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YAGM Argentina/Uruguay Retreat #1 - Oberá, Misiones
November 22—December 2, 2024YAGM Argentina/Uruguay Retreat #1 - Oberá, Misiones
For the first time since Orientation in September, the YAGM Argentina/Uruguay cohort was all back together again! We started our retreat with a day trip to Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay, before heading to Oberá in the Misiones province in northeastern Argentina. It was wonderful to spend so much dedicated time with the cohort again, as we spent time reflecting, sharing, and processing the first two months at our site placements. We also worked together on Bible studies, devotionals, and prayer-building exercises which served as both reflective tools and provided us with skills and materials we can use going forward. Oberá is surrounded by rainforest, so we also spent time exploring and soaking in the nature and green before heading back to our sites.
Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay
Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay
November 2024
November 2024
This month flew by! My heart is so full as this month was full of community, service, adventures, and accompaniment. I find myself falling into rhythms and routines, and navigating the never-ending busyness of life in Buenos Aires.
El Redentor & Instituto Evangélico Americano - Villa del Parque, Buenos Aires
El Redentor & Instituto Evangélico Americano - Villa del Parque, Buenos Aires
There were so many wholesome moments of connection and accompaniment this month. From sitting in on First Communion classes and bonding with the kiddos to working on prep for talleres de navidad in December, I find myself falling into a rhythm and routine of serving at El Redentor. Also, working with the high schoolers and alumni to prep the salads for asado and bringing Bibles to the 7th-grade Christian Orientation classes brought me so much joy and community with IEA students.
I had the joy of being there for the First Communion kiddos First Communions! I got to church right as the kiddos were taking group photos in front of the church before service. Once the kiddos saw me, they all went “Brooke!!” and ran over to hug me. It was both so genuine and so wholesome, and reminded me about the power of showing up and being present.
(faces censored for kiddos privacy!)
Throughout the school year, the high schoolers put on a number of asados as a fundraiser for acción solidaria (volunteer service to underprivileged communities throughout Argentina).
I helped prepare vegetables for the salads for the November asado - mainly washing potatoes, and peeling and chopping carrots. In true Argentinian fashion, we all shared mate as we worked together preparing the veggies.
As we gear up for Christmas, I've been helping prepare cards and crafts for talleres de navidad - similar to Ligas but more kiddos and more time (four days compared to one!). I found card ideas on Pinterest and made a couple of them to serve as examples that the kiddos can copy or take inspiration from.
Adventuring around Buenos Aires
Adventuring around Buenos Aires
This month was a mix of spending time with my housemates and friends from my congregation, as well as visiting new neighborhoods and areas in Buenos Aires.
Mate (left) is a traditional Argentinian drink made with hot water and yerba (mix of herbs) in a mate made of calabaza (gourd) or madera (wood) and drank through a bombilla (special straw made for drinking mate). It is also typical to share mate with others - be that friends or others in the community where you're talking or working.
Tereré (right) is a warm-weather variant of mate and is the national beverage of Paraguay. One of my Argentinian housemates showed me how to make tereré - using iced orange juice in place of hot water, and using a plastic mate instead of calabaza or madera so the mate itself won't absorb the flavor of the juice. Typically shared among friends and community, it's quite the refreshing drink on hot days!
📍 Barrio Chino - Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires' Chinatown is full of art, food, and culture. There were also many US-branded foods I hadn't found elsewhere in Buenos Aires, which was quite a surprise!
📍 Café de Gatos - Abasto, Buenos Aires
I had the absolute joy of going to a cat café in Buenos Aires with one of my friends from my host community! We got to feed, pet, and brush the cats as we learned more about their rescue stories and the dynamic between each of the eleven (11!) cats they have currently.
October 2024
October 2024
A month filled with crafts, community, and adventures! I find myself settling into a rhythm and routine and slowly becoming accustomed to life in Buenos Aires.
El Redentor & Instituto Evangélico Americano - Villa del Parque, Buenos Aires
El Redentor & Instituto Evangélico Americano - Villa del Parque, Buenos Aires
October marked the first full month at my site! Most of my time was spent prepping for Ligas by repairing or assembling different activities and carnival games. I also got to spend time with the First Communion and Confirmation classes in their different classes and activities. I've had the joy of being interviewed and involved in several high school English classes at Instituto Evangélico Americano (not pictured) which has been such a wonderful opportunity to interact with students — not only answering their questions about me and my experience in the United States but also learning more about Buenos Aires and Argentina!
The Apostles' Creed - one of the confirmation classes focused on unpacking what the Creed means and why we say it in church!
October Ligas!!
I had so much fun working on the prep and behind-the-scenes aspects this month and have a new appreciation for how much work goes unseen in preparing events. My main project was repainting and decorating tin cans to make the "knock down the cans" game for the carnival-style aspect of Ligas.
During Ligas itself, I accompanied the third graders from station to station. One of the girls asked me to hold + babysit her plush capybara while she played which was wholesome to be trusted so quickly. Other highlights included learning Argentinian playground games and playing with the kiddos in different games and activities — meeting and interacting with the kiddos at their level have been such a joy and a way to connect with them on a deeper level.
I had the honor, privilege, and joy of having ELCA executive and senior directors visit my site to discuss YAGM as a program, tour the church and school, and learn more about the work the IELU is doing. It was truly such a pleasure to be able to talk about my experience with my community (so far—it's only been a month!).
Reformation Sunday!!
Día de la Reforma (Reformation Sunday) was a huge celebration day - it was exciting to see the pews full of people and families. Not only did we celebrate the 507th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, but also confirmed 6 new members! During escuelita (Sunday School), we talked about the symbolism of the Luther Rose and made a craft version that the kids could take home.
Adventuring around Buenos Aires
Adventuring around Buenos Aires
On days I wasn't serving at my site placement, I took the opportunity to explore the city of Buenos Aires. From taking the subway or different buses to simply walking around the neighborhoods surrounding my housing, I have loved immersing myself in a new country, city, and culture. I'm slowly starting to feel more at home here.
One of my Argentinan friends had an extra ticket to a fútbol game and invited me to go with her. It was my first fútbol (soccer) game ever, and it was such an amazing cultural experience — the energy in the stadium was infectious! The team we were rooting for (Vélez) won which was insanely exciting!
📍 Jardín Japonés - Palermo, Buenos Aires
Created in 1967, the Japanese Garden in Buenos Aires symbolizes the eternal friendship between Japan and Argentina. It is full of flowers, koi fish, and traditional Japanese architecture and sculptures.
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