South American Mission Trip Leg 3

Wow! Where to begin. This leg began with waking up at the camp at Pasandyu. We once again joined the Valette family for breakfast and afterwards SErgio transported us all up to Salto to see the work of Andy and kollettee Thompson. The Thompsons are missionaries that we support. The Thompsons moved to Salto from Colonia to take the place of the Daglio family who are now serving in Argentina. This was a difficult move for them in many ways. First, Salto is a higher class of society, and as such, made communication difficult for Kollettee, but PTL she got right up to speed. For ANdy, things have not gone as hoped. There have been growth issues, and work issues. Many men work some 5.5 days a week, leving little time for church ministry. Ricardo did train these men well, so what time they are able to give they do with enthusiasum. The Salto church is structuraly unique. The church building is laid out in a row home fashion, going strainght back with the sanctuary in teh front, folowed by classrooms, and then a room for volley ball. The living quarters are upstairs and actually go over the adjecent building to teh right of the church. Andy is hoping that the neighboor would be willing to sell the property below their apartment. This has caused some hiderance to growth, as they are unwilling to build in the current structure if they are going to buy the adjacent building. Please pray for them and this dilemna.

After touring the bouilding and seeing the town and minsitry of Salto, the Thompsons took us to lunch at a local restaraunt. Sometimes it seems all we do is eat. After a time of prayer (and my giving them the battery and saucepan they requested), we left for Pasayndu. On the way we stopped at the Hot Springs for a dip in the highly thereputic water. Dan Vallettee had this special treat planned for us, and it was very enjoyable.

Oh, I almost forgot. on the way to teh springs I was sitting in the second seat of Sergios van, and noticed a black cloud coming down the road towards us. This is a FIRST! We ran right into a swarm of bees! No one was hurt, but the windshield was covered with bees.

Leaving the hot springs brought us home and eventually an early dinner at 8:30pm. The Vallettes took us out for drop down the BEST STEAK I have ever eaten. If you are reading this tell Pete that I am sold on beef in Uruguay!

We returned to the camp for our sleeping and awoke the next mornign to breakfast and then some work around the camp. We cleaned up the work building so that they could begin to park vehicles in it.

After the work we had a quick lunch of Empanadas and sheperds pie before driving over the bridge to Argentina, and then to teh bus station for a two hour trip to Gualeguaychu where we met Tim Goossen.

Right now we are in his home where we will spend the night before the bus trip to Buenas Aries tomorrow.

Tonight we are scheduled to take part in the services of tims church.

Will right more later as there are others who need the computer and there is only one computer.