Easter Back in North Carolina, 2010

I was super blessed to be able to make it back home in time for the Easter holiday. I have missed a lot of family holidays and I really wanted to spend another Easter with my niece before she was too big to enjoy the fun little things! Brinkley had her first sleep-over without her mommy the Saturday night before Easter. Then we headed on to church Easter morning and back to nana's house for Easter dinner and an Easter Egg Hunt!

On March 9th while I was trying to figure out exactly how I was going to get safely to North Carolina from Argentina the words to this song came to my head " You can reach me by railway, you can reach me by trailway, you can reach me on an airplane, I don't care how you get here just get here if you can." I missed my first flight ( it took off without me and I was there and saw the plane on the ground and then it left) which made me have to take a 12 hour bus ride in order to my next flight in the capital city, Buenos Aires. The bus ride was long but it went very well and from the moment I reached Buenos Aires things could not have gone smoother. Sometimes we have to let flexibility take over when change is thrown our way. While I was waiting in Buenos Aires I met a wonderful couple who were vacationing in Buenos Aires but were from California. I could feel God holding me in his hands because from the moment my luggage passed through and the airline and I didn't have to pay for the excess weight just the extra bag. Then I got the amazing the surprise that my flight had been changed from a flight with 2 stops on it to a direct flight! I immediately that God for the great blessing he had bestowed on me and for answering my prayers! I arrived in NC after almost 3 days of traveling with mixed emotions but more then ready to not be traveling anymore. God knows what we need even before we do!

Hard Good-byes!

Andre, Max, Me, Diego and Tato- Saying good-bye at the bus station Mariela, Me, Mariela mom, and Kitty (sister) On March 9th my year in Argentina came to an end. In some ways I was very much looking forward to what God had planned for me in the US but on the other hand I was not looking forward to having to say good-bye to the wonderful people I had been so blessed to meet and made wonderful relationships with. Good-byes do not get easier but they easier when you know you stay in each others lives!

Counting down the months till the end!

Diego's 34'th Birthday - The last of our Group of 4 to celebrate their birthday! Is something on fire! Max telling Tio Diego "Feliz Cumpleanos! Tacos - requested birthday meal! Sometimes you never grow-up! Friends forever!

Surprise your 28!

I woke-up on January 12th, 2010 my 28th birthday to what was a very dreary day outside, it was pouring down the rain and I thought twice about getting out of bed. However, I knew I was going to have a visit from friends at noon. So, I to got up and was super surprised to have my dreary day cheered up by a surprise lunch! Tato and Andrea ( a young couple) some of my closest friends here and a mutual friend came prepared with everything. It turned out to be a very blessed day. Also, many friends visited as the day went along! God is good he knows our every need!

Ringing in the New Year Argentine Style!

Tato's Nephew! Tato the brother I never had! The young adult group bringing in the New Year! Tato lighting the Lantern to send it on up! Me with Tato's nieces and nephews. Well, the Argentine New Years Eve celebrations start around 10 with the preparing of the meal and the gathering of the family. Most families gather at their parents house and if you are married you may find your family split up so you can both be with your parents on that night! There is a big table put out normally on the lawn or the patio and loud music turned on to set the mood. Most families have many kids running around and they can't wait to set off the fire works so you will hear fire crackers and see the sky lighting up a little before 12 to passify the children. Finally, around 11 the family all sits down to a meal of chicken, empanadas, sandwiches, and soda. Then once it strikes 12 it is time for the cider toast and don't be fooled, it has alcohol in it. And then it is firework and fruit salad time. They make a fruit salad with another type of cider that is really good and I have requested it for my birthday! Then, a very special tradition takes place, a crate paper lantern type balloon is lite on the inside ( it looks like a hot air balloon without a basket) and you let it go up into the night sky. I love this tradition, you can look up and see balloons coming from everyones house, it is so neat. This was the first time I had ever seen this tradition. I really enjoyed being with family during this time because for me New Years has never been a big holiday and being that I just left my family behind after being with them a month, i was super happy to have some to go and be a part of. I was invited by Tato, I describe him as the brother i never had to his families house to celebrate. Then after all the family festivities are done, you go and visit friends and other families. So, being that Tato was alone, his wife and son had taken off to be with her family who live in the country for 3 days, we went to visit some young adults in the church community and a girl whose birthday is exactly at midnight on the 31th of December. When we got to the meeting place for the young adults I was again reminded of the difference in cultures. There were people dressed to the nines, but not because they had a party to go to, just because that is what you do. So, we waited around for over an 1 hour for them to decide what they wanted to do, which is common in this culture because it is a group decision making culture. So, then we went to the river bank where we brought in the rest of the New Year just hanging out till the sun came up! Let me tell you, I have already started working on my list, I am getting out of my box! It was really hard for me to stand around with no plan to spontaneously do things but I did it! God is soooooo good!

