Catamarca is always a
whirlwind because I have so many people that I want to see when I visit… I never
seem to have enough time to see them all.
Unfortunately, I didn’t get pictures with everyone since I was enjoying my
time I didn’t always remember to get my camera out… like most other trips my visits
were planned around meals which is super common in Latin America. There were days I would visit with one family
for lunch, another for merienda, and another for dinner… other days I would
have a break between the visits and go back to Parque America to play with the
kids or rest.
Since Soledad was so
busy we made sure to make plans a couple times throughout my stay… including
lunch at her place on August 9th. I love
visiting her house as it is where Matthew and I stayed for our honeymoon. God has blessed them so much and they have
been able to add onto the house throughout the years. That evening Julio picked me up and I went over
to their new house for dinner. I love
Julio and Magui… and being able to get to know their sweet girls. I have walked along them through many trials and
love the passion they have for the Lord and serving the kids in their new
neighborhood.
The next day, I went
to dinner with Mauricio and his family.
Mauricio was only 13 or 14 when I met him and one of the first youth that
I had the opportunity to disciple when I moved to Argentina. Now he is a loving husband and father. Of course, I took advantage of going out to dinner
with them and we went to my favorite restaurant… where Julietta works…
Dinner with Maurcio...
On August 11th,
I relaxed during the day and then Matias 9 picked me up on his motorcycle and
took me out for merienda. We visited for
an hour or so before his wife met up with us.
It was a joy to finally get to meet her.
Matias is one of the guys I was able to lead to the Lord and
disciple. Now he leads a small church in
the area. I enjoyed getting to know his
wife, Leonela, better as we walked to a nearby church for a combined youth activity. While I didn’t know many of the youth, since
they were all little kids when I lived in Argentina, I did enjoy catching up
with the leaders who were all youth when I was a missionary in the area.
Hanging out with Matias & Leonela
Over the weekend I was
sick, so I didn’t do much other than go to Sole’s baby shower and church but on
Monday Sole and I once again got together and toured Catamarca with her
car. Then that evening, Franco, Yanina,
and Milagros came over to visit me. I met
them my first year in Catamarca. They
were a very poor family that I would invite over to my house for lunch to feed
them and give them a roof over their head even if for just a few hours. Thanks to technology we have been able to
stay in touch over the years. I cannot
believe how big their daughter is now… I love seeing how well they are doing
and how much God has provided for them throughout the years.
Franco, Yanina, & Milagros...
On Tuesday, Matias 9
and I connected again. He took me into
the center and visited with me while I did all my last-minute shopping for souvenirs. It made the shopping a lot more enjoyable not
having to do it alone. It is a lot
harder for the girls to go into town with the little ones, so I was glad to
have Matias’ company.
On Wednesday, I went
over to Jimmy & Marisa’s for lunch.
I remember holding Sheila as a baby and now she is all grown up. I loved catching up with them and hearing
about how God is at work at their church.
I worked alongside them for three years in Catamarca before helping the
Millar’s start the new church. That
afternoon, Eugenia came over for Merienda.
Even though it was just a short visit with her it was a sweet time of
fellowship. She was one of the few
friends that was close to my age in Catamarca.
In the evening, I went to Abel and Julieta’s for dinner. It was crazy having their older son pick me
up on the motorcycle… my have the kids grown.
I spent hours eating and visiting with the family. My time with Abel and Julieta is always one
of my favorite memories in Catamarca.
They went through a lot in the last few years, so it was good to be able
to spend time together in person and be able to encourage one another.
Jimmy, Marisa, & Sheila (just mission Jair)
Visiting Eugenia...
Abel, Julieta, & Clan...
On Thursday, Damian
and his wife invited me over for lunch.
I was able to meet their sweet son.
I love having such a wide range of friends that I met throughout the
years from different groups. Damian has
been a constant friend during my time in Argentina and was always willing to
help me out any ways he could. That
evening, I went to Matias Maubecin’s church to meet his wife. I enjoyed seeing him serve in the worship
group and seeing the passion his wife has for worship as well. Of course, I was a bit nervous when they
called me up front to share a bit.
Overall, it was an enjoyable experience.
Meeting Damian's Son...
Since we didn’t have
much time to talk at church they invited me over to their house for dinner on Saturday
night. Mauricio drove me over on his
moped which was broken. My legs were
sore by the end having to keep them lifted the entire ride. It was an enjoyable visit and I loved getting
to know Matia’s wife. Matias is another
one of the guys who I was able to disciple and watch come to know the
Lord. Watching him serve the Lord and leading
His family brings a smile to my face.
Unfortunately, there
were many others that I didn’t have a chance to connect with. There just doesn’t seem to be enough time…
but I treasure the time I had to visit with each of these people and the encouragement
they were to me while I was in Catamarca.
It was just what I needed to return home refreshed and ready to face
another year of school and work combined.
Hanging out with Mauricio (my chofer)
Dinner with Matias...
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