Hannah, IT IS GOING TO BE OK!

I would venture to say that everyday is an adventure here in BA, but yesterday might have topped the charts so far. I would like to say that it all started with a little gate that should have been closed, but really it all started with Hannah and I not paying attention as usual!

So, Hannah and I left the youth meeting early last night (around 8:15) so that we could go home and get things done and try to go to bed early. We have had a really crazy week with every minute scheduled, and thought it would be nice to get some extra rest. So as we went to the Subte, which we do a lot, and got on the tren, we did not think that it was possible to mess it up (although last week we would have told you we had not quite mastered it yet). Anyway, we started to realize something was off when we got on the old rickety train and no one was on it. It was late at night so I thought for a minute that it might just be slow tonight, but then Hannah confirmed that it was not right and maybe we should get off. So, as I was processing this information, the tren starts moving. Moving, with no one but us on it, and moving with the doors open, not closed, like normal. So, I stick my head out the window in a moment of panic and try to find something that will show us where we are going. Then I make eye contact with some workers that are on the platform, and give them a helpless/frantic look. They shout something inaudible, and onward we go into the dark abyss.

So, Hannah and I sit down and prepare ourselves that we might be going somewhere very wrong, but it will be ok because we will find our way home. Then just as we determine a plan, the tren stops. Not stops at a station, no, stops in the middle of the underground Subte with no light on either side of us. So, here we are, two girls in an old tren with no one in sight and no idea where we are. Sound like a horror movie yet?

So, as Hannah is explaining to me that she feels like is going to throw up and I am tell her "it is going to be ok", we see a man walking toward us. My initial reaction is that he is some crazy murder and we are about to die, so naturally I back up. Hannah tells me to call for help and steps up to the door. Obviously we know who is the tougher one in this situation, I gladly took the lesser of the two roles. So, as I was frantically trying to call Osvaldo and keep one hand on Hannah to make sure she was not getting kidnapped, he jumps into the cart and much to our relief has a nice smile on his face (not a creepy horror movie one)! So, then through broken Spanish and a lot of scared laughter, we realize he is the conductor and that he will lead us back to the platform.

So, long story short, Hannah and I and one short old man walk in the dark around 9 at night on the tracks of a underground subway back to our tren platform. Needless to say it was the best/scariest thing that has happened to on the trip thus far. I have always said that I wanted to walk the tracks of a subway, but in my mind I always thought it would be because of a mechanical error and a bunch of people would be doing it together. This was not exactly how I pictured my wish to come true, but I am happy to say that I can now cross it off my Life List of Things To Do.

This week has been an adventure already. Monday was the Japanese Gardens and a run in with some peaceful protesters, and Tuesday was detailed out above. With or without the crazy side adventures, I am really enjoying my time here in BsAs. We are really starting to develop relationships with some youth here and are busy with planning and attending all kinds of activities and bible studies. God has really blessed us with answering prayers and providing us with a purpose. I am looking forward to the crazy summer ahead.

Thanks for your prayers....maybe some more about public transportation might help!

Peace.Love.Subte travels.

World Cup got nothing on us!!

So, there is a reason there has not been a post in the last couple of days. It might be because my back feels like an 80 year-old grandma, or it might be because we are still trying to recover from the amazingness that was soccer on Saturday night. Hannah and I, embarked on a new way of life, one in which we are athletic and able to face large Argentine men in a sport they are bred to play. Basically, Saturday night what we thought was playing soccer with the youth turned into church soccer with a bunch of men. However, keeping with our promise to ML, we played.....and we DID WELL!! It is amazing what the fear of being bad will do to an unathletic person. So, to sum up the game, we played hard and Hannah made a goal and I made an assist. Awesome huh?

The last couple of days has been really fun, we have been super busy with the youth, going to meetings and planning activities. Everyone here is so anxious to hang out and be together, I love it! On Saturday Hannah and I started a new tradition of playing cards with the youth before the meeting, and never have you played UNO until you have played with Juan Carlos. 

Yesterday was full of activities and today we are going to the Japanese Gardens in an outside province. Life is good, and that is enough.

