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!