November Newsletter

An American in Argentina
Journey with Joy

Newsletter November 2017

The first night I arrived in La Plata, it was an anxious 2 hours by bus from the capital city of Buenos Aires to La Plata. Actually, much to the worry of the people waiting for me, the ride was closer to 3 hours due to particularly congested traffic. At the bus station Iván, the pastor of San Timoteo, and Nico, a student and member of the congregation, were there to warmly welcome me to my new home city.  As we rode in the taxi, Iván gave the driver the directions. I live in a hogar which is a large student housing that is connected to the church building. Despite having extremely limited Spanish skills, I understood that the driver was asking about the church. When Iván explained that Luterana is a from a man named Martin Luther, the man thought he meant  Martin Luther King Jr..

I am accustomed to people not knowing who Martin Luther is or why he is important to the history of Christianity. Living in Argentina, home to Pope Francis and 92% of people who are nominally Roman Catholic, I was not surprised to learn that the Lutheran church is a minority. Throughout Argentina and Uruguay there are around 30 churches within the IELU (Iglesia Evangelica Luterana Unida - the Lutheran church formed by missionaries from the U.S. in the 1950s).

Most congregations have only around 15 members and sometimes fewer. This creates an intimate, close-knit community where you truly know every person within the church. One of my favorite things is that during the time for the prayers of the community in worship, we all gather around the table of communion, hold hands and are able to say our own prayers aloud.

The people may be few but they are certainly mighty; tasks of cleaning the church, providing food, and maintaining the building fall on the small number of people. Of course, all participation is completely optional but I find that sharing of tasks is more likely when there is a limited amount of people. When Marta asks for help in cleaning the temple, it is not to a crowd of casual parishioners but to a small circle of friends.

Such kindness and care! The people of San Timoteo celebrating my birthday with me.

Another unexpected thing for me is the knowledge and deep fulfillment in Christian beliefs, especially in Lutheran theology.

In America, while there are some major differences in various Christian traditions, for many they can fall under an umbrella of Protestantism. Religious folks and and atheists know that churches can look very different - some play organs and some use electric guitars, some have only men leaders and some welcome all to the pulpit whether women, gay or transgendered. Yet it can be easy to group Protestants churches as the same when worship services or lessons can seem nearly identical.

I have not found that to be true here. In my city of La Plata, with a population estimated above 800,000, I know of three Protestant churches; a Methodist church, my Lutheran church and a Salvation Army. Those communities are also very small and this month we had some combined events which attracted large crowds (of 35). I believe the reason these churches have dedicated members despite their size is the message of hope that they may not hear in the Catholic church. Every person I have met here who believes in a Protestant tradition knows why they are a member of that community.  

Why am I a Lutheran? Because I believe that we are all recipients of God’s unconditional love and that forgiveness and love is not gained through good works but it is a gift we did not and cannot earn. I believe that I am full of self-destruction, flaws and the sin of being turned in on myself where no amount of personal self-improvement can create an ideal life. When I am in relationship with God and no longer twisted in on myself,  I can act in ways that better this planet and humanity; feed the hungry, clothe the poor, forgive others, fight against inequality and injustice. We can never reach high enough to go to God but the Divine is always coming down to us; we are not even responsible for our own faith but that is also a gift from God. This outlook of Christianity is controversial today not to mention 500 years ago.

It has been 500 years since Martin Luther, a German monk, nailed 95 theses to the door of the Catholic church. He protested some of the traditions, customs and eventually the theology of Catholicism during the Middle Ages. This lead to the split between the Catholic and Protestant churches, what we call the Reformation, and many Christian churches today exist do to this action. I have been given the amazing opportunity to observe the anniversary in community with the Lutheran church in Argentina and see how they live out the freedom and hope of the Good News.

La paz esté contigo amigos y amigas ! Peace with you friends!

Students from the school Instituto Evangélico Americano perform the hymn

“Castillo Fuerte es Nuestro Dios” or “A Mighty Fortress is Our God”

Reformation Service in Villa del Parque, Buenos Aires. President of the IELU, Gustavo Gomez Pascua giving the message