Argentina Update
Here is an update from Jenn Smith (and Riley):
Thursday night we had the opportunity to be a part of “English Talk” with the college ministry. This is a time for the locals here to practice their English. It has proved a great way to make first contact with people and build relationships to share the gospel. They have many discussion starters and games that get people really mingling and sharing with each other. Sasha (on staff with Centro Crecer) instructed us to just let the conversation flow and if an opportunity arose naturally to not be afraid to let them know why we are here in Argentina and talk about Centro Crecer and the gospel.
I was a bit nervous heading up to english talk because I didn’t know what to expect and was worried that if I did have an opportunity to share the gospel that I would not be able to do it in a concise, clear and natural way. It was so amazing to finally get to really speak with people. I couldn’t get enough! I felt like I connected with people on a whole new level! It proved to me once again what Chad and I have found by moving within the states, and that is: there are good people everywhere. It also made me a bit sad knowing that we would be leaving these people in a couple of days right when we were really getting to know each other. Their lives interested me, their stories made me laugh and their openness wared my heart. What was really neat for me to see was how Riley (my daughter) interacted with the students during our time. She was really enjoying herself and talking up a storm. I noticed there was one girl who was really sticking with riley and I got to meet her later… I’ll let riley say a few things about her:
I met a girl named Augustina. She is 19 and shared a lot of funny stories with me. It was fun when we played two truths and a lie game. She also really liked some stories about my brothers and sister. She has younger sisters that she misses while she is at college. Augustina was telling me all the yummy foods I should eat here like ice cream and submarino (which is hot chocalate made with hot milk and 2 bars of chocolate melted in it). She said she would come convince my mom to let me have ice cream and she did!
I got a chance through Riley to also talk quite a bit with Augustina and learned that she hadn’t found a church she was comfortable with here but wanted to. I was able to tell her why our group was visiting Cordoba and about Centro Crecer. I invited her to come to check out the church and introduced her to Maria Silvia (Sasha’s wife). I was struck by the connection she had with Riley and how that led to her being open to talk with me. It reminded me of Jesus and the little children. Jesus became angry when the disciples tried to shoo the kids away and Jesus told them that the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these and we will not enter it unless we receive it like children. People are drawn to the frankness, openness and innocence of children; I think Jesus was too. riley could have become too shy or afraid to open up to these strangers but she dove right in and won the heart of not only Augustina but a few others through the night, it was only from the groundwork Riley laid that I was able to talk with augustina about the church.
Before I knew it, it was midnight and time to walk home. And by the way Riley did get some ice cream…
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