Saturday, September 29, 2007
ARGENTINA TRIP - FRIDAY - DAY 7
I will do my best to stay brief with the events of yesterday and today.
As you know we missed the final evening session after Mo's visit to the Treatment Room - she just fancied being carried out by some of those hunky Argentinian medics!
SERIOUSLY - she had a good night's rest and is absolutely fine now.
THURSDAY 27th
After breakfast we went back to the radio station to get a few pictures and names and to ask about the times of prayer meetings etc. They were really pleased to see us again.
After that we decided to do a few touristy things. Buenos Aires is a truly beautiful city with open park areas and wide avenues. We took the underground to one of the main shopping areas and had lunch in one of the many pavement cafes. It costs jut 10p for a ticket and you can travel to any station you like on the one ticket - can someone please tell Ken Livingstone? It still seems that Brits are quite rare on the streets of BA and we have been made extremely welcome. The weather has been a bit like it was in the UK in April - a very warm start to spring. The highlight of the day was the taxi drive back to the hotel. A half hour drive cost £2 - amazing! I had a go at chatting with the driver and we were able to cover topics such as the weather - football - rugby - the economy - the Malvinas - the conference - the Catholic Church - favourite foods - ice cream - polo - and the Mafia - NOT BAD FOR A BEGINNER EH!
Arrived back at the hotel for another good night's sleep.
FRIDAY 28th
We decided not to travel too far today. We were keen to watch the England v Tonga match (4pm BA time) and we were told of a service at the second building a few blocks away at 7pm. I did my best to get the hotel internat connection working after breakfast - no luck yet.
We went to the supermarket and got some rolls, meat and cheese for lunch and had another rest before watching the match. Sorry to bore you non-rugby types but Paul Sackey's two tries were absolutely amazing - the second one has to be the best contender so far for try of the tournament. AM I RIGHT?
After the match we walked a few blocks to where the meeting was due to start and we had time to have some food - the best meal so far. Mos had a massive plate of chicken breast in mushroom sauce and I had a very large tender piece of Argentine beef - melt in the mouth food!
The church was kind of what I expected. The building is down on quality from the main auditorium - I'm sure I recognised the wooden benches from when we were here in 97. The room holds around 800 to 1,000 and at the start of the service there were about 50 present (around 200 by the end). That might not sound much like revival but we were both in tears as we recognised that this congregation is predominantly poor but not lacking in a passion for God. Also remember that this is a Friday night meeting - many more will gather for the Sunday meeting. It was not easy to follow as there were no words projected and no interprters but the sense of God's presence was powerful. The preacher - Juan Carlos Diaz - is an evangelist on Claudio's leadership team. He spoke briefly and passionately on the impact of the news of the resurrection of Jesus on the disciples from Mark 16. He then did a very strange thing. He took a couple from the front row and asked them to go and bring two others to the front to join them (to symbolise sharing the resurrection story). Those four were sent to find four others. By then Mo and I were roped in. I am sure you can picture the scene. Pretty soon all 200 of us were standing at the front and ready to be prayed for. Some might call it manipulation but everyone seemed genuinely pleased to be there.
This next bit is a big one - Mo was already shaking gently under the power of the Holy Spirit as Juan prayed for her - at this stage he knew nothing about her - from her response we could all see that she needed some deliverance so we were invited to a back room where he prayed some more with the help of an interpreter.
SOMETHING HAS DEFINITELY HAPPENED TO MO - the first thing she did after the prayer session was to write the words "IM FREE" (see the photo) As we were walking back to the hotel I asked her to tell me her date of birth and for the first time in over 4 years she was able to tell me. She also did some simple mental arithmetic. It seems she will have to work at getting the skills back - and we do have more opportunity toi receive prayer tomorrow and Sunday.
PLEASE KEEP PRAYING - GOD IS AT WORK
Love Terry & Mo
I will do my best to stay brief with the events of yesterday and today.
As you know we missed the final evening session after Mo's visit to the Treatment Room - she just fancied being carried out by some of those hunky Argentinian medics!
SERIOUSLY - she had a good night's rest and is absolutely fine now.
