Day 20

We returned to Salta this morning after finishing the patio in La Caldera last night. We worked really hard to get it done, for much of the day we thought we'd not manage it. In the afternoon Katy and I met with the Diocesan leaders and shared some good ideas for keeping up the contact between the dioceses - it's been very positive for them and us. Also last night Katy was just finishing an excellent video of the trip when the Mac crashed and wiped all her hard work. Such a sickener. She'll do it again when we're home.

Later we had a debrief together which was really positive, everyone has really enjoyed the trip and God has moved in people's lives. I have been so encouraged by this team, they really have been one of the best groups of people I have ever spent time with. I will miss them. I've also really missed Eileen and the kids, it will be good to see them on Friday.

About midnight some of us prayed with each other till 2am, we're totally wiped out this morning.

Today we're treating ourselves to a nice lunch and then this evening there is a despedia - a leaving party - for us and the people from San Andres church. Tomorrow morning it's an early start to airport in Salta, then 10 hours wait in BA before onward flight to Madrid and Dublin.

Day 17

We're back in Salta to take two church services. There is so much talent on this team we are dividing into two groups to take a service each. Afterwards we head back up to La Caldera where internet access is unavailable. Next update will be on Tuesday or Wednesday. Lots of photos and some video have been uploaded, look through the older posts for video, or view our slideshow. More photos will be added to this when we can get internet access.

Day 16

After breakfast we drove down from Humawacha to JuyJuy to see a day care centre for single mothers. This provides care for children during the week to enable mothers to work. They had invited the mothers for a special day, but few turned up. We decided instead to go to the plaza and gave out balloons, played parachute games and did face painting. It was a good afternoon's evangelism.

This evening we are in the diocesan office, where there is wireless interent, and we can update the web site. Look for new photos in the slideshow.

Tomorrow We split into two groups and are taking two church services in Salta.

Day 15

We had a day's tour today leaving La Caldera at 7am and heading north. Heading though Purmamarca, with the magnificent hill of seven colours, we crossed to the Altiplano. The Altiplano is a high desert plane in the Andes around 3000m. We passed over 4170m and drove on to Las Salinas Grandes – the large Salt Flats – that are amazingly white. We drove on intending to stay in San Salvador, but discovered no accommodation had been arranged. Our amazing driver David had a contact in Humahuaca, and we found a hostel that could take us in. We finished the evening with traditional Locolo stew, Andean folk music and Quechua dancing – absolutely fantastic.


Folk dancing

Day 14

Today was a day to relax and watch the concrete dry. The morning was spent doing quiet times and reading. Although we discovered someone had stolen some of our washing during the night. In the afternoon we rode on the back of Jose Luis's pickup to part of Salta called Grandor for a children's club. The kids loved the games and puppet show and there was a bilingual Latin Link girls there called Jo who was really helpful and translated for us.

Day 13

Our builder Joe Luis had his birthday today. To celebrate he decided to talk us up a nearby hill for a 2 hour walk. We seemed to take a wrong turn somewhere and it turned into a 5 hour tramp in the hills with little water and midday sun. We kept climbing higher and higher until we were at the highest point for miles around, but all the slopes down were dangerously steep. Eventually we scrambled down through some trees and were able to get back to the village gasping for water.


Walking in the hills near La Caldera

Day 12

Today we put the concrete down on the patio ready for new tiles, We swept the earth floor clear of dust and stones before lunch. Lunches here are amazing, lovely home cooked food. Today it was home made pasta with chicken. After that it was time to mix concrete. We must have mixed 250 wheel barrows full. It was a long tiring day and we worked well into the dark finishing at 8:30 in the evening. We were really pleased to get it all compete. Jose Luis, the builder, was delighted and said at one point he thought we'd not make it.

We finished with a devotion time which again was powerful. The worship is really good testimonies are powerful. We are now half way though.


Susie dropping the cement!


Mixing concrete

Day 11

The journey back on Monday was thought the mountains via Cafayate. There was some stunning rock formations including a natural amphitheater which was just stunning. Tori took a bit of altitude sickness and suffered a bit on the journey back which was rough on her.

Day 10

On the Sunday it was a communion service and we sang and I preached in Spanish – my first time. An amazing moment was when we sang 'You are the air I breathe' and the Argentine's sang along in Spanish – it showed the unity of Christians across the world. We are all totally wreaked after the late night on Saturday thought.

