Kids Small Groups

It wouldn't be an SK Argentina PEACE Trip if you didn't hear about another FULL-filling day as we ventured off for Moreno at 9:00 am and were not back into our hotel rooms close to 11:00 pm. The days are LONG but the life change and heart stories will go on til eternity.  All well worth it...and we take advantage of the 1-hour long bus ride to catch up on some zzzz's. 

We spent the bulk of our day in Moreno at a merendero (like a soup kitchen) where children in a poor community come for lunches three times a week and even dinners several times a week.  To see the difficult circumstances that these children live in, not just housing wise by with family, stresses, struggles, and more is heartbreaking. The team got to literally put the meal together as they rolled out torta frita dough, kneaded and pounded dough to then roll out homemade-from-scratch noodles, and chopped, diced, and cut everything imaginable (chicken, carrots, onions, tomatoes, and MORE).  It was a true team effort making a meal from love that would then be fed in the later afternoon to more than 40 children of all ages.  In the midst of all the cooking it was ALL about relationships as we played futbol, jumped rope, blew bubbles, face painted, chatted, prayed, and shared. 

A few quick and touching Jesus moments that stood out:
     - Kevin, one of the young adult leaders with a TOUGH background gave his life to Christ as Scott (as always) followed God's leading throughout the day.  The tears flowed and heavens celebrated as Kevin tearfully invited Jesus into his life. Please join us now in praying for Nadia, his girlfriend and daughter of the merendero's head (Norma) as BIG seeds were planted today but her tough background still keeps her from accepting God back into her life.
     - Bessie so beautifully shared her testimony of mommyhood with some young mothers and mommies-to-be. She was able to offer the most tender comfort and prayers especially to the expecting mother whose child may be born with difficulties. Her wisdom, experiences, and expertise provided peace as she guided her to God...not to mention all her Bible studies came in handy as she preached to the women answering questions and constantly pointing them back to our Heavenly Father.
 
The day wrapped up with the FINAL focused push to finish the fleece blankets. And the team bore down and did it reaching the goal of 90 no-sew blankets. Woohoo!  Way to get it done, SK Team Argentina!

As we finally lay our heads down to rest...well into the "start" of Tuesday already...we covet your prayers to continue to flow for rest, focus, and strength.  As we are reaching the "downhill" of the trip help every team member to remain encouraged with what they are doing. Help those who are still desiring to step up to rise up and do so. Give each person an opportunity to shine brightly for YOU, Jesus! Love and appreciate your prayers, dear friends & family.

The theme of this trip is evidently FULL-filling days.  Hard to believe when asked when we arrived it was merely yesterday...wowzers!  Well to conclude last night (as we were able to see the nicer packaged end results today at Saddleback BA) we completed 55 no-sew fleece blankets for the Venezuelan refugees. Just a few more to go in time for distribution on Tuesday.

Alright, now to today's day filled with worship as we praised God. Scott took Team 1 (Palmers, Darmawans, Dudlestons & Chengs) to Tigre while Liza & Hannah took Team 2 (Chens, Wus, Goleys, Minos) to Moreno. 

Team 1 was warmly received by the Tigre team.  An unprecedented event occurred in which the Pastor actually set aside the planned (outline provided to take notes) message as the Holy Spirit led him to do. This was because of the team's powerful introductions which included Scott preaching to the nations.  Always incredible when the Holy Spirit is freely flowing in our Father's house.  After this, Bessie & Eddie accompanied all of the kids (Dylan, Paige, Bailey & Tyson) to be part of Tigre kids serving the kids in 4 different classrooms of about 10 kids each.  Service attendance can be lighter on winter weekends due to the cold weather.  Lots of time building relationships with our Tigre friends capped off with a delicious pizza & hot dog lunch prepared by them while hanging out with the Tigre Teen ministry.  The start of some awesome friendships for sure!

Team 2 then traveled an opposite direction to Moreno where they too were welcomed well with two besitos and lots of hugs.  Similarly the team introduced themselves at the start of church services. It was even an announcement to the congregation that Saddleback Kids was coming to visit in the hopes more families would attend.  Very special!  After introductions, Freddy and Gabriel Mino brought a fortaleza (powerful) word from their testimonies and hearts to share AMOR for God and others...yes there was a very creative AMOR acrostic, of course. And Gabriel received claps & "Amens" after each segment of his teaching as it was all in Spanish. Good job, buddy! Meanwhile, the rest of the team was upstairs with the ISO kids teaching about worship with interactive skits, creative craft, and time to bond.  Team 2 also was blessed with an in-house lunch of rice & empanadas.  Full tummies and sleepy bus ride of an hour back to Palermo.


