Noel. Emmanuel. Merry Christmas.

Wow, I haven't written in almost two months, and when I did it was to talk about my last trip. Since then, I've gone on another (amazing!!) trip, sola, and been wrapping up with goodbyes, not presents.

I was going to start my annual end of the year post, but I thought, why rush things, we still have the birth of our Savior to celebrate, so behold, a Christmas post.

I'm actually semi getting our house decorated for Christmas. Around Thanksgiving I put out our mini tree and the lights up. When you leave in January, it's never too soon to decorate. Christmas just don't feel like Christmas this year. Not only is it not cold or snowy, but even more so, I'm not going to be with my parents. This time last year I was anticipating their arrival. I'm not super sad to not be with them given that in less than a month we'll be together again, but it will be the first time ever to not wake on the 25th with them. Praise God for the families He's given me here at my side.

Another reason it doesn't seem like Christmas is because we haven't sung any Christmas carols at church yet this year! So, I'm counting to fit them all in tomorrow. Haha. It's been me on my own listening to a variety on youtube to get my caroling and Christmas hymns in.

One in particular hit really close to heart this year as I was listening one morning that I'm sure you know. O Holy Night in first few stanzas says:

O Holy Night

The stars are brightly shining

It is the night of our dear Savior's birth

Long lay the world in sin and e'er pining

'Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth

A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices

For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.

I was wonderstruck when I realized what we're singing about a thrill of hope. Imagine the scenery. The Jews are living under Roman control waiting desperately for this Messiah. It was a weary world they lived in, paying taxes (can I get an Amen?) and submitting to a government you are not in agreement with? (double that Amen) Then comes this Angel to Mary saying she will give birth to a Savior! What?! That is cause for rejoicing!! 

Is it not the same today? Don't we live in a weary, weary world?? Troubles at every trouble. I mean every corner you look I see restless people. BUT. The message of hope is the same. There is hope. Because Jesus Christ is the same. Yesterday. Today. Forever, his word promises it! And he cannot change. He cannot break his promise. Look it up! Hebrews 13:8.  

This Christmas season I've had two friends I've been watching walk through terrible awful familiar situations, and in one, God healed completely. The other, God has showed his power and grace in other ways. I think of them as I write this knowing that God is sovereign in ALL things, good and bad, to receive the glory for all. While we don't always understand this side of heaven what we go through, we can be sure He doesn't allow us to go through any trial that isn't without benefit for He loves us as his children. 

With that same prayer and confidence, I enter into this next week remembering that Christ our Savior entered this world with a mission, to be God with us, teaching us (because we're so fallen and hard headed) but with patience and loving us to the cross. We too need to love our neighbors, with patience, pointing them to the cross.

Four Wall Christian Homes.

I lived in my Christian 4-wall house for far too long. And I think a lot of Americans still do, if I'm not wrong.

And I don't mean we don't know pop culture or the world. I think we do that a little too well.

Let me explain. 

I was reading a really great book last week, Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus, and in it we hear the story of a devout Muslim raised in America come to faith over a 4 year journey in college. One of the things that amazed me reading this book was that this boy raised as a Pakistani Muslim, knew so much of the Bible. Now, facts or twisted truths, that's a different story. But none the less, his family had a KJV Bible in the house growing up and when talking to Christians as a Muslim, he could refute their faith, always anticipating what they were going to say. This amazed me! Growing up Baptist, we never learn anything about any other religions. Is that not the truth? To this day I have trouble knowing the difference because Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses, honestly.

So, maybe when I say American Christians live in their 4-wall houses, I mean their Christian home and there is nothing else. No rooms, closets, no where to find out about other religions. NOBODY but Jesus in that household.

Now clearly I'm not wanting idols. Far from it! I also think we make idols out of the smallest things, from iPhones to husbands, but we'll save that for another day ;)

But is it bad to talk about those other religions within the home?? I never once growing up talked about Orthodox Judaism or Islam. What I learned about it was from the television. Reverse that. Do I want Muslims or Jews learning about Christians from what they see of it portrayed on t.v.?? Heck to the NO!  They make us out to be pious no fun duds!!

How are we supposedly to evangelize and teach truth if we don't know what we're speaking against? I realize the Bible stands for itself, but if we don't know what others believe and teach, how will we know what angles they have? We'll be blindsided.