Days 7 and 8

Over the weekend we went to Tucaman to help in another Anglican church, The entire thing needed repainted so soon after arriving we set about sanding all the walls. After that we started painting which took all day, but we did finish. In the evening there was entertainment provided by a couple of young Argentine singers who were excellent. For our part Susie and Rebecca sang a lovely duet, and Rebecca a solo. Tori did a magnificent Irish dance and the team sang Jesus all for Jesus. It was a late night and finished well after 2am.


Getting ready to paint!

Day 6

Another great day. We continued digging out the floor at the front of the building, lifting out large stones and rubble. This evening we managed to finish the leveling and rolled it flat with a large hand roller that weighed a ton. Everyone worked really hard and we're all knackered.

Tomorrow we go to Tucaman where we'll be painting church then taking the service on Sunday.

The team are still on a high, everyone is having great fun and putting 100% effort into the work. There has not been one complaint. They are a fantastic bunch of people.

Day 5

Hi
Just finished our second day in La Caldera and it has been truly amazing!! Our first task was to pull up a section of paving at the front of the center and just to see the whole team come together for a common goal was great. Talking about the team, everyone is getting along together brilliantly. If there is one thing so far that has been made abundantly clear is that God is clearly with us!
Robin

Day 5

Hello! I am having a brilliant time, so far we've dug up a tiled floor, seen two llamas, had a bbq, and gone without showering for slightly too long... Yesterday as we were working outside we spoke to some schoolchildren who were really interested to hear where we were from and what we were doing. Soraya and I went to a school and spoke to some students in English which was really cool. Everyone has been so welcoming and friendly. I'm looking forward to doing more work because it's great to see things beginning to change and we're all going to have massive muscles by the time we come home! Ruth :)

Day 5

Hey everyone, wot s the craic? The past two days have been really great. I'm not much of a shopping fan so i was really looking forward to some hands on work and meeting some Argentinians. Its been great to see the team really come together in everything that we do. Yesterday was our first day of manual labour which went well. Were pretty good at destroying things and making a mess. Today was Argentina's independence day, we went to watch the parades in the village which were ace. We finished the day with a bbq, its the first bbq ive had in the winter and the beef is unbeatable. I'm thinking of opening my own Argentina beef resturant when i get home.
pc

Day 5

I’m surrounded by such a group of amazing people. This team are just so good. Today we had lots of the young people from local churches to play football, parachute games, and fun – the team threw themselves into it all, it was so good. We sang Irish songs, Soraya played her tin whistle, Tori danced a reel, and Rebecca sang an amazing solo. Great fun. This evening we’re just sitting around relaxing and writing this update.

We learnt today we’ll be taking four services in Spanish! I have to preach!! The first one is next Sunday in Tucuman, on the way back we’ll be driving at an altitude over 4000m. We’ll be bringing oxygen! The next couple of days is more work here in La Caldera, we leave for Tucuman on Friday.

Stephen

Day 5

I still can’t really believe that I’m here in Argentina, the country is incredible and despite that horrible 13 hour flight of travel sickness here, I’ll definitely do it again just to come back. I really enjoyed Buenos Aires but I’m not sad the holiday part is over. There’s something amazing about living among local Argentinians in a traditional village. Just playing football with the kids today was incredible, even if I probably made a bit of a fool of myself with bad grammar Spanish and dodgy football skills. I really enjoy when we’re worshiping because everyone puts their heart into it. I’m really looking forward to just seeing what the upcoming days bring, keep us all in your prayers! And hope you’re not missing us too much!


Soraya

Day 5

Everything continues to go well for us as a team here in La Caldera. It has been really great to finally arrive up in the North of the country and begin our work. The scenery is fantastic and the people have really welcomed us to their home town, The atmosphere among the team is also great and we really have overcome the usual suspicions that people can have of others when they head away together. Stephen and Katy continue to do an amazing job leading us with great humility and superb example-they really are a blessing to us all. We have been working in the centre and are all enjoying the challenge of hard work. Please continue to pray for us all as a team. It is clear already that this team is not just about completing a list of manual tasks but about God really dealing with people on a personal basis. We are all excited about what God has in store for us in the coming weeks.
Graham

Day 5

Having a really blessed time here in Argentina…loads and loads of fun and great banter, beautiful devotional times, incredible scenery, amazing food and good old hard work. I could really get used to this life! I can’t believe how quickly the team has bonded- it feels like we’ve known each other forever. Highlights for me so far- kisses on the cheek all the time (we need to make it customary in Northern Ireland!!), eating a banana for the first time in about 15 years, hugs and tears in devotions, meeting Gemma from Donaghadee (small world!), lots of heartfelt singing with our new guitar and bundles of laughter. Lowlights so far- being horribly travel sick on the plane, the camp fire in the dark (I was terrified!), being known as the granny of the group already, not showering for 4 days!!!

