November 12, 2011
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Argentina ministry trip report
Argentina trip report , 10/25 through 11 11 11.
Tuesday, 10 25 Left for Argentina out of GR and on to Dallas. Dallas toArgentina.
Weds 10 26: Overnight at Esmeralda 542, City Center area, RHRochester ;
10 26 : The taxi driver I got in the morning to take me to Retiro so I couldbuy the bus ticket stopped his cab to walk me personally to Fletcha bus to get executivecami suite ticket. This place is the size of quite a few city blocks and hastons of kiosks to sort through. He took me to find the booth (not all Fletcha kiosks apparently carry the same services) and then to show me port 5 where my bus would be and then wewalked back to his cab and he started upthe meter again as I went to CalleFlorida/ Diagonal Norte to catch Fletcha , yellow, hop on/hop off bus. He wasnot going to charge me extra for all the personal service , but I gave him abig tip.
At the bus stop Imet 2 girls fresh out of army fromIsrael , one from Tel Aviv, the other from Jerusalem (“Do you speak English? Isthis the right line to wait in for the 13:35 PM bus?”)…I had opportunity to tell themof world peace after Messiah, Yeshua , comes on Mt. of Olives when they bothsaid that their “reality” was the possibility of a suicide bomber and/or war intheir path daily. I told them aboutZechariah’s prophesy . We discussed their reading the Word. I told them our churchprays for Israel a lot. And that we prayfor the Jews to know Yeshua.
Thursday, 10 27: Overnight ride on the Fletcha bus to Resistencia. Sat alone.
Friday, 10 28: Settled into Neznajko home on 10 28. Rested. Then supper,fellowship. It was their anniversary.
There are two homes on property: One is for Esther andBasillio and Blackie, their dog. Roan ,the cat too. The other is for Ariel andLiliana, Victoria , nearly 5, andBenjamin, 3, Sukkah the dog, and the baby on the way coming in Spring 2012.
The kids were in and out of my room chattering away inSpanish every day for a little while.
Messages: I took around eight sermons (including somesermon series) from home. I copy/pasted them from my Rosemaryssermons at Xanga site -- things I have been working on since last timeI was in Argentina. In Argentina I chosea message for a particular event, studied it thoroughly, revised parts (pennedin the added notes– no printeravailable) and then took that message to the event.
When I got to the event, I listened to the Lord verycarefully and spoke the things I believe He had me saying. MOST of the time what I taught was entirely different from the messageI had in my hands. BUT, I believe the study is never wasted because thereis no way I could – as Liliana puts it – stand by the mike, open my mouth, andflow in the Spirit if I do not pray and study so I am full of the Word eachtime and have a keen ear to God’s Spirit.
I left all my printed messages at the Neznajko’s and toldLiliana she was free to use anything she found helpful in any of the messages.
She specifically asked for a message for Canzion Bible College on the role ofGod’s law in our lives today in view of the transition from the Old to the NewCovenant that seems to cause some changes regarding the law. I had not taken that message with me so I had to remember what I know and researchBible references again . She also asked me to prepare a message onhermeneutics too for the college and Idid that too.. Note: Hermeneutics: the science of interpretation, especially of the Scriptures.2.the branch of theologythat deals with the principles of Biblical exegesis. Exegesis: critical explanation or interpretation of atext or portionof a text,especially of theBible) (As I wascontemplating on and preparing for that topic I realized this is the kind oftraining I have done a lot in the Leadership and Word Ministry School.)
But, it turned outshe just wanted the first topic, on law (even though I had completed themessage on hermeneutics too which was agood study for me) , and to have thattopic for two hours straight instead ofhaving two classes in a row. So, two classes were combined and all studentsstayed for the entire two hours.
I love preaching in churches; however, over the years Ican count as some of my very favorite times as teaching in seminar and/orclassroom settings where people WANT to go deeply into the Word for a good while!
Study and prayer: My passport tells me my(Robert and I both that first time) first trip to Argentina was August 5, 2005.I have gone each year since; therefore, this is my 6th tripthere.
I have established a “routine” while in the Neznajkohome. 9:30 up. Shower. Esther brings mecoffee/breakfast. Makeup/hairpreparation. Study/prayer until around1:30 PM at which time we have lunch. After lunch, more study /prayer untilwhatever service we have. We usually getback late after service. Sometimesaround 11 PM; sometimes midnight; one night after 3 hour trip home (VillaAngela, 11/6 ) it was 3 AM when we walked into the door. Usually my light is out by around 1AM. Sometimes I can get a little napin the afternoon too.
