The Joyful Journey

I realized that I haven`t put any photos on this site yet, and should share some with everyone. Those of the younger generation who have accounts on facebook.com can find more pics there.

My family: clara, prisy, marcos

the church building in Choele Choel

The Rio Negro River which runs through Choele

Children in the canal at the adolescent camp we helped out with.

With friends at the river.

my snail mail address here:

c/o J. Delbert Erb
De la Libertad 150
8360 Choele Choel Rio Negro, Argentina

Mail takes about 8 days or so to get here I believe.

Buenos dias!

After about 32 hours of traveling and 24 hours spent in Miami, due to cancled flights, I have safely arrived here in Choele Choel. We flew into Buenos Aires, and then started a 13 hour bus ride to Choele Choel. What a beautiful country! I haven´t experienced the culture shock that I thought I might (but it may still come). I am living with a very warm family: Clara, the mama, Marcos, the papa, and their two year old daughter Prisila. It is fun to have a younger sister for once in my life.
The language is a challenge, but doesn´t scare me too much. I understand more spanish than I thought I did, and when people talk to me slowly, I can usually communicate coherently with them. It is encouraging to know I have 8 months to learn, and this is only the first week.
I am excited to meet and get involved witht the church here. They seem to be very dedicated to their church family, to mission work, and to each other. My RAD team will probably spend most of our time with our host families, attending church meetings, youth events, and constructing a new building for their church extension.
Choele Choel is a small town---dusty streets, cement houses, and a wide open sky. About 10,000 people maybe.
I must go right now, but will write more in a bit. Chao! and blessings to you all.

Me and Dad in front of my house, the Faith house