-- Dean & Nathan minister in Santiago, Chile --
July 28, 2008
Thank you so much for helping me financially and with your prayers for my ministry trip to Chile. It has impacted my life more than all of the previous ministry trips- and it was because of your help it was made possible.
We didn’t know what we were going to do until we got down to Chile; but we had to be flexible with whatever we had to do! Our team ended up doing three main things. Our main task was construction at the Santiago Teen Challenge center called “La Casa del Alfarero” for 4 days. We worked on sanding and painting steel beams, mixing and pouring concrete, and cleaning up LOTS of “stuff”.
Then we helped paint the church (Catedral Del Rey- Cathedral of the King) for one day where Brother Italo Frigoli is pastor. On last day the team was in Chile we helped the Hosanna soccer team provide a “Sunday School / Soccer camp” to help start a church in a very poor community. We were able to give over 75 kids each a soccer ball, a uniform, and a Bible.
The part of the trip that impacted me the most was when we helped do the soccer camp with the kids there. Since soccer is a passion for me it really meant a lot. It was amazing to see all of the kids and teenagers play soccer- they were all very good no matter how old they were. After the soccer part of the camp and the day was almost over, we did a devotional with the kids and a few dramas. Then we gave all of them a Bible, a uniform and a soccer ball. Even though we couldn’t understand their words too good- we understood their gratitude easily because we all got lots of hugs- and the smiles on their faces told it all!
But the language barrier was still a problem. I leaned Spanish for four years in elementary but that was almost three years ago. A little of it came back to me and there was a couple of people on our team who spoke a little Spanish, but otherwise we all smiled and nodded our heads A LOT! So now I am taking a whole different approach on learning Spanish in high school.
The most rewarding part of the trip was the smiles on all of the people’s faces that we helped. Whether it was painting or sanding steel beams or even just kicking a soccer ball around together; it always made me smile when I saw them smile. Knowing they would now hear more about Jesus made all the difference in the world!
I would like to especially thank you for your prayers and for your support. Without it I wouldn’t have been able to ever go on this trip. I realize now more than ever how grateful we should be for what we have and where we live. This trip has meant so much to me that I could talk about it for a long, long time. But again, thank you, for helping me to minister in Chile.
With much appreciation,
Nate
