Walking By Faith

Another poem

2009-04-06T21:31:00.002-04:00

So we had to write these "bio poems" for "Kiddy Lit"...

KRISTEN
Diligent, faithful, compassionate,
Follower of Jesus, friend to the needy, nurturer of children,
Lover of family and friends, Latin America, green tea,
Who feels thankful for special friends,
amazed at grace,
ashamed of continual unbelief,
Who needs loyal friends, a listening ear, time to think
Who fears loneliness, rejection, failure,
Who would like to see more of God’s glory,
Africa,
friends in other parts of the world.
Born in Taylors, SC.
HATFIELD

My Teacher Ate My Homework

2009-02-23T16:00:00.003-05:00

Since it has been way too long since my last post, here's a little sampling of the world of an education major. I'm collecting poems for a resource notebook for my Preschool Curriculum class. Here is one from my collection:

My Teacher Ate My Homework

by Kenn Nesbitt

My teacher ate my homework,
which I thought was rather odd.
He sniffed at it and smiled
with an approving sort of nod.

He took a little nibble—
it’s unusual, but true—
then had a somewhat larger bite
and gave a thoughtful chew.

I think he must have liked it,
for he really went to town.
He gobbled it with gusto,
and he wolfed the whole thing down.

He licked off all his fingers,

gave a burp, and said, "You pass."

I guess that's how they grade you

when your in a cooking class.

Purity..."His lilly-white likeness"

2008-09-14T19:04:00.009-04:00

Purity...does it even exist in our culture today? During our Bible study last week, we covered the topic of purity. For many girls, they simply envisioned physical purity, yet we challenged them with the Biblical call to purity. Why are we to be holy? Because we are to imitate Christ. We are to be holy because God is holy. This is purity of heart that is reflected in our emotions, dress, lives, loves, passions, and dreams. It is so much more that the cultural idea of purity...if that even exists in our culture today. It is a pure heart that is fully devoted to seeing and savoring our Savior without the distraction of other loves. Here are a few great quotes that we used:

Elizabeth Elliot – “Purity, I fear has gotten mixed up in people’s minds with the caricature of Puritanism, which, in the popular imagination, is a dour, brittle revolt against all the pleasures of the flesh. Purity means freedom from contamination, from anything that would spoil the taste or the pleasure, reduce the power, or in any way adulterate what the thing was meant to be. It means cleanness, clearness – no additives, nothing artificial – in other words, “all natural,” in the sense in which the original Designer designed it to be.”

Leslie Ludy – “True purity is much more than a Christian “rule” to endure. True purity is so much more than the noble descision to “wait” for our future spouse. True purity is complete set-apartness for our Heavenly Prince. True purity comes only when we fall into the loving arms of our Prince, surrender ourselves fully to Him, and allow Him to tenderly shape us into His lilly-white likeness.”

How do you forgive someone?

2008-09-05T14:01:00.003-04:00

For an update on our Bible Study. This week were studying holiness. As God's people, we have been called to a life of holiness...a life that continually radiates His greatness and His majesty. This opened up a lot of discussion as it means living a life that is completely different from the world. It changes the way that we think, our passions, dreams, and attitudes towards others.

In our discussion, one girl, the same girl who last week told us she had never read her Bible, asked how to forgive someone. This question seems basic, yet it is really profound. Forgiveness is so crucial in understanding the Gospel. Other girls responded graciously to her question by explaining that the picture of forgiveness is in Christ. How do we forgive? Like Christ. How can we forgive? Because we have been forgive in Christ. Please pray for these girls that the Word would penetrate their hearts and that they would taste and see that God is good.

Back to School Again

2008-08-28T23:05:00.005-04:00

Its hard to believe that the school year has already begun. Classes are in full swing and life is a little back to normal again. This year is full of many new excitements and opportunities. Specifically, this year a friend of mine from school and I are leading a Bible Study titled "Living a Chosen Life." Last night, we had our first Bible Study together...what a blessing this was to see girls that God has placed in our lives! So many opportunities for the advancement of His Kingdom. At the beginning, I asked the girls to open their Bibles to 1 Peter 3. One of the girls then said, "Honestly, I've never actually read my Bible...where is 1 Peter?" Wow! This is so exciting to have the opportunity to point people to love, serve, and delight in our Savior through His Word. Apparently this girl had gone to church but never actually read her Bible. If you are reading this, would you pray for these girls that God would warm their hearts for a longing and love for Himself?

Waiting

2008-06-14T22:27:00.003-04:00

I was reading the blog Girl Talk the other day. This is an excellent site for women who are passionate about following our Biblical role as daughters of the King. It is practical, theoretical, encouraging, and very funny at times. As I was reading, I came across this excellent quote.

"Waiting on God isn't about the suspension of meaning and purpose. It's part of the meaning and purpose that God has brought into my life. Waiting on God isn't to be viewed as an obstruction in the way of the plan. Waiting is an essential part of the plan. For the child of God, waiting isn't simply about what I'll receive at the end of my wait. No, waiting is much more purposeful, efficient, and practical than that. Waiting is fundamentally about what I'll become as I wait. God is using the wait to do in and through me exactly what He's promised. Through the wait He's changing me. By means of the wait He's altering the fabric of my thoughts and desires. Through the wait He's causing me to see and experience new things about Him and His kingdom. And all of this sharpens me, enabling me to be a more useful tool in His redemptive hands."

The Valley of Vision

2008-06-09T23:04:00.014-04:00

Desires
O THOU THAT HEAREST PRAYERS
Teach me to pray.
I confess that in religious exercises
the language of my lips and the feelings of my heart have not always agreed,
that I have frequently taken carelessly upon my tongue a name never pronounced above
without reverence and humility,
that I have often desired things which would have injured me,
that I have depreciated some of the chief mercies,
that I have erred both on the side of my hopes and also of my fears,
that I am unfit to chose for myself ,
for it is not in me to direct my steps.
Let Thy Spirit help my infirmities,
for I know not what to pray for as I ought.
Let him produce in me wise desires by which I may ask right things,
then shall I know Thou hearest me.
May I never be importunate for temporal blessings,
but always refer them to Thy fatherly goodness,
for Thou knowest what I need before I ask;
May I never think I prosper unless my soul prospers,
or that I am rich unless rich toward Thee.
or that I am wise unless wise unto salvation.
May I seek first its kingdom and its righteousness.
May I value things in relation to eternity.
May my spiritual welfare be my chief solicitude.
May I be poor, afflicted, despised, and have thy blessing,
rather than be successful in enterprise,
or have more than my heart can wish,
or be admired by my fellow-men,
if thereby these things make me forget Thee.
May I regard the world as dreams, lies, vanities, vexations of spirit,
and desire to depart from it.
And may I seek my happiness in Thy favor, image, presence, and service.
-The Valley of Vision

Summer has begun!

