A Place to Worship

We have found home churches!! Since leaving the Quinta, and consequently the church we were working with, Kari and I have greatly missed and longed for a church we could feel at home in. We visited several in the process, but none really felt like they 'fit'. We know you will never find a perfect church here on earth, so we kept that in mind, but still nothing felt like it was a place we could get involved in and really get to know people and fellowship together. In the past month, God has led both of us to churches where we know He has plans for us. We were really hoping to find a church together, but even though that has not happened we are both excited with where He has us.

Kari has begun helping with a church plant in Quebracho. Some friends of ours are on the leadership team of this church plant and Kari had gone out a few times to visit the church. She really felt like she wanted to be involved there and help out, but didn't want to put herself in the middle of their plans and trusted that if God wanted her there, He would orchestrate it and provide the way. Shortly after that, she was asked if she would be willing to help train their Children's Church leaders. She agreed, but didn't really know what the arrangement would be - if it would be temporary or not. But she knew that if she was going to help out she wanted to actually get involved in the church and not be the 'Gringa' that comes on Sunday and tells everyone what to do but isn't really involved and doesn't really know anyone. So she shared these concerns and the desire to be more involved and it has beautifully unfolded since then. It has been really neat to see how she has blossomed in this new community and how they have embraced her.

Andrea has begun going to church with Orlando at his mom's church. At first, neither one of them thought they really would like this church or that it would be a fit for them, but both have been surprised! They really enjoy it and look forward to it. There is a family feel to it - in the way the families interact, in the way the congregation interacts like a true family, and something in Andrea's heart just says 'ya, this is family'. This church is also involved with Compassion International, and Andrea is planning to at least check it out and see if God may have a place for her in that ministry within the church. Before Orlando got really sick, they were invited to help out with the youth but have not yet been able to explore what that could look like. Hopefully soon, Orlando will be feeling better and they can get more involved. The barrio it is situated in is not a particularly safe barrio and unfortunately all the services are at night so Andrea does not yet feel comfortable or safe venturing there without her handsome sidekick, Orlando.

Thanks to those of you who have been praying for us to find a home church!