On behalf of the team I want to summarize the first full week o f the team’s activities. As you have read in the various blog posts the team’s schedule has been full of various ministry opportunities. Our primary host, Ron Self, did an excellent job of coordinating a variety evangelistic outreaches that impact all levels of society and utilize every gift and talent on the team. Though the primary drawing card has been the musical presentations, English camps, basketball, balloon animals, and the simplicity of an American presence has drawn visitors for the various churches in the capital city. The focus of every outreach is to assist the local churches in developing contacts which the national and missionary pastors can develop. Our role is that of “bait.” Or to use the Biblical term from our team chapter of 2 Corinthians 4, we are but the “earthen vessels that the excellency of the power may be of God and not of us.”
A quick summary:
1. Physically: Six to eight team members wrestled for 24 hours with the natural effect of traveling overseas and experiencing a new environment. Thankfully, most of these challenges were temporary and the recovery was quick. There are still a few lingering physically challenges primarily connected with travel. We are thankful that the impact of these illnesses have been slight and manageable.
2. Food: The food is great. Everything is enjoyable. The first week we have been treated to multiple (6-8) pizza nights. When eating at a church, that is the easiest thing to do and works well when feeding collegiates. The pizza in Argentina is distinctly different than the US. The toppings are onions, tomatoes, and/or olives. It is different, but good. The rest o f the trip promises more wonderful Argentine meat. The ice cream here is also a big winner with the team. No one is suffering from a calorie crisis.
3. Housing: The retreat center at which we are staying is truly a retreat. After a busy day it provides a quiet place of rest and relaxation.
4. Weather: Phenomenal! God has blessed with blue skies and temperatures in the 60’s-70’s. This is the Argentine fall, and thus the expectation was for cooler weather, but each day has allowed for outdoor activities that are crucial for the evangelistic outreaches.
5. Hosts: The team has consistently communicated that the interaction with the American missionaries and Argentine national pastors has been impactful. At each location we have listened to these men and women share their testimony of salvation and God’s direction in their lives. Their transparency, passion, humility and humor have left a deep, positive impression. The Selfs, Greenwoods, and Estremas are a joy to work with.
6. Ministry: As you read the blog you sense the excitement of the team’s ministry. Each team member is seeking to build relationships with the Argentines. The team has a repertoire of two hours of music. This includes multiple songs in Spanish and the use of 7-10 instruments in various arrangements. The evening presentations have encouraged the churches and challenged the unsaved. Even when we miss a note or a word, the folks have responded with thanksgiving and appreciation. The other formal ministries, English training and basketball, have also been well received and have created platforms for relationship building. The most enjoyable aspect of the trip is to see the Americans and Argentines work through language barriers at developing friendships.
7. Spiritual Growth: The testimony times within the team are an encouragement for all. As you read the blog you emphasis is on all that God is teaching the team. We have learned of our dependence on God, the power of prayer and the gospel, the importance of fellowship, the joy of ministry, the threat of selfishness, and the needs of the world. These lessons alone make the trip a worthy investment.
8. Future: The next two weeks are filled full of more open doors. On Wednesday, the team leaves by boat for Uruguay. They will spend two days in Colonia working with missionary Archie Perez. The boat ride is a three hour excursion through the delta region. When there, the team will live in the homes of the Uruguayans. This new experience will be stretching. The team then returns on Friday for a three day evangelistic emphasis in the primary church in Buenos Aires. Our last week will be spent working with the Greenwood family as they seek to start a church in the northern suburb of Pillar.
Overall, the team has responded excellently in every situation. We greatly appreciate your prayers. Each day God has graciously allowed us to both sow the seed of the gospel and bear fruit. This could not have happened without the support of many people.
Thank you for taking the time to read our posting. I trust it gives you a little flavor of being there.
Brian Trainer
This Maranatha missions team is ministering in Argentina from July 28 to August 18, 2010.
May 15, 2008
May 13, 2008
From Laura
Hey All! Just giving a quick update....Everything is still going awesome. Yesterday we had a nice rest day but then that night we did English classes and the basketball clinic again. I found a girl at the basketball clinic!! I was so excited! She was there with her dad because her brother played there but her dad asked me to teach her a few things. I was more than happy to do that =) God is so good and I have so many stories to write but I don't have time! I can't wait to see what the next few weeks will bring. I love you and miss you all!
Josh, Mary, Sarah, and Donald-I got something really cute for the new babies in the family....There gonna look like cute little Argentines =)
Laura
Josh, Mary, Sarah, and Donald-I got something really cute for the new babies in the family....There gonna look like cute little Argentines =)
Laura
May 12, 2008
May 12 Web Updates
Blog Posts:
Photos:
- Saturday, May 10 - New album! 52 photos uploaded
- Sunday, May 11 - New album! 140 photos uploaded
- Monday, May 12 - New album! 11 photos uploaded
From Rebekah
¡Hola a mi familia, amigos, y iglesia! [Hello to my family, friends, and church!]
