Hola!! Here's a little update of the last few months at last!
January;
January ended with 2 very successful youth camps; first with the central church and then with my annex. Over 50 youth attended each camp!! Unfortunately my teams ended in last place in each camp. :(
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| The youth of my church |
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| My team from the central church |
February;
The Guarderia opened for a new year and as one of the teachers had finished in December we were down to two getting everything washed, ready and decorated. Thankfully God has blessed me with some amazing housemates who spent many an evening cutting, sticking and colouring to get it looking good and ready to welcome the eager kids. Thankfully there were also 3 bank holidays in the second week to help us out (Argentina is the country with the most bank holidays-we've just had another 4!!). We were also able to open up for 7 new children to start. The inscriptions opened at 1pm and the Mums started queuing at 8am to get a place so we have a full Guarderia and a long waiting list. The kids are brilliant as ever and full of fun and it's brilliant to see them growing and learning in a place where they are really cared for and loved!
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| Playing hard |
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| And working hard |
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| Alan and Ismael |
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| The littlest ones love working too |
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| Lautaro |
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| Mauro |
Lautaro and Mauro are brothers. Sadly their Mum died of cancer and their Dad is on the run from the police for abusing their older step-sister. They have been taken in by their uncle whose family has increased from 5 to 9 overnight and they rent a room in a house to all live in. It is a big help to them that the Guarderia looks after the 2 youngest for 6 hours every day giving them breakfast, lunch and lots of love and cuddles!
On the 24th, my church celebrated it's 5th Anniversary with a special service and, of course, 5 cakes!!
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| The church with a new roof and floor!! |
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| 5 years - 5 cakes! |
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| My new friend, Milagros |
March;
My two focuses in the church this year are the Guarderia, completing the curriculum and training the teachers and the Youth. In March I began a cell group for teen girls. We meet every Thursday to play, eat, read the Bible together and pray. It has been great to see some of the girls come back who haven't been to church for a while and to be able to accompany them in the craziness of being a teenager!
Over Easter I returned to Cordoba for the International Youth Congress where again over 20,000 young (and not so young) people gathered to praise, pray and get prepared for serving God in their part of the world. It was great to be a part of the big event and enjoy concerts from some of the biggest names in Latino Christian music. Exciting to now put into practice all we learnt!!
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| Ready for the 12 hour journey! |
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| Some of the 12, 000 |
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| Celebrating Easter with an 'asado' |
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| Mmmmmmm....steak!! |
Tomorrow (11th) I will travel to the mountains for a month to work with the church there. That means no internet!! but lots of beautiful countryside and a load of good work to get involved with!!
Thanks for reading! Keep in touch. I'd love an up-date from you too!
Big hugs, love, Jo xx
For the pray-ers;
- Please pray for my Aunty Sally who underwent surgery for cancer today. Please pray for quick and complete healing and for peace for all the family.
- Please pray for the trip to the mountains for safety, fun and that I could be of help to the church and people.
- Please pray for the activities I leave behind in the nursery and youth work that those who will replace me will continue the work and make it even better.
Gracias!!!
