by Rev. José Orlando & Yolanda Rivera

“He said to them, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake; and for the sake of the gospel, will save it.” —Mark 8:34-35, NRSV

Daniela, 4, has attended our hot-breakfast program since she was 2 weeks old. She and the rest of her family of 10 live in a neglected neighborhood on the outskirts of Villa Mercedes, Province of San Luis, Argentina. Daniela is one of a growing number of children who benefit from this weekend ministry. What is missing at home is provided lovingly by Alicia, Yolanda, Paola, Mimi, Carolina and the other volunteers who week by week make possible this wonderful blessing for both the community and the congregation. Along with breakfast, the children enjoy arts and crafts and Bible lessons.

Matias, 9, is the son and grandson of church members. Born prematurely, he was placed in an incubator, and his eyes were permanently damaged. What he lacks in vision, he makes up for in the joy of being alive and participating in church activities. Recently a volunteer team from Virginia came to town to repair the sanctuary roof. They brought with them a complete Braille Bible, a Braille watch and calculator, and othermaterials that made Matias shout, “Now I can read the Bible!”

We work together in a three-point charge, covering a great distance (the equivalent of having a parish that extends from Los Angeles to San Diego), but we are enormously blessed by our parishioners. Weekday ministries are diverse: clothing distribution, painting workshops, prayer meetings, sewing classes and tutoring. Our church is alive, striving to reach out, to make a difference and to be a transforming force in the community. The social and economic crisis affecting Argentina in recent years continues, but we feel God’s guidance and strength as we try to be the kind of witness the gospel calls us to be.

Daniela and Matias are just two of the great challenges and blessings presented to us as we serve in this wonderful corner of the world. We are grateful for these fantastic opportunities to be in mission through the Advance for Christ and His Church. Thank you!

God, help us to understand there is no greater joy and ministry than to serve those little ones in need of you. In your name we pray. Amen.

—The Rev. José Orlando Rivera, evangelism and church growth pastor, Evangelical Methodist Church of Argentina (EMCA) and clergy member, California-Pacific Conference, and Yolanda Rivera, community worker/program developer, EMCA

	See Also... Topic: Missionaries |  Advance |  Geographic Region: Argentina |  Source: Advance
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Date posted: Sep 14, 2006