Add to that the often afternoon nap and some computertime.
I study and pray a lot while there – every chance I can. Ialso read 3 books out of the library there left by Liliana in “my” room (fromher student days at Elim). One was a biography by Charles Blair and there was a biography about Ivan Spencer, thefounder of Elim college.
“Magic Jack”: The Neznajko’s, via Christy Aguirre’s help while Basilio was herein Michigan, acquired a long distance usb plug thing that attaches a phone tothe computer enabling long distance calls to the USA be practically fornothing!! So I was able to call Robert every day when I was in their homewithout having to put tons of charges on my cell phone. (I am going to check this service out and seewhat benefit it could be to have it here.)
Traveling companions to help me: Just before I left, a dear friend said “I wish you couldhave a young person with you to help you”. Yes, that would be nice;however, out of the entire timegone the “help” would only be needed forluggage, getting up out of low chairs, and a few other menial tasks. The rest of the hours while I am studying,resting, etc., what would that poor soul do? I thought of that when I spent thefirst night in Buenos Aires holed up in my room resting for hours ( I did that samething on the first night back into BAafter Resistencia) – what young person wants to be in BA stuck in a hotel roomand what young person do I want out there in the streets by themselves with allthose other gorgeous young folks (not to mention some thieves and swindlers)out there? The big reason I asked Basilio to stop getting some young person togreet me and keep me company in BA years ago was because that young person waswearing me out with all of our running about when I just wanted to “shut down”.
Plus, it costs a lot for just airfare, not to mentionfood, accommodations, etc.
IF someone who could translate, loves solitude, helps withprayer and ministry, does not mind indulging in just a fraction of what mostwould want by way of “tourist activity” and was willing to help in just aboutany way needed, and did not mind all the attention I get with being “up front”without their thinking they want all the same “benefits” without having thesame responsibilities, then maybe it would be helpful Oh, also, they would haveto realize they are not there to “be with me”. I am barely “with me”. I am lost in the flow of what has to be done andwhen I am finally in some “down time”, Idon’t want to have to “entertain” anyone. My ears are alert to witnessingpossibilities which, I am thinking , is enhanced by me not being engaged in some close, ongoingconversation with a friend.
All in all, when I add up the pro’s and con’s and realizehow many times “help” seems to always be there when I really need it (even fromcomplete strangers), I think I like traveling solo. Obviously once I engage in theofficial ministry situations, I am not alone anymore – my hosts see to it I amwell taken care of. It is the“traveling” part that I am alone in. When I am ministering , my hosts are alsoministers there to help.
I write all that so you can understand my point of viewwhen people suggest I take a traveling companion strictly to physically helpme. I am not sure, at this point, how much help that would be. IF I were toexperience more physical challenges, then maybe…. Time will tell.
Health: Of course my major concern during this tripwas how much energy I would have. TheAromasin, anti estrogen pills, had been producing weakness and fatigue eversince I started on them a little over ayear ago.
I cut back from having been in Argentina in some previous years for three consecutiveweekends to being there just twoweekends this time. We only did onefairly long journey ( a 6 hour round trip); but, we did not stay at any hotelsor homes (as before) which cut down on packing and unpacking (which can bephysically tiresome). In previous years we did more than one long journey. I did not take my trumpet (so as to conserveenergy). I did not stand during the entire worship times as has always been mycustom. Previously I had taken someafternoon walks in Resistencia; this time I did not take any. BUT, when I spent two days in Buenos Airesafter the ministry time was over, I was shocked at how many blocks I could walkwithout extreme exhaustion. At one pointI even “trotted” (not a full run) for about five blocks in an attempt to catcha bus. This has not happened since Ihave been taking those pills – walkingvery long has been very tiresome. As Iwas “trotting” I was thrilled to be able to do so …eventually, though (as I sawmy bus come and go in the distance…I was rather out of breath). I was very pleased, though , to have finallyexperienced the level of energy I did during that “trot”! This gives me hopefor the future getting better!
During the ministrytime I had energy event by event just sufficient for that time although I wouldbe pretty much drained of most all of my energy just after ministering. The only night I was totally exhausted during ministry was the night we did twoservices in a row in two separate churches. I was slightly “seeing double” from fatigue while preaching the second service.
