Starting a church...doesn't even SOUND easy. This is the fifth church plant in which I've had the privilege of participating, and the truth is...it is easier~only because you get used to it. I guess it's kind of like childbirth...the first one is a humdinger, you know! Everything about it is new~you have NO IDEA what to expect because people who tell you about it forget parts... So, the first Sunday of your first church plant makes you REALLY nervous...what if nobody shows? I guess that can happen, although I'm happy that it hasn't happened to us. Well, you work, you pray, you get the church building ready, get up on the first day...then WAIT. Really a nerve-wracking business. WAIT. Well, eventually, a person shows up, then another. It's REALLY exciting! When it's your first time, you actually expect them all back the next week. Doesn't happen. Then...what? Our first time we went through a really hard time. But if I haven't learned ANYTHING else (I'm not too smart), I've learned that WE work, WE pray, but GOD gives the increase! And you know what? He does, in HIS time. This is our first church plant in Uruguay, and it's slow going~it always is. But we really just have to remember...and trust.
Most of the time, it is a great advantage to live right in front of the Ferro (its full name is Ferrocarril Futbol Club~F.C.C.). The kids can go right across the street to play basketball or to swim (in the summer), and Seth has even been out all hours at the chess club. It's a great family place. BUT....yesterday, the Ferro won (evidently) the Salto soccer championship. And boy, did they festejar (party!)! They had a ticker-tape parade all through Salto (all 30 blocks of it!!!!), and they stayed up all night partying. I kid you not, they were up all hours with loud music and happiness! Unfortunately, some of us would like to sleep... I tell you, and I know what I'm talking about, Venezuelan parties have NOTHING on these all-night Uruguayan parties! Having said all of that, ¡Felicitaciones, Ferro!
