Oren en el Espíritu en todo momento y en toda ocasión. Manténganse alerta y sean persistentes en sus oraciones por todos los creyentes en todas partes. Ef 6:18 NTV

 photo courtesy of Marcela – her view down her street.
BetEl family celebrating my birthday.   birds on the lake – Brazo Ultimo Esperanza

Hola!  I pray that many of you are beginning to thaw out and see some green grass; maybe even some flowers!  We are definitely heading into fall here.  The mornings are crisp and the wind has a bit of a bite some days.  The long sleeves have come out and maybe, only maybe, the sandals and shorts will go away soon. It is weird thinking about moving into fall and winter when all I’ve known at this time of year is snow melting, moving into spring, getting the bikes on the road and the kayaks in the water.  By getting the bikes on the road in March, I mean Max sitting across from me at my desk, in the middle of tax season, with big puppy dog eyes saying ‘Pllleeeaaassseee can we insure the bikes now? Pppllleeeaaassseee??’   We do still have flowers and a lot of green (although I saw a few trees with yellow leaves), bikes are on the road all year long; but now it’s time for jeans and sweaters, I’ve seen winter jackets and scarfs already, and the fruits and veggies are changing in the produce stores too.
Baptism Lago Gutierrez

March was another busy month that just flew by.  While I have’t gotten into a new routine yet, the days are full.  March started with a time of baptisms in the lake.  What a special event to be a part of. The youth of our church shared a time of worship, while camping. The youth have been doing some street ministry and sharing God’s love in our local downtown – not the tourist downtown.  They are also looking forward to joining the Youth of the Chilean Covenant Churches at their annual event in July.  So for now – they are fundraising – which so far has been selling desserts, waffles, and hamburgers and fries – after services. It has been encouraging to be a part of their meetings/reuniones and listen to them share and learn about the bible and grow deeper in their faith.
 Some of youth ready to share about God’s love

I was privileged to witness Viki and Jorge receive God’s blessing on their marriage.  A wonderful evening, great friends and laughter, of course asado.  And it didn’t matter that the power was out.

Viki and Jorge Quintana (Hector’s brother and sister in law – my friends)

This month was getting better connected with the Youth Group, Missions Group and Ladies Group.

The Missions group is learning what it means to be missionaries – right here in Argentina, right here in Bariloche.  We are currently planning a day of evangelism to our neighbours in our Barrio. We will be inviting them to a special Easter Sunday Service.

The Ladies group has grown from just a few meeting to over 20 of us at the last reunion.  A powerful time of sharing God’s word, praying together, worshiping together, and of course sharing laughter and life stories over food.  In March they visited the hospital ladies ward and maternity ward and took time to pray for people, share the gospel, an

Nearly every night we have either a bible study, a prayer meeting, a reunion with one of the groups, and on Friday and Sunday we have our church services.  During the day, I study my Spanish to keep advancing, have my own devotional time and bible study, put together workshops and studies, and of course there are the miscellaneous ‘to do’s’ of emails, updates, budget stuff, etc etc.  As well, I am flexible with my time and have the privilege, the honour to share life with people here.  Whether it’s Hawthorne berry picking, having mate, or going for a walk – it is a blessing to be able say ‘yes – let’s do that together, I have time’. Norma and Hector are such as example with this as well.  It doesn’t matter how busy they are, if they are running behind, or what they are doing.  They make the time – there is no visible sign that anything is inconvenient.  They are available and they love to serve on others.  For instance.  last Saturday we were running around doing errands before they left for Rio Chico Abajo (a rural community they share the gospel in monthly.)  We ran into a family from the church at the local grocery store.  They were taking the bus or walking with all their groceries.  No, no, no, no.  Get in the car – we’ll drive you home.  And that we did – joyfully and cheerfully.  It’s part of who Norma is and I pray I can grow in this generosity and joy of serving as she does.

And every morning from 6:30-7:30am we pray together – whether at the Coop salon or in our homes – we pray together.  We are praying for our communities, to be the light, for a location, for direction, guidance and wisdom, for the Holy Spirit.  Prayer is such a powerful tool – almost a secret weapon I think.  So many I know, don’t put a huge importance on prayer time – intentional prayer time.  Or on taking time alone with God. As I have been studying and reading, I am noticing more and more, how many times Jesus ‘went away to pray, went away to be alone’.  I have been taking note of what was happening before and after these times.  The attitude and character of Jesus before and after.  We are being taught the importance of taking this time alone with our Heavenly Father, and how it affects us.