All in all, my energy level was sufficient for the work athand and I praise God for that.
It has occurred to me that stretching way past my comfortzone at this present time by going to Argentina is being rewarded by God . I had a sense that moving past the fear of being overwhelmed by it all (packing,traveling, ministering, etc.) into “just doing it” would result in me feelingas if I had climbed up higher into a faith walk with Him as well as producing anew vision for ministry within me. I believe that has happened and willcontinue to happen.
Prayer support: I felt everyone’s prayers this year more than ever! The ability from the Lord to study and thentrust Him for a strong message as well as prophetic words was there constantlyduring my ministry times to the extent that I would be excited to find out whatHe had to say each time. I felt more like just “an available vessel” thanever! I had been listening to BrooklynTabernacle choir singing, “If you can use anything, Lord, you can use me” andthat song came alive to me, i.e., His ability to use anyone who simply relieson Him for guidance, step by step.
Communication (in view of the language barrier): Foreach service I did , Liliana, who is very pregnant and has a husband and 2 young children to carefor , translates for me. She also does alot of non-service communication translation.
I am noticing that with each year I go mySpanish is gradually improving enough to have some very simple conversations –especially when the other person knows just some English. (Some of the cabdriver conversations got to be quite “deep” in spite of the languagebarrier.) Each year about a month or sobefore I go I usually get some library tapes to review my Spanish and enhancemy vocabulary. But, it comes little by little.
What is challenging is that the more I know, themore the other person assumes I know more than I do and they go on and on intoparagraphs I do not understand because they get fast and faster no matter howmany times I say “Intiendo pocoEspanol”. A little Spanish I canunderstand – not a lot!
Liliana’s kids just talked excitedly a whole lot-- giving no heed to the fact there weretimes I could only say “Oh” or “Si” or “uh huh” or some other lame response.
Continued advice for those of you who believe you would love tominister to the nations (or, to those here from other nations): Learn another language. Take it seriously whilein school. Translation is an invaluableministry . Of course, being able topreach yourself in a foreign language would be absolutely liberating!
Pastoral communication and advice exchanged a lot (day after day)between Neznajko’s and me during times of table fellowship: Basilio said that if only I came for that , it would havebeen enough value for me to come. I see that it is valuable for me too to be able sometimes to communicate withother senior pastors who are seasoned and have also been in the ministry fordecades. There are levels of issues thatno one else has to face nor bear the same amount of responsibility. Sharing andgiving mutual insight is refreshing to me.
Liliana and I talked a lot too about the issues inpastoring a church.
My schedule:
Women pastor/leader seminar, 10 29 11: Sabbath. Morningto late afternoon. I taught 2 of the 4 sessions . They took me home to restwhen Esther and then Liliana did a session a piece.
Among other themes, I shared the concept from
Heb 5: 11 Ofwhom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull ofhearing.12 For when for the time yeought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the firstprinciples of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, andnot of strong meat.13 For everyone that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is ababe.14 But strong meat belongeth tothem that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their sensesexercised to discern both good and evil.(KJV)
We pastors andleaders sometimes “baby” people waylonger than we should resulting in any number of sucklings, i.e., unweanedbabies.
Learning when it is time to wean someone and then takingthem off the feeding and/or bottle, theywill beg and cry for a return todependency. As we do with our naturalchildren, we must also do with the spiritual ones.
If we can’t stand someone being displeased with us, wewill have many sucklings.
Also, we then run the danger of the pastor being the main person needed in thechurch rather than the Spirit of theLord Jesus Christ being recognized as the Provider of everything, worthy of being praised, worthy of ourintense attention and adoration.
I prophesied to and prayed for all the actual women pastorsthere (who came up when a call for “all pastors” was made). One pastor had 3 ofher main helpers stand with her so they could get prayer too. I got a strongword for one of her helpers. The 2 in the middle were just “blank” to me. Theylooked so eager that I silently asked God to please give me something for themtoo. The word He gave me was: Both are very shy; both had ocean sized lovepouring out from their hearts. And itwent on a bit more….They both started crying and rejoicing. God is so faithfulto give something! The word I gave to the first lady helper was about how sheloved to study and study and study and that she was to teach the overflow andGod will give more and more. Liliana said, “Do you love to study?” She said“Oh, yes!”
Puerto Villelas, Sunday AM, 10/30 : Prophetic word about this church being atraining center and “arrows” being shot forth . (This word is true for churchesperiod – or should be. But, it was an “ontime” word for them in particular.)