THURSDAY 27th
After breakfast we went back to the radio station to get a few pictures and names and to ask about the times of prayer meetings etc. They were really pleased to see us again.
After that we decided to do a few touristy things. Buenos Aires is a truly beautiful city with open park areas and wide avenues. We took the underground to one of the main shopping areas and had lunch in one of the many pavement cafes. It costs jut 10p for a ticket and you can travel to any station you like on the one ticket - can someone please tell Ken Livingstone? It still seems that Brits are quite rare on the streets of BA and we have been made extremely welcome. The weather has been a bit like it was in the UK in April - a very warm start to spring. The highlight of the day was the taxi drive back to the hotel. A half hour drive cost £2 - amazing! I had a go at chatting with the driver and we were able to cover topics such as the weather - football - rugby - the economy - the Malvinas - the conference - the Catholic Church - favourite foods - ice cream - polo - and the Mafia - NOT BAD FOR A BEGINNER EH!
Arrived back at the hotel for another good night's sleep.
FRIDAY 28th
We decided not to travel too far today. We were keen to watch the England v Tonga match (4pm BA time) and we were told of a service at the second building a few blocks away at 7pm. I did my best to get the hotel internat connection working after breakfast - no luck yet.
We went to the supermarket and got some rolls, meat and cheese for lunch and had another rest before watching the match. Sorry to bore you non-rugby types but Paul Sackey's two tries were absolutely amazing - the second one has to be the best contender so far for try of the tournament. AM I RIGHT?
After the match we walked a few blocks to where the meeting was due to start and we had time to have some food - the best meal so far. Mos had a massive plate of chicken breast in mushroom sauce and I had a very large tender piece of Argentine beef - melt in the mouth food!
The church was kind of what I expected. The building is down on quality from the main auditorium - I'm sure I recognised the wooden benches from when we were here in 97. The room holds around 800 to 1,000 and at the start of the service there were about 50 present (around 200 by the end). That might not sound much like revival but we were both in tears as we recognised that this congregation is predominantly poor but not lacking in a passion for God. Also remember that this is a Friday night meeting - many more will gather for the Sunday meeting. It was not easy to follow as there were no words projected and no interprters but the sense of God's presence was powerful. The preacher - Juan Carlos Diaz - is an evangelist on Claudio's leadership team. He spoke briefly and passionately on the impact of the news of the resurrection of Jesus on the disciples from Mark 16. He then did a very strange thing. He took a couple from the front row and asked them to go and bring two others to the front to join them (to symbolise sharing the resurrection story). Those four were sent to find four others. By then Mo and I were roped in. I am sure you can picture the scene. Pretty soon all 200 of us were standing at the front and ready to be prayed for. Some might call it manipulation but everyone seemed genuinely pleased to be there.
This next bit is a big one - Mo was already shaking gently under the power of the Holy Spirit as Juan prayed for her - at this stage he knew nothing about her - from her response we could all see that she needed some deliverance so we were invited to a back room where he prayed some more with the help of an interpreter.
SOMETHING HAS DEFINITELY HAPPENED TO MO - the first thing she did after the prayer session was to write the words "IM FREE" (see the photo) As we were walking back to the hotel I asked her to tell me her date of birth and for the first time in over 4 years she was able to tell me. She also did some simple mental arithmetic. It seems she will have to work at getting the skills back - and we do have more opportunity toi receive prayer tomorrow and Sunday.
PLEASE KEEP PRAYING - GOD IS AT WORK
Love Terry & Mo
HI EVERYONE! - Sorry that the blogs have dried up - the hotel wi-fi went down and it's just come back so I have a lot of catching up to do! I will put each day in a different blog and then I will try to blog some photos. Here goes then!
ARGENTINA TRIP - THURSDAY (DAY 6)
The Conference finished yesterday and it was an eventful day for both of us for all kinds of reasons, but first I want to let those of you who are interested in the work of Mission Direct (http://www.missiondirect.org/) know that we had an amazing "chance" meeting with the senior pastor and some of the members of the Abba Church in Campo Largo, Brazil. MD are working with them to build new homes for families living in the local "favellas" (slums). The church has strong links with Claudio Freidzon and Rey de Reyes Church here in Buenos Aires, so I was hoping to bump into them - it just so happens that the first Brazilian I met was from the Campo Largo Church - RESULT! They are so grateful for the help we are giving - the hugged us 'til we nearly popped!