Or how about Ramadan. I really don't think I knew anything about that growing up, but now I know more, finding that it's maybe the second most important month in the Muslim calendar? It's their holy month, full of fasting and seeking Allah. And it's known that during this time God often reveals himself to them in visions and dreams! It's a wonderful month to celebrate in prayer in fasting alongside them and I encourage you to look it up if you don't know much about it here.

I'm so grateful to God for making me aware of many things now, but I feel like it was a cost to myself. But the good, is that now I have a lifetime left to discover how to use what I know and to continue studying it!

(As You) Go - My Vacation to the Falls.

So a few weeks ago I had the great joy of taking vacation to Iguazu Falls. Have you heard of it? Maybe you've seen my pictures?

 

There, that's the falls. As seen from the Brazil side. I thought "seen one set of 'falls' seen 'em all, right? WRONG. Niagara falls has NOTHING on Iguazu. Below: Niagara 

Niagara. Not impressive, I know.

 I'll post more photos of Iguazu, I promise, but this post (really) isn't about the beauty of the falls. 

It's about how even on our vacation, God used my teammate and I to share His truth with Argentine nationals and teach us about this culture we still know so little of.

First, meet Gabriel. This is his Spanish name. He has two other names, I think, one in Guarani which is a tribal name, and then another, in Bu'ah which was a dialect of Guarani. Incredible.

Gabriel was born in the jungle. Just like this picture above shows, he is a natural at building traps. He started going to national schools at 11 years old, and that's when he started learning Spanish. An Argentine, that didn't know Spanish until he was 11 years old! Culture is so rich if you're willing to listen.

Anyway. Gabriel lives with his wife and three kids in a small home with a little bit of electricity (he just doesn't like it; he wasn't raised with it). One weekend per month he comes to this school in the jungle to teach about 100 children the ways and heritage of the Guarani so that the kids don't get any half-truths from the national schools.

Along our jungle tour, Gabriel told us that his father was a Shaman. This was really interesting to me for several reasons. In college, I did my capstone project over shamanism. When you confront that in real life with your beliefs and knowing truth, it is a strong dissonance. 

Then there was the fact that I hear about these tribes, and people who are animistic and often are associated with Brazil and Peru, but Argentina? My mind so often drifts to Buenos Aires -- which is anything but tribal. The diversity here is real and my heart longs for them, and for once, I understood and if even for only a fraction, felt like I knew what it felt like for the people working with the Unreached, unengaged people groups all around the world. And that's not even to say that all UUPGs are animistic.

When we started talking to Gabriel about the afterlife, I was curious if he had a spirit, where would it go? He told me we all have a good and bad spirit.  With all due respect, I asked if they were little angels and devils sitting on our shoulders. He laughed and told me no, that they come from the earth and heaven when we're born and then return to where they came from when we die. That simple. 

My friend had to ask him then, where did he learn this? He told us his father, who learned it from his father, and so forth. But there are no books with anything written. Because their language (bu'ah, remember?) is not a written language, it's only spoken.

Oh, how I pray for the Holy Spirit to just open his eyes! Truly, I saw Romans 1:20-23 played out in that very moment. Gabriel chose to give credit the things of God, to things of the gods. 

Yet how often is my sin so similar; choosing to give the credit of things of God to credit of man.

Ruth and I left with him an opportunity to know the cross and he unfortunately never wanted to hear it, and we didn't see him the next few days because our schedule had us out all day. If you think about him, or right now, please pray for Gabriel, that his eyes would be open to Creator God. That God would continue to be merciful in sending people to share truth with him and that he would not reject the beauty that is so evident around him.

my super fun travel partner for the week!

Ok, so you've heard one story of how God moved in my heart teaching or showing me something, but there's more. Enter day 3 of our trip and we're heading to the Argentine side of the falls and up drives this guy is in an unmarked car wanting to give us a ride. Uhhh, no thanks. He circles around. Says he'll do it for the same price as the bus. I see on his window it says "Cristo me guia" or, Christ guides me.  Well that must make everything better! (at this point you probably think we're writing the script for Taken 4, but I assure you, it's okay!)

Ruth and I talk it over and I get in, and before she gets in and shuts the door, she takes one last look at the lisence plate number (how's THAT for contingency training?!?) and we're off to the falls! Our driver's name is Miguel, and he's young, and I quickly ask him what the sticker across his windshield means to him.