No, I really DID tell a guy I loved him on the Subte

Ok so let me clarify for those of you who thought that the titles of my blogs are in fact not true. Yes, indeed, everything written is truth, to the best of my knowledge, and therefore is not used as a mere luring tool. So, if you are wondering did I actually tell a guy on the Subte that I loved him, yes I did. Was I trying to make a brotherly love assoication? Yes. But, did the words "Te amo" come out of my mouth? Yes. And, that is the real story. Don't worry, many were there to witness it and many could vouch for my stupidity.

Today Hannah and I worked on a 4ft by 6ft bulletin board that resembled billboards you might see on a highway. Needless to say, it took the better part of our day to cover it. Then we went to Spanish tutoring and on to Spanish cell group.

The thing that struck me about today was the strict adherence to biblical doctrine. I think may times people want to "create-a-faith" like the famous bear shop, but few really stop to realize that Christianity is about the cause of Christ and his words, not the ones we pick and choose to hear and mold into our own. People here believe in the Bible, and they desire more than anything to be followers of Christ. I am learning a lot...

The other day Hannah and I had some free time and decided to explore a random staircase and room in our house. The pictures included are a product of boredom, plus a pic of the massive billboard. Enjoy, especially you Sally! Ciao.

I accidentally told a guy on the Subte I loved him

It's been a few days since my last blog, but I would say that it would most definitely

be because of a lack of free time. Sunday we went to church at 10 am and did not leave until around 2 pm. It was really neat to be in service with everyone and then Hannah and I went to the LST class and helped natives speak English through a bible study in the gospels. I always enjoy LST classes because they make me feel useful...yah know, since I am not remotely near bilingual yet. Then after church we went with some other people and the Valdez's to another Feria and ate lunch. It was the most massive pile of meat I have ever seen in my life, and for the most part was good. I mean, I will probably have to work up to the cow utters and cooked blood they were serving!! Then we went and shopped around the fair and made it home in time to watch

 the Argentina v. US soccer game.

Monday was Hannah and I's day off and so we decided to go explore the city a

 little bit more. In BA, much like Dallas, they have different provinces that are fairly near by. So we hoped on the Subte and went to Plaza

 de Mayo which is where all the political buildings are. We saw a lot

of historical things, but the highlight was seeing Casa Rosada, which is where Evita stood for her famous speech....and for us Norte Americanas, where Madonna

 stood for the filming of Evita.

Later that night we went to a mall with "the fam" and sa

w Made of Honor. Later, the parents went on a date and we played DDR in the mall. I would like to say, that it was a growing experience for me to do this in such a public place, especially since I am absolutely horrible at DDR. 

Yesterday was my birthday and so we got to sleep in and then Hannah and I went to Dulce Fressa, our favorite place, and got a cup of coffee and of course a medialuna. Then we went to a Su Chef type place for lunch with the fam. I am told it is one of the nicest in the country, but basically it was an all you can eat buffet with like 10 different stations with their own chef. So...I would like to say that my food intake resembled that of Thanksgiving, and I do not feel bad about it. Then it was off to work and Hannah and I attended our first Spanish tutoring session and then time for the youth meeting. We made a lot of headway on Friends Day and somehow Hannah and I are not only holding

 acting positions in the play, but we are in charge of costumes as well. Hah, we will keep you posted on how all of that goes. 

I think that the thing I am learning most right now is how important it is to be welcoming and loving of people exactly where they are. I have always thought of myself as a lover, but then I come here and see such unconditional love and acceptance. More than that, they 

challenge each other to be better and to honor God is truly all aspects of their lives. There is no apathy among this church or group of people, everything is done with passion. This in itself is incredible, but I would say that right now I am honored to be a part of it.

Today is a new day with new adventures....I'll keep you posted.

Freshly painted bathrooms y Subte acrobatics?

Who would have thought that by the end of the day I would have been wearing white paint on my hoodie while eating Argentenatta pizza (thanks Spencer) and then doing flips on the subway handle bars.....what a night!