Blessings in Waiting List 2010

Calling all First Class Passengers~

December 29th was a sad day but also one of transition, heading back to Argentina to finish up my term. There I was standing at the Atlanta Airport at the check-in kiosk when " do you want an upgrade to first class" popped up! My first thought was why not, this day is going to be hard enough and I hit yes, little did I know God had something else in store. I finished checking in, putting my "body bags" a.k.a luggage up on the scales and saying good-bye to my mom, went through security and got on the plane. As I looked for my seat I noticed I was sitting beside what looked like a nice little old lady, I always keep in the back of my mind, the hope that I will be sitting by someone who will be kind and courteous even if they don't want to talk. However, I had no idea I would get to meet Ivy Salomon. A Jamaican lady who had been a missionary in Haiti for over 50 years. She did not hear very well and had just started using a cane so, with great pleasure I go to help her do a lot of things. She told me about how she was a RN and had started her mission work with Christian Flight International. She started working with little kids in Haiti and started an elementary school that is now a high school. I had been reflecting on 2009 for a couple days before leaving the US and as I sat on the plane and conversed with Ivy I began to think, will I be like Ivy one day will God use me for 30 years in International Missions. Well, only God knows that because I can only take it one year at a time.

Therefore, like I have done for several years now I have composed a " Blessings in Waiting List". The list is composed of things that I not only pray for but goals that I would like to accomplish to better my life. However, unlike resolutions that people make I will not be upset or if they do not happen this year because just like prayer requests, God's answers are often not what we expect and His timing is perfect!

Blessings in Waiting 2010

1. To have an established sleeping pattern, so my day is more structured and functional.
2. To wake-up and have my time with God, to let it be the opening to my day ( mornings have not worked for me in the past because of my sleeping pattern and attention span in the mornings but I want to try it again.)
3. To find a functional diet for me, to have a good relationship with food.
4. To find an exercise routine that is safe and works for me wherever I am.
5. To loose weight to better my health and self-esteem ( for me.)
6. To take my mission goals to the next level, to get out there and visit people with-out being invited.
7. To continue to strengthen the relationships I have made during the last year.
8. To commit to call and chat with pray patterns at least monthly.
9. To not take things so personally but let them be learning opportunities.
10. To continue to grow as a believer and missionary.
11. To be more spontaneous, everything does not have to be planned!
12. To expand my friend base to reach more lost people.
13. To be a good steward of God's money at all times
14. To build relationships with churches and people have an interest in coming down and doing short term trips or patterning with the work being done in Santiago.
15. To never loose focus of what I do and why I do I it.

Please pray for me and my "Blessings in Waiting List". God is so good to us and always has so many wonderful things in store for us but He also wants us to put forth effort. These are my desires for this year, we will see which ones He blesses me with!

Sierra

    

2010 Blessings in the Waiting! To come........

December in the Mountains of NC.

