Presente!

Wednesday was Remeberance Day in Argentina for the 30,000 (maybe more) people who disappeared after the military coup in the late 1970's. We had off school and so I went into Capital (downtown BA) with some friends for the afternoon. We went to Plaza de Mayo where people were there was a demonstration. There were banners and a massive crowd. Names were being read of the disappeared and the crowd would respond with "Presente!" (present). It didn't impact me much that day, but the things we saw stayed in the back of my head. The other day I was at the train station and noticed posters of outlined bodies with the name, town and a date with "Presente!" written really big over it. All of the sudden it sunk it. Talk about a chilling, haunting feeling. Realizing those people that are represented at the train station existed and were loved by people and then suddenly just vanished! And to think that it happens in other places too, not just in Argentina's history.

On to more lighter subjects, I've been here for 7 weeks now. I'm settling into life pretty well as of late. I have a camping trip with friends at my church to look forward to for Easter break. God has blessed me with some great new friends that I have been praying for. Life these days is good. Not easy, but good.

The 5th grade Chile Fundraiser starts on Wednesday and continues the following Monday. We are hoping to raise $2,500 pesos.

Finally, I would appreciate prayers for my stomach. The past few days I've been experiencing waves of pain and then it goes away. It's been getting less painful, but its still annoying. I'm not worried about it, but prayers are appreciated. Thanks.

Chau!
kait

The Least of These

I see your eyes. You hand me a slip of paper. I just wanted to ride the train to my destination, not be bothered. If I don't accept your paper, then I don't have to read it (and translate)and I can ignore the request for a few small coins. Why do they have to train you so young to beg. If Jesus rode the train with me, would he take the slip of paper? Would he give them the coins they ask for? Why is there such disparity and unfairness in the world?
Why do I have food in my refrigerator at home and don't have to worry about going hungry, yet these kids don't know when they will have their next meal? Why is it that deep down I don't want to give you a few centavos? Who am I to judge where the money goes? What if they really do need these few cents to buy bread for today. Jesus, give me wisdom to know when I should face my pride and extend mercy and when it is better not to. I just want to be like you.

My students have decided to raise money for Chile after a discussion we had in class about Acts 6 and the widows who were being overlooked in the daily food distribution. I am proud of them. We are going to hold a bake sale the beginning of April for a week and sponsor a jeans day. Students and teachers will have to pay 2 pesos to wear jeans to school that day. We will be sending the money to Eastern Mennonite Missions to be used by friends of mine already doing mission work in Chile who have become involved with the relief in the earthquake region.

The pictures in this entry are from my afternoon trip to Tigre, a town at the end of our train line closest to my stop. It's also along the river, as you can tell.

In contemplation,
kait