Well, we just finished the conference. Whew! I'm exhausted. But it really went great! I was nervous last night even though I didn't have to teach then. Since I did not have another trainer, Equip sent Pastor Jorge Marquez as the substitute trainer. Pastor Jorge is originally from the Mendoza area, but now has a large church in Uruguay. He is also a fantastic speaker, so the people really connected well with him. I told Jorge that he really set the bar high for me to follow on today. I taught 3 sessions today. At least some of the sessions were a bit detailed, but all were well received. We had a fantastic end to the conference, with a strong outpouring of expression from the participants not only toward the Equip training but also to seeing their ministry advance. I had many people afterwards come up and express their appreciation and say that this training was very practical and that it will help advance their ministries. It was very encouraging to hear such expressions of appreciation. I'll post some updated pictures from the conference this evening.
Tomorrow I will check out of the hotel, so I'll lose Internet access. My next post will probably be from home. In the morning I'm speaking at Pastor Esteban's church. Then around 3:00 I'll head to the airport for my flight home (yeah!! Now, I'm ready to go). I'm looking forward to seeing Patty and Rachel and Aaron now!!
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Friday, May 30, 2008
Friday morning update
Yesterday was a great day as I spent time preparing for the conference and getting to know the team here in Mendoza. I spent some time exploring downtown Mendoza, which is a busy urban area. Noticing that English music is everywhere (had breakfast listening to Norah Jones). The hotel is very nice, and thanks to a great exchange rate for us, a real bargain. (Speaking of good exchange rates, a Coca Cola equivalent to a 16oz is about 60 cents. Dinner for 3 is less than $18)
I went siteseeing with Pastor Esteban Morales, one of the pastors on the Equip coordinating council. Pastor Esteban is a great guy with a generous heart. He, as well as all the team bend over backwards for me, and have been extremely thoughtful and helpful. He took me on a tour of a large winery museum. Wine making is an important part of the local culture in Mendoza, and a major part of the economy here.
I also got to know Pastor Juan Carlos Gervilla, who is the senior pastor of a large church in this area. Juan is the principal person on the Equip coordinating council, and has been actively working to sponsor the conference, and to get wide participation from churches throughout the region. Right now they have over 100 different churches represented in the conference, and are expecting an attendance over 500. There is a real interest here to see churches cross denominational lines and work together for the cause of Christ. That is exciting to me, and perhaps this Equip conference is coming at a pivotal time for the churches here.
Also I've gotten to know Cristian Mikkan, one of the principal members of the Equip council, and the primary contact to me, and to Equip. Cristian and his wife have been so kind to me, introducing me to Mendoza, ferrying me around, and being fantastic hosts. I really appreciate them, and their commitment to the kingdom of God.
Did I mention that Mendoza has some great food. They love their grilled meat - beef, chicken, pork, goat, you name it, they can grill it. I have never seen so many ways to fix beef before. One menu had at least 30 choices with grilled beef.
Anyway, I'm heading out to meet with our translator, and the other trainer who is a pastor of a large church in Uruguay. The conference starts tonight around 9:00, so I will be late returning, but my first session to teach in Saturday morning.
Also, I've published pictures on Picassa Web at:
http://picasaweb.google.com/ray.honeycutt/EquipArgentinaMay2008
I went siteseeing with Pastor Esteban Morales, one of the pastors on the Equip coordinating council. Pastor Esteban is a great guy with a generous heart. He, as well as all the team bend over backwards for me, and have been extremely thoughtful and helpful. He took me on a tour of a large winery museum. Wine making is an important part of the local culture in Mendoza, and a major part of the economy here.
I also got to know Pastor Juan Carlos Gervilla, who is the senior pastor of a large church in this area. Juan is the principal person on the Equip coordinating council, and has been actively working to sponsor the conference, and to get wide participation from churches throughout the region. Right now they have over 100 different churches represented in the conference, and are expecting an attendance over 500. There is a real interest here to see churches cross denominational lines and work together for the cause of Christ. That is exciting to me, and perhaps this Equip conference is coming at a pivotal time for the churches here.
Also I've gotten to know Cristian Mikkan, one of the principal members of the Equip council, and the primary contact to me, and to Equip. Cristian and his wife have been so kind to me, introducing me to Mendoza, ferrying me around, and being fantastic hosts. I really appreciate them, and their commitment to the kingdom of God.
Did I mention that Mendoza has some great food. They love their grilled meat - beef, chicken, pork, goat, you name it, they can grill it. I have never seen so many ways to fix beef before. One menu had at least 30 choices with grilled beef.
Anyway, I'm heading out to meet with our translator, and the other trainer who is a pastor of a large church in Uruguay. The conference starts tonight around 9:00, so I will be late returning, but my first session to teach in Saturday morning.
Also, I've published pictures on Picassa Web at:
http://picasaweb.google.com/ray.honeycutt/EquipArgentinaMay2008
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Arrived in Mendoza
I arrived in Mendoza this morning, after flying all night (total 11.5 hours flying). It was pretty neat seeing the sun rise over the Andes. The last flight was from Santiago Chile over the Andes into Mendoza. Seeing the Andes mountains from the air is incredible! They are a gigantic mountain range, on an Alaskan scale of mountains. When we landed in Mendoza it was 34 Degrees with light snow. On top of that, its late fall so all the leaves are falling from the trees, which really feels bizarre in late May. Mendoza itself is relatively flat, but with the mountains in the background. As soon as you fly in you see vineyards everywhere, so you see why this is known as the Napa Valley of South America.
I got to spend some time today with Cristian Mikkan the Equip coordinator for Mendoza and his wife. They are really great people, with a heart to serve the Lord. Everyone I've met from the other pastors to the hotel staff and people on the street are very friendly. Sorry, don't have any good pictures yet, but should have some tomorrow.
I got to spend some time today with Cristian Mikkan the Equip coordinator for Mendoza and his wife. They are really great people, with a heart to serve the Lord. Everyone I've met from the other pastors to the hotel staff and people on the street are very friendly. Sorry, don't have any good pictures yet, but should have some tomorrow.
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