"Oooh, that means everything to me." He assures us. He quickly hands us a really old, used Bible and hymnal that was up on the dashboard that I had noticed right after we got in the car. After looking over the Bible, I realized the pages were missing from Genesis 1-4. The pages were a yellow/brown. I had a feeling this had been in the family for a while. He told us he was evangelical, Betuel [note to self: still need to look them up. Every Argentine in BA has not heard of this sect/congregation...]. I mentioned to him our experience with Gabriel and said "so animism must be normal here by the jungle?" and his response?? No, we're about 85% evangelicals in Iguazu. 

Now, Buenos Aires is about 2% evangelical, reached of the 14 million. I cannot fathom this little city being that reached. I didn't see one church! Ruth and I eyed each other in the back seat with a smile to keep from gasping, I think. So, appropriating, she led the next question to explain his relationship with Christ. He talked about how he was raised in the church, going since he was a child with his parents and grandparents, but not once was the word S I N mentioned.

We thanked him for the ride and had his information for the next day to go to the airport. This is where it gets good.

The next morning Miguel came to pick us up with his girlfriend to take us to the airport. We didn't have too much for conversation until on the way to get gas he tells us they saw a snake coming to get us and showed us the picture they took of it. 

I think both Ruth and I were both thinking about how the conversation ended the day before, and wanting to know how to get back to it. Suddenly Ruth asked them if they'd ever heard of the story in the Bible about the snake in the garden. They said no.

This is a 21 year old boy who was raised in an evangelical home driving around with his "Cristo me guia" sticker and Bible in the dashboard and didn't know who the snake in the garden was....SAY WHAT??

So Ruth ever-so-kindly tells them that I'm going to share a story. I went through Genesis 3 with them all the way to the airport, and the whole time, Miguel's eyes were looking back into the rearview mirror. When I explained the moment she picked and ate the fruit, sin entered the world, you know what verse he referenced sin with?? Not Romans 3:23. Not 6:23. Not even 5:8

John 8:7.

But. It was so great to share with him that from that moment, God had a plan for redemption, that the seed of woman, Jesus Christ, would crush the head of the serpent and forever have power over death.

Miguel asked us where to find this story and we said, Genesis 3. Just chapter 3? Genesis 3, God's word, that's it, we told him. Not my word's but His. Remember how I told you that Bible on his dashboard was torn and didn't start until Genesis 5? I pray he and his girlfriend went home and read it and sought truth for themselves.

I am continually seeing how the truth God showed to me from 2 Kings 22 keeps coming around, the importance of the Law, and teaching it to those around us, to your children. This boy who claims to be an evangelical didn't know the story of the garden, of sin. We have to read God's word to know God's word. To know Him.

I think I've written enough here. I just wanted to share about some of the awesome ways God allowed me to be apart of the work and people's live in the part of the country. I could share about Alex the German, but that's just your typical post-modern worldview, and sadly there's so many of those around I feel like there all the same... though I know every person's story is different. Like Alex, who was in town to see Haussentauten. The DeadPANTS. Not DeadPANS. Better to say DeadTROUSERS so someone doesn't misunderstand you. Which can happen in German. If you say Haussentouten it means DeadHARES, like dead rabbits or something, and that's just sad.

Ok really I'm just rambling now. Here are some pictures of this BEAUTIFUL world wonder!!

Enjoy! xo 

so much water

garganta del diablo

rainbow

Do I Really Like What I Do??

I was talking to a friend back home, as a frequently do, and she told me, "Bethany, are you happy there? It just seems like you're really depressed every time I talk you you."

Now, these may not be the words you're looking for when you talk to your best friend, but then again, if they are your best friend and they know you well, they should be able to tell if something is really wrong, right?

The problem with this, cross-culturally, is that ministry is messy. I'm good. I (most of the time) love Argentina. Now, God didn't promise moving here was going to be easy. In fact, he said quite the opposite when said he was sending his disciples out as sheep among wolves (Luke 10:3).

But just because I'm living in a "Christian" nation doesn't mean all my thoughts and ideas are welcomed and accepted. Being a North American is not necessarily a good thing here, and working alongside my brothers and sisters here has a sandpaper like effect here. It rubs some people the wrong way. While I'm praying it has a smoothing affect, right now it is painful.

I see hints of prosperity gospel. Authoritative leaders. A lack of faith. And because of the politics of the Church (yes, that exists here,) I can't just fix it.

But what has God shown me in this? Or rather reminded me of? That the church is still all sinners, and we all need Jesus.

