Roman Catholicism is the dominant religion, but stemming from that, particularly when looking to some of the festivals held in the cities, a Spiritist movement is apparent. Amidst all of this, you also find that Argentina is one of the top missionary sending countries in the world.
For some of us, we think "missionary" as Western people going to a jungle or desert and reaching a people who have never heard of Jesus before. That's definitely part of it, but it's not the only way.
Being part of a very strong college ministry, you start to think that "missionary" means giving up a couple years of your life to reach people in another country, perhaps in a city, and specifically people your age with whom you can relate. That's definitely part of it, but it's not the only way.
Other visions of this M-word appear, most likely stressing "un-reached people groups" and Third World countries who lack water or suffer from HIV. This is a great and necessary beginning, however the reality is our scope needs to be much broader than this. We start of with the Acts 1:8:
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
We must note that the call to witness starts in Jerusalem, where the disciples were already making their home. Some churches have the sign when you leave the parking lot, "Welcome to your mission field"--to which, I've always felt was a little cheesy, but is nonetheless true.
Before any of this witnessing can even begin to take place, we must additionally remember where the source of power begins. The Holy Spirit will lead you, whether while you are ordering a burger at Wendy's or flying across the pond to serve the tribes in North Africa.
If the Spirit isn't in it, then it is nothing. It's like action without love (and if God is our source of love, the power of the Holy Spirit enables us to love boldly), mere clanging on pots and pans.
A note on those who are called to a specific ministry; a requirement of knowing our roots:
We must note that the call to witness starts in Jerusalem, where the disciples were already making their home. Some churches have the sign when you leave the parking lot, "Welcome to your mission field"--to which, I've always felt was a little cheesy, but is nonetheless true.
Before any of this witnessing can even begin to take place, we must additionally remember where the source of power begins. The Holy Spirit will lead you, whether while you are ordering a burger at Wendy's or flying across the pond to serve the tribes in North Africa.
If the Spirit isn't in it, then it is nothing. It's like action without love (and if God is our source of love, the power of the Holy Spirit enables us to love boldly), mere clanging on pots and pans.
A note on those who are called to a specific ministry; a requirement of knowing our roots:
Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things--and the things that are not--to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus who has become for us wisdom from God--that is our righteousness, holiness and redemption." 1Corinthians 1:26-30
Those who follow Christ are called bond servants (thanks to reading from Calvary Road am I reminded of this truth!). Bond servants have no salary, deserve nothing, and are obligated to serve their masters. Not the prettiest picture given to us, but if you couple this with the story of the master over his vineyard, you find that our Master is most gracious. Those who have worked before us will receive just as much as those who come after. We are more concerned about our pay, when we should instead be focused on the great love Christ has shown us!
Where am I going with all of this? Perhaps it threw me (and you?) off to hear that Argentina is sending out plenty of missionaries. Perhaps my own scope needed widening to believe that God put this particular country on my heart for a reason. To believe that all those prayers, the dream, and the other very clear evidences that lead me to going to Argentina was no accident.
This quote struck me from my last book:
Those who follow Christ are called bond servants (thanks to reading from Calvary Road am I reminded of this truth!). Bond servants have no salary, deserve nothing, and are obligated to serve their masters. Not the prettiest picture given to us, but if you couple this with the story of the master over his vineyard, you find that our Master is most gracious. Those who have worked before us will receive just as much as those who come after. We are more concerned about our pay, when we should instead be focused on the great love Christ has shown us!
Where am I going with all of this? Perhaps it threw me (and you?) off to hear that Argentina is sending out plenty of missionaries. Perhaps my own scope needed widening to believe that God put this particular country on my heart for a reason. To believe that all those prayers, the dream, and the other very clear evidences that lead me to going to Argentina was no accident.
This quote struck me from my last book:
"Missionaries should flow ever more freely from and to all six continents in a spirit of humble service. The goal should be, by all available means and at the earliest possible time, that every person will have the opportunity to hear, understand, and receive the good news."
Yes, it is beneficial for countries to have their own workers and missionaries. Yet I look at our own, and I can not help but think that a pair of fresh eyes from a Latin American country or a Southeast Asian one might help the good news of Jesus be more attractive to Americans. Kenya is another country dishing out plenty of missionaries, but extra hands in orphanages will never be a bad thing.
Argentina also happens to be on the rise economically speaking (though I'm currently a fan of the exchange rate). Should I be worried that I won't be getting to serve the poor as much as I had hoped? The books I've read explaining the overall situation for Argentines has only a couple paragraphs and one picture of the slums outside the city. The poor you will always have, I once read, and I actually have a feeling that it's much worse off than it appears.
Then I was again reminded of the caste system in India. There is a great mass of missionaries aimed at the Dalits or Untouchables. Do not the Brahmas and upper classes not need the same grace from God? Admittedly, it is harder, as hard as getting a camel through the eye of the needle. But Jesus soon after says what is impossible with men is possible with God!
I do not feel the need to defend myself, I seek only to address what some people, as well as myself, may be thinking about my next journey. I'm looking forward to more of what God has to show me about this trip. I'm thankful for the time beforehand too, as a chance for more listening and prayer for what He wants to change in me.
Yes, it is beneficial for countries to have their own workers and missionaries. Yet I look at our own, and I can not help but think that a pair of fresh eyes from a Latin American country or a Southeast Asian one might help the good news of Jesus be more attractive to Americans. Kenya is another country dishing out plenty of missionaries, but extra hands in orphanages will never be a bad thing.
Argentina also happens to be on the rise economically speaking (though I'm currently a fan of the exchange rate). Should I be worried that I won't be getting to serve the poor as much as I had hoped? The books I've read explaining the overall situation for Argentines has only a couple paragraphs and one picture of the slums outside the city. The poor you will always have, I once read, and I actually have a feeling that it's much worse off than it appears.
Then I was again reminded of the caste system in India. There is a great mass of missionaries aimed at the Dalits or Untouchables. Do not the Brahmas and upper classes not need the same grace from God? Admittedly, it is harder, as hard as getting a camel through the eye of the needle. But Jesus soon after says what is impossible with men is possible with God!
I do not feel the need to defend myself, I seek only to address what some people, as well as myself, may be thinking about my next journey. I'm looking forward to more of what God has to show me about this trip. I'm thankful for the time beforehand too, as a chance for more listening and prayer for what He wants to change in me.
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