argentina here i come....

As I prepare to serve with Word Made Flesh in Buenos Aires, Argentina by February 1...I thought I would share some details about the ministry there, along with some pictures of the friends I will be sharing life and ministry with!

Adriana, Walter, Cora and Amani Forcatto

With the Forcattos (I better start looking for an Argentina futbol jersey soon!)

Jennifer, Jeremiah, and Jordan Dean (baby girl Dean due any day!)
The Deans will move to Buenos Aires about the same time as me and lead four-month Servant Teams.

The soon-to-be Argentina fellas!

Argentina
For the last 35 years Argentina has experienced a general crisis that has affected almost every area of society. The military coup d' etat in 1976, the return of a weak democracy in the early 80's and 10 years of a crude neo-liberal political model beginning in 1990 thrust nearly 50% of Argentina's population into poverty. All this culminated in the economic and social crisis of 2001 that not only resulted in a breakdown in the political, social and economic spheres but also cost the lives of dozens of people.

Like many other Latin American countries, Argentina is attempting to reverse this situation by leaving behind harmful and unjust political and econonmic models. For this to occur the country needs to foster and develop greater equality in the distribution of its resources and newly found economic growth.

WMF Argentina Vision Statement
WMF Argentina exists and is called to serve and discover Jesus among the abandoned and vulnerable youth on the streets of Buenos Aires. Through relationships based on mutual love, trust and dignity, the community seeks to love, rescue and liberate these excluded youth, as well as be loved and liberated by them. WMF Argentina envisions nurturing a movement of believers in Buenos Aires to discover and follow Jesus as they serve among youth on the streets. We also seek to create a welcoming community where hospitality is central, creating a space for healing, rest and reflection for WMF staff serving in South America.

Relationship Building
Walter and Adriana Forcatto are currently the only WMF staff living in Argentina [I add, but not for long!] and serve among kids and youth living on the streets of Buenos Aires. Because WMF has only been a presence in Buenos Aires since March 2005, the ministry of solidarity and accompaniment continues to deepen and mature. Several days a week they meet with the youth in the subway stations, parks and abandoned train tracks, bringing food, activities and games, and the love of Jesus. They also make themselves available to serve within the local church to be a voice for the children and the poor.