I was fortunate enough to be able to travel from Argentina to the mountains of North Carolina where I call home. While I was there I was blessed to be asked to speak in several different churches, I shared with them the ministry opportunities I have had over the last 8 months while serving in Argentina and even share the custom of mate with a few! The greatest amount of my time was just spent accompanying my mom, sister, and niece while they went about their everyday routines. I have loved making cupcakes, going to parties, getting shots, grocery shopping, and just hanging out and talking. You know it is so true, you don't know what you had till you don't have it anymore!

An amazing November sets up for an incredible December!

Fingerprints from the Field

November/December 2009

Have you ever had something in your life that you had been looking forward to for months and then as it got closer you started to dread it because you knew it would require lots of preparation? Well ,that is kind of what I felt like during the month of November. I knew I had several things to do to prepare my ministries and my apartment before I left for a month. So, as I began buying the needed things for my visit to the states and finishing up my bible studies , nothing could have prepared me for what God was going to show me during my preparations.

Why throw in the towel?

I was praying with two Argentine girls with whom I had met in my church about many things but one thing very specific. We were learning about how to start " small groups" on Saturday's in training sessions with Jay Cook my mentor and fellow missionary all together. We were praying about where to start a small group in the community where the church is located. Well, we were giving the name of a family by the church pastor and we started a small church the 2nd week in November. Our first 2 weeks were not the most encouraging weeks one would wish for but they could have been worse. God showed us that we mustn't give up regardless of the circumstances. We had come up against some major obstacles so far but none like God faces everyday and we must stay consistent and faithful.

Everyone Needs Encouragement

My women's bible study on Friday nights came to a close the last Friday of November with a wonderful goodbye party at my house. I had over 15 girls in my house. I was so pleased to have so many people wanting to see me before I left to United States for the holidays. The girls have been such an encouragement to me for the last 3 months since we have been having this study and fellowship time. I know they think it is a time for me to be there for them but for me it is a much more of an encouragement for me that they even want to spent time with me. When I return just in time for the new year I plan to do something a little different for the next 4 months that I am in Santiago.

When He Found Me

I heard someone recently say during a discussion on what they like most about Christmas that it is the time to reflect on what has happened good and bad during the year. I feel like I have learned so much during this year, especially my time in Argentina. I have not just grown as a person but as a missionary. While I have been home for the last month I have had the privilege to speak at several churches, spend quality time with family and friends but most of all realize over and over again how relationships are the root of life. There was one relationship that started it all for me 21 years ago this month. It was 21 years ago this December that Jesus "found me." The following song explains it really well.

I saw three AM come and go again Another sleepless night, thanks to living my own way All my great ideas, I've regretted most of them But that was back long before the day When I saw a flash of light and I heard the sound Of a voice like thunder shake the ground It was the first time I remember ever feeling my heartbeat And the arms that gripped me felt like grace And I realized in their embrace To be held so tight I've never felt so free Also know as the day that you found me My whole life has changed ever since the day You came The way I see, the things I want, it's everything Some may call it strange, I don't care what people say I knew You were the only way I've never known a love like this You've captured my heart and You brought the sweetest Peace to my life, brought me into the light Now I'm all Yours, Jesus, draw me into You I don't think that I could ever be the same Who would want to be anyway

~ Big Daddy Weave

Thank you for your prayers and support this year. I can't express how important they have been for me. Please keep the prayers coming as I want to do God's will in every way. Pray as the IMB is still being restructured and a new president will come into office this July. I will be heading back to Argentina on the 29th and would appreciate your prayers for a safe flight.

Tomorrow is a new day!

Growth

These last few months have been full of growth here in Santiago. Our missionary family not only grew by the addition of the Andrew's family but my church family continues to grow with the birth of new babies. Along with new physical life, God is providing in form of outreach as well. Many new small groups have started out in the interior of Santiago and some are in the works here in the city. Please keep this new growth in your prayers. As well as the planting of seeds that took place in August and September by too teams from Georgia.