Now to the main events of Wednesday. There were big highs and lows - a bit of a roller coaster.
After taking Tuesday night off we had a really good night's sleep and arrived at the church at 8am for a 10am meeting - it's what you have to do here to get a seat near the front! We were amazed to see around 500 people already there. I cannot imagine what time the ushers have to be there - maybe they just sleep on the floor because the meeting on Tuesday night didn't end 'til after 2am. Anyway it's fun to have the time to meet, chat and pray with people from so many nations - no one really bothers about the time - a bit like Africa. I really wish I could speak a lot more Spanish.
Once again the morning worship was amazing . I am getting better at singing in Spanish - Mo moves her lips but I'm not sure what's coming out! I can now understand most of the key words in the songs. I now know that Gloria and Alabanza are not ladies in the choir but "Glory" and "Praise". Claudio preached powerfully about Naboth from 1 Kings 21 - he was the man who refused to sell his vineyard to King Ahab because he would not give up his inheritance for anything - not even to save his life. Preachers you can work out the sermon for yourselves. Claudio went on to pray for any who had been tempted to give up their vision / inheritance God had given them. That seemed to be most of us - so we both joined the stampede for the front. Sadly, Mo got a bit upset in the crowd so we left before the prayer bit. We were both a bit down (quite a lot down) over lunch as a result and we wondered about going back to the hotel (i.e. giving up on the vision) It was definitely a low moment for both of us and we were confused about what God was doing.
We DID go back for the afternoon session but with very little enthusiasm to join in - SORRY FOLKS! Then a lady started waving at us from the end of our row. She was from the local FM radio station run by the church and she was looking for someone from the UK to do a live interview about the conference - THE LAST THING WE FELT LIKE DOING! We went anyway and from that moment the day began turning into a HIGH. We spoke about why we had come and how God had led us to be there, also why Mo needed healing. As we spoke, the guys in the studio were visibly moved and once we were off-air they prayed for both of us - THEY WERE FANTASTIC! We then prayed for them and their work and something good was definitely happening. Later we were told that the team of intercessors in the building next door felt strong waves of the Holy Spirit coming on them during the exact time of the broadcast. Who knows what was really happening - what we do know is that God set it up just when we were sinking low and now thousands of listeners in Buenos Aires have heard our story.
There is more so please be patient if you want the rest of the story.
After the radio interview we went back to the hotel for some supper before returning for the final evening session. We had learned that old conference trick of leaving personal posessions on the seats to save a place. It's amazing how far you can stretch a scarf or Brazilian flag when you need to.
As it was the last night the delegates were in high spirits - more like a football crowd - most of them had brought their national flags. There were chants of "ole ole oley ole Jesus Jesus" together with a few Mexican waves with real Mexicans! I know it all sounds a bit OTT and embarrasing but it was great fun. The worship time started at about 9pm - only an hour late - WHO CARES! I have to admit that by now it was unusually hot and humid and I guess the oxygen levels were getting a bit low. Anyway, part way through the second song Mo passed out - not something she has ever done before - so I was very worried as the medical team carried her out to the treatment room. They were superb and it was obvious from the start that they knew exactly what they were doing. Thankfully Mo's blood poressure was normal, which is very surprising. After some iced water, a rest and further checks we decided to go back to the hotel. We were sorry to miss the closing session but we have ordered the DVDs and we will back in the church again on Saturday and Sunday before we fly home.
Thanks for your prayers and interest - feel free to leave messages / comments / questions on this blog page.
Love - Terry & Mo
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Argentina Trip - Day 4 - Hotel Room - 10.45pm
We have reached the end of the second day of the conference and are definitely wilting, so we decided to miss the evening session and headed back to the hotel at 6pm. We have been sleeping - I guess jet-lag does exist after all! I know that sounds a bit negative but the two days of conference have been amazing and the Argentinian guys are so welcoming. One lady came up to us and said she remembered us from when we were here in 1997 - she was our interpreter during the church meetings- what a memory!