Keep the prayers coming- really appreciate it!!

All my love,

Rebecca xx

Day 5

I’m not coming home!!!! Lol oj
Beunos naches. We’re sitting here having a chill out after an awesome day of bbq, footie, singing and dancing! It’s independence day here in Argentina so there was celebrations, trad dress and dancing in the street – love it!! Weather here is boiling during the day although they all laugh because it’s their winter and we’re wopping on the sun cream!
Can’t get enough of the locals, great people, kids are class. Was teaching them Norniron linguo today. Got them saying “what about yeeeeeeee!” and “dead on, even “wind your neck in” but Susy gave me a slap on the wrists for that one.
Having great banter with the team, God is really teaching us stuff and pulling us together. It’s amazing how great is our God!
Please keep us in ur prayers
Ciao
Susie and Jordan (on behalf of every1).

Day 3

This morning we flew to Salta in north west Argentina. We will be based for the next two weeks. Hugo the archdeacon, and Hans the diocesan administrator, met us at the airport and drove us to the Diocesan office where we're staying the night. They gave us an overview of the work of the church here, and how La Caldera retreat centre fits into the big picture.

We also met Jemma, a Latin Link missionary volunteer here for 5 months. She is from Donagadee and even knows some of the team! We had dinner with her and as it was Graham's birthday we sang happy birthday to him in English and Spanish - the restaurant gave him a free desert with a candle that he dutifully blew out. You can see the photo on the left.

Tomorrow we go a little more remote and to our final destination - La Caldera. Everyone is in very good spirits, the team atmosphere is really excellent and raring to get stuck into the work.

Day 2

Being Sunday we had a little service in the hotel. It was an amazing time of worship, sharing and praying for one another. The Holy Spirit seemed to guide us to the theme of pouring ourselves out and relying totally on him. That's what we will need over the next few weeks. The team has such a good spirit and friendships are really growing.

After a slow lunch we went back to Recoleta for the craft market and some present shopping. When the rain came on we headed into the Museum of Fine Arts. Ruth studies History of Art in university so she was delighted to see lots of really famous paintings - Van Gough, Monet, Rodin sculptures. There is a pic of Van Gogh's Le Moulin de la Galette in the slideshow. Then it as dinner in a parilla - barbecued meat of all sorts - from steak and chicken to heart and intestine!

Team spirit is great. On Monday morning we fly to Salta where the real work beings. I think the contrast will make a great impact on all of us. There are some really poor people in the rural areas. Keep praying for us. Finding internet to update might be more difficult. Keep an eye on the updates in the left column anyway.

Day 1

We arrived in Buenos Aires all safe and well. The flight was long and a couple of us were a bit travel sick, and we were all very tired but glad to arrive with all our bags and zero hassle. After showering and lunch it was time for a city tour. BA is massive, 30 million people live here and there are great contrasts. We saw shacks near the harbour and 3 million dollar apartments.

Our evening was amazing. Some of us were wiped out and went to bed, the rest decided to go for coffee. We heard some music in our hotel and followed it to find some locals dancing Tango. They invited us in and we sat gingerly round the edge of the dance floor. Then they offered to teach us and we had Tango lessons and danced and laughed so much for about two hours! Such great fun. A really fantastic way to start. The team are coming together so well.


tango in the hotel


Our tango lessons

Last night/tomorrow!!

How incredible was last night???! I fully loved it. I'm really excited about going tomorrow- I'm all packed and ready to have a good night's sleep. Pretty nervous about the journey cause I don't travel too well but I'm sure I'll be fine!

See you all tomorrow!!!

Much love xx

Commissioning Service

The commissioning service was brilliant! It was great to have everyone there to support us and it was really good to have all the team together for the first time. And who gets to see two bishops in one night!?! Very excited about going :)

Aw you guys!

How amazing was last night?! I had such a good night and am now very excited. I'd be even more excited if I could find everything I need to pack though - nothing like last minute preparations.

Commissioning Service

We had a terrific commissioning service tonight. The team are so talented! We showed family and friends what we are going to do and prayed for the team. I know God will use them and they will be good ambassadors to the church in Northern Argentina. Bishop Millar commissioned us and we all had a good chat afterwards with families.


Worship