Ladies Retreat 2017/Encuentro de Mujeres 2017

Treeless

Did you know that it is over 8,000 miles round trip from Buenos Aires, Argentina to Miami, Florida? Did you know that you can travel over 8,000 miles around the United States in 3 months? I'm sure others have done more but 8,000 is plenty for me!
God blessed those three months and allowed us to visit family and churches with only a few little hiccups. One of those was hurricane Irma. But like I said, God blessed and protected us and our family.
Now, we have been back in Argentina for two weeks. It feels like we have never left. It took us a few days to get unpacked and reacquainted with our house again. Reconnecting with the church was sweet and end of the year plans immediately were made.
                                                                                                             

This past Friday and Saturday we had our first regional ladies retreat out at the youth camp in Marcos Paz. Words cannot define the amount of joy and happiness I experienced as 56 women came together to worship, learn, and share with each other. I think we are all agreed that this will definitely be a yearly event! This is a picture of  a small group of us. When I receive more pictures I will make a special post to explain what went on those 2 glorious days.


Christmas time is upon us and I think this year more than ever I really have been able to focus on the true reason for all the celebration. I'm not against Christmas trees but this year I won't be putting up ours due to the fact that I just don't have the time and we have already begun some of the repairs on our house that have been put on the back burner for too long. I am convinced that being treeless this year is the reason that it has been so sweet for me to focus more on my wonderful Savior's birth. God's gift to us is so incredible, who needs a Christmas tree?! (At least for this year!)

There is no one like you!

Jeremiah 10:6,7  Forasmuch as there is none like unto thee, O Lord; thou art great, and thy name is great in might. Who would not fear thee, O King of nations? for to thee doth it appertain: forasmuch as among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is none like unto thee.

These past few months, to be honest, have been discouraging. Some very big changes and challenges have been going on in our ministries. On top of that, preparing to leave for our furlough in August and a sick 13 year old family pet has added to the mix.
Sorry not to be upbeat, but it is the reality of missionary life. Many times it is hard and you just don't know what to do.
I keep going back to these verses in Jeremiah these days. No matter what is happening or going on, no matter if I feel abandoned or feel like I am standing alone, I know who is great. I know who is worthy. I know there is no other who deserves my service. No matter if everything feels like it is crumbling around me or if it feels like I may never get out of the rut, I will always stand up and shout "YOU are my King!!"

On a sweet note, this picture was taken of our daughter Stephany visiting her brother Michael in Peru. He is a TEAM missionary for one year in Lima. He has shared with us what a blessing it has been serving with the David Liles family and that he has learned many valuable lessons that will help him in his future ministry in Argentina. His term will be ending in a few months and Lord willing, we will all be together for the first time in years for Thanksgiving.

Please continue to pray for us. Our story is far from over. Just a new conflict in the plot. We all know how it ends.  VICTORY!!

Missions Month Activities

Saturday we had our yard sale and it was a great success!!  I was surprised of the outcome and so excited to think that all those proceeds will go to our missionaries.  We still have a lot of things left over so we decided to do it again in 3 weeks.

The Zacal family was with us this Sunday. They are Filipino misionaries in Argentina. We enjoyed hearing their daughters and son sing a special song and hear a challenging message from Raymund.

Highlights for May - Missions Month!

This month is missions month for us here at the Iglesia Bautista Nueva Vida! I thought you might like to meet our missionaries and join with us in praying for them. David and Monica Hughes - San Martin de los Andes, Neuquen; Gustavo and Beth Lopez - Neuquen - Neuquen; Ricardo and Vilma Orozco - San Juan, San Juan; and Mike Todd (son) - Lima, Peru.

We started last Sunday with a prayer breakfast, praying in small groups for each missionaries needs.  This Saturday we are having a yard sale and all the proceeds will be divided between them.  We have visitors planned for two more Sundays and other activities that I'll share as we receive them and take more pictures.

On a personal note I was able to go to a seminar with two other ladies from the group Sentirlavida. Sentirlavida is a group to help and encourage cancer patients and help in the prevention of cancer.  We learned how to make wigs from donated human hair!! For me personally, it was a blessing to see in a very active way how God can use me to love people. I'll keep you posted if we are able to make our own wigs to share!

See all 3 2017 camp videos in one place!

Week One

Week Two (click title below)

Camp Marcos Paz 2017 12-14

Week Three (click title below)

Camp Marcos Paz 2017 8-11