There are three sessions each day and there doesn't seem to be much of a gap inbetween. Although all the overseas delegates are booked into a selection of buffet restaurants for lunch. You can choose all kinds of freshly cooked food from pasta, salad, fish and great slabs of beef or lamb. No chance of us losing weight then - it would be rude not to tuck in!
Most of the delegates are from South America. We have only spotted three other Brits plus one solitary Aberdonian. Oh - and there are quite a few from the US - we met a large group from Mineapolis.
The first session started with explosive passionate worship - the Church have several bands and choirs. Since we were here last time they have grown from around 3,000 to over 26,000. They are constantly starting new building programmes. Claudio was explaining that none of their members are allowed to come to the conference - the whole church is mobilised to serve the delegates - there are hundreds of them! The ladies are dressed like cabin crew and the men are all in suits and ties - very smart.
The teaching and ministry times have been amazing and we have both spent a fair amount of the time weeping and being softened by the presence of the Holy Spirit. It's all pretty intense so we don't feel bad about taking some time out to rest. I'm sure we will have much more energy for tomorrow.
That's all for now - I will blog again on Thursday
Love from us both
Monday, September 24, 2007
ARGENTINA TRIP - DAY 3
24th September 2007 - Buenos Aires - 6am
Well we made it to Buenos Aires after 50 hours of travelling!!!!!
The overnight in the Washington Hilton at the airline's expense was not all bad.
The Hotel was amazing and the standard of service was like nothing we have ever experienced anywhere - the staff were really on the ball with free lifts to the mall and the Smithsonian Air & Space Centre. What an amazing FREE museum!
We saw one of the shuttles - James Irwin's space suit - the Enola Gay - Concorde and every other imaginable shape and size of aircraft from the early pioneers until modern times. We watched an IMAX film about the 12 men who have walked on the moon (JOB - just be quiet!)
What is it about hotel showers? I swear they are like fingerprints and snowflakes. They are all different with their own personalities. You think you have it just right and then just when you are all lathered up you get scalded - so you try to adjust the "fawcett" and a whoosh of ice cold water hits you in the face!
The final little surpise stored up for us by United Airlines was the allocation of our seats to Buenos Aires. We were in the same row - GREAT! But we both had window seats - work it out for yourself. When I told the lady at the boarding desk that there was no way that Mo and I would be sitting 7 seats apart she acted pretty quickly and we snuggled down for the 10 hour night flight.
The taxi ride along the freeway into BA is best left to the imagination and definitely best negotiated with eyes closed - the speed limit is 80k (50mph) and the driver managed to do 130k (80mph) most of the way!
The Hotel is fine with a fridge and microwave - and we are only a couple of blocks from the Church. After a shower we went straight to the Church and caught the last half hour of ministry from Claudio. The Church is even more amazing than we remember it. A much larger buliding and congregation. They have two congregations on Saturdays and three on Sundays - the services last about 4 hours with over 2,500 people. Some stay for more than one meeting and there are queues round the block to get in!
We went off for some lunch at about 2pm - an amazing Argentine/Chinese help-yoyurself buffet with all kinds of food from choose-it-yourself stir-frys to large pieces of meat on a coal fire (it was way too big to call it a charcoal grill) Cost? Under £5 each with wine! We will have to find somewhere cheaper.
After lunch we went back for the 4pm service as we needed an early night. The building was nearly full by 3:45 but as UK guests we were shown to the front and given translation headsets.
The worship was astounding - a 50 strong choir and band that looked like they meant every word they were singing. It seem that the duty choir of the day do at least 2 of the Sunday services (all 4 hours long - what committment!)
We had an emotional reuinion with the family we stayed with in 1997 - Nomar and Andrea's 4 kids remembered us and the fun we had. Nomar led part of the service near the beginning. For those of you who are interested - he read a few verses from Mark 2 about the healing of the paralysed man - gave a short 5 minute Gospel presentation and around 50 people responded to receive Christ. Another group came out to receive prayer for healing.
