Other Ministry Opps 
 

We prayed for a girl with cancer in the poor part of town. We witnessed to a family on the beach. We encouraged a young believer we met at a park. Lucy had a long talk with a man on the bus ride to Colonia. We passed out many tracts in Spanish to hotel workers, bus drivers, people at airports and all over. One memorable time was when we went sightseeing to a famous fort at the western edge of Montivideo. After we got out of the bus, 4-5 poor kids came running up to us to ask for money. The bus driver kept them from us by telling them that if they do not bother us, he will give them money when we are done. Well, when we came back to the bus there they were and the bus driver gave them a little money. But we went over to them and gave them some gospel tracts. Literacy is very high in Uruguay and they could read. After getting our tracts they had smiles on their faces and ran to a nearby tree to sit down and read them. We have a wonderful picture of them eagerly reading the tracts.

Expect the Unexpected 
 

While sightseeing with Beatriz, Juan, Renzo, Gisharmo and Monica far from home base the van broke down and we missed the next day’s speaking opportunities with some public school teachers and another event with Beatriz’s English Institute students. We learned flexibility through this and other experiences (like eating supper at 9pm every night). We were able to talk to some of the English Institute students on another ocassion. Click here to hear my interview with them.

Photo Summary 
Click here to see some of our photos. Click on each photo that you want to enlarge.

Value for Beatriz 

The trip was of great value to Juan and Beatriz and they asked us to stay another week or 2. We were unable to extend our trip, but we did get them in touch with a missionary there who has a great heart for God and for the people of Uruguay (John Hamilton). 

If you know Spanish, click here to hear Juan's goodbye to us.

Uruguay Pastor 
 

We visited 3 churches and spoke in one. While I was speaking I also gave Beatriz an opportunity to share how she got saved. Our family sang a song in Spanish that we had been practicing. One of the churches in the poor part of Montevideo has a daily program of feeding the poor. I took some photos of their unfinished building and am hoping to find a sister church for them in the States that can help them financially. 

Monica 
 

Monica, who also was in the States with Beatriz, was with us much of the time the first week, but then had other responsibilities the second week. It was fun to meet her relatives and see where she lives. One relative works for the Uruguay Tourism Department and he gave us many posters. Ask us if you want one!

Value to Us 

How would I summarize the value of the trip for us?

1) it had great value in recruiting potential staff (my kids) to ISI or other missions work.

2) it gave us greater cultural sensitivity. Language is a BIG issue. Sitting in a church service not understanding anything made us (especaially Larry; Deanna & Lucy did well in Spanish) want to make sure we have translators or other help for internationals with limited English that attend our meetings here. It also helped us understand in a greater way how different people can live. It will help us to be more alert to possible language or cultural misunderstandings that students may have in relating to us or other Americans.

3) it strengthened my (Larry's) commitment to better equip returnees right before they return and then continue to stay in regular communication with them especially that first year or two. We are continuing talks about how we can help Beatriz & Juan serve the Lord there by possibly recruiting people for a Christian school that they are considering starting.