2008-06-02T15:14:00.011-04:00

Although classes ended almost a month ago now, it just now feels like summer is beginning. Kids are out of school... the pool is open... and its actually possible to get overheated. The joys of summertime...mine has been long awaited since I "missed" it last year in South America.

A few weeks ago, we went as a family to Washington, D.C. Unknowingly, we went in the middle of May when all the eighth grade trips were ALSO going to Washington. We had a good time despite the swarms of middle schoolers and the excitement of getting lost everyday! Here are just a few pictures of the trip.
This is the tomb of the unknown soldier...which is pretty cool just to watch. The little boy is the picture with Philip is a family friend of mine that I met in Argentina. We met their family at the zoo on our last day. The picture was too cute!

Spring Break and Easter

2008-04-01T20:16:00.004-04:00

It was so good to be home again for a little Easter/Spring Break. The week was pretty much low key, just catching up with family and several friends from church and work. I substitute taught one day, fun but tiring...preparation for the future. Here are a few pictures we took on Easter.

"Those who look to him are radiant..."

2008-03-03T17:58:00.006-05:00

The other day I was meditating on what it means to glow as a daughter of the King in His righteousness and glory. Despite how easily my heart gets distracted, he is always pointing me back to himself and the cross, making me most radiant when I am most fixed up on Jesus, not myself. I was reading Psalm 33-34 and Hebrews 12:2-3 the other day. In Ps. 34:5, David says that, "Those who look to Him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame." I love that picture of being radiant...glowing..shining..with God's glory. His holiness, righteousness, and perfection shining through me, his meager, sinful yet chosen daughter. This is the holiness that I long for..the glory of God radiating through my life. Later, David says, "for those who fear him lack no good thing..." What a promise! Those who reverently trust and fear the faithfulness of our great God will lack no good thing! We may lack the things of this world, but we will never lack God's complete forgiveness, daily grace, and continual mercy. Do we get this? Do we live like this? So often I don't. So often I live like the Gospel isn't really real, like I am not completely forgiven. But we are! We are far more sinful that we can imagine, yet God's grace is far more abundant than we dreamed. This is how we radiate the glory of God...by daily resting and living bathed in the blood of Christ.

O to grace how great a debtor
Daily I’m constrained to be!
Let Thy goodness, like a fetter,
Bind my wandering heart to Thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love;
Here’s my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above.

O that day when freed from sinning,
I shall see Thy lovely face;
Clothed then in blood washed linen
How I’ll sing Thy sovereign grace;
Come, my Lord, no longer tarry,
Take my ransomed soul away;
Send thine angels now to carry
Me to realms of endless day.

By Robert Robinson

New Year's Update

2008-01-09T19:44:00.000-05:00

Well, I have not updated for a long time so I figured it was long overdue. Christmas break just ended, and I came back to campus this morning. Christmas break was wonderful to be back with my family once again. Having been in Argentina over the summer, this was the longest I had been at home for a year. It was so good to reconnect (i.e. have long, serious conversations) with Mom and Dad and have fun (i.e. act silly and be made fun of) being the oldest, now the littlest, sister.

I also spent most of the summer working at a tea store. Although tiring, the job was lots of fun. I met and greeted customers and basically encouraged them to buy tea. The job was completely people oriented, which is what made it so much fun.

Until later,
Kristen

Are you a sprinkler?

2007-11-10T09:19:00.000-05:00

I have another funny story to add to our list. Last night in our house, four of us made bean soup (we actually just heated it up) and had a cute little "family style" dinner in our kitchen. Later, we had some friends over and were making brownies together. We were going to put chocolate chips in them but forgot until the last minute so we sprinkled them on top. Then, I offered that we should put holiday sprinkles on them too. Another friend of mine said that no, sprinkles don't go on brownies. She asked, "Are you a sprinkler?" Being the Baptist that I am, I said, "NO! I was fully dunked!"

"House" Stories

2007-11-09T14:04:00.000-05:00

This year I'm living in a one of several "ministry houses" that we have here on campus. Last night, we had a pot-luck dinner for all of the houses. We shared our funniest and best moments. Some of our funniest moments included Christmas in October, killing a roach with Lysol, and having campus security ring our doorbell at 1:00 AM. We thought that the best one was having security ring our doorbell in the middle of the night, scaring our house full of girls, all because someone left her lights on in her car.

Enjoying college life and looking forward to Thanksgiving break, Kristen

Argentina movie

2007-10-26T14:43:00.001-04:00

I recently made this little movie as a part of my portfolio for the College of Education. I thought you all might enjoy it.

New Email Address

2007-10-10T14:25:00.000-04:00

Just to let you all know, my email has changed to khatfield1751@andersonuniversity.edu. Supposedly, Anderson is updating the email system. My old email will still work, and I will check both of them until Nov. 1, 2007. After that, my old one will be removed or deleted, at least that's what the school has told us for now. Thanks.

-Kristen

Perseverance

2007-10-04T08:48:00.000-04:00

"Perseverance is the hard work you do after you get tired of the hard work you already did." Newt Gingrich

"What's important in such matters is not how you got into college but how you leave." Clarence Thomas, US Supreme Court Justice

College Life

2007-09-06T22:20:00.000-04:00

It's nice to finally be back into the full swing of college life again. Homework, tests, socials, and trips. This month's fun things on the calendar: RUF Swing Dance Night (tomorrow!), RUF Conference (great worship, great fun), Homecoming, and a trip to Charleston, SC. College days don't last forever. I was talking with a friend of mine, and we wish we could spend all our time just being involved on campus without the responsibility of classes. That doesn't really work though. This year has already been a huge blessing living with five other girls in a house. We love it. Its great to have the fellowship of others as well as working together to reach out to our campus. We've already enjoyed the conveniences of the house to host several girls' nights and just spend time together.

Until later,
Kristen

Back to School

2007-08-08T21:16:00.000-04:00

Its hard to believe I'm already back at school. It feels like summer passed quickly, yet it feels so long ago that I was moving out. Its funny how life seems so fast in one sense and in another so slow.

Well this year "college life" feels a little different than last. Mostly because there isn't all that first year nervousness and uncertainty. Also because I'm living in a little house with some friends. Its kind of like home but not really because it isn't really home. Things have already been interesting. For example, the air conditioning doesn't really work well - of course on one of the hottest days of the year.

I'm actually helping with orientation, so I'm here more than a week before classes start. I guess it gives time to get things organized and prepared.