I have seen so much good in my last year. Praise be to God. I have heard stories of missionaries who leave the field without physically seeing fruit in their term, but that does NOT mean God wasn't working. It just means the work is hard. It is painful. We (hopefully) put all of our heart into these people, these churches because we so want for them to seek God, and when they don't it pains us. It is ALL for an eternal value. If it wasn't I wouldn't be here. Anything less than eternal is in vain. My heart aches when people don't want to get together to study not because my feelings are hurt (that initally happened, but I'm over it now) but because I fear they're losing out on the promises of God.

So am I depressed? Not in the least bit. Do I like what I do? Absolutely. Do I LOVE what I do? There are some things I'd change, but I can't change Argentina ;) nor can I change America. My citizenship is in heaven and I'd have it no other way.

2 for 1

Part I

Imma about to tell you something. Normally my posts are fairly organized but tonight, I came home from church, semi-discouraged about something. Seems to be the norm these days that there's something to tell my roommate about at the end of the day that is "wrong."

Why are churches just bad at being churches? Or loving people, rather?? That was my thought. And before I could keep going with reasons, God stopped me in my tracks and said: because it's made up of sinners. Listo. That's all I needed to hear. No church is perfect. Not in Buenos Aires, not in Tennessee, not in Missouri. We're all broken people and as long as we're on this earth, the Church - the church- is going to have issues. And that is a fact you can take to the bank. We'll remain that way until Christ returns, to make us WHOLE.

I so can't wait for that day. I so need Jesus. Don't you??

Part II

So I have to tell you about another thing I read this morning in my Bible that has just so convicted me for our world. Second Kings 22 we read about Josiah who has come to reign at such a young age and praise God, he doesn't follow his father's footsteps, but he chooses to seek God and restore the temple. (Why and how, I honestly don't know. If you read his family's messed up past, there's no reason apart than evidence that GOD calls people to himself.)

In verse 8 something interesting happens here, and the high priest finds the Law of Moses, or the Scriptures, which had been hidden away for years (because I'm telling you, MESSED UP family history rid the land of God's word. ¡Ojo!) When King Josiah finds out about God's law for the first time, it says he tore his clothes! He was living in a time so sinful and apart from God's law that he knew they were far from what God demanded of His people. He found a prophetess to call upon the Lord and find out will happen to them because they have so veered from what the Book says. He has a truly repentant heart. And the Lord hears that because in verses 19-20 the Lord tells him his eyes won't see the disaster to come.

When I read this passage today, I just wept for our generation, the world we live in. I fear that people don't appreciate the Bible for the living word that it is, while yet there are people and nations waiting for it to come in their own language. I live in one of the most literate cities of the world, and yet I can't get people - believers - to get together and study this incredible tool, gift we've been given.

I fear we're going to get to the point of Josiah where generations down, children won't even know the Word of God because parents didn't teach it to them. If only the Israelites had remembered. If only they had taken to heart Deuteronomy 6:5-7:

⁵ You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.⁶ And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. ⁷ You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.

Dear friends, please don't let us get that way. I'm not going to ask you to read your Bible because it's the "Christian thing" to do, I tried that for many years and it's tiring. Don't read it out of guilt, either. Definitely don't read it because you're bored.

I ask you to experience God through His word, prayerfully, and see what He wants to show you. You'll never walk away the same. But please, let us not be like the man James warns against, saying "for he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like" (1:24). 

Hanging.

If you got my last update, you saw me write a lot about discouragement. It was an over-hanging feeling all month long and wasn't just a one time feeling. It was the accumulation of different people [what felt like] constantly cancelling on me. Bailing. Leaving me hanging.

Now in the middle of all this, I had a great friend who was trying to be so encouraging and telling me, "I just thank God when people cancel because it means I can spend my time reading!" which is true, but when I have finished 6 books in a month, you know something's gotta give.

So tonight I was just so wrapped up in the thought that God knows in the moment I make plans with people, that those plans are going to fail.

Then I was taken to an even scarier thought.

All those times I leave God waiting for me.

He is always there, ready with an open ear wanting me to come to give me everything. Wanting to hear my concerns, my heartache, my joys, my all. Yet how often do I rush my time with him in the morning or cut short my time with him in the nights because of somewhere I have to be, or I'm too tired.

Yet sadly those are the exact same responses people give me when I'm looking forward to my plans with them in the week and then the day of when I go to confirm, they tell me they can't meet.

But our Heavenly Father, everlasting and good, is just waiting for us to go to him. And he hears us. He isn't a god that we have to fast, sacrifice, or work our way to. He has already made a way to be near to us.

I'm so thankful for Jesus and the Father never hanging up on me. Never giving up on me. Never ignoring me when I ignore him.

