Authentic Encounters with God

"Every authentic encounter with God makes a person less insular, less complacent, and more restless, more inspired, and more committed with the world and humankind.”
— Anthony Gittens

I have experienced many authentic encounters with God in Comodoro, Argentina. During each afternoon in La Casita (childcare center), I experience an authentic encounter with God. I see the care that strong and capable Ana pours into her service to these small people that are so much weaker than she is. These children will never be able to return to Ana all that she has given them. They probably will never even understand all that she has given. In this tenderly caring service, I encounter God at work.

In the generous hospitality of Malena, I experience an authentic encounter with God. Malena gathers all kinds of people together at her table — and she nourishes each one of us with the best that her cupboards have to offer. In this open-handed service, I encounter God at work.

In the untiring patience and gracious teaching of Marcela, I experience an authentic encounter with God. She knows how I long to improve my Spanish — and with respect for my efforts— she gently corrects me. And she listens for all the time it takes for me to say what I am trying to say. In this patient service, I encounter God at work.


In the baptism of Nicolás Marquez, I experienced an authentic encounter with God. Nico’s joy in counting down the days until his baptism, and his confidence in our community — his desire to be connected with us even though we are imperfect: in this unmerited grace, I encounter God at work.

Each one of these encounters (and many more) have opened me up a little more. They have inspired me to take a step a little more outside of my own isolated little world.

Of course, the sad truth is that as soon as I feel a little uncomfortable I am tempted to step back
inside again.

But God continues to open me — and you! — for direct encounters with God’s love. I will always carry with me these authentic encounters I have experienced in Argentina.

Goodbye Argentina!

Here are a few farewell images from the bittersweet process of saying goodbye to Argentina. “To make an end is to make a beginning. The end is where we start from.”
— T.S. Eliot

This is a difficult end for me to make. It is painful to say goodbye to Congregation San Juan Bautista and Comodoro, Argentina. I am leaving this community that has nurtured and loved me and I do not know when or if I will return. This internship experience has opened up new places inside of me that I did not even know existed. I had no idea that there was a part of me that would grow to love Patagonia. That in some crazy way – despite language barriers and misunderstandings – I would become part of this place and that it would become my place, my community. I never knew that I had within myself a space the shape and size of Patagonia, Argentina. But now as I am just beginning to learn this, I am being called 9,000 miles away – not knowing when I will be able to return. This newly discovered space inside begins to ache with loneliness the size of Patagonia, Argentina.

Although I never knew this space existed, God knew. God knew because God created me with that
Patagonia-shaped space. God created me with way more space and capacity to love and to be in
relationship with others of God’s creatures and with God’s world than I can imagine. God has created me with more capacity than I realize to connect with my neighbors, to hear their stories, to give and receive love and forgiveness, to work for justice on a global scale. God has created all of us with more capacity to be fully human – to be fully alive – than we are able to imagine.

I am grateful to Congregation San Juan Bautista — and to all my family and friends in the United States and in other parts of the world. I am grateful for all the (sometimes) mysterious ways in which we support one another’s endings and beginnings.

First Time Marshmallow Roast

We had a marshmallow roast with the kids from Encuentro Biblico. I'm not able to count how many times I was asked about marshmallows -- "What are those round white things on sticks that they coook over the fire?" Folks have seen marshmallow roasts on the Simpsons and in movies. By request my parents and friends Deb and Pete brought marshmallows when they visited. Our Argentine marshmallow roast was a blast -- and I learned that s'mores go great with Mate!

Naim is Born!

Naim was born on August 9! I'm so glad that I was able to know him before leaving Argentina. Vivi has asked me to be his madrina (godmother)! I am honored to share a life-long connection with beautiful Naim and his mama!

Nico's Baptism

A day I will never forget -- the baptism day of mi aijado (my godson), Nicolas. Nico was one of the first to befriend me in Comodoro -- and he and his mom, Ana, have become very dear to me. His aunt, Miriam is his other madrina -- which, she tells me makes us "heart sisters." Ana also became a member of the congregation! It was great to formalize our connection -- already very strong between the Ana and Nico and Congregation San Juan Bautista.

World Cup Fever

Argentina is a nation of futbol fans! And they start early -- the chiquititos in the congregation's childcare center are 1-5 years and already fans. During each of Argentina's games, the city of Comodoro shut down -- stores closed, buses stopped running. The streets were empty. When Argentina beat Mexico the streets were crammed with raucous celebration. VAMOS ARGENTINA! Maybe next time around will be our year!

Vivi's Baby Shower

The old -- guess how much string it will take to stretch all around Vivi's belly -- game. Just one of the cheesy baby shower games we played!

Tony won! Doesn't he look like he's up to something! Malena says that he was a "tramposo" (cheater) because his girl friend, Kaly, is Vivi's sister -- and she is almost as pregnant as Vivi. "He has his arms around her all the time!" Malena says! "He should be disqualified!


A North American tradition visits Argentina. Mercedes says that it is a tradition typical of the optimistic Yankees. In Argentina it is often considered bad luck to celebrate -- before the baby actually arrives. But Vivi was eager to experience this tradition that she's seen lots of times in US movies -- and the congregation was whole-hearted in expressing its full support of Vivi and Baby Naim!