Until later,
Kristen

Finally Home

2007-07-18T22:25:00.000-04:00

After my exciting adventure in Lima, Peru, I finally arrived home. I think I calculated that the trip from start to finish took over 50 hours, but it was worth it. I met some neat people and saw a culture totally different from Argentina. It seemed like there was much more poverty and danger in Lima than in the places I went in Argentina. According to one website I found,

"Ever since Pizarro tricked the Inca, Atahualpa, into capture, slaughtered him, and looted the City of Cuzco, this Andean country has become synonymous with robbery. Unlike Brazil, a gun is rarely used; the Peruvians are too professional. Their art is well crafted, and the sneak thieves are very nimble. If you give them the slightest opportunity, they will relieve you of your possessions quicker than an armed mugger could even produce a weapon."

The airline put us up in a very nice hotel that served all sorts of cultural cuisine and treated us wonderfully. Overall, it was a wonderful trip. But it is so good to finally be with my family again.

This week has been back to American stress and work again. Its so fast paced. I think that the Latin American culture is much more relaxed than here. I miss it, yet it has been good to be back. Sunday, worshipping in English felt so wonderful. I understood every single thing!

Back on American soil,
Kristen

Surprise trip - Lima, Peru!

2007-07-12T17:17:00.001-04:00

I am spending the day in Lima, Peru. What an unexpected and cool experience! I was trying to go home and, well... do I have some stories to tell! Basically, in a nutshell, after waiting 11 hours in Santiago, my flight was delayed and missed my connecting flight. So I found myself with a German, an Australian, and a Californian at 3am in the Lima airport - no luggage and no flight. No problem really - my trip has taught be how to be FLEXIBLE! Thank goodness, the Californian girl and I speak Spanish, or we´d be sunk. We stayed in a very nice hotel here in Lima. The Australian woman and Californian girl and I have been walking all over Lima most of the day. Its very different from Argentina - so cool. Oh the stories to tell...

Hoping to arrive home sometime in the near future,

Kristen

Final Days

2007-07-10T10:52:00.000-04:00

Its hard to believe that my two month trip is almost over. It seems like its just flown by. Yesterday, we had snow on the ground and enjoyed spending my last few days with the kids down the street. I had intended on taking them downtown for the independence day parade, but it was just too cold. Here are some pictures of the snow. We had some major snowball fights!Last night, we had Ayalen and Nahir over to watch a movie and eat Locro, the Argentine stew. Our last special time together. Its hard to say good-bye.

Today, I am spending just gathering my things and doing the last minute errands. The trip home will be long but worth it.

Looking forward to seeing everyone again,
Kristen

It's snowing!

2007-07-08T15:12:00.000-04:00

This morning we woke up to very cold weather and snow! It's only little flurries, but they have been falling all day long. It's freezing cold outside!

Villa Belgrano and Cleaning

2007-07-06T18:21:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, I went with the Hammonds to Villa Belgrano, a little German town about 2-3 hours away. We left around 6:00am and had a great time, aside from a few carsick children. The weather was actually really warm, surprisingly, considering it is the middle of winter. We walked down the town and just had a great time together. Here are some pictures.This morning, I went down to babysit the children down the street. When I got there, I found out that Cilena had been really sick and made a mess all over the bed, which no one had cleaned up (at least not well enough)! Mrs. Donell and I worked to sanitize that place for several hours. I have never cleaned something so messy. Just to give you an idea, there is no electricity, no hot water, and only one little faucet. In the process of trying to help the kids get better, almost all of us have gotten this sore throat/cold thing too. Hopefully it will pass soon.

Until later,
Kristen

Cilena's Birthday Party

2007-07-03T23:15:00.000-04:00

We celebrated Cilena's 7th birthday today. We had a great time with hamburgers and chocolate cake. I think she enjoyed it, although she is pretty shy.
Afterward, I sat down and talked with Ayalen and Nyer about their relationship as sisters. They are in a very competitive phase and don't see their relationship as friends. I told them a lot about Alicia and I and the good friendship we have now but the many things that we had to and still have to work through. (Here is recent picture of us right before I left.) Tomorrow I hope to spend some more time with them. Please pray that the Lord would give them soft, listening hearts. It seems that they really pay attention to personal examples, like with Alicia and me.

-Kristen

Opportunities and challenges

2007-07-03T00:05:00.000-04:00

I spent some time with Ayalen and Letisia down the street today. (Here is an older picture of her and I at the ice cream shop a few weeks ago.) It seems like I am hitting some brick walls with Ayalen. She comes to church and hears to Gospel and examples of pharisees and then goes home and acts like she never heard it. Please pray that the Lord would soften her heart and let her see her sin. Often she tells me one thing and paints this sweet looking picture for me, yet I hear a totally different story from her parents and her hard heart at home. The Lord has opened a wonderful opportunity with her, yet her heart is so hard.

Longing to take advantage of this open door,
Kristen

The Mocovi Tribe

2007-07-01T20:17:00.000-04:00

This morning around 5am, I got back from a weekend trip visiting the Mocovi Indian tribe. They are a native Argentine tribe with which the Donells have had some connections via a mutual friend. A family from the church, Nathan and Kelly Hammond, were going up to see the tribe and invited me along. They were a blast and great encouragement to travel with. (Here is a picture of their family at our "bus stop.")What an incredible experience! I had no idea I would learn so much in one weekend. The purpose of our trip was to visit/encourage an Argentine missionary family who had recently moved into the Indian village to bring the Gospel to the people. The Hammonds met this family through a friend (Omar Gava).

The entire trip was about nine hours by bus going and 10 hours coming. Since most people don't have great cars, buses are the typical means of long distance traveling. It was actually pretty nice. We were on the upper level of a double-decker bus for the long rides. The only negative was changing buses through the night and the screaming babies (Kind of embarrassing when they're your friends'/own).

This map gives you a general idea of where we went. Our city, Carlos Paz , is the red star. We stayed in Crespo, the blue star, about 8km from the Mocovi village and then spent Saturday afternoon in Santa Fe, the green star, touring.
We visited and encouraged an Argentine missionary family, Walter and Sandra and kids, for most of Friday afternoon in the village. This was an incredible blessing to see the sacrifice that they are making in spreading the Gospel to these people. The "missionaries" who have been in this village before have not taught the people the Gospel nor the truth of the Bible so this family faces multiple discouragements. For example, when our family came to visit the Donells the last time, we brought a lot of clothes for these people. Talking with Walter and Sandra, I found out that this caused a lot of problems in the village. The people would come only to the missionaries for what they could get from them physically instead of what they needed spiritually. Along with this, the people fought and bragged over what or how much they got from the North Americans. This along with the people's beliefs in multiple gods in various aspects of nature just give some examples of the challenges that these missionaries are facing.

