a favorite picture and a funny story

Today Cole and I set out on our own to explore the city. As we walked the busy streets, people kept trying to stop us to sell us things or ask for money. As we were stopped at a crosswalk, a man would not stop talking to Cole (in Spanish and a little English) trying to get him to buy a jacket. Cole was getting frustrated and so thought he would try to outsmart him by responding in French. He said the only thing he knows how to say in French: " I am French". To his surprise, the man was all excited and began talking right back in French! I wish everyone could have seen the look of panic on Cole's face as he had no clue how to respond! Oh, my funny funny husband!

I can't think of a creative title...

Hola Amigos! This is Tina, this time. I took on the task of writing a blog update, and then realized that I am overwhelmed at the thought of describing our past week because so much has happened that I haven't had time to really process it all! But I'm jumpin in, so here goes...

We have been so blessed spending this past week with the family of Nueva Vida (New Life) Church. We have learned a lot through them about what it really means to love others, as they have shown us so much love continually.
Attending their worship services (we attended 3 on Sunday alone) is such an incredible experience. The Spirit of God is alive in this small church building in a powerful way! It was a blessing to see entire families crying out to God together, and even the littlest children raising their hands and jumping around with praise! We may not speak the same language as them, but we worship the same God, and I feel like worshipping with them in our own languages gave us a little taste of what heaven is going to be like.

Cole preached the sermon at Saturday night's service, and he did an incredible job! He spoke about the importance of
unity in the body of Christ, and he did it very well. I was so proud of him! There were about 100 people there, and Cole had our new friend Diego work as his translator. Diego and his family lived in Miami for 6 years, and so they all speak English rather well. He has 4 children, three of whom acted as shadows for us throughout this week. They even skipped school to come spend days with us and translate as we went about our day! It was so fun to meet them all. Pictured here are the four children: Fernando, Augustina, Elias, and Yamila. (I am in the back, because I secretly want to be a member of their family!)
:0)

We have grown to love many aspects of the Argentine culture, mostly the kiss on the cheek. Here, you do not enter or leave a place without first kissing everyone on the cheek! We have been kissed by every member of the church (which probably equals 1000 people!) We are thinking we might like to start that tradition when we return to Colorado... how do you think it will be received?

We are leaving for Buenos Aires, the capital city, to explore the city for a few days with some friends and then to attend the Harvest Evangelism conference. We may not have time to post more blogs for a while, because we will be busy with the conference and then we leave for Italy! We will be celebrating Cole's birthday in Rome... everybody leave him birthday messages on October 8th! :0)

Warm welcomings, 15lbs and an invitation without a choice

A few days ago we landed at EZE, one of Buenos Aires two airports. Having been traveling for almost 24 hours we were greeted at the airport by two members from the church we would be connecting with for the next week. Of the two only one of them spoke English--and her English is still in the works. Ruth, an 18 year old native to Argentina has been studying English in school for the past 2 years. She spoke English well enough to let us know we were in the right place and would be well taken care of (think of how well you spoke another language after studying it for two years in high school).

After about an hour car ride we arrived at the home of Pastor Alejandro, our host! The sunset picture here was taken while standing just outside his front door. Also pictured is the front of his home. Since arrival we have been treated as royalty, or so it seems. Everyone we cross paths with, though they don´t speak our language, makes it a point to see that we are comfortable. They will ask us, using mostly hand motions, if we are hungry, tired, thirsty, if we need cafe (coffee), etc... This culture is very welcoming and loving. You can´t enter a room without first greeting everyone with a kiss to the cheek. As far as the language barrier goes our hosts have made an effort to have someone who knows at least a hint of English be our shadow each day. We are amazed at how the people here are so willing to put their lives on hold to come and shadow us around and help us communicate--we are thankful for this.

Every day we are well fed. Huge meals are prepared and shared amoung family and friends. After we have had our fill our hosts still insist on us filling our plates again. Once the main course is finished it is time for desert. Each meal is at least an hour event-- dinner especially being 2 or more hours. Despite the language barrier great amounts of laughter are shared over these drawn out meals. I am sure that by the end of this week alone we will have each gained 15lbs.

Upon learning I (Cole) spent the last two years working with youth the pastor´s son, Diego (who heads the youth program here), made it a point that I would be teaching at the Saturday night service this weekend. No option was given, it was simply decided that I would be doing this. I´ve been told that the Saturday night service is mostly youth, but a handful of families come as well. Somewhere around 100 people will be in attendence. There is one family in the church who lived in Miami for 6 years, the father of this family will translate my teaching. This month they have been teaching on unity. So, come Saturday night looks like I´m teaching on unity. Pictured to the left is the front of the church.

One of the afternoons earlier this week Diego took us into downtown Buenos Aires. The picture above is of Tina and me standing in the heart of BA. Downtown felt very much like New York City. Also pictured here is Diego and me sitting on bench in a park in central BA that felt much like New York´s Central Park or even Denver´s Wash Park. (As a side thought: Tina says we would be friends with Diego if we lived here and spoke his language...his humor and facial expressions fit with the people we hang out with at home). The feeling in downtown BA is very different from the dirt roads, fenced off houses, shards of glass fixed in the tops of tall cement walls, strong odors, and dozens of roaming stray dogs that characterize the area where we are staying this week.

Two cute kids and a shout out to "the big E"

Well, tomorrow morning we are headed for Argentina. It has been a gift this past week to be with Tina's family. The two youngest of Tina's five nieces and nephews are pictured here. Also, durning our last day here in Connecticut we spent the day with Mamma Esther at the yearly big E fair.

Time with Friends and Minor Delays

Since we've left Colorado the past week and a half has been a whirlwind. Pictured above you'll find Cole and Tina as they gaze across the reflecting pool in front of the Lincoln Memorial. Upon arrival in DC we were greeted at the airport by the beloved Jeff Hunt! In between Cole and Jeff riding around on skateboards like little school children, we were able to find time to explore downtown DC and accomplish what we came to this city for--getting our Visas! They actually gave us Visas to enter Kenya and India, and our trip can continue.

After a few short days at Casa de Hunt we were on our way to the south. Arriving in Raleigh, North Carolina by train we spent four days with Tina's best friend Jill, husband Michael and little Noah and Madison. Michael and Cole accomplished the all important task of building Noah an outdoor playscape strong enough to withstand World War III. Pictured to the left is Cole, Michael, Noah and Madison.

During our time in DC and Raleigh we learned of some health complications regarding Tina's grandpa. Grandpa George is 89 years old and has cancer in several places throughout his body. Uncertain of how much longer he had to live we have put our departure from the States on hold until September 17th. Curently we are in Bristol, CT with Tina's family. The past few days have been spent sitting with grandpa, playing card games with him, and setting out to be a source of life for the family during this time. Please pray for the time Granpa has left and the grieving process of the rest of the family.