On a personal note:

God has moved in my own life a lot these last two months helping me to see how I can be a better missionary and leader. I am growing in the area of independence and faith daily. After a recent trip to Paraguay to renew my visa and have some health check-ups God continued to show me how capable I am with his help.

Praises:

~A successful trip to Paraguay

~2 successful mission teams

~ Letters and packages from home.

~ Continued guidance and growth in Christ

Requests

~ God will continue to lead me in where I should start a small group

~For my allergies and sinuses ( the weather changes fast here and I feel it in my face when it does)

~For continued desire to get my monthly tasks done.

~For my trip home in December

~ For the spiritual warfare that is so alive because God is moving here.

~ For continued language learning

New Additions!

God has blessed me with so many amazing friends here in Santiago and two of those couples I was able to participate in either giving them a baby shower or the birth of their children. Ezekiel and Pilar had Bianca about a month ago. I was able to plan the games for her baby shower. Then Tato and Andre just had Maxiliano on the 15th of October. I was able to be at the baby shower for Maxi and at the hospital for his birth.

The last half of the Adventure!

The last part of the team adventure was in Bajo Grande a small community about an hour in the other direction going away from the city then Atamisqui. During this time the team got to minister at the Baptist Church at Bajo Grande but playing volleyball with the youth, telling the testimonies, preaching, and just loving on the them! Who says you're too old to play! Katie loving on some sweet girls!

Dust Storms are not good on the eyes but they do add texture to the walls!

Most of the 6 working days that the team was here were used to paint the First Aid Station and show 2 movies to the public at Atamisqui. During the day the team painted and at night they showed, "Fireproof" and a Billy Graham movie. The movies were well received and the team was even invited one day for lunch over to the school. God opened a lot of doors that week just by the presence of the team in that small town. Everyday as we drove into Atamisqui we knew we were getting close because a dust storm would start to pick-up. We knew it was the devil trying to keep us away but he was going to have to do a lot more then that to keep us from doing Gods will that week!

Atamisqui: Prayer Walking

On August 10th, a team from Maysville, GA came to Santiago del Estero, Argentina to work in a part of the interior that needs to know about God with urgency. Atamisqui is a small area about an hour outside of the capital city. Atamisqui is known to be a very dark place spiritually with very few known believers. The first day of work was used for orientation and prayer walking of the small town. The 7 member team came prepared to paint the First Aid Station as their "open door" into the community.

Team 2: Maysville, GA

Hitting the Ground Running! The 7 member team from Maysville, Ga came to Santiago del Estero ready to do whatever God opened the door for them to do. They started their first full-day off with orientation and prayer walking in a new area of the interior that Jay Cook (head missionary) is working on opening, Autamishqui.

The little things, give them back!

I was hoping culture shock had moved right along and wasn’t going to visit me here in Argentina but last week it did. Exactly at the 3 month mark everything began to hit me at once. I could look at the different type of water heater or shower and cry. Because I was aware of what I was going through I began to pray, and talk about it. I was not going to let all the new little overwhelming things steal my joy. Another way I got through it was by thinking about someone God has placed in my life…

Mariela is 28 and because of family circumstances has to live the life of a 38 year old. Over a year ago Mariela’s father was accused of fraud. After that happened the city seized most of their possessions but could not prove her father was guilty. However, being that the justice system in South America is very corrupt, he was still held under arrest. He fell ill and has been held in a hospital for the last 9 months or so. Recently he was taken back to jail when something happened with the recent governor. When he was taken back to jail he began to use the example God had given him preaching to his fellow inmates. He had led 4 men to Christ when he fell ill again and recently was back in the hospital again. When he became sick, those men stayed up all night praying and reading the bibles I took them. Moreover, Mariela has had to grow-up very fast, she is running her families internet café business, and she has had to quit school to help her family. Her mother is now working when she didn’t work before and is now figuring out how to run the family. What does all this mean? It means when the little things start to become too much to handle we have to refocus and realize why we are where we are. I open up my apartment sometimes just so Mariela and her brothers have a place to go and feel free from the rest of the world. I go see her father and take him moves etc. I remove the little frustrating things from my life, find the positive and give them back!