We then walked around the village and made an obvious North American parade - not what we wanted. Here are some pictures from our walk.
We took this family into town for dinner and enjoyed their fellowship. It was such a joy and privilege to translate for the Hammonds this couple's genuine love for the Lord and sense of His calling. Please pray for encouragement for this couple as they are often lonely and feel unsupported. Mr. Donell is looking forward to connecting with this family from what he has heard from our trip.

The next day, we went on a 3 hour bus ride into Santa Fe (green star) and toured around. Kelly and I had a great time fellowshipping and talking the entire trip back. Seriously, I think that we were both so starved of Christian English fellowship that we talked the whole trip back, until 4am! Reflecting on our time with the Mocovi and listening to her wisdom and heart for missions made the trip a blessing and great learning experience.

Exhausted but blessed,
Kristen

The "typicals things" in Carlos Paz

2007-06-28T17:21:00.000-04:00

Before I leave for Santa Fe to see the Mocovi tribe, here are some pictures of Carlos Paz... A typical car

A typical street

A typical idol store
(No seriously, people buy their own personal Mary statues at the Catholic stores.)

A typical stoplight
(Earning a few centavos washing windshields at stoplights.)

And if you were wondering, a typical day (typical is a relative term):
9:30 -Wake up
10:00 - Coffee
11:00 - Morning run
2:00 -Lunch
3:00-6:00 - Ministry related work/Siesta
6:00 - Afternoon coffee/errands
8:00 - Early dinner
8:30-12:30 - ESL classes
1:00-1:30 Bedtime

Tonight, we are having a "Fútbol" party. Argentina plays the US...we'll probably loose. It's about the fellowship anyways.

-Kristen

Discouraging Days

2007-06-27T22:54:00.001-04:00

These past few days have been kind of discouraging as I mentioned earlier. Sunday when we discovered that someone had stolen the sound system, that was only the beginning. Over the past few days, we have realized that more and more things are missing. This has been quite a discouragement.

On top of that, today we had no water. Literally, the only water available was the pool in the back (typical for here) and the bottles of water. So.. just to give you an idea. Just to use the restroom, we have to go out to the pool and fill a bucket with water, remember its the middle of winter. Then, we pour some of that water down the toilet. To wash our hands, we put soap on our hands and lather, then rinse our hands in the "soapy bucket," and finally rinse our hands in the "clean water bucket." And doing dishes, well let's just say we don't do them. Why no water? Who knows, remember this is Argentina.

Aside from the discouragements and obstacles of the day, I spent some time with Ayalen, a girl down the street, and her friends. She likes to bring her friends over to "show off" her American friends. Because of this, I find it's better to take them out somewhere instead of spending time with them in the house. We walked downtown to a park and just played around and talked. Its funny how they often asked "Have you been to Hollywood, Disneyland, and New York?" As if all Americans are famous or know someone famous. Nonetheless, I see it as an opportunity to spend time with them.

Tomorrow, I leave to visit a native tribe about five hours away. This should be a really neat opportunity just to observe and learn about the native people. I'm going with a family, the Hammond's, that we have met who are doing some research on the tribe. The bus leaves at 12am and arrives around 5am - long but it should be worth it. Hopefully, I'll have some great pictures to share.

Until later,
Kristen

The Spiritual battles continue

2007-06-25T17:41:00.000-04:00

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces in the heavenly realms." Ephesians 6:12

After the many encouragements and open doors from the past week, we had a major discouragement yesterday. When we arrived at the church building for morning services, we found that someone had broken into the building. They broke into all the offering boxes and stole the offering, took the sound system, and stole many other small valuable items. This was a major shock and mystery as we can not fully understand how they got in the building. The disappointment just reminds me that the spiritual battles continue. Satan is out to discourage and distract us from the many things that the Lord is doing.

On the other hand, the Lord is continuing to open doors with contacts we have made at these ESL classes and the family down the street. During the evening service at church yesterday, the father of the family down the street walked in 15 minutes before the end. Although he was late, the very fact that he took the effort to walk all the way down the street in dark, cold winter weather reflects genuine interest in spiritual things. For those of you at GBC, I am working on a little description of all the family members so that you can better pray for and get to know this family. Oh and by the way, little Bianca came home from the hospital today!

Until later,
Kristen

A few pictures

2007-06-23T14:58:00.000-04:00

Ian and Tomi on their "adventure"...
(They were trying to catch snakes and bugs in the cold, winter weather. Let boys be boys!)

The past few days, I have spent a lot of time with the family done the street. I took Ayalen and her friends out for a walk. They are into the modeling phase as you can see.

Then, yesterday, I took her for a hike, and we had a great conversation about the Gospel. It is sad to see that what she thinks of the Gospel has nothing to do with what the Bible says but a mix of the movie "The Passion of the Christ" and her Catholic teachers.

A few days ago, I took her sister, Nahir, out for ice cream because she went to school five days. She sure did enjoy it and made a big mess!

Last night, Amy and I spent some time fellowshipping out at a restaurant where Claudio plays the piano. I think it was around 3:00am until we went to bed!

This morning around 11:30 am, I took Ian, Nahir, and her brother Tomi for a hike up the mountain. It was cold and windy, but we had a great time. It ended up taking us about 2.5 hours; I think we figured it was about a 5km trip. Great times!This is Tomi.And the view...

Until later,
Kristen

So many doors, so many opportunities

2007-06-21T14:35:00.000-04:00

The Lord has been opening so many doors for the Gospel in the past few days. From Lestisia and Marcielo down the street to the ESL classes at night, we have had many opportunities to share with them the glory of the Gospel. After classes last night, we talked with some of the people that stayed about our sinful state and the work of Christ on the cross to redeem us from our sin. One lady said that she did not understand. How can grace be enough? She was struggling to understand salvation by grace ALONE based on nothing from ourselves. Yes, it complex yet so simple. Another lady, afterward admitted that she is terrified of death. Amy explained to her that she was too until she understood the Gospel. I was thinking this morning of Isaiah 55:1-2 that says,

"Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare."

This is the offer of the Gospel - it is free and completely satisfying. The Lord is softening the peoples' hearts and making them ready to hear. We sent them with a little book that explains a true Christian. They took it eagerly and promised to read it.

On a different note, we have also had several opportunities with Lestisia, Bianca's mother from down the street. Yesterday, when Mr. Donell was taking her to the hospital to see Bianca, he shared with her her spiritual need and the free offer of the Gospel. Later when the baby was doing so well, she came over to talk with Mrs. Donell. Grinning from ear to ear she asked, "Can you teach me how to pray and say thank you to God?" Mrs. Donell explained to her that there are no special words, God knows our thankfulness by our hearts and the way that we come before him like a child comes before a parent. She said that she was going to go home and pray with her children, thanking the Lord for all that he has done.

