My life, part 2

Mariela, the girl on on the left, asked for this picture to be taken with me but then put on a very serious face! The women seen in the background is Mariel, a member of the local community who lives part-time in the city and is going to run the clothing sale I'll mention at the end of this post.

Okay, the "job" part of my current life. If you get my newsletter, you saw in November the following description of my job: the CHE programs developed by LifeWind lead to individual and community transformation in all aspects of life: spiritual, physical, emotional, vocational. The job description for my role as CHE facilitator is in part to:

• Mentor local CHE programs in assigned areas to ensure sustainability and quality.
• Implement expansion of CHE programs in assigned area by initiating relationships with new workers, organizations, or churches which are interested in developing a holistic community development program.
• Correspond and meet regularly with the local CHE team leaders for mentoring, mutual guidance, spiritual encouragement, and continuing accountability.
• Plan and facilitate Vision Seminars and Training of Trainers (TOTs).

So, what does that mean right now? Well, I'm in Argentina because there are several groups and individuals that have been working in poor areas (rural and urban) and want to start more holistic development work. See my February 10 post on the work in el Delta for an example of such an invitation. LifeWind International is in nearly 80 countries, but up until now has not had any complete programs in Argentina or Uruguay. So I am here to walk alongside of the people that are ready to work for change in their communities.

What does that mean? In this phase, it means I meet with people, either in formal meetings or by accompanying them where they are working. The past two Saturdays I spent on the island in el Delta helping serve food to the kids, getting to know both the volunteers and the people in the community, and meeting about future projects. For example, they receive donations of clothing from Spain and in the past have given them away in the community. They recently recognized that it is better to sell things for a small amount of money both so that the goods are appreciated and to treat the recipients with dignity. We discussed some details of the upcoming sale, which was of course first approved by the Spanish donors!

In the photo below are Vanina and Alejandra in el Delta: