Church, Shopping and Hanging Out

(I forgot to mention that there is a really funny story about Jose saying “what” really loud on the bus.  Also, yesterday we saw a really scary black vampire in the market area that I would like to forget.)

Today, I am sitting in the small and hot church, somewhere in Argentina.  It is very sweet to see the people’s hearts that are here.  I sat with Agustina so she can explain what is going on when I don’t understand.  She showed me her favorite verse.  Very cool. More later.

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Church was very cool.  But it was hot.  I was worried about my staff, but they were champs!  Daniel, the pastor wanted us to share, so I picked out a few staff to share, with Hannah translating, and it was great.  I am pretty sure it was Brice, Kyle and Hunter who shared about their experiences so far.  They did a great job.  Then they had a few of the children that had attended camp with us share.  That was good too.  Lastly, Daniel wanted me to come up and share.  So I went up with Hannah to say a few words and prayed.  No problemo.  I hope.  We sang a few songs and then listened to Daniel speak.  After, we hung around for a little but to have some juice and socialize.  We then got on the bus to leave.  The children waved goodbye.  They left us with some empanadas and moonpie type of snacks.  They were all good, and since we hadn’t eaten for awhile, they were much needed.

Every bus ride, I try to sit among our Argentine friends.  I love talking with them, learning from them, and now that we are closer, we joke a lot.  It is great.  Jose jokes with tanner and Andres learns English with some of my staffers.  I usually end up talking with Agustina, Esteban, Emi and Elisa.  Its amazing how we have all warmed up to each other.  The friendship seems very pure, but I can see how as time goes on, we all still struggle with the same sin and stuff, the way ALL friendships do.  But, I am grateful to experience pure friendships here.

We arrived at the “Jumbo”, which is just like a mall, but with a HUGE walmart type of store in it.  The whole thing is extremely influenced by an American mall, especially with what they sell.  It was kinda weird.  I felt as if the “shopping” days were close to tainting our experience for the worst.  I could see the “I wants” returning in many of us.  I walked around with Agustina, Elisa and Emi because everyone else ran off.  Then I met up with Andres to jump on a laptop in a store to become facebook friends with him.  That was fun.  It was funny because the man who worked there came over and spoke English to Andres because he thought he was American.  Haha.

I then sat down with Carrie for coffee and a nice conversation.  We talked about life and all that good stuff.  I enjoy my real life talks with my staff that become friends.  It is nice when it goes to the friendship/mentor level.  It is hard to break passed the staff/boss relationship most of the time in the summer.  A few staff trickled in and it was good to see us sitting and enjoying each others’ company.  Kyle came and sat down, which was great too.

We started to gather up to leave, and I ran off with Esteban to go get a Tshirt.  I bought the same one he did so we could be shirt brothers.  :)  They all made fun of me.  haha

We then walked a long time through town.  We were heading to a market.  I was fried.  I learned how to say “I’m cooked” in Spanish.  That was fun.  I had some fun with Jose and Elisa as we walked in the back.  And I would occasionally yell at JD a home alone quote which helped pass the time.  We finally arrived at the market area, but it was not set up yet.  So I lied on the ground with the others.  The market finally opened around the corner so some staff got to get a few things.  I stayed with a few of our Argentine friends.  We then got on the bus to head back to camp for some good relational time.  We swam and drank matte.  Very good!

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The other group arrived back at camp with Bessy, Mariana, Ali, Marcos, Jony and Juli.  It was so fun to greet them again!  It was good to see Chris as well (Bluffs Director).  We were not expecting the girls to return, because they said they would be done after their camp session, but it seemed like they all decided to come back!  Very cool.  It was a joy to see them all and the excitement between others.  I wanted to tell them how good it was to see them, but couldn’t find the words very well.

We all hung out and then had dinner.  Tonight, I did get close to melting down. I think it was because of the equilibrium and unity being thrown off with the other groups arriving, but I really don’t know.  I think it was mainly because I am stupid and toxic.  I was letting little things get to me which is ridiculous.  And I was tired.  Laura and Agustina and I planned the next 3 days which was good, and then I went out to play a fun soccer game with everyone.  Then I as able to skype with Brooke which was so great to see her!  It was fun to talk and introduce her to others that were walking by.

The night is slowly came to a close and we are settling in for another night on our beloved floor!