Then, she said that her daughter, Nahir, who faithful comes to church, has been telling her about a family in the church with lots of children. They all come every Sunday and bring all the children. Lestistia said, "I know what she's trying to tell me...She wants our whole family to go to church. Often its the mother duck that leads her ducklings, but for us the baby ducks are saying 'Come on, Mom, lets go!' If Bianca is out of the hospital, we will all be at church on Sunday." We could have never dreamed of an opportunity like this to reach the entire family, Mom, Dad, and all the children with the Gospel. Please pray that the Lord would continue to soften their hearts and give them seeds of faith. It amazes me to see how the Lord is orchestrating so many open doors and working in so many mysterious ways.

Last, here is a link to the Carlos Paz news of the ESL classes. They ended up getting all of us on it! Bear with the Spanish, but you can enjoy the pictures. http://youtube.com/watch?v=8lcPvJooSKU

Rejoicing and still walking by faith,
Kristen

Bianca Agostina

2007-06-20T14:28:00.000-04:00

Bianca Agostina
(Photo by Amy Donell)

Last time, I mentioned a little bit about the baby down the street we were concerned for. Bianca (16 days old) caught some kind of sickness from her siblings and started having respiratory problems. (This is the little sister of the children and girls that we have spend a lot of time with.) Anyhow, we were very concerned for her so the Donell's took her an hour away to a "better" hospital that could care for infants under 1 month. When they got there, doctors rushed on her and put her in NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit). She was in very critical condition last night. This morning, Mr. Donell took the mother, Letisia, back to the hospital and had a wonderful opportunity to share the Gospel with her.

To all of our surprise, the baby is now doing much better. She is now off oxygen and all medicines but will stay in the hospital for several more days. The Lord was so gracious to heal her so quickly and on top of that, open these doors for the Gospel. Just an example, when the mother came by to tell Mrs. Donell the good news, she was so elated and relieved. She asked Mrs. Donell how to thank the Lord or what special prayer she could say. Mrs. Donell told her to come before the Lord just like her children would come thank her. I think that the Lord is using this opportunity to soften the parents' hearts and make them ready to hear the Gospel. Please pray that the Lord would make their hearts receptive to the Gospel.

Resting in a Sovereign God,
Kristen

ESL Classes and Caring for Kids

2007-06-19T11:39:00.000-04:00

We started back ESL classes again Monday. Here are some pictures of classes to give you an idea.
There have been incredible opportunities from these classes. Yesterday, we had only about 30 students because it was a national holiday. Yet, last Wednesday, there were around 60 students. After the lessons, we discuss a short movie clip from various movies. Each of these movies contain songs/concepts that encourage spiritual conversations and thinking deeply about life. During this small group, the people who have stayed continue to think about relative truth vs. absolute truth along with church traditions vs. a real relationship with Jesus Christ. The Lord continues to open many doors with these classes.

The other day, I was reading 2 Timothy 4. Verses 3-4 say, "For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths." This is exactly what I am seeing with many of the people with whom we are working. Often people will believe only what they want to believe. Like one teenager we were talking to, he said "religion" is important, but the majority of the emphasis is on the person and "doing good" instead of completely resting in the work of Christ on the cross to forgive sin.

Today, we have been caring for some of the children down the street. This is Oriana.
This is Lautaro.This is Juan Cruz.

The little baby, Bianca, that was born 16 days ago is struggling to breath. In the States, she would be in the hospital, but apparently "there was no room." For the past 24 hours, we have kept her here with an air purifier, but she's really struggling now and cannot get enough oxygen. The Donells are taking her to a hospital an hour away. Please pray that the Lord would heal her little body. She is so precious and it's hard to see her struggling to breath.

Walking by faith,
kristen

Gladys Aylward

2007-06-16T15:11:00.001-04:00

I have been reading the book Faithful Women and Their Extraordinary God by Noel Piper recently. A few days ago, I came across a quote by Gladys Aylward, missionary to China. She was speaking of her parents, and I have to say the same:

"How good they were to me. I realize more fully now as I look back. How great was the sacrifice my parents were making in allowing their daughter to go off alone to a place thousands of miles away...How much I have to thank them for, that they did not try to hold me back."

-Kristen

La Rioja

2007-06-14T22:22:00.000-04:00

This past week we went to La Rioja to meet Claudio, Amy's finance's, extented family. It was a genuine taste of Argentine culture! Here is a map of Argentina. The red star is where we are, Carlos Paz and the blue star is the city of La Rioja in the province of La Rioja. It is about a 500km trip, and it took us about 5 hours because we only drove between 80-100km/hr. (You do the math. ;)) La Rioja reminds me a lot of Arizona, flat and dry with mountains in the background.

Wednesday, we went over to the grandparents' house for the big asado. The majority of the family, about 50, came to celebrate the grandparents' birthday and meet Amy. The food and festivities were incredible. We got there around 1:00pm and started our meal with homemade empandas, these are like turnovers filled with meat or vegetables. These empandas had potatoes, olives, onions, and hot peppers. Que ricisimo! (How delicious!) Then we had locro, the authentic stew, I wrote about several weeks ago. And then... the asado. One kilo of meat per person, thus 50 kilos total! As you can see in the pictures, we could have fed a Chinese army!I had a great time with the cousins. They helped introduced everyone.

After the incredible dinner, we had the coolest part. The family set up microphones and sang for us. The whole family has incredible talent from song writing to playing the guitar, violin, and piano. The sweetest part, at the beginning, they sang a song for us, that they had written, welcoming the Donell's into the family. Then they sang for the next five hours! As time went on, the time become more exciting and they moved into dancing. It was all very sweet. At the end, I was a little worn out..but a great time.

The next day, we drove around the city and out to the desert. It was cold and windy but a beautiful view.Until later,
kristen

ESL Classes

2007-06-14T21:52:00.000-04:00

It has been a few days since I have updated my blog, and I apologize. We went on a trip for several days. But I sure do have a lot to share now!

On Monday night we started helping this American from our church with ESL classes. He has done this before in other countries and takes the opportunity to share the Gospel with those attend. He advertised a lot for these classes and got the Municipality all excited for him. I was a little skeptical, but he was sure that he would have a class of about 50. Amy, Mr. Donell, and I got to the municipality building early to set up. The next thing I knew, the news reporters were there to advertise. The interviewed Nathan, the American, and had Amy translating! By the time the classes started we had 45 students! Nathan teaches with a very interactive and exciting method. It was very cool.

Between the two hours, he showed a short movie clip with the song "Where is the Love?" by a group called Black Eyed Peas. He showed it as an opportunity for discussion after the class.

