H1N1 (Swine Flu) in Buenos Aires

The H1N1 Virus (Swine Flu) has hit Argentina pretty hard in recent weeks. This week the government announced closing schools for the month of July (the last two weeks of the month are already winter vacation for kids here). They are also discouraging any public gatherings to curtail the spread of the virus. See my prayer requests below for more specifics.

However, since sharing our prayer needs yesterday, we have now decided to cancel Encuentros for the month of July. Encuentros is our twice a month overnight gathering with the youth from the train station. As a precautionary measure, our church has canceled all gatherings for children, youth, and adults for the month, with the exception of an hour worship service on Sundays. This is happening throughout the city in churches and social/civic organizations.

My last prayer letter and prayer requests indicated how meaningful our Encuentros gatherings with the youth have been in recent months. We shared the news with them yesterday. They were disappointed, but understanding of the situation and need to cancel. It is extra disappointing to cancel during the winter season, since Encuentros provides our friends a safe, warm place to sleep a couple nights a month.

Please pray for God’s best this month. Pray that the spread of the virus would be limited in the weeks ahead. Pray that we can find special ways to connect with our friends and encourage them during this time. And pray that God would protect their health.