I think I´m becoming Argentine...

One week down...31 to go? I must say, this has been one of the longest weeks of my life. It feels like I´ve been in Choele for over a month. So much has happened, so much learning, so many new, amazing experiences.
I am surprised that I haven´t felt homesick at all--(sorry folks, that doesn´t mean I don´t love you all!). God has just been so present in everything that is happening here. I think I´ve been placed in the perfect family here--we are able to communicate pretty much everything, Clara is a great cook and makes lots of vegetable dishes which makes me happy, Marcos is more quiet but loving dad, and Prisi my hermanita is the joy of my life here, always copying whatever I do, and making me laugh. This past week, us RADers haven´t had much work, per se, but it has been a good time to get aquainted with the town, our families, the culture.
Everyone in the church seems to play the guitar here (I hope to learn in these 8 months...if I can), and Clara spent about 1 1/2 hours for 4 days teaching us some of the church songs. It is wonderful to know at least a few of the worship songs during the services.
I have greatly appreciated the church ¨reunions¨ here--different ones seem to take place every other day. Their dedication to their church is amazing. On Saturday the youth in my zone held a service(the church is divided into 4 geographic zones in the city). About 20 of us gathered in benches in a circle, and two of the young men began playing the guitar, and we began singing. Starting out with louder, faster songs, and then moving into more reflective songs, they intersperse prayers between each song. I´ve never prayer quite like this. Everyone prays at the same time--repeating words of thanks--¨gracias, Senor¨--and taking turns leading longer prayers of petition or praise. Even though I don´t understand all that is said, those prayer and singing times are moments when I am able to let down my guard, not focus on espanol as much, and just come before God. There is so much of God´s presence here in this church, and I thank God for that everyday.
Being able to worship with fellow believers has been one of the most important things that is sustaining me here. I feel strong in Christ right now--with the love of my family here, the welcome of the church and new friends, and the prayers of my family and Prairie Street back home. I can already foresee how hard it will be to leave this place in June.
Please pray for the rest of my team, as some of them are struggling more with the language barrier (I know the most out of my group, so that is probably one reason it isn´t phasing me as much). We just started language classes yesterday, so that should help them. I´m going to have to ask for a bit harder work, seeing that we started our class practicing the days of the week, and I´m quite a bit past that.

Dios les bendiga!

Con amor, Andrea