A day at the Army - buoyant worship in traditional and contemporary style and rich hospitality from our hosts.
Patricios Corps in Buenos Aires is very much like many Corps - Band, Songsters, worship Band. Worship format very similar to that we would expect in the UK. Testimonies flow freely from the congregation of around 60 - almost all of them testifying to God's provision for them as individuals. The age range is varied and includes the 'Argentinian Shirley Temple' who, after worship, treats us to a castanet demonstration and explains how she became a Salvationist following her bereavement of her husband - fascinating!
The windows at the back of the platform swing open to reveal a community hall easy and waiting for us to join with the Corps for lunch - we enjoy the best Milanese yet! The conversation is easy and moves around the differences and similarities between the Army in the UK and elsewhere. We share particularly with the Corps Sergeant Major and his wife.
A restful afternoon back at the training college precedes a visit to Nueva Chicago Corps and Men's shelter.
The shelter accommodates 32 in two dormitories, the conditions are basic but better than the alternative. Cost per man is approximately £2.50 per night. One of the residents is very open about his life and the fact that the shelter is a gift from God for him and the other residents. When he joins us for a meal at the Corps he converses easily in English, switches to French to speak to Norman and Spanish to those around him - it's easy to fall to the trap of thinking that physical poverty means educational poverty and experience poverty: Gustav clearly has plenty of both as well as a spiritual richness which falls in and out of conversation as necessary.
I chat with the young woman opposite me. Asking her what she does she tells me that she is at University at studying biochemistry - once more appearances could be deceptive. Next to her is a delightful elderly lady called Gladys. I tell that me Grandmother was called Gladys. A beaming smile communicates far more than words.
The worship meeting is full on! The very young worship band gives it everything they've got and the capacity congregation sings with abandon. Lieutenant Javier Paz leads the worship encouraging involvement from everyone there. Men and women of all ages, lots of young people fill the hall. Testimony is given by me and Catherine preaches. The congregation laugh in the right places and listen with great attention. The heat in the hall, like the Spirit, is intense. So much so that large fans are placed at the front of the hall - these only serve to blow any notes that might be used from the rostrum onto the floor!
LC Richard Fernandez interprets Catherine's sermon at the end of which there is a large response to the mercy seat - it feels very natural and is beautiful to be part of. God is good!
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