Outreach - Bariloche Day 3

Today I wake with one eye stuck closed. After washing it with water and heading to the doctors I am informed that it is conjunctivitis, a common ailment here often contracted through dust entering the eye. Unfortunately, all of the pharmacies are too far away to get the needed eye drops, so I continue the day without them, washing my eye in cold tea as a home remedy to help for a while. Our day, upon reaching the church, is to help prepare lots of food for what will be a church party to celebrate the end of 2009 and the beginning of a new year. Three of our team head out with the pastor to a neighbouring city of Bariloche, called Dina Huapi, to visit with families related to the church, while the other four remain in the kitchen to help with the food preparation for what is expected to be a very big party tonight. The pastor with his son, me in the middle, and Miguel and Gabriela on the right. As we visit with the people in Dina Huapi, it becomes clear that we are visiting people who live in very humble surroundings. One of the girls we visit is 19 and in charge of all of her siblings while her mum goes to work every day, returning in the evening. Her dad died some time ago in a traumatic experience. Their basic wooden and concrete structure serves as both a kitchen and bedroom, and the wood fired stove helps to keep the place warm. The young girl holds her baby brother in her arms as she listens to us. She looks more like a mother than an older sister, and is continually attending the needs of those around her. It is encouraging to know that she is a firm believer, but discouraging that there was no way we were able to change her circumstances in the short minutes that we were visiting her. The wooden stove, the girl and her baby brother, the young girls waving at us. In another house we are greeted at the window by two enthusiastic young girls waving wildly. In this house the lady did not know Christ, and after we had shared the good news she wanted to know more. By the time we left, she had recognised Jesus as her Lord and was looking forward to learning more and receiving more visits by the pastor and other Christians. We next head out to Nirihuau for our final visit, but the people are not there. We continue down the road, passing grazing cows, until we reach the point where it crosses the creek. Here is an old wooden bridge, big enough for one car that passes over the top of a narrow gorge. Below are deep crystalline waters surging through, creating a beautiful scenery. In the background is another bridge, for the train, and the waters are more turbulent here as they cascade over many rocks on their way to the gorge. Grazing cows. Standing on the edge looking down at Miguel. Our stop here is brief, but enough to be able to take in the beauty of God's creation and enjoy the spot for a few moments. Eventually we need to return, as there is still a party tonight at the church that we need to take part in. Our visits have taken us well past the time we expected to be back, and when we do reach the church the party is about to begin. With lots of BBQ meat, lots of salads, and an almost talent-quest time where many different people present their songs, playing, and other talents, we all hang around and eat, talk, and laugh while we enjoy the events. My eye is still sore though, and now that it has passed midnight it has become very uncomfortable, so before everything ends, I head back to the house for some needed rest. Miguel returns with Luis after the party at something like 2am in the morning. My sore eye. Yellow flowers are literally everywhere. The girls preparing the food for the party tonight. Gabriela and Miguel outside a shop, waiting for the Pastor. Taking a shortcut through a field. We walked a lot this day. The gorge over which the bridges have been built. This felt more risky than it really was. That is Miguel standing out on the precipice. Looking out to Lake Nahuel Huapi, the main lake of Bariloche, as we return home. The dinner and party in the church.