We were reunited for the evening where we dug deep for the walk to Saddleback BA serving at the 4, 6, and 8 pm services.  The majority of the team attended first, hearing Spanish Pastor Rick, while the Wus, Palmers & Scott served in a smaller SK service.  Then we flip-flopped for the 6 pm service as it is the biggest one.  Very cool to be at Saddleback Church, VERY much like being in Lake Forest, but in an urban center of Argentina.  Pleasure and privilege to watch these SK BA leaders serve so well and so enthusiastically just like their incredible leader Ceci.  After serving from 4-8:30 pm we grabbed a typical late night meal topped off with "vegetables" before hitting the hay.  Getting accustomed to the LATE Argentinian nights...hopefully not too accustomed as it is meaning little overnight sleep and lots of bus ride dozing.

With that, pray for SOLID rest for whatever time we have.  Pray for day #3 to be just as FULL-filling as these first two.  Pray for continued awesome spirits as the team has not complained or crashed despite the long days.  Pray for unity as we get to be together again all day as one strong Body of Christ.  Your prayers are felt and appreciated.

PHEW, to say that this team is FULL of troopers is an understatement.  Seriously, not many can say that they slept for up to 6 hours and as little as 30 minutes off-and-on for the delayed taking off/landing direct flight to EZE AND then endure a FULL day of ministry. First, a few pics of the team as we headed out (now that we have internet).

PRAISE God for His travel mercies in spite of an hour delayed take-off from LAX and then about 30+ minutes circling above EZE before landing due to fog. Your prayers truly landed us safely on the tarmac as we couldn't see Buenos Aires at all and were then delayed taxiing for another 20 minutes due to low visibility.  All good and ALL safe with ALL bags here and ready to go.

After a pretty long labyrinth out of the airport from the airplane to passport control to customs to baggage claim and finally the bus we were Buenos Aires bound for 45 minutes.  Let's just say EVERYONE caught up on some much needed zzzz's during the drive.  We arrived safely at our hotel and settled in with a pastry treat before a quick freshen up and walk to lunch then Saddleback Buenos Aires.  At our sister church, we were blessed to participate in the first-ever KSG Local PEACE Project.  Our 20-person team alongside parents and kids of KSG got to the task and challenge of creating no-sew fleece blankets for Venezuelan refugees.  It is pretty cold here in the winter (as we experienced the dramatic seasonal shift from tank tops & shorts at home to beanies & winter coats here).  Praying this is a small way the love of Christ can be shared with the Venezuelan refugees.




We literally spent hours cutting and tying away merrily, continuing to bond as a team and with our extended KSG Argentinian family.  Perfect timing to indulge in dinner...later than our usual CA time but still earlier than a typical Argentinian later night meal.  But the team pushed through and nourished up before stopping by the market for breakfast groceries and then finally back to the hotel by 9:00 pm. SERIOUS strong warriors pushing through physical, mental, and emotional fatigue. Now pray for weary bodies to get refueled for a FULL church day...and I mean FULL.

Prayers are of course, first and foremost, for rest and refuel.  Then pray for Freddy & Gabriel as they speak at one church and then anyone else who the Spirit lays on the pastor OR team members' hearts to share a word with the congregation.  Pray for our opportunities to partner with two different churches in the morning, blessing our travels and divided up team time.  Then pray for safe travels back and unity as we then minister over 3 services at Saddleback BA.  May our hearts be overwhelming with worship.

We are fed and hanging out as we wait for our slightly delayed flight to board. Set to board in about 30 and then depart closer to 3:50 pm. Thanks for your prayers as the drive to LAX, check in and security were all smooth and easy. Love you guys!

The 20-person team bound for the SK 2019 Argentina PEACE Trip is ready to go!  Pray for their final night of sleep before we meet and are OFF tomorrow (Friday, July 12th) in the afternoon.  If you are in the area, please join us at the MO2 offices @ Saddleback Lake Forest where we'll meet to load up and pray before being LAX-bound.  Pray for the teams rest on the plane, the pilots, and overall safe & easy delivery to Argentina on AA #991.