The Argentina Chronicles take 3

So today we got to sleep a bit (thankfully since we got back from the coffee house after 1am). Speaking of the coffee house, I want to blog about that for a while. I spent most of the night with Erin talking to Laura and her sister, Ada, about all kinds of things. They own this cute shop called Apolonia after their grandmother and Erin met them one day when we were doing street evangelism. They have been so open and willing to share with us about everything. We talked about everything from famous painters and authors to the history of the church. Their family is Roman Catholic, like 90% of Argentina is, but they do not agree with a lot of the beliefs of the church. It was so cool to get to share with them about what Protestantism is and how it´s different and specifically how our church is different even within Protestantism and all in broken English and Spanish. Even better, members of the church kept coming over and talking with them so they could get to know the church even more. I think it was a great night. Empanadas and soda and cafe were passed around till I was hopped up on caffeine and sugar, but still amazingly tired. It was a good night. I think the extended time of worship prepared me some for today, when we went to minister in La Carcova.

When we got to La Carcova, the first thing that was a miracle was that it didn´t rain. With a very high percent chance for rain, we headed out to be greated by sunshine and a light cold wind. Members of the church in La Carcova said it was a miracle because just like everyone said it would rain and it was sunny, people in Buenos Aires always say that the people in La Carcova can never change, that they are hopeless, but slowly God has been changing the hearts of the people and He will continue that good work.

I was on a team of people who decorated the church, 5 other groups went out into the ghetto and invited people and children to a fiesta para niños (festival for children) at 3pm. We blew up and strung balloons and hung streamers all over the place, filling the cold concrete building with color and fun. Some children of the church people were helping us and they were smart and obedient kids, full of life and fun. Celestina, about 10, was my special helper, and could string balloons 2ce as fast as I could. Some of the women from the church were there to greet us with mate, tea, and cafe, which we gratefully sipped in the unheated building.

Fidel and the men came back and began grilling patys (hamburgers) on a large outdoor grill... the best hamburgers I´ve had in a while. We ate and laughed and talked with Serge, Sabastian, Paolo, Graciella, and Druzella while we ate... they are some young adults who were more than happy to talk to young adults de estates unidos (United States). When we were finished, we prayed and the children just began pouring in. There were over 100, and they just kept coming. Some of the children from the back of La Carcova, which is a dump, were smelly, dirty, and some even had skin diseases and their skin peeled off... some laughed and hugged easily, while others were wary and quiet. I just wanted to hug them all and shower them with besos (kisses). This was a big stretch for me, since I usually don´t want to touch dirty, smelly, or especially diseased people. I just saw the love of God all over them and was so attracted to them even though I really couldn´t talk to them at all.

Speaking of not being able to talk... I felt soooo useless today in the area of communication. Children were asking me questions, adults wanted to know about my life and I just sat there smiling and hugging them. I know that is a lot, but I still feel bad that I didn´t have the words. I had to keep repeating "mi espagnol es nada.. lo siento" Graciously, the women from the church just hugged and kissed me and knew I loved them... I hope they know I love them.

I really think that I´m bringing this whole kissing tradition back to the United States... everywhere I go I just feel so loved and welcomed because I don´t just get a hi, I get¨"HOLA! Que Tal!?" and lots of hugs and kisses on the cheek whereever I go and goodbyes of "Tchao" with more besos. It´s fabulous. I want everyone to feel that much love... we totally deserve it... why keep it from each other. I cannot doubt that Mierta and Victoria and Theresa love me because of how glad they are to see me. They stop everything to kiss me hello and goodbye even though they just met me a few days ago.

Things were quiet on the way back to the train. We are all tired, several of us are getting sick (not me thankfully... I have un muy fuerte (strong) immune system. I think we´re all looking forward to relaxing and sleeping tonight and tomorrow after church. For the rest of the trip, we´re going to church, possibly to visit more of downtown Buenos Aires, and possibly to Teatro de Colon (where Evita was shot and filmed)... We are also going to visit a horsefarm and minister more to the people here at la Iglesia Comunidad Gracia.

We´ll I should be off... tchao (besos!)