The day started with some fun sight-seeing and two rounds of coffee. Since it was Saturday, we were less busy with cell groups and bible studies, so we decided to go out and see parts of Buenos Aires. Marisa took us to the graveyard which I was not so thrilled about seeing. Well once we got there I was astonished. It was like one of those grave places where its above ground and everyone get put in with their family (surely someone reading this knows what I am talking about). Regardless, it was the place where Evita and many other important Argentinian people were buried. It was so beautiful, every gravesight was a piece of artwork. Not to mention, and I did not think I would ever say this but, it was very peaceful and gave me time to really appreciate both life and death. Creepy I know, but it's true. 

After we looked at the gravesight, we also saw a cool sculpture designed by an Italian architect and an old monestary that is still used as a church today. It was beautiful and gave me a moment to spend in awe of God...once again, a moment with the Lord in an unexpected place.

Then Hannah and I came back home and met our new Spanish tutor.....that's right, we have a private tutor. She was so great, and we are really excited about the progress we will make by the end of the summer.

After that we went to the church for the weekly youth meeting/bible study (don't worry, we got lost again, if you are wondering, the count is 10 on amount of times getting lost) and spent about 2 1/2 hours with the youth discussing the two types of wisdom in James 4. I learned a lot tonight about not taking bible time for granted. These people spent over 2 hours discussing a mere 20 verses or less and could have probably stayed for more. It was amazing to see their passion and their dedication to asking challenging questions. They wanted answers, and although nothing was a clear resolution, they were intent on sharing their opinions and learning from one another. I cannot remember the last time I spent that long discussing a short passage. But I do know that we should all strive to be more like that, and to really engulf in scripture. 

Needless to say we were tired and hungry after the meeting. Which leads me to the beginning of my post. We went for pizza and to watch the soccer game at Argentinatta with some of the youth. It was a lot of fun to be with people relatively our own age (although I did get called old by a 19 year old) and talk. It was a great end to a wonderful day, including the trip to the bathroom where the guy neglected to tell me that a door was still wet. I could have felt bad about it, except another girl did it right after me. We decided to make it a photo opportunity instead of getting upset. 

Then as we were going home, we enjoyed practicing backflips on the subway hand bars. They resemble gymnastic rings, and needless to say, we all had to try. It was a great way to spend a day, and a wonderful group of people to share it with. 

Me amo Argentina!

Evita was not the only one who stood on a balcony

Yesterday was a wonderful day in BA! We spent the better part of the morning inside the house, printing pictures of the church members and preparing to make a bulletin board in the church building. Osvaldo was really funny about the pictures, making sure to include every church member. So, needless to day, we did a lot of printing. 

Then we had a lunch visitor, Jorge, Osvaldo's brother. He was a really funny character and we enjoyed sharing lunch with him and trying empanadas. Later Laura taught us how to make them, so we will be sure to bring that back to the states!

Later that evening we had our first medienda, or tea-time. We went to a cute little sandwich place and had cafe con leche y medialunas. Hannah had her second coffee ever in her life, and she loved it. I am so excited to share coffee with her now, as lame as that sounds! We spent a lot of time talking with Laura y Marisa and I feel

 like we are really starting to bond with them. I am cherishing the sweet fellowship time, and look forward for more to come.

Last night we had our Spanish speaking cell group, which was in a beautiful house of a church member. It was fun to meet new people, and muc

h to my surprise, I understood a lot of what was being said. Granted most of what people said was followed up by me with a "repiten por favor", but understanding is understanding right? ...no matter how long it takes. We also met a beautiful girl named Paula and she was so much fun to play with. I cannot wait to meet all the church children. And, I look forward to next week when we can attend the cell groups again and really start to build relationships with the people. I think there is somethi

ng to having small group communities, I have already seen the growth it brings among people and how it is enabling church leaders. People here have so many questions about the Christian faith, and with small groups like last night, we can begin to answer them and teach them more effectively. 

Here are some pictures of the surrounding architecture. Notice that all of them have balconies, long live Evita eh?

Peace, Love, Argentina.