After the class, eight people stayed to further discuss the movie (in Spanish because this is a beginners class). One of the most thought provoking phrases that we talked about was, "If you never know truth, you'll never know love." We went into a a discussion on relative truth and real truth. It really challenged some of the people to think about "What is truth?" Unless there is a basis for truth, truth is all relative. Mr. Donell took the opportunity to present the truth of the Bible and the Gospel with them. What a perfect opportunity! I found this discussion very interesting and different from other conversations we have had because these were educated people who could really think deeply about philosophy

Excited about the more opportunities that are ahead.
-kristen

Church Asado

2007-06-11T09:12:00.000-04:00

Last night, we had a group of about 40 people over after church for an asado. This is where they buy all different cuts of meat and grill it for about three hours. The general rule of thumb is to buy about 1 kilo of meat per person! On top of that people brought all sorts of dishes to go with the meat. It was incredible! Here is all the meat before it was cooked...

The meat on the grill when it was almost ready!

Great fellowship. Apparently this was the first time that a group like this has gotten together spontaneously after church. We had a sweet time and fellowshipped until about 2:00am! It was all worth it.
-kristen

Pictures from the Marriage Conference

2007-06-11T08:16:00.001-04:00

Here are some pictures from the marriage conference...
Jose Moreno, our speaker, drinking mate the cultural drink.

Amy and Claudio
Mr. and Mrs. Donell

We got some great pictures. Last night we had an asado until 2:00am! I'll put some pictures up from that in a little bit.
-Kristen

Marriage Retreat and Karate Tournament

2007-06-09T21:05:00.000-04:00

The rest of the marriage conference took place today. Of course I did not attend, but I heard that the Lord really blessed the messages and the fellowship between the couples. The Donell's see this retreat as the foundation for further marriage counseling. So many things that we take for grantid that we learn simply by growing up in church, these couples do not understand. This retreat laid a good foundation for the picture of a God-centered marriage. Some basic, Biblical truths, such as the concept that God ordained marriage in order to further glorify Himself or that marriage reflects the image of Christ and His church are foreign ideas to many Argentines. What an incredible opportunity for these couples to hear the truth of the Scriptures!

Here on the home front, Ian and I stayed at home during the morning of the conference. In the afternoon, he had a Karate Tournament..another cultural experience. As his first, he was very excited and nervous all the same. Just to give you a perspective, the tournament was supposed to start at 2:00pm. We arrived at 1:30pm, I waited around for what seemed like a long time with all the other parents. Waiting...waiting..The Karate officials kept working on something with the registration and explained that they were having a little trouble. Then, some ladies brought out a table full of snacks and drinks. People talked and snacked. Any Karate tournament? Finally, around 3:00pm the tournament started. When it started, it started and went on for almost four hours! Ian did very well with his "Kata" but the "Sparing" was more challenging. I enjoyed watching him, but it did go a little long.

One last thing, for those of you who are wondering about the "solutions" to the problems I mentioned in my last entry, Mr. Donell had to laugh. He said, "We've been here for seven years and do not have "solutions. There is no way you [speaking of me] are going to have them in two months. But, when we get them, we'll let you know."

Much love,
Kristen

From Bad to Worse to Good to Great

2007-06-08T23:13:00.000-04:00

The marriage conference has finally started! At certain points today, I wondered if that would actually happen, but the Lord is faithful. I have heard that it is going great so far.

Just to give you a little culture perspective.. today we ran into some minor, well major, complications. I had been running out in the cold, brisk morning. When I returned, Mrs. Donell announced that we had some major problems.

#1 - There was no gasoline available.
- WHY? The government puts a ceiling on gas prices, but the people who are selling gas to the stations demand an even higher price. They simply do not sell their gas for the lower prices.
-Problem: Mr. Donell and Claudio were driving back from Buenos Aires.

#2 - The retreat place wanted all the money for the retreat by 2 p.m. in cash or no retreat. - WHY? Many people do not trust checks or credit cards, and I don't think they trusted our word about the reservations.
- Problem: Banks will only let you take out a small amount out of a single account in a day.) We put our heads together and solved this problem by all three of us taking out the maximum amount. Disaster avoided!

#3 - Cell phone service was not working.
- WHY? Who knows. Remember, we're in Argentina. ;)
-Problem: We could not contact Mr. Donell through all this, right before this conference.

As Amy says, TIA - "This is Argentina."

The Lord used this opportunity to show us that He is still on "Plan A" when we are on "Plan E or F." What weak faith I have! Like I said, the Lord has brought it all together, and I hear it's going wonderfully.

Until later,
Kristen

The Calm Between the Storms

2007-06-07T22:42:00.000-04:00

Yesterday was our last day of caring for the kids down the street. Our little motivation to encourage the children to go to school only worked for a day for most of them. Yesterday, we found out that only the oldest one actually ended up going to school. One was sick and another lied about feeling sick.

When one of the little boys, Tomi, came over to play, Mrs. Donell gave him "the talk" about lying and not going to school. She sent him and me out to the "Quincho" to do school work. Although I made it fun, I made him WORK. We did math, reading, writing, geography (Argentina, of course), and science. It's an interesting challenge teaching in another language, but I think we both had a good time in the end.

Once again today, only the oldest girl went to school. It is very heartbreaking because we want to help them, yet we cannot always be a crutch for them. The surprisingly healthy mother and baby came home today, which meant that we would stop caring for the children. Although it felt great to have a break, we feel kind of "empty hearted". As Mrs. Donell has reminded me, ONLY the Gospel can give these children hope and bring them out of their hard situation.

We spent today getting ready for our marriage conference starting tomorrow. We haven't really had a chance to finish the last minute details because we have had the kids. The list of couples continues to grow, which is very exciting. Please pray that that the Scripture would clearly be preached, and that the Lord would work in these couple's hearts.

Much love to all,
kristen

"Donell Daycare"

2007-06-05T22:15:00.000-04:00

Over that past couple days, we have been caring for seven children from a family down the street while their mother has been at the hospital having #8. Although this has been tiring, it's a great opportunity to simply love and serve this family. (The two oldest girls, Ayalen and Nahir, are the girls that I have been spending time with.) Yesterday was very tiring with the children as the younger ones were still a little unsure of us. We bathed and feed them and then walked them home around 8:00pm, right after dinner. Today, we did the same thing all over again, but it went a lot smoother, partly because we made five of seven kids go school. As a little motivation, we have promised the children that if they go to school for five days in a row, we will take them out for ice cream. So far the motivation is working. Until later...

-Kristen

La Peluquería - Barber Shop

2007-06-02T14:52:00.000-04:00

“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” Proverbs 31:30

Last night, we had our girls' night on the nature of godly beauty. We asked the girls what the people around them say they should be like. These 10-12 year-olds said.."Sexy, thin, and beautiful." This is just what we expected but still shocking considering their age. For Argentine women, their power is in their beauty..not education, not money. From very young ages, their parents tell them they must be beautiful to achieve.. so that's what they strive for. It's a very sad cycle lacking the hope of the Gospel. Amy and I challenged the girls to think beyond the call for outer beauty and see what God calls beauty. We encouraged them with the Proverbs 31:30 verse in the call to fear the Lord.