Eventually Cluadio came on to preach - he is a bouncing ball of fun - I have never seen a preacher enjoy himself so much. He spoke from 2 Kings about Elisha asking Elijah for a double portion of what he had! You can imagine where the ministry time went after that. Let's just say that he had spotted Mo and I from the platform and came and prayed for us in our seats - what a start to the week! Bodies all over the place!
I guess I will have less time for blogging as the week goes on so I will try to keep them a bit shorter - we have to register for the conference this morning at 8am so it's an early breakfast for us.
I will have to find out how to add photo's to the blogs.
Thanks for reading - please keep praying - Terry & Mo
24th September 2007 - Buenos Aires - 6am
Well we made it to Buenos Aires after 50 hours of travelling!!!!!
The overnight in the Washington Hilton at the airline's expense was not all bad.
The Hotel was amazing and the standard of service was like nothing we have ever experienced anywhere - the staff were really on the ball with free lifts to the mall and the Smithsonian Air & Space Centre. What an amazing FREE museum!
We saw one of the shuttles - James Irwin's space suit - the Enola Gay - Concorde and every other imaginable shape and size of aircraft from the early pioneers until modern times. We watched an IMAX film about the 12 men who have walked on the moon (JOB - just be quiet!)
What is it about hotel showers? I swear they are like fingerprints and snowflakes. They are all different with their own personalities. You think you have it just right and then just when you are all lathered up you get scalded - so you try to adjust the "fawcett" and a whoosh of ice cold water hits you in the face!
The final little surpise stored up for us by United Airlines was the allocation of our seats to Buenos Aires. We were in the same row - GREAT! But we both had window seats - work it out for yourself. When I told the lady at the boarding desk that there was no way that Mo and I would be sitting 7 seats apart she acted pretty quickly and we snuggled down for the 10 hour night flight.
The taxi ride along the freeway into BA is best left to the imagination and definitely best negotiated with eyes closed - the speed limit is 80k (50mph) and the driver managed to do 130k (80mph) most of the way!
The Hotel is fine with a fridge and microwave - and we are only a couple of blocks from the Church. After a shower we went straight to the Church and caught the last half hour of ministry from Claudio. The Church is even more amazing than we remember it. A much larger buliding and congregation. They have two congregations on Saturdays and three on Sundays - the services last about 4 hours with over 2,500 people. Some stay for more than one meeting and there are queues round the block to get in!
We went off for some lunch at about 2pm - an amazing Argentine/Chinese help-yoyurself buffet with all kinds of food from choose-it-yourself stir-frys to large pieces of meat on a coal fire (it was way too big to call it a charcoal grill) Cost? Under £5 each with wine! We will have to find somewhere cheaper.
After lunch we went back for the 4pm service as we needed an early night. The building was nearly full by 3:45 but as UK guests we were shown to the front and given translation headsets.
The worship was astounding - a 50 strong choir and band that looked like they meant every word they were singing. It seem that the duty choir of the day do at least 2 of the Sunday services (all 4 hours long - what committment!)
We had an emotional reuinion with the family we stayed with in 1997 - Nomar and Andrea's 4 kids remembered us and the fun we had. Nomar led part of the service near the beginning. For those of you who are interested - he read a few verses from Mark 2 about the healing of the paralysed man - gave a short 5 minute Gospel presentation and around 50 people responded to receive Christ. Another group came out to receive prayer for healing.
Eventually Cluadio came on to preach - he is a bouncing ball of fun - I have never seen a preacher enjoy himself so much. He spoke from 2 Kings about Elisha asking Elijah for a double portion of what he had! You can imagine where the ministry time went after that. Let's just say that he had spotted Mo and I from the platform and came and prayed for us in our seats - what a start to the week! Bodies all over the place!
I guess I will have less time for blogging as the week goes on so I will try to keep them a bit shorter - we have to register for the conference this morning at 8am so it's an early breakfast for us.
I will have to find out how to add photo's to the blogs.
Thanks for reading - please keep praying - Terry & Mo
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