We made it to South America!!
This month my team was partnering with a YWAM base in Mendoza, Argentina.
Ministry looked very different from day to day.
Some days we helped out with school groups that came to use a rope’s course on the base. It honestly felt like being at a summer camp again.
Some days consisted of picking up trash in the community, or working on YWAM’s new day center, or even just visiting families in different neighborhoods.
It was a full, busy month, but a great way to start out this new continent.
I was especially tired the first week of ministry. We had just gone through about three days of traveling, including two long plane rides, sleeping in the airport, and an 18 hour bus ride.
Can you say jet lag?
The first weekend we were told that we were going away for multiple church services that we would be leading. I was not looking forward to the trip, especially since in this culture churches end around midnight.
We arrived at the pastor’s house, and were immediately welcomed into his home. His wife began crying after five minutes. She was so grateful just to have us in her home.
It was humbling and beautiful at the same time.
We stayed the night at a sweet grandmother’s home. She didn’t speak a word of English, but that didn’t stop her from loving on us. She even broke out the accordion and her old family album.
The next day we shared at another church service. The pastor found out that it was my birthday the next day.
He had me come up front, and told me that he wasn’t there for his daughter on her quinceañero. So he understood how difficult it is to be away from your family on birthdays.
He then proceeded to tell the church to come along side me as my family in Christ. The entire church came up and gave me the traditional double kiss.
Can’t say I’ve ever been kissed so much in my life!
It was such an energizing weekend, even with all of the late nights. The Lord really changed the month for me at that moment.
To be so loved and welcomed by complete strangers was the perfect example of the way God intended church to be.
We are one body in Christ, one family in Christ.
My team along with the Pastor’s family.
Some of the church members
Our sweet abuela
