That which I still don't understand

I have a mountain of work ahead of me before I take off for Jujuy again, but I think it's important to take a load off.. watch a little Battlestar.. and write here about what's been happening and where I'm going.

First, we arrived at the girls' institute yesterday to find a whole family staying with Gladys. I could see the stress in her eyes, but ironically, she was still more than happy to play hide-and-go-seek (called Escondidas) with the various children that were there. So we finished our craft of the day, painting little animals made of wood and gluing them to bobby pins, and headed outdoors!

Part one of that which I don't get--the way they play the game. Instead of looking for someone, tagging them, and thus passing on the grueling task of counting for everyone to go hide again, the rule is that once you see someone, you have to race that person back to the wall at which you counted. If you tag the wall before they do, they've been caught, but you still have to search for the others. Oh, and you're supposed to shout something too... "Pica!" or "Piedra libre!" and maybe their name too. I just shout all three and run. haha.

When you find the other people, the same rules apply. The final person to get caught, if that's what you even call it, has to count for the next round. So in a way, it's better to be found first, given that the others will be "caught" as well.

The director told me that Gladys loves this game, and again I was reminded of her childlike character. It's really quite adorable.

Before all this, there was the visit to the boys' institute where we played basketball. Nahuel was playing alone at first, and he didn't seem interested in doing our craft. Key to ministry is always to be flexible, so we played a little bball instead. [Smile]

My inner Upward Basketball coach came out, and I taught him the proper way to shoot, and a few dribbling tricks. When I showed him the spider, the most priceless look of amazement shown through his silver dollar eyes. "Your turn," I said, as I passed him the ball.

He looked at me, then the ball, below his legs, and said, "Javi?"

HAHAHAHA

When I say I'm from Texas, a few will mention the Dallas Spurs. I first correct them, and then add, "Yes, in San Antonio you have an Argentine representative in Ginobili... No, I don't know him personally."

And yet, whenever I've played basketball with fellow Argentines, they don't know the first thing about the rule of double dribbling. Their shooting is atrocious. And most of the guys are major ball hogs. Oh, well, I guess that's universal ;).

Encima de todo, I'm going to Jujuy tomorrow through Monday. We (Raul, Andrea and I) will be venturing to the same church we had visited during Holy Week to lead a weekend camp for teenagers. I don't know how many will be coming; I don't know how often messages will be given; I doubt if I'll have internet connection to update. I do know that I'm in charge of the games, and will be giving a personal testimony. The theme is "Holiness and Addictions." Prayers, as always, welcome!

Chau.

The way things are, pt. 2

"At the end of our time together, I have a surprise for you," shouted Cecilia, my gym trainer, over the blaring music that kept our rhythm for the step class.

Many were eager for the news, but I'll admit that I was nervous. In the middle of one of our series, I noticed her pick up the phone and completely stop the lead. We continued, as obedient alums, but the change in her expression was duly noted. She slowly got back into rhythm and gave us another calorie-burning challenge.

"And the surprise?" one asked with enthusiasm, at the end of the hour.

"Chicas," she started. "My daughter, who is 17 years old, is pregnant."

I didn't respond, but observed the response from the crowd.

"Oh, that's great!"

"Three grandchildren in one year!"

"Well, just remember, God will give us the strength we need to get through it."

She mentioned that she has two students of the gym who are 19 years old with two kids, and they told her that they are "re-contentas" or very happy. "So that gave me hope."

But you can tell that she was still a bit upset. Yes, she'll look on the bright side, and I felt like I was looking at Maria Elena again from earlier this year when she had heard the news that her older son's (Ezequiel) girlfriend was pregnant.

On my walk back home from the gym, I thought about the many pregnant people I've been seeing lately. I thought of how many of the mothers I see in general are still in their teens. On one hand, it's nice to have children young, because then your body is flexible enough to play all the games with your kids. On another hand, it's nice when you can plan a little bit to make sure your child grows up in a healthy atmosphere; two married parents, a good home, a good school, etc. etc.

I was telling someone the other day how if I were to approach Russia with a workshop about how to better it's community, I would start with the statistic about how many men die young due to alcoholism, and thus target that issue. Here, I think Argentina needs to face the issue of pre-marital sex, and how in the end, the kids suffer the most.

Sure, robbery and teenage pregnancy are "the way things are" around here, but that doesn't mean that it was the way God intended.

Chau.

Gladys

While I have a moment, I thought I might express the un-expressed from earlier.

You saw the picture of Gladys and I with our cat masks that we made last week. It was a beautiful Friday morning--the one we've added to the already busy schedule--and the necessary one in order to spend more time with the one and only mother in the teenage girls' institute.

She's "descapaz" which translates mentally slow. I don't mean this in a negative way toward her; I'm actually quite certain it has everything to do with the abuse she received from an older man in her home village. The reason she is in the institute to begin with. The reason that she treats her daughter Maria Luz more like a sister than a daughter, because Gladys is still needing and wanting the attention.

The reason that at 17, she is unable to read, and barely able to write.

I have had a full year with Gladys by this point and our friendship has been a roller coaster. Never has it been something where she's been mean towards me or the others, but she has often been distant as she was less forthcoming when the house was full. Now that we've had more focused time with her, she is all the more excited to receive us when we come both on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Last Friday, we had one of the better days with her. I was impressed, for instance, with her first time to make the craft of the day for her daughter as well. Maria Luz was entranced by my pink mask that I had made as an example, and wore atop my head during the time. So Gladys, always eager to make an extra craft for the other workers, decided this time to make one for Luz. I took pictures to remember the event. Printed the one in the previous post for myself, and the rest for Gladys for today. But before I get to today...