Psalm 40 starts off with, "I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock." (vv. 1-2)

MUD and MIRE. SLIMY PITS, people! It's in the Bible. But that's what my sin is and if God can look past that and still give an ear to me, than I suppose I can take heart and not be so dis-couraged when people cancel or don't make plans for the week.

Yes, it makes relationships a little more difficult, but nobody said it was easy... [cue the Coldplay music]

Xo, B

The GREAT Commission.

"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,  teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28:18-20

Yesterday was a really great day. I went to two different church services and in each of them I saw this very verse in action. I witnessed an Argentine brother be prayed over as he was sent out from our local church, and later I watched a Brazilian sister be baptized in a step of obedience and faith. 

If you know me well, you'd know I cried at both of these services watching my brother and sister do exactly as His word says. His living and active word calls people to action, and nothing brought greater joy to my heart. Nothing.  Don't you see what makes this commission so great, though?

This brother, Joaquin, is going to India for a month to work and serve with Argentine M's in the Himilayas for the month of December. I'm sure he'd love the prayers. Heading to land of idolatry and false gods, he and his team of 11 others will be traveling throughout the mountains using music and the word to minister to the people there. I'm so excited to see what this trip brings about in both his life and the lives of the people there.

My sister Julia invited me earlier this week to church and dinner afterward. Obviously I love both of those things and accepted. So, imagine my surprise when I got there and she told me she couldn't sit with me because she was being baptized. Her and 20 others were dunked last night. PRAISE GOD. When asking everyone why they wanted this, they all said, "obedience and faith," but some gave additional testimony to how Jesus had forgiven them of their sins forever. To the least of these, can I just get an amen?

As we were singing at the beginning, I was just in awe of the glory and presence of God in this great city. That He would allow me to be a part of His work at a time such as this. To watch a brother be sent out yesterday and a sister be baptized in the same day. As church was letting out they had all 20 of them on stage and were singing a song called, "Te Doy Gloria" which is a party song. It repeats this line saying, "I give you glory (x3), to you Jesus". And I just thought to myself, this is a sliver of what heaven looks like for just one person repenting.

I pray than God gets ALL the glory, NOTHING, but the glory for what is happening here in Buenos Aires. May the enemy be defeated and have no part in this city. It's all for His name's sake.
 

Our Great High Priest.

I've been reading through the Pentateuch lately and currently I'm in Leviticus. I have to say, Exodus was a lot better than I remembered it being. Moses is a rockstar... and I can relate to him a lot. Not that I'm a rockstar, but I can relate to a lot of his insecurities earlier in his life.... but anyway, that's not what I'm writing about tonight.

In Leviticus, I've been going through the 5 offerings: The guilt offering, the grain offering, the sin offering, the burnt offering and the fellowship offering. As I've been reading these, and the regulations that the Lord required for the priests too, all I can think is that I am SO thankful I didn't live in this time... I would need so many goats!! But only two of these offerings are mandatory, three are voluntary; The sin and guilt offering are compulsory.

In ch 5 v 17 it says "if a person sins and does what is forbidden in any of the Lord's commands, even though he does not know it, he is guilty and will be held responsible." All it takes is just one to be guilty. So I'm reading through and trying to process the old covenant and what it meant to be a child of God... and I was just discouraged for them. What high standards God must have had! I'd be best friends with the priest making atoning sacrifices every day.

I'm only now in chapter 10 of Leviticus, but I couldn't take it any longer the other day. I had to get to the good news. I had to read ahead and go to Hebrews, to read of our Great High Priest who came for us in the flesh to be our living sacrifice once and for all.

Hebrews 4:14-16 says:
Therefore since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weakness, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we were- yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. [my emphasis added]

-and-

Hebrews 7:24-28 says:
But because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always live to intercede for them. Such a high priest meets out need- one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself. For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.  [my emphasis added]

David Platt taught us it was okay to clap and shout when reading Scripture and I have to say when reading Hebrews 4:14 I just want to PRAISE Him that the veil was torn and we have access to the most holy place and HE intercedes for US to the Father. That is something worth clapping for.

So now when I read through Leviticus and realize just how imperfect I am - man who is weak, it makes me more thankful, give more praise, and more aware (if even possible) of what Jesus went through when he became the new covenant.

Jesus Wins.

A few weeks ago, on August 4th, a young man was shot and killed in broad daylight for his bike all because he intervened in a street robbery and was trying to help a victim. It was a really harsh newstory to watch and learn about. The young man only had 27 years and was going to work like any other day, only this time he had no idea what was in store for him.

