2 Worlds, 1 City.

For the faithful few that read this, I'm back! Sorry that it's been so long. Amongst all the sickness in June, I just didn't have it in me to write. I wanted to, but I just didn't know what to write about. I want everything I put on here to be authentic, never a front. So, I just didn't write. Last night I got out a my latest newsletter and in it I said I would talk more about what I've been doing with teams these last few weeks. I'm also going to use more pictures in here, so yay!

May 30-June 16 we had two girls from Brainerd church in TN come to work with Once here in BA that does a lot of work in Recoleta. These girls worked in the comedor soup kitchen daily, but also got to see a lot of Recoleta 4 times a week, at least. We had a lot of fun being invited into peoples' homes, being tourists on the bus tour. We even got to dress all fancy and go to a dinner & show in a downtown tango theater FOR FREE compliments of a famous singer that goes to Once. It was amazing. Also, we got to watch the opening Argentine world cup game in an open park with some Argentine friends!! I think these girls were really blessed by their time here.  I know I was.

I promise we were happy! Just trying out the STURGEON face :{

Mi querido Caminito

Before Amelita Baltar!

Outside of the theater, Tango Porteño

Watching the game, at half time, with the screen behind us.

Buenos Aires <3

I had about a week off before a second group to join us, this one from Clarksville, TN. 10 youth joined us in serving in Villa Lugano. This part of the city is known to not be as nice...They have the lowest average monthly salary in Capital Federal. A 180 from that of Recoleta, the highest in Capital. Only 15.7% of the population over 25 years old has completed 14 years of school in Villa Lugano and the surrounding barrios making up Comuna 8.

But.

Villa Lugano has something more than other comunas. Jesus. 21% of people in this comuna reported to be evangelical. Only 3.9% of the people in Recoleta reported to be evangelical. The people we served among this week may be poor in material things, but my are they rich in spirit and faith! It reminded me again of why I am here. For the people in Recoleta who still don't know of their need for a Savior, that their high rise with a view can't save them. And for the sweet fellowship, encouragement and prayer that I had with my brothers and sisters in Christ in their homes and shops. We serve Lord over all. He is sovereign over all.

I think the students really enjoyed being here this week, working with the youth of the church Parque Indoamericano. Again, we were blessed more than a blessing to them. The great thing about this church is that it is a mix of other countries, i.e., Peruvians, Chileans, Bolivians. So there was a lot of folk dancing and food eaten this week! You'll notice in the pictures the villas we were inside (at night, on a rooftop) and in a community house were we did a Bible study one night with kids.

Looking over Villa 20, one of the more dangerous villas in the city.

At their despedida, some of the Hilldale youth dancing!

The Pre-K class was learning about the World Cup in school and then watched it live!

Some of the girls from the church doing an Argentine dance for us.

Trip wouldn't be complete without some ARG v USA fútbol ;)

The thing I LOVE about my job is that I get to do this mission trip with the group, but at the end of the week, when they go home, I'm still here! I don't have to board the plane. I can go back anytime I want!! How exciting it is to be in this city day after day. God has given me a passion for this city as of late, and every time I leave the house I am excited just to walk the city streets. To HEAR the car horns blasting to the chant of the Argentine Mundial fever. To SMELL fresh bread baking. To SEE sunshine or rain in the midst of the highrises. To TOUCH the button on the collectivo when I know I've arrived at my destination. To TASTE the fresh milanesa that someone has prepared for me or I'm going to learn to make tomorrow. I hope no matter where you are in the world, you are passionate about the people around you, because they have an eternal destiny just like you do.