Ps 127:3- Lo,children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.4 As arrows are in the hand of a mightyman; so are children of the youth.5 Happyis the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, butthey shall speak with the enemies in the gate.
Later Esther told me the sermon strengthened her in herongoing calling to train people.
Much prophetic flow occurred. There was a young man being hurt/betrayed and for him tocontinue to be willing to be faithful , loyal friend,. Later I found out he isthe only one in his family who is saved. He cried very strongly during prayerand seemed to be getting a healing.
Tabernacle at night on Sunday. Much prophetic again.
Monday night, 10/31: Church leaders,including cell group leaders all met together . I shared an overall basic review of the content of our monthlyassociate minister’s report as an example of a way to communicate with oneanother about what is going on in the church and the importance of communication. I shared the fact that pastorshave to give an account to God for the sheep and that those we delegateleadership to sometimes must be our eyes and ears and need to communicate withus and with one another too concerning things they are seeing and doing. I shared the origins of this report (firstpresented to our staff while we were at 12th St. and living at PlazaTowers – so it was over a decade ago). We have avoided a lot of problems by having a way to report things asthey happen.
Liliana shared withme later that they had been trying to have people share what is going on byhaving in person meetings with them; however, there is never enough time to geteverything said. I sent her a copy ofthe report form so she can adjust it, if she so chooses, to their situation.
Email I sent River of Life (and my Marymom and EG) on10/31:
HiRiver, Marymom, and EG,
...Lilianajust posted this on her website and I translated it with Google translate...Ithought it would bless you to read this as I FEEL your prayers for me!!
Liliana Neznajko
We are with Rosemary Barnes here {in Resistencia}, the words are veryappropriate..... Sometimes I cannot translate because the prophecies that {she}give{s} some people are just as I get a lump in the throat and the words do notcome out ... aj ja ja I am delighted to hear this so beautifully to our GOD!!!!!!!end of quotation
Tonight I speak with their cell group leadership;tomorrow I do 2 master's level classes at a university called Canzion...Itaught one class there last year. Weds I preach at another church (where I havebeen before). One of the ministries this weekend is a church where I have notbeen. The pastor and helpers were at the 2 meetings I ministered in on Sabbath.I prophesied to all 4 of them and there were many tears/much joy. {I don't whythis went into bold letters and I can't seem to change it...maybe somethingfrom the copy/paste feature of google got attached here...}
YesterdayI ministered in both of the Neznajko's churches here locally. Both times werewonderful...I just opened my mouth and God filled it and the people respondedwith affirmation, appreciation, receptivity, and love. Many receivedprophecies. I never cease to amaze at God putting a word in my mouth if I justboldly step out on faith with the little tidbit He gives me to start with.
Therelationship with the Neznajko's is deepening....the understanding incommunication is growing...precious friends!!!! I have advanced a bit inSpanish....they have advanced a bit in English...somehow we put it all togetherand can converse.
Thankyou, thank you, River of Life, for understanding that this ministry here isOURS and not MINE and your willingness to give and to pray.
WhenI was paying bills a week ahead of time in order to not be concerned about themwhile I was gone (including around 3,500.00 that reflects housing/buildingpay), some gave in a SPECIAL , unexpected way giving 2 grand more than what is"normal"... both on Sabbath...and on Monday (the very day I waspaying the bills). God is GOOD and the body of Christ is wonderful!!!
Loveyou and miss you!!!
Rosemary
Tuesday: 11/1: Went to a churchbrother and sister’s restaurant for lunch; taught 2 hours at Canzion, a Biblecollege, on the role of the law in the New Covenant. A discussion afterwards with the college deanwhich included Rob Bell. Later I sent him a link concerning the controversyabout universalism with him. He had justseen Rob Bell clips on You tube. He never heard about any controversy.
After we left Canzion (around 10:30 PM) ,we went for supper toPastors Bacca’s home. The wife’s name is Norma.
Wednesday: 11/2:
I think this is the day we went to lunch at Clayleeyah(spelled wrong – but you can read how it sounds…) and Daniel’s home for lunch. Sheis a state congresswoman who was debating against it that very morning over abortion with hercolleagues…it is currently not legal, they are trying to legalize it in Argentina.Dan is an architect. We had a great time singing and playing music togetherafter lunch (me on keyboard, Liliana and Dan both played the guitar some, wesang together).
