Halfway there

Our third week is progressing pretty well. We've had some of the best conversations so far, and readers are inviting us to outings like crazy. We originally planned to travel again this weekend, but because we have so many readers that we want to spend time with while we're here, we decided to stay in Cordoba this weekend. I have been able to have some wonderful conversations with some of my readers, about my faith, their faith, history, politics, music, whatever else. Everyone I have met has been very friendly and hospitable. The food is delicious. The weather is cold (but maybe that's a blessing--it seems to be heating up in Memphis quite a bit).

Argentina is a beautiful place, and Cordoba is a busy city full of kind people. I will be very sad to leave, and I will miss the friends I've made here. For now, I'm going to enjoy my last two and a half weeks of bus-riding, slow-speaking, confusion-filled, meat-eating, people-loving fun.

Sorry again for the lack of updates. We stay pretty busy, and besides that, our internet goes in and out. Also, the internet isn't the greatest for uploading photos, but as soon as we're in the States, we'll have lots of pictures to share!

P.S. Please pray for our team and readers constantly. Today, you can specifically pray for Lauren, who isn't feeling well and took the day off to rest, and Terrence, who is transitioning back into life at home. Thanks everyone! We love you.

-Brandon

Week 4

Here, Jarrod.

Hey everyone! Sorry it's been so long since we updated. We've been slacking a little bit. It's been a crazy week.

We sent Terrence to the airport on Sunday, and he will be home TODAY! We're so thankful he made it home safely. And Terrence- no one is wearing your grandpa's hat home. It's either staying in Argentina, or shoved in a bag.

The great news is that they have fixed the plumbing at the church now! David, a member of the church, has been working for a week now to get everything finished.

Also, we've all been really encouraged by getting to know our readers. We realized that the best parts of our day are when we're reading with them. We have had some people drop out, but that's normal and we're hoping a phone call or two will bring them back. We've been invited by several readers to do things with their friend outside of sessions! Hopefully we'll get some concrete plans with them soon, and start learning more about them.

We have been so blessed by this trip, and to have such wonderful people here to take care of us. But, admittedly, We miss you, Memphis!

Tara

Faith Moment

I know it has been a couple of days since I sent out a report about what I am doing with LST. Where to begin?

I will start by sharing an experience I had with one of my readers. Last week, during our normal reading session, I noticed the lesson was on the Parable of the Lost Son in Luke 15. This parable is one of my favorites because the story of the lost son is also the story of my life and my walk with Christ. I explain this to my reader and right before I could ask him to read the parable, he turn the table on me and ask me to read.

Surprise, because the reader usually loves to read, I read the parable and then share my walk with Christ with him. When I had finished he share his story with me. Before that session was over a door was open to a friendship between two people with one goal, Christ.

I thank God for allowing me to be here, to share my life, and to turn around and hear other people’s stories. This week is my last week here. It seems like my trip just started and now it must end. Pray for my team as they shift my readers into their schedules. Pray for me as I have to say goodbye to people I have grown to love and care about in just three weeks.

Terrence

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." Matthew 7:7

Well, Matthew never locked a door in Argentina!

See, when you lock a door here, you use a key from the inside and outside- so you can actually lock yourself in a room or building. So, if you put the key in and it doesn't unlock, you're stuck. We found that out tonight.

Lauren and I went to go get something from the store for dinner, and when we got to the door there was a woman there for a meeting (on tuesday nights from 7-9 a weight watchers group meets in the building). She had a key and was trying to unlock the door. When her key didn't work, we tried ours from the inside- still didn't work. We started to panic a little. We were locked in, with one reader, and no other way out. I called Susana, our neighbor down the street. She tried the key but it still didn't work. So I called Nune and managed to communicate in broken spanish that the lock on the door was broken. She seemed to understand right away and came over. Once she got here, she put her key in and it unlocked immediately!

She thought it was hilarious, and Susana was very grateful to help. I don't know what we would have done without them. Well...yes I do. The four of us would be stuck in a church building with Javier- Terrence's reader.

We did learn that the locks here are finicky and they sometimes do that. Also, that God has gives us wonderful resources here. Gracias, Dios!

Tara

Edit: Fun fact about Susana: She has a little stray dog that follows her everywhere. It follows her to the church and sits outside until she comes back. It's not her dog, though. It just follows her. Also, apparently South America is Stray Dog Land. There are dogs everywhere!

-Brandon

Second Week

I figured it was time for you guys to hear something from me instead of everyone else. My experience here in Argentina has been rewarding on so many levels. Just sitting and hearing our readers' stories of faith, life, and family is amazing. What's even more amazing is that they are open to hearing our stories of faith and about our relationships with God. I thank God for allowing them to have an open mind and allowing a friendship to develop between us. I have to admit that I wasn't sure how the trip was going to work out, but I believe that God was working on this trip long before we started the journey. Every day I can't wait to get back to the church to spend more time with my readers.

This week we are adding more readers because of the non stop effort of Nune and the team to pass out flyers around the city. Many of these new readers will be students from two universities in Cordoba. We will also have our first party for our readers this Thursday. The reason we have parties is to connect our readers with the church members here in Cordoba. I ask that you pray with us that our party will start to build a bridge between the members of the Church and the readers.

Well That all I have to say about that. (lol)

Terrence

Here's a fun game.
Try to explain these words in English using only simpler words-
Holy...... ("God- like" is not acceptable, our readers don't understand that either.)
Kingdom..... (Can't use the word "rule.")
Carefully..... (Be careful to not slam your Iphone on the ground when pantomiming this word...)
Engaged.... (Every single one of my readers asked what this was.)
Okay so those words are pretty simple, you can probably draw something, look up the Spanish equivalent, or find some other synonym that your reader will understand. Now try these-
Would
Will (As in, I will come.)
Happenings
There
Until

That's been my day today. But besides the communication confusion, I have had some great conversations with my readers. One of my readers, Daniela is a doctor who speaks in almost fluent English. My session with her was more like a bible study with a friend. I learned as much from her as she (hopefully) learned from me! Another, Nair, spoke almost no English at all. That was interesting to say the least, but she was able to communicate that she has three pet turtles! One of the most interesting conversations I have had so far was with Noelia. She, after about 15 minutes of just talking and a little reading, blatantly asked me about my faith and what church was all about. I was kind of surprised but pretty excited about this. She told me that she has a lot of doubts, so if you all could pray for all of our readers, but especially for my reader Noelia. She is so sweet and a great woman!

Continue to pray for our team! We are having a great time!

Lauren

More pictures!