Chivilcoy Celebrates 156 Years

On Friday, October 22 the President of Argentina, along with her husband (the previous president), the provincial governor, local mayor and other officials visited Chivilcoy for the city's birthday celebration.  Our curiosity got the best of us, so we went to the city's main square to have a look!  We ended up waiting in a mass crowd for two hours for the President's late arrival.  Once she and the other politicians were on the platform we went home to listen and watch on TV.  According to the local paper 22,000 people filled the plaza in this city of just 70,000!!!  If you follow Argentine news, you may have heard that the presidents husband, probably the most powerful person in Argentine politics, died of a massive heart attack just five days after he was in Chivilcoy.

Debbie, Rocio (one of our youth), Danny and Kristi

A literal sea of people spilling into the plaza (left) and filling the entire width of a four lane avenue.  The municipal palace is seen in the background.

View of the platform

Flags and hats are worn by syndicate members.  Argentina has very powerful syndicates.

Four thousand students from local schools were present to sing.  Some of our own youth were in the group seen on the steps of the Catholic Church in the background holding flags.

President Kirchner comes onto the platform (far left in tan outfit)

A large screen in front of where we stood gives a close up view of the politicians, with Mrs. Kirchner and her now deceased husband on the right.

Mother's Day & Youth Night

On October 17th. Argentina celebrates Mother's Day. This year we worked with our youth to prepare them for heading up the entire worship service.  They did a fabulous job picking hymns, leading the service, playing all the instruments, reading Scripture, poems and several meditations.  The kids from children's church also sang.  Pray for God to raise up faithful servants from among our youth!

Diego was the service leader.  Some of you may remember praying for him a couple of years ago when he suffered a stroke while playing soccer.  You would never know today that anything happened to him.

Children's church is a new ministry in our church, which helps to provide three things:  teaching oriented to children ages 4 to 8 years; ministry opportunity, especially for our youth; a little quieter atmosphere for the preaching time in the worship service!  The children's church kids prepared a special number for the mothers.

Ailen was one of two young ladies who shared a poem in honor of our mothers.

Walter had the important task of giving the announcements.  Many of you prayed for Walter around the same time as Diego.  He has suffered from a complex sickness involving his immune system.  His health is stable, and past symptoms cured.

Rocio was our pianist.

Most of the youth group sang a special number.

Braian did Scripture reading.  Braian and his family attend church regularly and need prayer for salvation.

Jonathon read a meditation.  He's growing in Christ, and will be baptized in November.

Our son Danny also read a meditation, and obviously we're proud of him!

Matias read the final meditation.  Matias is brother to Walter (above), and really seems to be growing spiritually.

They youth did a fine job with the music, which they participate in regularly.

An excellent group was in attendance for the Mother's Day special meeting.

Pastors Gathering in Chivilcoy

In September, one of our National colleagues suggested a day retreat for missionaries and National pastors to gather in Chivilcoy for fellowship with Deb's folks and to receive needed encouragement from the Scriptures (Deb's dad preaching).  Most of our colleagues were able to make it, and the granite counter top in the new kitchen was being installed as they arrived!  Not only did we enjoy the Word and the fellowship, but we were able to use the new kitchen at lunch time!

Pastors and missionaries are encouraged as Dad "P" preaches

National pastor and missionary wives

National pastors and missionary men