First of all, Happy Mother´s Day to the best mom in the whole world! I have to say something sentimental, even though every other mother can see this: Thank you, Mom, for all that you do and all that you are to me. I can never say thank you enough. As I get older and spread my wings (i.e.- coming to this country halfway around the world), I am realizing more and more the special connection we share.
On another, less sentimental, note . . .
I hope the computer is still working! : )
And now, a continuation of my week 1 overview. Not only are the smells unusual and the sights are amazing, but the sounds are also incredible!
Our "home-base" is peace itself. (Psalm 46- "Be still and know that I am God.") While similar to a girl´s dormitory (as far as loudness after 11 pm . . .no names mentioned except for room #5), I love the warmth and hospitality of Kairos as well as Buenos Aires.
To break the silence, our team provides the music [of life]. God has given us a bond in Christ as we minister and are ministered to. Please continue to pray for unity.
The language continues to be a barrier for most of us. Mr. Trainer jokingly wished we still had the gift of tongues. But our weakness, our inadequacies cause us to rest on Christ´s strength. He has already used us beyond what we could ask or think. Thank you for your continued support!
Sometime soon I will continue the overview of our missions trip in Buenos Aires.
But now I must press on in our busy, yet relaxing schedule!
Love, Rebekah
First of all, Happy Mother´s Day to the best mom in the whole world! I have to say something sentimental, even though every other mother can see this: Thank you, Mom, for all that you do and all that you are to me. I can never say thank you enough. As I get older and spread my wings (i.e.- coming to this country halfway around the world), I am realizing more and more the special connection we share.
On another, less sentimental, note . . .
I hope the computer is still working! : )
And now, a continuation of my week 1 overview. Not only are the smells unusual and the sights are amazing, but the sounds are also incredible!
Our "home-base" is peace itself. (Psalm 46- "Be still and know that I am God.") While similar to a girl´s dormitory (as far as loudness after 11 pm . . .no names mentioned except for room #5), I love the warmth and hospitality of Kairos as well as Buenos Aires.
To break the silence, our team provides the music [of life]. God has given us a bond in Christ as we minister and are ministered to. Please continue to pray for unity.
The language continues to be a barrier for most of us. Mr. Trainer jokingly wished we still had the gift of tongues. But our weakness, our inadequacies cause us to rest on Christ´s strength. He has already used us beyond what we could ask or think. Thank you for your continued support!
Sometime soon I will continue the overview of our missions trip in Buenos Aires.
But now I must press on in our busy, yet relaxing schedule!
Love, Rebekah
From Matt T.
Praise the Lord for a great first week. We have seen Him do so many incredible things through the missionaries down here, and some of the stories are incredible. Hearing how God has been working over the past few months is really cool as well.
The other night, our group had the opportunity to present about 25 minutes of special music for a one year anniversary service for a new church. It was such a blessing to see how many people came out to celebrate the Lords working in that church.
I have loved getting to know the missionaries here - they all have an incredible zeal for the Lord, and also have a great sense of humor. Pastor Self and his wife are a great couple - yesterday was Pastor Selfs birthday, and we celebrated it at each of the churches, and then he bought really good ice cream for everyone when we got back to the institute.
Jeremy Estrema, one of the other missionaries, took a group of girls out to buy flowers for Mrs. Trainer for Mothers Day, and because it was so late, he took them to a funeral home, where they purchased flowers for 30 pesos. (we think they went and picked them up off the tombstones, but who knows.)
Praise the Lord for all that He has done and is doing. Please keep us in your prayers!
Matt Tanis
The other night, our group had the opportunity to present about 25 minutes of special music for a one year anniversary service for a new church. It was such a blessing to see how many people came out to celebrate the Lords working in that church.
I have loved getting to know the missionaries here - they all have an incredible zeal for the Lord, and also have a great sense of humor. Pastor Self and his wife are a great couple - yesterday was Pastor Selfs birthday, and we celebrated it at each of the churches, and then he bought really good ice cream for everyone when we got back to the institute.
Jeremy Estrema, one of the other missionaries, took a group of girls out to buy flowers for Mrs. Trainer for Mothers Day, and because it was so late, he took them to a funeral home, where they purchased flowers for 30 pesos. (we think they went and picked them up off the tombstones, but who knows.)
Praise the Lord for all that He has done and is doing. Please keep us in your prayers!
Matt Tanis
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