The DR: a Divine Retreat

I've always seen pictures people posted of the Dominican Republic when they were on their honeymoon and I can now confirm, it is just as beautiful in person as the pictures make it look. The water so blue, picturesque palm trees everywhere, and those sunsets... wow!!

But greater than the scenery was the content of my trip: a spiritual renewal which I needed more than I realized after only three months on the field. When I first learned in January that I would be coming to the DR for this retreat, I was a little sad that it was happening 3 months into my time here in BA, but I have to say, I was ready for a break from the city! To see old friends, meet new ones, and worship in our heart language was such a blessing. Not to mention our guest speaker for the week was David Platt, and if you've ever heard him speak, you know that man is anointed! I loved everything he had to say.

Rather than bore you with all my sermon notes (ha! as if David Platt would ever be boring), I will just share one thing that he started with one morning that was overwhelming in the best of ways. He had us write down what we thought God would say to us if we were sitting with him in a room all alone, head-to-head, toe-to-toe. We had 5 minutes to think about it and write it down... When time was up and Platt told us what he thinks God would look at us and say:

"I love you so much."

That simple.

Something about those 5 words and nothing else was just a weight lifting off my chest. Here I was writing down things that I had failed at, what I had done wrong....essentially condemning myself, and all I needed to know was that He loves me.

In Romans 8:1 Paul tells us that "there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death." What joy! I so wish you could have been in the room with me to hear all of his sermon's last week, they were so good for the soul. But really, he was just delivering truth from God's word, the ultimate good for the soul.

We were so spoiled last week. As I was in the jacuzzi tub on my hotel balcony (yes, that actually happened), I felt like I was eating from the King's table all week long. But the more I thought about it, this is a real life picture of how God wants to treat us. I'm not saying we deserve or should be staying at all inclusive resorts all the time, but God delights in giving us good things! [Luke 11:13] Can I just say it is so good to belong to the King of kings?

I can't finish this without giving recognition to the reason this was all made possible: YOU! Yes, if you're giving to Lottie Moon Offerings then you sent me there.  Also, I should just say that all of the other missionaries from the Americas said in all their years of serving, they've never seen anything like this put together. They had to save for this for 2 or 3 years to pull this off, so it's not like we're going to have this again next year. It was a big deal to all of us. So again, thank you.

Now for the fun part, pictures!

flying out from Buenos Aires, the city is overwhelming

mi familia on the beach :: all the Argentine M's got together one afternoon

I'm really going to miss quiet times like this

beautiful mosaic art

me and David Platt, nbd

full size rainbow that ended in the ocean :: Great is Thy faithfulness

hammocking on the beach?? Yes please!

sunsets were unreal here

resort at night

blessed to meet so many career ladies and hear their stories

seriously, so blue

local market

AMP FPO 1.14 :: the best Americas family ever

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.

#BALife

Day 3 in Buenos Aires and so far, so good. To recap the last few days.... lots of exploring! Monday I arrived and went to bed tired. Yesterday was full of explorations with Crystal by foot and we were tired again. Today was a holiday (Día de Malvinas) so a lot of places were closed in the city and it was a perfect day to ride the buses and tour. But I'll still go to bed tired. One thing different about today though was that we finally got some Argentine Pesos so we had money, yay! After touring the town, Crystal and I walked to this awesome megastore, Jumbo. Not sure what I would compare it to in the states, but we stocked up on groceries and goods. Then we had to carry said groceries about 6 city blocks back to our apartment.

When I think about the things that most stand out about BsAs, at first I can't think of them. It's not that different. They're modern. [Some] People have nice things, like a Mercedes driving down the streets and Lacoste stores. But then today I had the opportunity to go to the hospital to visit a girl with cancer and wow. How suddenly it makes you appreciate what American standards are. I think the hospital is subsidized by the government to the people here, so it's free, but there were also Hospitales Alemán (German), or Hospitales Italianos for people who want better care.

