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Transformed by the Missions Trip to Argentina July 16, 2007 By Amanda Tate
Even if I wrote a book about my missions trip to Argentina I would still never be able to convey to you how amazing it was. This trip brought experiences that could never be captured with pen and paper but could only be captured if you lived it, even if it’s just for 10 days.
For 10 days, from June 13-22, 2007, 23 (mostly young) people went to Argentina, no one knowing what to expect. I had never been overseas anywhere so I definitely didn’t know what to expect or what would happen.
Everyone who had been on a missions trip always comes back saying, “You should go on a missions trip, it will change your life.” You believe them, of course, but you still wonder how will a missions trip change your life, how is it any different from a youth convention or youth congress because many lives are changed there. When I went, though, that question was soon answered.
Amazing Argentines The churches we went to were amazing and the services and the people part of them were the most memorable. We would arrive at a church and the Argentines would come and greet us like we had always been their friends. We all left with many new friends and hopefully one day we can see them again.
The services are what change your life though. The music starts up for worship and the Argentines are worshipping like crazy and, of course, you couldn’t help but worship with them because the presence and anointing of God was so strong. One of the cool things was that there were two different nations and languages. We YOMers (Youth on Missions-ers) didn’t understand what the natives were singing or saying, but it didn’t matter because everyone was there for the same reason and that was to magnify God.
There was no language barrier when it came to worshiping God. Some songs that were common to both of us would bring you to tears because they would sing the song in Spanish and us in English and you couldn’t help but stand in awe of God because you realized how big He was. He understands all languages and He is everywhere-omnipotent—in Argentina, the U.S., everywhere!
God of Two Continents These services were eye openers too. The Argentines don’t have a lot so they don’t come to church to show off the latest clothes or electronics, they come because it’s all about God! It made you check yourself as to why you go to church—is it to show off something new you got or is it to worship God like there was no tomorrow?
When the worship started, time didn’t matter either, they just allowed God to take control of the service; just as it should be! We had a service that was at least four hours long but you didn’t realize it was that long because you were too busy entertaining God’s presence. No one cares if they get sweaty or if their hair messes up because, again, what are you going to church for?
The Bottom Line Lives were changed! Some YOMers were called to the ministry, some got their lives back on track and where it should be, some were used in ways they’ve never been used before, some preached for the very first time, and I think all of us saw God in a way that we had never seen Him before. God is so much bigger now that my eyes were opened and my perspective changed!
Never will I, or any of us, forget the memories made in Argentina and I find that now I’m one of those people who say, “If you can go on a missions trip, go! It will change your life!”
ninetyandnine.com
© 2007, Amanda Tate ----- Amanda Tate is now a new pastor’s kid who has just moved with her family to Arizona. She loves God, people, and writing. Oh, and let’s not forget the mac-n-cheese!
To read the official travel blog and see more pictures, visit the Missouri Youth blog.
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