The idea for this evening came from seeing that some of these girls really needed to wash their hair. We let two girls, Ayalen and Nyer, come and soak in bath salts early. We set up the bath and explained how to use them... I had to laugh, one little girl called from the bath tub, "Amy, how do I wash my hair?" Kindly, she explained to her. Here are the before pictures of the three girls, Ayalen, Nyer, and Micalea.

Amy and I first messaged their hair in coconut shampoo/conditioner, which apparently prevents lice. ;)

Then we cut..only Ayalen was brave enough to get a few bangs and a little trim.

Next we dried. It is amazing how beautiful their hair was after a good wash!

Then, the curls...

Finally, three beautiful and clean girls!

They looked great and were really happy. Wonderful night but very tiring night!
-Kristen

Preparing for a busy week

2007-05-31T22:33:00.000-04:00

These past couple of days have been kind of calm. However, this is nice because we have a very busy next couple of days. Everyone in the house has had some kind of sickness..colds, sore throats, tiredness... so we are trying to rest up and get well. We have a girls' night tomorrow, pastors conference (Mr. Donell only), marriage conference, and trip to La Rioja all back to back.

Please pray for our girls' night tomorrow night. Amy and I are really excited about this opportunity with these girls to explains God's call for beauty. I was reading today in 1 Peter 3 in preparation for tomorrow and was reminded about how our beauty must come from an inner, quiet and submissive spirit. Just the opposite of what the world tells us about beauty. (Amy wants to show a little video clip to the girls tomorrow in preparation for the short devotion from: http://www.dove.ca/doveselfesteemfund/tv_ad It's really focused on self-esteem, but it makes a point.) Please pray that we would take advantage of every opportunity for spiritual conversations with these girls.

Amy and I at first were a little paranoid about the girls having lice. So this afternoon, Mrs. Donell and I did a "Lice Check" with some of the girls. They look clear...but still. In reality, whether they have lice or not, they still need our love and the truth of the Gospel just the same. Coming to this realization has been convicting. As Ian keeps reminding us, "Lice for Christ."

-Kristen

Downtown

2007-05-29T18:56:00.000-04:00

Here are just a few pictures from today. I walked downtown to the church several times today. These are a few shots of the town.

This morning the skies cleared up, and we had beautiful snow on the mountains. Here's a picture of the view.

Hot Tea Time

2007-05-28T20:06:00.000-04:00

It's definetly hot tea time now with this freezing weather. Like they said, it snowed much of the day today.. only "flurries" though. It has been overcast, snowy/rainy, and bitterly cold all day. Amy and I walked downtown twice today to do some errands. When we finally got back tonight around 8:00pm after walking around town for a couple hours, it felt so good to be in the warm home with soup and a hot cup of tea. She and Claudio had several wedding plans we were working on..things are really coming together.

After our successful night with girls last Friday, we are planning another one! This time, next Friday, we are going to have a beauty parlor to wash and style to girls' hair and do their nails. Amy and I want to take the opportunity to present to the girls the call for inner beauty. As Christian women, our true beauty must come from our love and devotion to the Lord. Please pray for these opportunities as the girls seem very excited about the night.
Excited about the opportunities ahead,
Kristen

The weather outside is frightful...

2007-05-27T16:06:00.000-04:00

They are predicting snow up in the mountains. It looks like snow clouds outside. We shall see...
-kristen

Spending Time with Girls

2007-05-26T20:04:00.000-04:00

Last night Amy and I had the girl's night that we had been talking about doing for a while. We saw this as a great opportunity to spend time with the a few, particular young girls between 11-13. They are beginning to think on their own, yet they are still very teachable. Here is a picture of the group of girls. Here are two pictures of us. The first one: Veronica, Gemina, Micaela, Ayalen, Me, Nyer, and Camila on below. The other picture is of Amy and I. Amy thought that only one or two would come, but it turned out really nice. We ordered pizza and watched "Nacho Libre." I was told it is very funny, but it kind of lost its funniness for me because it was dubbed over in Spanish with English subtitles. After the movie, I got a chance to explain to the girls why I am here and my testimony. It was a great opportunity, and they seemed interested. Afterwards, we just hung out, laughed, played silly middle school games (HUH-for those of you who are familiar), and showed the girls that we really wanted to get to know them. Some of them begged us for another night like this to spend time together! The girls left around 11:30pm, early for many of them. Afterward, Amy and I talked about how we can further reach these girls whose parents often discourage them to participate in anything related to the Gospel. Please pray for the many opportunities that might come from this. We hope to do several more of these nights and ask other older Christian girls in the church to share their testimony each time, however we don't have that many.

Last night, two of the girls (sisters) who live down the street begged to come over today. This is a picture of Ayalen (12), Me, and Nyer (10). The older sister, Ayalen has some tests next week, so we told them to come over with some homework and I would help them. Faithfully, they came over around 3:30pm and worked on homework and simple math flash cards - it is an interesting experience tutoring someone in Biology in Spanish! We had a blast, and she seems ready. I promised the girls when we were finished we would play a game and listen to their favorite music - High School Musical soundtrack. We played "Guess Who?" and "Life" while listening to High School Musical. It's so funny when they don't speak English, but they sing the songs in English! They don't know what the words mean nor do they know how to say them, but they sure can sing the tune. We played for several hours and just had a great time. I see this as a wonderful door to building stronger relationships with them and showing them the way that the Gospel changes lives.

So, along with doing the book table out in the park this morning, that was the day. Oh... here are some pictures of the view from Amy's bedroom of the other day when there was snow on the mountain. It was really beautiful.

Last, but not least, the missionary, Don Donell, hard at work at the book table this morning.We work very hard here in Latin America ;).

I would love to hear from you all. Hope you enjoy the pictures.
-kristen

"Locro" on "El Feriado"

2007-05-26T12:21:00.000-04:00

We did a lot yesterday and had a great cultural experience. As I mentioned before, yesterday was a "Feriado" (holiday) so we went over to the Molina's house to celebrate. (Here is a picture of the view of Carlos Paz from their porch.) On national holidays, Argentines typically eat a stew called "Locro" as you can see in the pictures.
This is a very authentic stew that is a combination of different cultural aspects from over the years. It has a pumpkin/squash based broth with homeny, sausage, "tripa gorda" and an onion and green pepper relish on top. Most people in this area eat their "Locro" with "tripa gorda" (the last part of the cow intestine - these are the little rings you see). Bilma was very sweet and made us a pot without "tripa gorda." Before serving Locro they slice up "queso creamosa" which is kind of like cream cheese and put it in the bottom of their bowls. Here is my bowl with the "queso cremosa" and without "tripa gorda".
It was really an interesting experience. Personally, it was okay - not really my favorite stew, but it wasn't bad. Mrs. Donell's homemade bread and cheesecake were still the best.

