And now for something completely different.
Or, such was my impression coming into the country of Argentina. Even from the air I could tell that something was different upon coming into Buenos Aires. It appeared as if I were flying into London, Indianapolis, or a city like that, but not into a Latin American city. This sensation of bewilderment would come to be quite familiar as I became more acquainted with my surroundings.
I was met at the airport by the Rev. Daniel Genovesi, the rector of the parish at which I would be working and my neighbor by the church, and we began making plans for the work in the weeks to come almost immediately as we headed from the airport to the little hamlet which would be my home for the next two months. Arriving at the church, I met Daniel’s lovely wife and children, whom I would get to know quickly through our constant overlap in activities and contexts. We have become fast friends, and I enjoy being with them here very much. My own living accommodations include a little a little cottage by the side of the church with a bedroom, living room, kitchen, and bathroom, and it is quite comfortable!
The past week has been a whirlwind of activities: in addition to meetings with persons like the Dean of the cathedral, or time spent with the Archbishop and his family and friends, I have been getting acquainted with the weekly routine of the parish of San Marcos (St. Mark’s), things like the Bible studies, prayer groups, outreach projects, worship schedule, and getting to know the faithful of the parish (which has meant my consuming my first Argentine asado, a truly divine experience!).
The community itself presents an interesting challenge in and of itself. The church is situated in the area of Hurlingham, a section of Buenos Aires where the wealthy British immigrants who brought technology, railroads, and the like to Argentina had taken up residence. Walking through the streets, the brick cottages, trimmed hedges, autumn leaves, and stone walkways bring back memories of Oxford and Cheltenham, and this British sensation is not brought about not only by the architecture but also by the denizens. Hurlingham, more than any other place in Buenos Aires, is inhabited by a large number of the descendents of the British immigrants who still speak English as their mother tongue. Coming here, they built houses, schools, clubs, and churches. While those who have retained the English culture (significantly preserved and unchanged from about 80 years ago!) are at this point elderly and not a significance force within the community, they have still retained many of their customs, language, and way of thinking (as well as tea … it has been a long time since I’ve drunk so much British tea, not that I’m complaining). The parish of San Marcos has a remnant of these believers, and part of its mission is to reach out to them.
However, more significantly, San Marcos realizes that its future lies in Spanish (or rather, Porteño) speaking residents of Hurlingham. This transition has been difficult, and appeared for a while to have been hampered by a church split occasioned by some Neo-Pentecostal elements within the congregation, but for the last few years, many new Spanish-speaking young families have been coming to San Marcos and forming the base for new ministry, while a goodly number of mature believers from prior epochs have stuck around as well, and there exists an atmosphere of peace and growth within the congregation.
So, how is my visit to Buenos Aires fitting in with what our living God is doing here in Hurlingham? Well, my visit here is certainly very different from my trips to other areas of Latin America. The chief difference is not merely in economics or culture (which are certainly different here in Hurlingham), but the sense that I have come to a place where the situation is need, not crisis. I am able to contribute where this gesture will be valuable, but without the desperation that I have observed in other Latin American churches (usually due to lack of laborers in the harvest), and this normalcy will be invaluable for me as I myself learn and prepare myself for future ministry.
My tasks for the coming weeks include regular preaching and leading of worship, leading Bible studies, accompanying Daniel on pastoral visits, helping with a youth retreat, and leading several advanced studies and workshops (on diverse topics such as the question of suffering, the importance of the Reformation, etc.). While there will be much to do, in everything I have the aid of Daniel who has committed to being a mentor for me while I am here.
Our sovereign God is so good and so faithful here, and I am very happy to be here. There is much to do, and much to learn, and (frankly) little time for checking up on internet, so I ask forgiveness for my delinquency in updating this blog, but I hope this has sated in part the desire of some to know what has been happening to the gringo in Buenos Aires. I hope to get some pictures up soon … I just haven’t taken them yet! In addition, I include a few things that I wish that I had realized before getting here:
1. Not only do Argentines eat late, but they eat heavy late. It is not uncommon to have a two course meal with desert and coffee afterwards but begin the whole process around 10:00 at night. I know. I am feeling the effects a bit …
2. Albergue, the word for “orphanage” in Perú (for instance, "Albergue Infantil Hogar de Esperanza" the orphanage at which I volunteered after graduating from college), is the word for a pay-per-hour hotel. If you know what I mean. I found this out about a week and a half too late, after telling practically everyone that I volunteered my services at, well, you know. One of those places. Ay, caramba.
3. To say “hello” and “goodbye”, the grown men of Buenos Aires are accustomed to kiss each other on the cheek. I had to adapt quickly to this, but it is a bit on the weird side. Still.
Well, this is about all for now. I should wrap this up. Please pray for the church of San Marcos, here in Hurlingham, and that this time would be productive for me and beneficial for the congregation. Please pray for good health, both for me and for Daniel (who is recovering from a radiation treatment for hyperthyroidism). And please pray also for our bishop, Gregory Venables, who right now is at an important church council in Jerusalem and later goes to the global Anglican conference at Lambeth which meets every ten years: please pray for wisdom and faithfulness to the Word of God and the Testimony of Jesus Christ. Thank you for your prayers.