I have now lived in Argentina for 3 ½ weeks. This first month has been all about getting adjusted, learning about the culture, meeting new people, starting to learn Spanish, and studying the Bible.
I am really enjoying living in a big city. So many of the buildings are really pretty, it’s fun to just walk down the street and observe my surroundings. Buenos Aires is HUGE and has lots and lots of random stores. The other day I saw one store that only sells crazy hats. Taking the Subte (Subway) is also really fun. Most of the Subways that I have seen are wooden inside. They twist and turn and if you don’t hold on then you are very likely to fall over (of course I would not know this from experience…hahaha ;)) Being on Subways feels like you are on a ride at Disney Land. It’s fun!
It’s also been especially great to meet people my age. Last Sunday I went to the Japanese Gardens with one of the local church’s youth group. I met some really awesome new friends that I’m excited to hang out with more! I’ve also spent a lot of great time with Ashley, my friend from ACU who asked me to come here. Whenever I spend time with her I always end up meeting really interesting people from places like France, Australia, Venezuela, Peru, and Ireland. There are a lot of neat and interesting people here.
Learning Spanish is going well. I can now introduce myself to people! Ha, yes I really was starting from nothing. Karina is a great teacher who is teaching me well. I am learning and understanding so much more everyday. There is still quite a ton to learn but I am trying hard and hopefully I will become more conversational in the next few months.
The food here is really good. I have had no problems adapting to it. They have really great bakeries here that sell “factoras.” In fact, all of their dairy, bread, and meat products are really good. The ice cream is absolutely amazing. I have never tasted anything so wonderful. Supposedly people from Italy brought ice cream here and now it is even better than Italian gelato. I believe it! I’m pretty sure I’ve already gained weight…oops!
Oh and speaking of food, Last Sunday we handed out food to the homeless. This is a really cool thing that the Berryman’s and their neighbors do. Every few weeks they make food and deliver it to some of the people who are homeless in the neighborhood. Here in Argentina they do not have near as many programs that give people who are homeless food. Whenever we drove up to give people food, they just started appearing. The people seemed so excited to get food. It was Awesome!
In the next few weeks our church is starting a new small group. We are going to be studying the Alpha Course. This course is supposed to be really good. We have invited people to come and are excited to see what God has in store for this new group. Also in the next few weeks I am going to start teaching “Let’s Start Talking.” This is where I teach English using the Bible. I’m very excited and ready to start these classes!
There are so many things that I have already learned. For example, I have learned that most of what I say is unimportant. I say this because sometimes with my host family I try only to speak in Spanish. Most of the time whenever I do this I spend the entire time looking up what I want to say. Once I figure out how to say what I want to say, the conversation has usually moved on to the next subject. And guess what, no one even misses that “crucial” comment that I had to say. It’s really funny. This is teaching me to listen more and to talk less.
Overall so far I have to say that this journey to Argentina has definitely been intense. Everyday there is so much for me to learn and observe. Sometimes this is quite a challenge. In the midst of all of these changes I have to remember that God is present. He is holding me in His arms. I must constantly remember to seek Him first. Not me or anyone or anything else.
I am so thankful to you my friends and family in the States who are praying for me. I cannot express to you how much this encourages and lifts me up. It was so good to talk to the youth group at Monterey last night, thanks so much for your support, it made my day! God is good and He hears our prayers.
If you have any prayer requests please email or Facebook me. I would love to be praying for you as well!
My 1st Night in Argentina with the Berryman's and my roomate/friend Sofie
Ashley and I in a cemetery
My room, isn't it cute?!
My picture wall inside of my closet!
My Argentine family who I live with!
Some of my new friends at the Japanese Gardens :)
One of Karina's friends is in make up school and used my face to make a 1940's look!
One of the beautiful French looking buildings close to my apartment!
