Youth Trip to La Paz

We kicked off our youth meetings this year with an unexpected trip to La Paz (outskirts of Montevideo). It was a rainy day and a long ride (2 hrs. +) both ways but it was very encouraging. We were able to participate with the much larger youth group of the church that the Carter family is establishing. There were times when the rain was coming down so hard on the tin roof that we could barely hear ourselves. But the youth enjoyed the games and the singing. Since the devotional was my responsibility, I won't venture a guess on whether or not it was enjoyed! My family and our co-worker, Bobby Vallette, joined us. You can see him here enjoying some hot "mate"!

Colonia Sunsets

Since our city faces West towards the Rio del Plata estuary, we get some amazing sunsets. You would think that after a while they would become commonplace and we would start ignoring them, but so far we're still amazed! Here are a couple of samples:

CWE Construction in Fray Bentos

Three men from our congregation, Bobby Vallette and I were able to lend a hand this last Monday in Fray Bentos. Construction for World Evangelism is completing a building project for the congregation there that is headed by missionary Sergio Duarte. We were sore by the end of the day but we were glad to be a part of what the Lord is doing there.
The church building is being completed right across the street from the city's public high school. The students pictured above are some of the many curious bystanders that can be seen during the day. Perhaps some will come to know Christ through this project.

Holy Week...er...Tourism Week

Some of you may realize that Uruguay is a very secular country. For example, Holy Week is officially called Tourism Week. That is, unless you live in the city of Paysandú where it is officially known as Beer Week. Other cities with festivals during the week give it equally mundane names. Kids have off from school the entire week and many parents take the week off as well.

The price of fish was a little higher than usual but, as a visitor, you probably would not have noticed anything unusual about this week. Though many claim to be Catholic, the religious celebrations during this week are discreet at best. People enjoyed the fine weather and the holidays but gave little or no thought to its spiritual significance.

Prayer Cards

We have made some new prayer cards (most of us are smiling in the picture) and we are in the process of sending them out to our supporters and friends. If you want a copy, please let us know.