de Pascua."  S and I got to make one in her preschool.

 

Celebrating Easter in the neighborhood, Los Pinos

 

A choir from Puerto Rico visited and ministered in Los Pinos.  La Mision's children's choir also sang!