Argentina!: junio 2009

June 28, 2009

Dear Family,

It is about 10 pm on Sunday night, the 28th of “Junio.” We just finished dinner a little bit ago. Since there were only 5 of us here to eat, we ate a special meal of savory crepes and baked fish. Yum! I arrived here around 7 o’clock after having spent the weekend once more in Necochea with two of my roommates (Daiana and Cintia who are also my DTS classmates) plus one of the full-time “Jucumeras” (YWAM-ers) Vanesa, and all three grew up in the same church there. We went there for our “mini-crusada” (mini-mission trip) at the end of May, but we didn’t have time to visit their own church and families; so they insisted I go with them this weekend as it is our last chance before our outreach. I’m really glad I went; it was really cool to be with them in their hometown. Each of them has such a huge burden for their church and family to know Jesus and to grow in their faith. It made me think of my church on Vashon and also in Seattle, how thankful I am for my family there!

One thing my friends are struggling with is that their pastor is not completely supportive of their involvement in YWAM. It seems that the main reason is because now 6 of them have left to serve in YWAM, and he is concerned that they will not return. He has expressed his hurt and frustration in conversations with all three of the girls, and he has even gone so far as to retract an offer for Vanessa to share with the youth-group. She was really saddened by his response, especially because she has known him since she was like 5 years old! He’s known Cintia since her dedication at her first Sunday service as a newborn! It seems he is supportive of missions just so long as it doesn’t send people away from his church body. Yesterday morning, the four of us girls met together at Cintia’s house and prayed for this situation, and that God would guide us to accomplish his will for the day.

It turned out to be a great day—and it felt like another mini-crusada! We went to the neighborhood with Vanesa’s parents, where they go every Saturday, to help lead a little program for a group of about 20 kids. It was a very poor neighborhood, and Vanesa’s mom said that there are so many problems involving abuse and neglect in the homes. And so we sang some kids worship songs and I played my violin. Then the four of us performed a little drama which teaches that Jesus can save you from sin. They loved it! Before serving milk and crackers we prayed for all of their families, that God would do a miracle in each home and bring His peace and healing to them. Afterward, we had a great time playing “futbol” (soccer) outside, and dancing to music, and enjoying the brisk, fresh air!

Later on, we went to the church for the youth group and their pastor was their too. At the beginning the atmosphere seemed kind of tense but it seemed that something changed during the message and after the prayer. At the end, their head Pastor offered the chance for the three of us “DTS-students” to stand up and share parts of our testimonies in front of the group. That was really cool! I went first, and was so happy that it came so easy to me, and everyone seemed to understand my Spanish! Then Daiana and Cintia each shared something on their heart and we ended by singing a song along with Vanessa, and me on the violin once more!
Just now I called Daiana, because the three of them are still there in Necochea until tomorrow night. She said that at church this evening the pastor prayed over she and Cintia and blessed them for our upcoming outreach. She said that God is doing something “Grande!”

I am so encouraged every day to seek God, and to listen carefully for his voice. I am surrounded by people who live by faith and depend on God for everything- including finances- literally. That is something I am learning as well, since God convicted me to set aside the amount raised by the church back in February, to provide for a specific need. For now, I am drawing from my savings to pay for the DTS and I am praying for God’s guidance as far as when and where to offer the amount raised by the church. God is faithful, and I am excited to see where His hand leads me!

This Saturday morning, before sunrise we are heading out of Mar del Plata on our outreach! Now we will apply everything we have been learning during the theory part. It’s going to be an awesome adventure! Each week, we will be in a different city starting in Tres Arroyos, Oriente y Copetonas, Benito Juarez, Mar del Plata, Santa Clara, Santa Teresita y Mar de Ajo. During the last week in July, when we will be in Mar del Plata again, we will be working with a team arriving from a DTS in England!
In preparation, we have been learning many dramas and choreographies to perform in the parks and plazas of each city. The choreographies include “human videos” to Christian music such as the song “Everything” by Lifehouse. We are also learning Folklore dancing and Tango! I will be playing my violin wherever we go for sure, as it is a rarity and always draws attention. The idea is that we will draw attention, share the gospel through music, drama and art, and then go out into the crowd to talk individually and pray for the people.

We are believing for God to fulfill a prophetic word given to our directors a year ago, which was confirmed again just recently. The first word was given to the pastor of the church which provides a room for us to meet with the “King’s Kids” ministry on Saturdays. He said that God is going to use our group more in the area of worship to draw youth to Himself. Then, just a few weeks ago, when I played my violin for the Christian radio, another pastor here in Mar del Plata had a vision of our group moving up the coast of Argentina, and the youth were gathering around us to adore Jesus!
God is moving His awesome hand and drawing the lost! I can’t wait to see it! Another wonderful answer to prayer is that the doors are opening in the community here where we live, for the leaders here at the YWAM base to be involved. For the past two years they have been praying for a chance to be a part of the neighborhood’s “Society reunions” of some sort, but they have not been able to make the right contacts. Finally, just a couple weeks ago, when the sun was out I decided to play my violin outside, and the music caught the attention of a guy in the neighborhood. He stopped to listen and began chatting with one of the leaders of the base. As it turns out, the he is the President of the neighbornood society meetings! So now our leaders are participating in the meetings, and sharing with the members all about the mission of YWAM. Cool, huh? God is a creative God, and nothing is difficult for Him! Sometimes I feel super incapable on my violin, since for these past 5 years I’ve played about an average of once a month at most! And before that, it was maybe twice a month since high-school, and my last official lesson was when I was 14 or 15! It makes me smile every time I play a simple tune and the people are awestruck! I never would’ve guessed that all of those simple pieces I was committing to memory at the cost of my mother’s patience 15 years ago would be such a useful tool in God’s hand now in South America! God is good and full of surprises isn’t He?!

I think I’ve summed up most of what I wanted to say…
Prayer requests:

-Safety in our travels
-Protection from illness (Influenza A & the Influenza Porcina; Dengue fever)
-Guidance each day to know the places to go to find the lost
-Clarity and discernment for our leaders in making wise decisions
-Clarity in my heart and mind for the details of my long-term commitment (Where, When, Position to fill)
-Durability to my violin (an antique from 1865) as we will often be performing outside
-God’s covering from theft and crime walking in the streets, evangelizing

Mil Gracias!!!
(A thousand thanks)Thank you SO MUCH! I CRAVE your prayers! The power of prayer = the power of the Almighty God!!!!

I will be praying for you too!

Dios les bendiga!!!
God bless you!!!

Mucho Amor, un abrazo GRANDE y un besa a cada una!
Much love, A BIG hug and a kiss to each of you!
Tu hermana, hija, prima, sobrina y amiga, Marissa
Your sister, daughter, sister, cousin and friend, Marísa