JM IN BA
SEPTEMBER NEWS 2010
¡MUCHAS GRACIAS!
Before I get to news,I would just
like to thank all of you for
supporting this endeavor.
Whether you are helping me
financially or through prayer, you
are all an important part of this
ministry; and I am truly grateful.
MY CONTACT
Email:
jmskinner87@gmail.com
Address:
Rio de Janeiro 840, Dept. 4A
Capital Federal 1405
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Blog: http://
johnmarkonstint.blogspot.com
STARTING OUT
So what exactly am I doing right
now? Excellent question...
Currently I am taking language
classes Monday through Friday
for two hours a day, and this
instruction is really helping.
However, these classes are also
cutting into my campus time a
bit. Unless you are fluent- or
close to it- when you get here,
they highly suggest taking these
classes because they are great
for the long run...and, since I will
have 13 more months here after
my classes, I consider it a long
run. When I am not going to
class, I am usually doing
evangelism on the Agronomics
campus. I really enjoy this
campus because it is somewhat
an escape from the city. There
are a lot of open spaces, animals,
etc., so it is right up my alley.
We are also on three other
campuses: law, economics, and
architecture. Aside from being in
classes or on campus, we have
our weekly meeting every Friday
night at 8, English club before
that, planning and prayer on
Monday mornings, and Team
Night/Bible Study on Tuesday
nights.
I hope everyone enjoyed this first news letter, and if you want more frequent updates check out my blog!
Meet the Team!
From L to R: Katie,
Cari, Kim, Me, Jessica,
Alexis, Ben, and
Tiffany
Prayer Requests:
-team unity
-quick adjustments
(ministry differences,
language, culture, etc.)
-Friday night ministry
-English speakers to
be provided
A Blessing in
Ministry Disguise??
Recently we were “kicked out” of
The Campus Crusade ministry here, and in all of South our usual Friday night meeting
America, is called Vida Estudiantil (Student Life). Here spot because the neighbors filed a
it consists of the STINTers (the team above), the complaint. I won’t go into details
Argentine student leaders, and the Argentine staff. We because I don’t know all of them
work at the Unviersity of Buenos Aires and are honestly, but I do know that our
currently on 4 campuses. On campus, we have several
group has met in the same spot for
ways of reaching students. We usually have a table set
over 15 years. However, I have to
up with information about our group (Vida Estudiantil)
admit that I think this change in
and its ministries. Vida has an English club, free to
location may be a good thing.
anyone who wants to come, in which we help students
Because we are not able to have
learn English. Also at the table we usually have some
everyone at the sede (office), we
sort of promotion. This month we had a drawing for
decided to split the group up into
100 pesos of photocopy credit at the campus. Because
guys and girls and have it at
most students’ books are photocopied, this giveaway
people’s houses. I really think that
was a big hit. To be eligible for the drawing, each
this more intimate atmosphere
student had to fill out a survey that asked how they
could improve their school, community, life, etc. It was will be better for ministry and am
excited to see how the Lord uses
a pretty good transition to the gospel, and we were able
to make some contacts out of it. Whoever is not being “persecuted” by our
manning the table is usually out doing initiative neighbors for good.
evangelism. This can take different forms; but a tool Something I’m Learning
that really seems to work here is a survey called
The Lord is teaching me many
Soularium, in which students answer questions by
things, but one of the most
choosing pictures to represent their answers (there are
about 50 to choose from). This tool is such a good intro prevalent is humility. I knew
to the gospel. I like to get to the gospel as soon as coming to a different country would
possible and I feel like the Soularium really makes it be hard; I just did not know to what
quick and easy. I’ve been able to have several spiritual extent. God is continually showing
conversations with people through this questionnaire. me that I can do nothing on my
Because I don’t feel like my Spanish is adequate for a own, revealing to me my sinful
spiritual conversation yet, the number of students I can pride, and reminding me that I must
approach with this topic is limited. English speakers rely on Him at all times.
are here in small numbers, and I am praying to meet
more of them daily.