Now, in this neighborhood, only 4.7% of the population is evangelical, so his death was your typical disheartening, what-are-the-chances-he-knew-Christ scenario.

Last Monday night I was in my weekly prayer meeting and one of the requests was for this young man's family, who was in town for a while. They are believers and had been contacted and just, as you can imagine, asked for prayer for them and the other family involved. There sprang a little hope that maybe, this man had not died without hearing the gospel message.

Well, today I found out that this week his parents, while staying in town for the legal matters surrounding his death, are taking time to do work for the kingdom. They are going to be standing at the corner where he was killed sharing the gospel and praying with people! Isn't that a beautiful picture?! This city is so broken, but there is hope. This family is a symbol of faith not shaken. If I had to guess, it's because they know they'll see their son again one day (yes, he was a believer!) and that God had a purpose in this.

I see the enemy winning so often in this city, but not on this one. God has taken this man's innocent death and is using it for His glory. To make His name known in the city. Jesus wins here. And, of course, Jesus wins in the end.

City Sidewalks.

Today I was meeting a friend for lunch and as you can imagine, I was following American time, but following Argentine time, she was 45 minutes later. As I stood on a street corner waiting for her, I got to see a lot. Think a lot. Standing on this busy street corner, I got to thinking about how many people were passing by me on this beautiful spring-like winter day. So, I started counting how many people crossed the crosswalk at every light change. I usually got anywhere from 50-75 people in 1 minute crossing the street.  I didn't really keep track of the light changes, but if you can imagine in 45 minutes, I wouldn't be surprised if 750-1000 people passed by me this afternoon. And while I was watching, the biggest statistic for general Buenos Aires came to my mind: 1 out of 95 might be a believer. There on the street corner I stood, my heart breaking for the masses of people...wanting to know where to even begin.

God has been so good to me lately serving me opportunities for spiritual conversations, and He's using it to open my eyes to the broken reality that this city is. The broken world that we live in. It's one thing to read survey's done about what people think about God, but then to have those conversations yourself and hear people say:

 "All religions are just love. All those prophets, Jesus, Muhammad, they were just enlightened ones..." 

- or how about -

"Yea, I pray to God, to Jesus, but I am my own church. I don't need to go to one. I don't think there is anything after this life, so I feel good about what I have."

... Hearing that is crushing. But, it's encouraging that a) they're open to talking about things of God, and b) God is using them in my life to encourage me to do more. Keep talking. Because "this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come" (Matthew 24:14).

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.

What's in a Name?

Lost are saved, find their way

 at the sound of Your great name
All condemned, feel no shame

at the sound of Your great name
Every fear, has no place

 at the sound of Your great name
The enemy, he has to leave

 at the sound of Your great name

I have been here at the learning center for 6 weeks now and I don't think y'all would want to read through all that I have learned. Whoever compared our time here to drinking from a fire hydrant was not kidding. A LOT of important, valuable information coming at you in a short time. I like what my supervisor told me before coming here. Not to be stressed out;  I will learn some stuff here that I'll never use on the field, and there will be things on the field never covered in my time here in Richmond.

I tell you all of this in short to let you know I'm not going to summarize the 7 dimensions of IMB personnel or review the 4 spiritual laws with you. I want to share with you the renewed confidence I have in who I am sent out by. I have heard so many stories since being here, studied a few different worldviews and I am broken for them. For their lost-ness. BUT. I am continually humbled by the name of Jesus who strengthens me to do His work. It is only by His power that we get to see great things happening in the darkest places of the world.  I would not trust to go out with any other name than Jesus. 6 weeks after training and that's all I can tell you, as simple as it is. Everything we do must point back to the gospel, else we're just talking about ourselves.  And as imperfect as I am, that would be a huge mistake. 

Revelation 7:9 says, "After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands." I'm so thankful that we serve a God who knows eternity and who will get all the glory. Every nation, tribe, people and language will be present and I hold on to that promise when times look so dark in Ukraine, Venezuela and other parts of the world.  His kingdom is big and I can't wait to be used for it.

Tunesday Tuesday.

We sang this song on the first full day together last week. Though I've heard it before, there's nothing like singing, "Build your kingdom here [...] Set your church on fire" amongst 100+ believers dedicating the next years of their life to kingdom work of God.

Also, this video is just SO MUCH FUN!! Enjoy :)