Serving in the Communities

On May 22nd a team of twelve people arrived from Mississippi serving through Global outreach. There main goal was te serve the people in the impoverished "villas" with free healthcare. For La Misión this was an exciting time to meet the physical needs of the communities, share Christ's love and invite new friends to join us at church.

We praise God for a wonderful week. Over 500 people were seen and given free medical care and received prayer as well. K and I were able to spend time in prayer with one man who's daughter had run away. This same man came to church on Sunday to let us know that she came home! We were so excited and rejoicing with him.

Looking for a location

It is always exciting to see how God provides and how He faithfully opens each door in His timing. If I had had my way we have set up a location for the vocational school from day one. But honestly if we had done that we would have missed out on what we have learned this past year. I, all too often forget, it is not only achieving my goals that matters, but it is what we learn from the process of achieving those goals that is often even more important. What is learned along the way, both from the succeses and even more so, from our failures, can so impact our overall direction and focus.

Take for instance, originally we were looking to focus the vocational school on adults only. But we have found that we have better results if we focus our attention on youth and children. Through this process of discovery we are finding that in this life style, the cycle of poverty is so ingrained in the daily function of the people that it is difficult for them to conceive of another life style. Many of the people in the villas work so hard but for so little; 16 hours a days, 7 days a week. Time is money for them! If they are not on the streets looking for recyclable materials (cardboard, plastic, metal) someone else will get what they missed that day, or take their territory, or more importantly, they do not eat. So for the adult and older youth, where would they find time to "invest" in themselves? This is a luxury they do not have. They have no options because no one will invest in them. Nor will they trust anyone because they have been burnt by so many lies/promises in the past when they once had hope. All that is left of their hope is scars.

So the question remains...how do you gain access to build trust so that you can invest in this community? I believe we have the answer...by providing the opportunities to their children/youth that they never had while there is time, and through that build relationships with the entire family. One way to break this cycle of poverty is to reach out to the children before their hope is too scarred to impact. So our focus of the school will be expanded to also include as much as is possible children and youth.

With that said, the ground work to start the school laid, with classes and workshops in the neighborhoods as well as at La Misión, we are ready for the next step- to rent a location. Over the past few months we have been raising the necessary funds to secure a "permenant" location for the vocational school. And God through many of you has begun to provide for this. In order to move forward, this permanent location is key and, not to mention, much safer. Once the location is rented we will still maintain our basic carpentry classes in the villas, but all the other classes will be taught in the new location.

Missions Conference 2010

What a wonderful time we had during the missions conference! The conference was organized by the youth group for youth. It was a time of seminars, challenges, community projects. It was the perfect balance of learning and doing! The evenings we had gatherings were different speakers shared personal challenges to the youth. Many youth were touched and convinced of their longing to serve God and to know Him more in their lives. Personally, we were excited to be able to share the needs around the world especially about unreached people groups. For these youth, this was the first time hearing about this, the first time seeing the statistics and the first time of feeling the burden for the lost around the world. We praise God for this time with the youth and pray that many will follow the call set before them. We pray many will become "History makers in this world."

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! 

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