Monday, August 10, 2009

An answer to prayer: opportunity at my local church

Last Saturday night I had the immense privilege of facilitating a training with the youth at my local church. It was lots of fun! I didn't know a lot of the youth since at church they tend to sit upstairs in a balcony, so I don't even see them. It was also a huge privilege to have as my co-facilitators my good friends Nora and Monica.

A small group discussing how Paul knew so much about the Athenians, and what information he learned about their social and spiritual life.

Yay for Nora! She has been helping me at lots of trainings, and it was so great to have her at this one since she also works with the youth. Above her is a list of some of the ideas the youth had on how to strategically pray for the areas they are going to work in.

Here is the river crossing sketch we use frequently. Here the young woman desperately wants to cross the raging river to go to "El Dot." What, you may ask, is that? Well, while many people dramatize this story by needing to cross the river to be near their dying grandmother, Ana needs to go to the newest Buenos Aires mall! On the right of the photo you can see my friend Monica. She attends this church also and offered to come to pray during the training. However, since she's also taking our training in La Plata, she ended up helping one of the small groups with their tricky, worldview-changing assignment: thinking about relief, individual development, and community development.

Here is another small group. I am so blessed to have had this opportunity, and hope that we can repeat it. Many of the youth said that they want more trainings in these areas, and I also personally want to get to know them better since they are such a vibrant force at our church.


I don't usually use a microphone, but since there were about 50 participants it was necessary.

Florencia, our photographer for the evening -- she even took this picture! She's the daughter of Horacio and Silvia, of the Baradero team.