Formosa Flexibility

This month has been quite a month. It started with a road trip to a more northern part of Argentina, Formosa for a regional meeting. On July 9^th I boarded a bus for Formosa and embarked on a 10 hour bus ride all alone. It was my first “Greyhound like” bus trip alone. It was an overnight trip so it went by real fast. When I arrived in Formosa I had to immediately meet up with some team members so I could cross over the river to Paraguay and renew my tourist visa. So my second adventure within 24 hours was to cross over the river into Paraguay with 6 college students who were spending their summer in Argentina. Well, that was an experience I will never forget. It was cold and rainy and the first thing we were asked were why we going over to the other side and of course we said to shop because border shopping is always a must, because almost always things are cheaper right as you enter a country. Well, right away we were warned that because of the Swine flu we could not buy and or bring anything back with us from one border to the next, except for our bodies! It was crazy because we could bring back the virus just as easy without stuff as we could with stuff. Anyway, they said we could pass over and return. However, the process to get my passport stamped was more complicated than we thought it was going to be. However, needless to say 3 boat rides, 4 passport stamps and 3 hours later mission accomplished.

After our short stay in Paraguay we all returned to start our weekend of missionary fellowship. The weekend was great for me because being that I am new to the Argentine Lowland team there were many missionaries I only knew by name. We kicked off the weekend with an early sweet 16 dinner for Elizabeth Cook and ended with all day strategy/policy meeting. Overall, it was a great weekend because it was a time to hear what God was doing all over Argentina and what he is cooking up. As well as I got to return back to Santiago with my favorite/partner missionaries, the Cooks and we were able to stop in one of the small towns where they used to live near and minister and attend a church serve and fellowship after with one of the families. Honestly, God is moving here in Argentina, he is opening doors, please pray for his workers to be diligent to answer the call and start the work.

This month has been quite a month. It started with a road trip to a more northern part of Argentina, Formosa for a regional meeting. On July 9^th I boarded a bus for Formosa and embarked on a 10 hour bus ride all alone. It was my first “Greyhound like” bus trip alone. It was an overnight trip so it went by real fast. When I arrived in Formosa I had to immediately meet up with some team members so I could cross over the river to Paraguay and renew my tourist visa. So my second adventure within 24 hours was to cross over the river into Paraguay with 6 college students who were spending their summer in Argentina. Well, that was an experience I will never forget. It was cold and rainy and the first thing we were asked were why we going over to the other side and of course we said to shop because border

shopping is always a must, because almost always things are cheaper right as you enter a country. Well, right away we were warned that because of the Swine flu we could not buy and or bring anything back with us from one border to the next, except for our bodies! It was crazy because we could bring back the virus just as easy without stuff as we could with stuff. Anyway, they said we could pass over and return. However, the process to get my passport stamped was more complicated than we thought it was going to be. However, needless to say 3 boat rides, 4 passport stamps and 3 hours later mission accomplished.

After our short stay in Paraguay we all returned to start our weekend of missionary fellowship. The weekend was great for me because being that I am new to the Argentine Lowland team there were many missionaries I only knew by name. We kicked off the weekend with an early sweet 16 dinner for Elizabeth Cook and ended with all day strategy/policy meeting. Overall, it was a great weekend because it was a time to hear what God was doing all over Argentina and what he is cooking up. As well as I got to return back to Santiago with my favorite/partner missionaries, the Cooks and we were able to stop in one of the small towns where they used to live near and minister and attend a church serve and fellowship after with one of the families. Honestly, God is moving here in Argentina, he is opening doors, please pray for his workers to be diligent to answer the call and start the work.