Over the course of the last 11 months I’ve gotten the privilege of serving along side many different types of ministries…they range from homes for teen boys (Beacon of Hope, MOZAMBIQUE) to churches like Apostle Andrews church in Malawi, to known organizations like Inca Link (Ecuador) and Threads of Hope (Philippines) to so much more. It’s been a privilege getting to work besides these organizations this last year.
For many of these organizations and churches like Malawi, Thailand, Cambodia, Chile and Argentina my team was a first time time…meaning we were the first team to ever come to that location. There is something cool about being a first time team, because you get to set the bar, you get to show them what a World Race team is really like, you get to represent AIM. But before they can even have a first time team, an organization or church must be connected with Adventures in Missions (AIM) and that is what my team is doing this month for ministry
This month in Argentina, myself and one other team have had the privilege of traveling to several different cities to find what we call UNSUNG HERO’S, people or organizations who are doing the work for the Lord, but haven’t been recognized or need help doing it. It’s been awesome seeing the way God provides for you as you just let him lead.
This month he led us to the city of Mar Del Plata, on the East Coast of Argentina. The fact that we were even allowed to come here was awesome, because originally it was on our no go list, but God opened doors, and the powers to be at AIM allowed us here. Then we got really good deal on bus ticket and found free lodging and in-budget food, all a great blessing to us. But as we sat here researching places online that looked like they could be potentially good contacts for AIM to work with one kept popping up…Argentina Ministries, Inc…ran by an American named Austin Kidd…unfortunately though he no longer lives here in Argentina but is back in Texas now; however he did let us know that Pastor Octaviano was now running the organizations and he gave us his contact information. So I emailed Pastor Octaviano and he was more than happy to meet with us.
Yesterday (11/8), Shannon and I went to meet with Pastor Octaviano for the first time. From the moment we walked onto the property of Hogar de Niño we knew we had found a good ministry contact. Pastor Octaviano has a vision, to help kids and women, to help the poor, to love on people, to share the gospel and so much more. On the property of Hogar de Niño he hosts several single mothers and their children, several families, young men and women who are in need of a place to live while attending university. They have a church service each week, they invite the youth (poor/street kids) to come into their church every week for milk and bread, they take clothing out to the indigenous people of Argentina as a way to help show them love and they do so much more. They’re in the process of expanding their building so they can help more people, they’re in the process of starting to build a school on the property (hoping to start with grades K- through 2nd) with hopes to one day go higher. The more we talked to Pastor Octaviano the more I could see it in his eyes, help this next generation they are the future, and if we help them then they can continue to help the next.
Pastor Octaviano’s ministry isn’t supported by the government, it’s done by donation only. He his wife and one of the boys from the home will be flying to the states soon to speak in several churches to try and find some financial help. Please be praying for them. Pray that the money can come in so that they can continue to build and expand and reach their community. Pray that AIM can reach out and connect with them quickly and send a team soon, because the look of HOPE in Pastor Octaviano’s eyes when he heard that a team could come help, will not be one that I ever forget. God gave Pastor Octaviano a passion for his country, for his community, for the youth of his community and I think that’s so awesome.
This month we’ve had the privilege of traveling around Argentina, of finding new contacts, of seeing God work in ways that we never thought were possible. If God had not opened doors for us to come to Mar Del Plata, if he hadn’t found us cheap bus tickets, or free lodging, we might not have been able to come here to look for Unsung Heros, and we might not have been able to find Pastor Octaviano or Hogar de Niño. And wouldn’t that be a shame.
God has taught me so much this year, but this month in particular he’s taught me to continually lean on him. To trust him to lead. Where he leads, you should follow. God has plans, and his plan for us this month was to come to Mar Del Plata, Argentina and find Hogar de Niño and Pastor Octaviano.
Above: Shannon and Pastor Octaviano talking as he shows around the property.
“And they were bringing children to Him so that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and said to them, “Permit the children to come to Me; do not hinder them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. “Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all. And He took them in His arms and began blessing them, laying His hands on them.” (Mark 10:13-16)