I took a week to have a ‘time out’ with God.  I rented a car and drove to Villa La Angostura and then up the route of the seven lakes.  There were times of walking in the forest, sitting by the lake with my bible and journal, driving and stopping at many lookouts and basking in His glory.  I have to admit that I splurged one day and went on a kayak excursion.  It was wonderful to be out on the water, kayaking – in a red kayak (significance of this detail – our kayaks back in Canada are red).  At our last Mission Meeting before I took this trip, Pastor Hector gave us some homework.  A few questions.   What do we want to say to God?  Where do we want to arrive?  and Pastora Norma asked me, What do I want God to put in my heart?  These questions directed a lot of my prayer time and conversations with God during this week.  There were times of amazing reassurance and very strong confirmations, and there were times of honesty both in grief and in joy.
Kayaking in Brazo Ultimo Esperanza

There isn’t much of an update on residency, but it is getting closer.

BetEl is still looking for a location.  The Covenant Church in Jacobacci is getting it’s feet under it and have started services.  Pastor Hector sends out a daily devotional on WhatsApp and one the home groups there takes these and uses them for a weekly bible study.

April will start with a visit from Eugenio and Pia Restrepo.  We are all looking forward to them coming and sharing, even if it is just a quick visit.  We will have our Asemblea for the District Sur, where we will appoint our committees for the southern churches, and we will also share another BLESS workshop.

Then of course there is Easter.  What does this week mean for you?  For me, it has always been a time of strong reflections on life; even more so last year.  I have no idea what this year brings, but my life is in God’s hands.  I completely surrender to have His will – not mine – His will in my life.

I am excited and encouraged by what is happening here in Argentina.  There are so many ministry opportunities here and more and more doors keep opening. I pray that you are seeing that God is alive and moving here in Argentina. I pray for partnerships to develop, for relationships to grow – across continents.  I continue to pray that you will come – serve alongside myself and my family here.  We need you.  We want you to experience and be a part of our life.  What’s stopping you?

Don’t forget to note the new contact info:

Mailing address for the ECCC has changed:
PO Box 2247, Strathmore, AB, T1P 1K2

Mailing address here in Argentina:
Cacique Purran No 4019, Barrio El Frutillar
(8400) San Carlos de Bariloche
Provincia de Rio Negro, Republica Argentina

WhatsApp:  +5492944314950

I will forever be thankful and grateful for each and everyone of you.  For your prayers, your support, your friendship and your presence in my life.

Praise and gratefulness for the ECCC and the ECC – it is exciting, wonderful and I am humbled to be a part of this family – to be a Canadian Covenant Missionary! I am proud to be an ambassador for Christ with the Covenant!  I am thankful for God’s timing and working in all the details of my life.

Prayer requests include:  the residency process, continued expansion and fluidity of the language.

Prayer for 2019 and the continued ministry here and a clearer view of my role in it. Prayers as I move from school and the known, more into new ministry and the unseen.

Prayers for Argentina as they face economic issues, and for the churches as they respond

Continued prayers for BET EL as we find a new location and pray for God’s direction in this transition.

Continued prayers for the congregations – of those remaining with the Covenant and those following the other pastor.

Praise and rejoicing for the family and friends that I have here

Prayers for Merge teams, individuals, couples and family that are looking to come to Argentina

Praise for the funding that has been generously provided

Support Options

I’d love to connect with you all.  Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions about anything – Visiting your church, Missions, Argentina, ServeGlobally, Prayer Support, Financial Support

From Canada:

Mail your donation:
Evangelical Covenant Church of Canada
PO Box 2247
Strathmore, AB
T1P 1K2

write “Global-Argentina” in memo

Online: covchurch.ca/giving
 – select Global Argentina

Etransfer to donate@covchurch.ca
– write “Global-Argentina” in memo

Online at … covchurch.ca/nahnychuk

From USA
Evangelical Covenant Church
8303 West Higgins Road
Chicago, IL   60631

write “Colleen Nahnychuk Support” in memo

Online: covchurch.org/mission/cnahnychuk