We thoroughly enjoyed the Molina's fellowship and laughed so much. Also, the Donell's got the Molina's a coffee maker (so they could have coffee when at their house), and the Molina's thought it was just the greatest thing in the world. We had many laughs, knowing the Donell's real reason for the coffee maker. ;) This is the the Molina's kitchen while the "Locro" was still cooking.

I still have more to tell you about our girls' night last night..but I'll have to do that later. I love you all and would love to hear from you anytime. =)

-kristen

Teaching Ian

2007-05-24T16:56:00.000-04:00

I spent most of today teaching Ian so that Mrs. Donell could prepare for our "feriado" (holiday) tomorrow. Tomorrow's a national holiday celebrating the beginning of the war of Independence for Argentina. We're going over to the Molina's for lunch to celebrate with "locro" (an authentic Argentine stew). I'm excited; this should be very neat cultural experience and great fellowship. Then, at seven, we're having some girls over just to hang out and build relationships with them.

Ian and I had a good school day. He does so much work! I am impressed but worn out. Around 3:45, when we had been working for several hours and still had some to go, Mrs. Donell brought out lemonade and fresh muffins. They were so good, and was so sweet of her. That motivated us to finish finally around 4:15pm.

The days are getting much colder now. By night, it is quite cold. A few days ago, I woke up to see snow on the mountaintops across the city. This morning our grass was lightly covered in frost. It's funny to think that some of you are wearing shorts in the hot weather!

-kristen

Creating tracts

2007-05-22T21:49:00.000-04:00

Just to give you an idea of the tracts and brochures that I have been working on. Here is the "Quest for Joy" tract I just finished. Enjoy the pictures.

Downtown

2007-05-22T11:33:00.000-04:00

Mr. Donell and I at the book table - Saturday morning

2007-05-22T11:30:00.000-04:00

Amy and Claudio

2007-05-22T11:28:00.000-04:00

Veronica and Gemina

2007-05-22T11:25:00.000-04:00

Sunday afternoon greetings

2007-05-20T14:07:00.000-04:00

A couple days have passed since my last blog entry, and I wanted to updated you all. I apologize for no pictures, I have honesty been working so much that I have not gotten around to taking any pictures. (Then, when I wanted to take some pictures, the camera was dead, and I lost the battery, but I found it today.)

Anyways, I have been doing a lot a computer work lately. We have a marriage retreat coming up in June, so Amy and I have been doing a lot to get ready for that. I created a brochure that we passed out at church today. We are hoping to have about 10-12 couples. This will be a wonderful opportunity to define and explain a Gospel centered marriage, a concept foreign to many Argentines. Just to give a perspective, most people do not actually get married here. They just live together and become "Common Law" married. They do not want to go through the complication of commitment and divorce. So... we see this "Reforming Marriage" retreat as a great opportunity.

On Friday, I went to Karate with Ian. That was an interesting experience to watch the kids from all different levels all do their karate lessons together. Ian is very focused and does a great job.

Saturday morning, Amy, Mr. Donell, and I set up a book table down at the park downtown. It went really well. We passed out several tracts and talked with a number of people. We gave away about eight books, which is quite a number. Mr. Donell even sat down to talk with a man, Ector, who had been by the table a couple other times. He told Mr. Donell that he wanted to come to our services on Sunday, and he was actually there today. (Often people say they will come and never actually do.) Ector seemed genuninly interested in the Gospel.

Later, I created a "Quest for Joy" tract from Desiring God Ministries in Spanish because we are running out of tracts. We are also working on creating a Spanish songbook for the church.

Yesterday afternoon, we went to find a wedding place for Amy and Claudio. It was really beautiful! I am so excited for those of you who plan to come to the wedding (Oct.4). It will definitely be a neat cultural experience.

Today, the Lord's day, we had the morning service. This is a time of sining, memory/catechism work, and Sunday School. During Sunday School, I watched to babies so the parents could go to the service. Tonight, at 7:00pm, we will have the main worship service. Right after the service, Mr. and Mrs. Donell left for San Nicholas. Amy and I are here to "man" the house until late tomorrow afternoon. I am glad to help out teaching Ian because it will free Amy up to prepare her English classes.

So anyways, that is what's going on. I think my Spanish is coming along, but I still get easily overwhelmed\nervous with people I don't know very well. I love you all and miss you much. Hopefully next time, I will have some pictures of Carlos Paz and the book table. (The ARE on Amy's camera, but the Donell's took it to San Nicholas.)

Un besito y mucho cariño,
Kristen

Enjoying the beautiful fall weather

2007-05-16T18:27:00.000-04:00

Well, I am enjoying the beautiful fall weather here in Carlos Paz. The trees are just now turning slightly brown and orange, and the nights are a little chilly.

My trip here went very well, only a few little confusions - not a problem. I got in a wrong line in Peru, but considering it was 12AM and my flight was not until 1:35AM I had plenty of time, especially with a smaller crowd. My flight from Lima, Peru to Santiago, Chile was only three hours but the time change in the middle of the night and landing at 5:45AM local time was a little tiring. I arrived in Cordoba, ARG around 10:00AM local time and met Amy and Mr. Donell a little after that.

We went out for lunch and just spent time in encouraging fellowship. The Donell's fellowship has been a wonderful blessing. We talked about some ways that we can reach a few particular teenage girls who are quickly being lured by the world and its fleeting pleasures. Amy and I would like to have a movie night soon to simply get to know these girls and show then that we want to love them as friends. Lord willing, I can share my testimony with them to explain the reason why I am here and what it means to be a Christian. Please pray for this opportunity as many Argentines tend to act interested but will not actually come.

This afternoon I went for a run in the chilly fall weather - perfect running weather. Claudio, Amy's fiance has been over, and it has been good to see him again. His English is coming along so well. Speaking of which, I think that I am going to go with Amy to her English classes tomorrow. A great chance to spend time with Claudio and Veronica as they study English.

I love you all and will write more later.

Hello Everyone

2007-04-30T19:23:00.000-04:00

Many of you all know that I will be leaving soon to spend eight weeks of the summer working with the Donell family in Argentina. I wanted to find a way to let you see the work that the Lord is doing and the doors He is opening while I am gone. So... I have started a blog. Hopefully this will be a way that I can share with each of you the work in Argentina. Thank you to everyone for your incredible encouragement, support, and blessing as the Lord as opened the door for this trip. Your blessing and continual encouragement mean more than I can tell you.

kristen