May 21st in Chile is a national holiday. It was a special day for our family for two different reasons. First of all it was Morgan's 3rd birthday. Second, it was the anniversary of our new church in Conaripe. The congregation held an all-day get together and special meals at the church. We celebrated Morgan's birthday the day before knowing that we would not be around to celebrate it on the day of.
Yesterday was a stormy, rainy day. The church in Conaripe is located around lake Calafquen, about a fifteen minute drive from the camp. It is much closer to the mountains and therefore usually has cooler temperatures.
The church celebrated 16 years of worshiping in their current building. The congregation used to count 70 to 80 people in attendance but now, only a handful come to the services. They had been without a pastor for 2 years and are starved for good teaching from the Word of God.
Yesterday, however, was a day of remembering the past and looking toward the future.
How do Chileans celebrate?
Well, they celebrate by eating together, drinking mate together and laughing together!
Well, they celebrate by eating together, drinking mate together and laughing together!
We were served a typical Chilean soup called Casuela, along with different salads and home-baked pastries. Delicious!
We drank enormous quantities of sweet Mate (loose leaf special tea).
After lunch, the ladies cleaned up the dishes and got ready for the service. Many people shared testimonies of years past and then Danny gave a message from God's Word, sharing about the two fold purpose of the believers on earth, namely to be salt and light in this world.
He admonished the congregation to also look toward the future and not dwell on the past!
He admonished the congregation to also look toward the future and not dwell on the past!
Nehemias (Nehemiah)We are praying for the church in Conaripe to bear fruit. We want to invest our lives, not only in the current generation but also in the next.
Belen (Bethlehem)
After the service, we sat down once again for a meal! This time it was an "asado" (barbecue).
It was pouring down rain and the storm was raging outside but that didn't dampen spirits any. They built their fire and put the "disco" (metal disc)on the hot coals ready to grill.
The meat ends up being stir-fried with onions, bell peppers and carrots and cooks in its own juices.
YUM!!!!!
God opened up this opportunity for us to minister in this church. We are getting to know our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.
Pray with us that we can be a blessing to the church and that God would do a work in hearts and transform lives for His glory.
Liz
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