We met this Tuesday, and I came very close to retracting all of my positive feelings. It was like Gladys was a completely different person! She was pushing her daughter around, not helping make the torta that we brought to work on together, and saying bad words. I was confused and saddened, praying to God for the reason.

Then she explained how one of the former residents had made a recent visit and I connected the dots. This former resident also happens to be one of the worst of the bunch, and her influence was and is very strong on the others.

For as soon as I stepped inside of the institute today, Gladys was the one with whom I had grown accustom again. Miraculous.

I ended up coming alone this time. An intimidating first. I was nervous, but had a few moments to pray before Gladys came in. We played some Juegos de Mesa--Jenga, Memory and a couple puzzles. I made the Memory game from poster board, using pictures and words so she could practice reading. I noticed how she would guess based on the picture what was spelled, but by the end of the game she knew what each one said.

She asked if she could keep the game, and I asked if I could add more cards and give them to her next week. She agreed.

Additionally, I got to ask about what she remembered of our stories about Jesus that we have been sharing. She talked about how God punishes us for our sins. I got to explain that God placed the ultimate punishment on Christ. That through Jesus, instead of punishment we actually get grace--

Here's the thing. There are always these moments. We get to the core of something and get interrupted. It can be frustrating. It can also be exhilarating because it means we're doing something right and someone (with a lowercase s) wants to get in our way. To that I say John 16:33. Lord help us in this work, especially with the prospect of these institutes shutting down!

Prayers appreciated. Chau for now.

Honesty

I'm going to take a moment and make this real. This place is tiring.

The craziest part is I still enjoy it. Yesterday was a blast for instance. Going to the gym first thing, going to Flor's for mate and having an encouraging heart to heart. Then lunch with the Rodriguez family, and walking with Sol to visit the teens in order to give them a special invite for this Friday and Saturday. Then Sol, Flor and I all went to a "Welcome Spring" event called Desinvernopolis (shedding off winter) where we met up with Johnny, Giuliano and Inti (as well as a few others) and played ping pong, foosball, and the personal favorite--soccer on a mini inflatable field. I told them I think I laughed more than I was able to play. Even typing this puts a smile to my face.

Then to end the night with pizza and ice cream with the newbie and the girls. Classic.

But then to have to wake up early only to find out something was cancelled, when you get there. Or the fact that you can't find a place that's selling the tokens you need to ride the bus. Or that almost all the restaurants don't take credit card. The movie theater continues to show the B level movies (and what's up with showing Top Gun again??!!). To be overcharged when you use the internet cabana, as they're called, but are too mentally exhausted to fight it.

I went home and napped for two hours. Sometimes the most spiritual thing I can do after all, no? hmm..

Okay. It was nice to get some of that off my chest. Moving on..

When my Spanish tutor didn't show, I was thankful to have brought Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion. Ended up reading the whole thing with the extra time on my hands. I was convicted of the treatment of Miss Eliza and thought much about my treatment of some of the boys and teenagers that we visit.

Sometimes I am much more interested in behavior management than who they are. I am in desperate need of showing (and learning how to show) more grace and love to them. I look at one of our more recent helpers, Betania, and how well she is able to connect with Ivan. Sure, on one hand, she has a gifting for kids that I do not have, but are we not called to desire the other gifts.

And when the greatest of these is love??

While I doubt this was Shaw's aim with his play, I am definitely ready to be more like Colonel Pickering, who saw the duchess in the flower girl (or as Five Iron might put it, to see the flower in these weeds).

Chau.

Two urgent prayer requests

1.) As some of you may have read, Cordoba is prone to robbery. Just this Sunday, as I was returning from Cerro Colorado, someone stole the motorcycle of an attendee of our church--parked in front of our house/church. This attendee just so happened to be visiting for the first time. To add to the trouble, she was invited by a recent convert who is currently being discipled by one of our teammates.

The family of this first-timer is upset with our friend Vanessa, who invited her friend.

Please pray for understanding from the family; for Vanessa to have peace about the situation; for the motorcycle to be recovered.

2.) Maria Sol teaches the 5 and 6 year olds during Escuelita held each Saturday in Las Violetas. This past week, a few of them were laughing about some of the movies that their parents watch. When Sol asked for more information, she found out that they are adult movies, and that the parents do not hinder their children from catching a glimpse.

As a result, the children play games where they challenge the girls to kiss one another. As one confessed to playing, the rest admitted to it as well.

Pray for this disgusting habit to be confronted amongst the parents; for the childrens' eyes to be protected; for the higher standard of love to be shown and followed amongst the families in Las Violetas.

Thank you and chau.

An important picture

Gladys and "Sorasha"

I'll explain later, but for now I present to you Gladys--someone who is easily becoming one of my favorites.

Meet Marcos

Marcos is not a believer. And while he knows that I'm a missionary, and pretty adamant about loving Jesus, he still invites me over for some warm milk and music. He loves music (very good at piano and guitar). And the Simpsons. The talking point that led us to hang out in the first place.

Then again, we don't hang out all that often, but it's fun when we do. We play poker and I beat him. We chat about how to get over a broken heart, as he has most recently lost his girlfriend of a year and a half.

My heart breaks for him every now and then, as he makes minute comments that lead me to believe he's really hurting over his parents' separation. For this reason, more than anything else, it's hard to have many deep conversations in the first place. He's avoiding. He's hiding.

It's hard to watch him leave after our hang out times to go smoke weed with his friends.

Join me in prayer for my friend. Pray that I might have the words--to have the right questions ready so we could get to the heart of the matter. That he may grow into a mature young man who loves Jesus too.

Chau.