At 6:30 PM we went to a Ladies meetingat a church in down town , Resistencia . Norma Bacca is the women’spastor there. The Lord, while I stood topreach, turned my message into an entire, testimony message about the manytimes He has been repeatedly faithful to River of Life financially (even justbefore I came on the trip). I knew the Lord had me do that for somebody specialthere. Afterwards a lady came up to me and told me she knew the Lord had megive that message for her. She was a professional with a lot of responsibilityand was getting discouraged. Also, thatis where the elderly lady’s love ministered so much to me. The anointing and prophetic flow at thatchurch was unusually strong. The love was tangible.
The first person I prophesied to that night was an elderlywoman (nearly 80). She was pure Jesus love and a prayer warrior who gets upevery morning at 4:30 AM to pray. It was her birthday and after the meetingthere was birthday cake and a celebration for her.
Same night: We got toLorraina’s church around 9:00 Pm for their midweek service. This is the onlyservice in which my weariness and the anointing were in conflict with eachother. Liliana says she doubts if the people noticed this as they seemedblessed by the service. She too had a headache and was exhausted. Mental note:When I give my all in one strong service, know that doing one more maychallenge me tremendously!!
Thursday, 11/3: We enjoyed what hasbecome an annual “River of Life takes the Eurings (Liliana and Ariel and thekids ) and the Neznajkos (Esther only this time) shopping as love gift to them”. Resistencia now has a WALMART. New this year. So that is where we went.
Friday, 11/4: Went to Corrientes to have lunch with Ariel’s parents, Beto andBlanca. They come on the bus every weekend to theTabernacle and they have a mid week cellgroup in their home (led by Ariel and Liliana).
Sabbath, 11/5: Preached and ministered in a service at night at theTabernacle in Resistencia.
Sunday: 11/6: Preached and ministered in a service at Shalom in Villa Angela –a first time for me. We got home at 3 AM.
Monday: 11/7: Got on the bus for the overnight trip to BuenosAires.
Sent this email to River of Life the next day: Hi River,
I know you pray for meto be used even as I travel so I want you to know that on the overnight bustrip I sat next to a young Korean man named Woo (rhymes with ooooo). I wentthrough the plan of salvation with him and he said he was going to get a Bibleand learn more about God.
Today I was on a bus inthe city and sat next to a young man from Dublin ,Ireland. Alan. I had anopportunity to share God's plan for salvation with him too. When we started outI prayed God would give me an open door to share with him . At that moment itseemed like a tightly shut door. Soon he asked me why I was here. Then I toldhim "to preach". And he asked some examples of what I shared, how Iknew God was real, etc,...one thing led to another and I got to share how hecould be saved.
Tuesday: 11/8: Got into the hotel around noon. Slept 5 hours. Completelyrelaxed in hotel. I was again at the RHRochester on Esmeralda 542 in the city center. There was so much confusion overmy two day registration and it took so much time for the desk guy to straightenit out that I think he gave me aconsolation prize, i.e., a place with TWO big rooms and TWO full baths init. It was quiet and beautiful! I praised God for this favor!
Wednesday: 11/9: Play dayin BA and I sent River of Life this email:
“Gustavothe cab driver, today. He .was Catholicas a child. -- much
catechism and church. He says he is ..done with God....so....we talked a long time
---jammed traffic. We discussed God apart from the church ,i.e., he can
get right with God and then God can lead him to a church...I mentioned
the Pentecostal churches in BA---I encouraged him to pray and read
Bible.. He has .lots of hurts from church.... We discussed the necessity of
forgiveness with a reference to the Lord´s prayer.... we talked about
heaven and hell and how he needs to be ready to see Jesus... he agreed
all I said was true....At first the discussion was with him with his
sunglasses firmly in place and he was always looking forward. By the time we got
really good into the conversation, his glasses were off and he was turningaround a
lot with very sincere eye contact......he seemed moved by God... I pray
he remembers...
AGAIN..thanks for prayers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”Thursday: 11/10: Some time for more play and Got on the plane for home at night. Ministered to Fecundo the cab driver – another person whowas raised Catholic and now intensely dislikes going to church. We --as I did to Gustavo and Alan and Woo – discussed the importance of getting toknow God for ourselves through the Word and prayer and asking Him to help usfind a church. I told him about thePentecostal church. I sent River of Life this email:
Friday :11/11/11 Got homearound 1:30 PM.
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