But, nonetheless, I have thought of some things that are just not like America:

• Flower stands. They're all over the place and just so pretty! I told Crystal don't be surprised if I come home with flowers on the regular. And then randomly stop because it's not a good use of Lottie dollars. But they're so pretty and European of them!
• The counter-clockwise toilet flush. Yes, it happens that way here.
• Justice/Injustice Awareness. We have this in America, but there's more passion about it here. Walking by the zoo yesterday, there was graffiti because the animals were, "caged in like a jail. Go vegan." Injustice. Outside the Pink House (their version of the White House. Clever, right?) There are always protests. Taxi drivers honk to a certain rhythm just to prove their point. Argentines are proud and they want to be heard.
• Hospitals. Crystal and I think a horror film has been filmed in it before. That's all I'm going to say.
• Panderías. Every corner you can find one. And they're just filled with so much goodness. I might as well mention the ice cream shop less that 100 yards from my apartment door, too. 
• Older people dress nicely. You never know how jovenes will dress, it could go either way. But I'll see men in suits or sports coats, and ladies in skirts with heels on carrying their groceries. Clearly a generational thing.

Life is different here but not in a bad way, it's all so good! It's interesting to have the TV on and learn about another place. As many of you probably know by now, Chile had an earthquake last night off their coast and 900,000 people had to evacuate from their homes.  I'm so grateful for all the people thinking of me and checking on me, but God's got it under control. I ask that you just pray for Chile. And that whole Pacific coast really, because it could affect Peru and Ecuador as well.  


I'll end with some pictures from today in La Boca. 

Futbol!!

Looking down a street with shops

Some street art I love! I bought some, just not here. Also, all the trees are wrapped

Very famous building, corner of Caminito St.

Algunos dulces

Tasteful Travels.

This weekend I had the pleasure of sitting back and being a tourist in a town I had never been before, Charlottesville, VA. Home of one of nation's president's and what I now believe to be one of the most prestigious state schools, UVA. I went with an old school best friend, a new bestie and a brand new friend. The fun we had this Saturday will be remembered for years to come through the lens of not one but 4 cameras (yes, we all 4 were carrying our DSLR cameras) and I'm sharing some of my favorites with you now.

First, our hostesses and one of my dearest friends Emily. Heart of gold and so thankful for her friendship.

So, UVA has this bridge that anyone can paint on at anytime. Currently they had this huge portion dedicated to Venezuela and my heart was proud. We need to remember to pray for their political unrest and our people in country.

Our group for the day: Natalie, me, Leanne, and Emily

We had lunch at Trump Winery and it was so pretty! No, we had no drinks, and yes, it was the Donald's.

Monticello in all its glory!

Family.

On Thanksgiving, my family had the privilege of working with Jessica Lauren Photography to do some family pictures. And they turned out. So. Good. I mean, I knew they would, but we were also just so blessed with the weather. We had to plan this out a month in advance, and living in Missouri, you never know what you're going to get late November. As I write this, it is almost 60* out and they are calling for 2-4" of snow tomorrow. Welcome to Missouri.

Anyway, back to the post.  Knowing that I'm going to be gone for 2 years and our last family picture was from 2010 and without little miss Reagan, we were well overdue for a picture! These people are my everything and I'm so thankful for the parents God gave me and family I was raised in. I'm so excited to introduce you to all of them!

Here is my mom and dad with my nephew Chandler and two nieces: Delaney and Reagan!

Absolutely love this picture of myself with Chandler & Delaney. It captures their personalities completely.

A sweet picture of my brother's family.

I love this shot of David and his wife Darla.

Here is my sister Leah, Justin & Reagan smiling for the camera!

The whole gang!

So there is it, the summary of my Thanksgiving: family. I was also very fortunate to have a special work friend join us. All in all, this was the best 'last' Thanksgiving as I keep calling it :) I hope everyone else had a great Thanksgiving out there!