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Hola!
It is the weekend for me here in Argentina. The weather is beautiful and we have been enjoying it as much as we can.
This past week was amazing!!! We spent just about every day on campus for about four or five hours with the exception of Wednesday because it was Argentina's Independence Day.
The schedule for each day is completely different than the rest. For instance, on Monday I go on the college campus at 10 but on Wednesday, I don't go on campus until 4. Even though we go at different times each day, we usually are there for about five hours.
In those five hours that I am on campus, I work with my team. My team consists of five other people. We start off by just praying for our day on campus and the students we will encounter. Next, we pair off either girl-girl, boy-boy, or girl-boy. We then walk around seeing if any students are available to chat. The first question I ask anyone is 'Hables ingles' which is 'Do you speak English'? If there answer is yes, then I ask them if they would take a picture survey about life, their beliefs, and God. (Sidenote: This picture survey we use is called Soularium. It is an AMAZING tool to use to get to know someone before presenting the Gospel to them. It is also a great way to understand a person's background and thoughts on God). Throughout the survey, I try to ask more questions than just the five questions listed for the survey to get to know the person better. At the end of the survey, it will go a couple of different ways: the person has to go to class so I will get their contact information and try to meet up with them again, I will share my testimony and beliefs, they are not interested in the Gospel but are willing to listen to what I have to say, OR they are interested in the Gospel and are willing to hear about it. I have seen all of these scenarios already. For me personally, it is important to not get bogged down if someone does not want to hear the Gospel. The important thing is to remember that God is using me as His vessel to do His Work. It is all about planting the seed and allowing Him to sow it.
I do alot of walking around asking people if they would like to take the survey or if they speak English. It can be draining at times, but there is no hurry through it. If I am tired, then I stop, rest, and pray. If I am hungry, I go get a quick bite to eat. Whenever I do meet someone, I try to make sure I am engaged in the conversation as much as possible, so the time in between conversations is very valuable for getting re-energized. The amazing thing about the people in Argentina is that they care soo much for relationship and value them greatly, which is why it is so easy to talk to people here. They would rather talk and hang out with us than go to class (I think this would apply in the States too Haha).
So far, after only being here in Argentina for 2 weeks, we have seen almost TEN people come to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. God is doing some amazing things already here! I can't wait to see what else He is going to do while we are here!
Until next time,
K
I have gotten a few emails asking different questions about the culture and some of the experiences while I am here in Buenos Aires, Argentina. I would love to share this information with you!
Weather
The first week we were here, the weather was very warm. We even slept with our hotel window open because it was so warm outside. However, last Sunday it rained ALL day and the temperature has dropped dramatically since then. I hope I have brought enough warm clothes! It is not humid here and there really is not much of a breeze, but it is still a little chilly.
Language
Yes the people here speak Spanish, but it is a little different. They speak Catallano. Its a mixture of Spanish and Italian influences. Normally when you say, 'Me llamo Kacey' (my name is Kacey), the double L's would make a 'ya' sound. However, here, the double L's make a 'shh' sound. It was a little different at first, but I was able to catch on to it pretty quickly.
I wish I could say I am able to have a full conversation with people in Catallano, but I can't. I am slowly picking up the language, but it is not coming easily. I can understand people pretty well, but I am struggling to articulate something back to them. Ordering food is still a little challenging, but I am slowly catching on with it.
Food
The first question I would like to answer is: Do I drink the water? Yes. When we arrived, our staff leaders told us it was okay to drink the water. I prepared myself for the worst when I drank the water for the first time thinking I would become really sick, but thankfully I did not. When I go out to eat, all the drinks are served out of glass bottles, even the water. In this country, water is NOT free. I went to one restaurant and my water was 12 pesos, which comes out to about three American dollars. When I go out to eat, I usually do not get a drink just to save some money. We are alotted around 50 pesos every day (13 American dollars), so I do not want to a large chuck of that on a drink. A random and interesting fact about the glass bottled drinks is that people use straws to drink out of them instead of just sipping from them. I love that!
I have eaten a variety of food since I have been here. One thing I have noticed is that while Argentina may have something that is called the same thing in the US, it tastes different. The french fries taste different. The sodas taste different. The ketchup tastes different. The pizza tastes different. Some of the foods I have eaten are: lots of empanadas, pizza, chicken, milanesa (think of a flattened piece of country fried steak), medialunas (croissants with sugar and honey), alfahores (layers of chocolate and creme and amazingness), beef/steak (this country is known for its beef and it is delicious!), Subway (they have Subway!!), Burger King (Whooper), and more. When I go out to eat, there is not much vegetable options so I usually get vegetables from the grocery store.
Cultural Differences
There are a few things that are different. Whenever we meet someone or say goodbye, we 'beso', or kiss. Two people touch their right checks together and that is a beso. Meals are a little different too. The people here eat breakfast and lunch the same time we do, but they have a La Merienda (snack) at the time we would normally have dinner. Here, it is uncommon for people to eat dinner before 9 PM. I still have not caught on to this! I love eating my dinner earlier. Haha. People share alot here. Food. Drinks. Everything. I love sharing, but I don't like sharing germs. I am still getting used to this as well :)
My next post, I will talk more about what we are doing on campus and what we are seeing God do through us.
