Marion's Story

 

When I was a child I thought that to be a missionary for the Lutheran Church would be a very difficult undertaking. You would have to learn the language and the customs of the country to which you were sent; you would then leave home for ten to twenty years, try to talk people into gathering in a small room so that you could preach to them about Jesus and Lutheranism - I never felt I'd be very good at this type of mission work. How pleased I am that today I can go on a mission trip for a few weeks at a time and do what I do best, hold babies, sweep floors, paint walls, plant flowers, paint fences, and most important of all, make friends with people of another culture, many who are already Lutheran.

The church in Comodoro is an inspiration to many of us. Here is a congregation of about twenty-five members. It has survived problems of space years without a pastor, little money, and some difficulties with the Argentine government. I feel privileged to meet and work with these generous and loving people. They come from many walks of life; Mercedes is an elementary school principal, Malena a social worker and an advocate of women's rights, Viviana, a young mother who works in a book store she and her young son live with an aunt. Eduardo is a contractor who invited us to his home for potatoes pan cakes and carne (meat). Hopefully our visits with these people will further the love of Christ among us and encourage others who don't know this love to seek its comfort at San Juan Baptista. - Marion Cunnington