Much appreciation is expressed to friends from the Centro Nikkei Argentino, who were instrumental in arranging these meetings for us. It was an honor for us to meet with some of the leaders and others who shared the vision and purpose of the community organization. They are also preparing for the bi-annual (every two years) event known as COPANI (the Congress of Pan American Nikkei).
So began the Argentinian journey. Together with Pastor Rick, missionary, Ligia and worker, Erika, we embarked on a ten-day study and ministry trip to Buenos Aires.
After our initial meeting with community leaders, we went on to meet with pastors, preaching in three churches, ministering in a four day youth camp, and visiting other mission agencies and churches (non-Nikkei) to round out our time in the country.
God had much to teach us about ministry in a different culture. Camp was a stretch as we ate dinner at 9pm, began our worship time at 10pm and began preaching at 11pm. The service ending between 1am and 2am.
If JEMS is to begin ministry in Argentina, we will need to rewrite our training manual with special attention to the cultural peculiarities of that country.
Pastors Retreats: Holiness and Free Methodist denominations
I was privileged to attend both retreats part-time, further cultivating our relationship with the principle Nikkei ministries in Brazil. Rick and I were also able to meet with the Pastors Federation of Sao Paulo. I am currently attending the Free Methodist Pastors Retreat.
National Staffing
Pastor Rick and I had the opportunity to discuss the idea of planting a staff person in Sao Paulo with the responsibility of maintaining national relationships, receiving and training JEMS teams, and accompanying teams into new fields as necessary.
As the South America department lifts up its eyes to Argentina and Peru, it becomes clear that we will one day soon need a Spanish speaking field coordinator.
Yet to Come
I will be visiting four churches in the interior of Sao Paulo state, over a period ten days, spending approximately thirty hours traveling on the bus. These meetings and accompanying visitations have been confirmed: Bastos, Adamantina, Tupa and Pompeia.
After returning to Sao Paulo on February 6, I will travel by air to the cities of Curitiba in the south, Campo Grande in the central west and Belem in the Amazon (northern Brazil).
Prayer requests:
Continued open doors
Health, especially my lower back
Energy for the intense travel schedule
Posts you may have missed:
Posts you may have missed:
- Pastor John´s January and February ministry schedule. Please pray!! Link
- Happy New Year photo from Pastor John and his kids!! Link
- "The Nativity" Christmas message from Pastor John: Link
- Merry Christmas PHOTO from the JEMS Staff Link
- JEMS welcomes new staff member. Meet Rianna
- Invitation video for 2013 missions - Link
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