Until next time,
K
Tomorrow will mark one week since I left for my trip! I can't believe one week has already gone by. It has been a busy week getting adjusted and familiar with Buenos Aires. I was not on any kind of schedule last week. A phrase that was used multiple times each day was "Go with the flow". We really had to be flexible because pretty much everyday, something was bound to change in our schedule.
Last Wednesday, we split off into our campus teams and headed to our different campuses. There are abot five campuses we work with...Architecture, Medicine, Economics, Law, and Agronomia (general education classes). I am working at Agronomia! It is about a forty minute bus ride there. Many of the students wanting to pursue a degree in Economics take there general education courses here. The first day on the campus was mainly to get our bearings on where everything was and what we were doing. On Thursday, we headed back to campus and spent more time talking with students.
We got into a conversation with two girls. They could only speak Spanish so one of the interns that lives in Buenos Aires translated for us. One of the tools we use to help get to know the students as well as a way to lead to the Gospel is called Soularium. Basically it is a bunch of pictures, and when we ask questions, the studnts can pick pictures that relate to their response. One of the questions I asked the girl was "Who is Jesus Chris"? She picked a picture with a path going into a forest and said to us, "Jesus Cristo es el solemento cambio" which translates to Jesus Christ is the only way. Wow!!! It is encouraging to have conversations like this.
On Friday, we did a Prayer Walk around all of the campuses. This was a great way tosee where all the other people on my team do ministry and to just encourage their work through prayer. That night was our first free night!!! We got to experience the city on our own. I went to the mallwith a bunch of people and then we walked around the city for a bit.
On Saturday, we did an AMAZING RACE throughout the city. I definitely feel like I understand the city alot more after doing that. Today (Sunday), we went to Mass. The entire service was in Spanish so I really don't know what was going on. However, the music was absolutely gorgeous! As we were walking out, there was a bulletin board with announcements and it turns out there was a 10 AM service in English. Oops!!! After mass, we headed to a "farmers market". Basically it was like the market in Charleston so I felt a little at home. There were a lot of interesting items being sold in the market. Actually, there were some Americans selling hot sauce at one of the stands. It always throws me off when I hear someone talking in English because it does not happen very often.
Tomorrow starts a new week! Iam looking forward to being on a schedule and a routine. I am excited to see what God is going to do this week and how He will use me on the campus.
Until next time,
K
Today starts a new adventure for me!
Today I leave for Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Today I step out of my world here in South Carolina and into a completely different one.
I am so thankful for this trip. I am thankful for everyone that has made this opportunity possible through prayers, words of encouragement, and financial support. You are all a blessing to me. I am forever grateful for it.
Today will be a day of travel. I am traveling from Charlotte to Atlanta and then Atlanta to Miami. I will be meeting the rest of my team in Miami and from there we will all travel to Buenos Aires, Argentina together.
Please pray for:
- Safe travel for all my teammates
- Everyone's baggage/suitcases make it safely to Argentina
- Adjust fast to the culture in Argentina
- Walk in the Spirt
Much love and until next time,
K
Maybe today is actually my second day of summer since I moved home yesterday. Well, either way, it's THE SUMMER!
I am thankful it is May and the summer is here. The last few weeks seemed to drag on and on. I stayed pretty busy the last few weeks with projects, papers, and exams. Thankfully I only had ONE in-class exam. Unfortunately, it was Physics and it just happened to fall on Saturday night. I survived the exams 3 and 1/2 hours later and even passed the class with a B+. I have NO idea how that happened, but I am pleased with it none the less. I got all A's in the rest of my classes. This semester marks the end of classes for my undergraduate degree because next semester I will be student teaching. Speaking of student teaching, I found out where I will be teaching. Yayy!
This semester has been a learning opportunity. I have walked away from it with many lessons. Below are some that I can think of off the top of my head:
- Patience. Patience. Patience. I was done with classes back in February. I was ready to be in a classroom and working with students. Then at the beginning of March, I found out I was going to Argentina and I was then ready to go then. God has taught me to be patient with His Timing and to appreaciate what I have now.
- Support Raising for Argentina. I have seen some amazing and indescribable things done during my support raising. When I first got accepted, I had to have at least $2,500 raised three weeks later. Right then, I didn't think I would be able to get it. I realize now that I was relying on my own doing and not His doing. I learned how to NOT worry about money and to trust that God will provide.
- Friendships and relationships. God has brought some amazing people in my life. I am thankful for each and every one of them.
- Course Load. I might have overdone it this semester by taking 19 hours (again), but I made it through. It was tough, but once again, it is possible to take that many hours and do well.
There is so much more I have learned about God, life, and my self this semester. Thank You, God for life's challenges and blessings. They are all opportunities to see Your Glory revealed.
I leave for Argentina in NINE days. What?!?! I am sooo excited! As I am unpacking my belongings from school, I am slowly packing for my trip. This upcoming week will consist of packing, hanging out with my family, hanging out with friends, taking some dance lessons (Swing, Mumba, Tango, Salsa), working out, and wherever the road takes me!
I hope you have a great and blessed day tomorrow. Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful mothers out there!
Until next time,
K
