St. Andrews, Argentina

Sitting in the quiet waiting area, comfortably admiring the tattered spines of old books, arranged artistically on a bookshelf above the open fire (unlit), Lorna and I admire a painting hung neatly on a crisp white wall. Within the delicate frame, two tartan shawls lie deliberately folded upon large brown leather cases marked ¨Scottish settlers´. Beside which a couple of pairs of old walking boots stand at ease although the creases across the toes suggest they have travelled far.

As we scan the painting more closely guided by Tito - a youth pastor (one of the many volunteers committed to ministering to the group of youth here which easily swells 100 young people between the ages of 15-26) our attention is brought to two ponchos hanging above, two beautifully depicted books. One is labelled Holy Bible and the other Santa Biblica. What this painting conveys and what Tito so articulately explains is the collaboration of two cultures, united becoming one church.

Here is San Andres Iglesia - St Andrews Presbyterian Church in Argentina. A Church where we have had the privilege of worshipping and sharing fellowship over the past week or so. Situated in Olivos, approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes outside the centre of Buenos Aires where we are staying (or one under-ground, one train and a short walk if your travelling Soul Touch style). Founded by Scottish settlers San Andres is now occupied by a community of Argentines, many of whom have Scottish (or English) descent.

Now I daren´t go into the history of either culture or how the church has become what it is - a group of people who boast Gods goodness; a place of worship and sound teaching where family´and community merge into one. I daren´t, mainly because I fear insulting Tito and the others who have taken time to explain in detail the rich ancestry of San Andres and, at times, the tradition surrounding it. However I will say that the collaboration of those two cultures, Argentine and Scottish as so beautifully detailed by the artist whose painting we enjoyed, this church is homely yet completely foreign.

Homely, not only in the sense that the St Andrews cross is to be found upon the door but homely because of the welcome we have received. Unlike the wonderful dancers we've been entertained by on arrival to India or the floods of children we´ve embraced on arrival in Uganda, San Andres is home because it's a lot more like our church: Forward thinking yet sensitive to tradition. Changing and meeting the needs of their community yet uncompromising in their roots which are of course the gospel and the tartan clan by whom it was brought. Some may argue that the roots are Scottish and as a Scot I'd love to take credit for that however as a Christian I recognise that they were simply the vessel through which God chose to carry the word.

Lorna and I have joked however that unlike the Scots the gospel never made its way back home again. Maybe the Holy Spirit was left over here and we need to retrieve it. Of course this was said in jest. We know many of you are "holding the fort over there" and running the race with extreme determination. However we also know that within the church at home there is a longing. A longing to see an awakening. To see some umph put back into things. That doesn´t necessary mean a change of tradition. It doesn't even mean a lot of loud noise or the introduction of raising hands. Nor does it mean we need to change the building or times of service. It requires something much more frightening that stripping out pews. The change that has to occur in order to see “umph” or revival is within our hearts.

On entering San Andres, which by the way has moved from the original church building to the school hall (also founded by Scots and is called Saint Andrews Scots School) to accommodate the growing congregation, there is a sign which reads, "Gracias por traer a la Iglesia a este lugar." Translated this means: "Thank you for bringing the church into this place." Interestingly for a church who recognises and embraces its roots they are not so concentrated on protecting them that they fail to allow freedom for the branches to grow. And the exciting part for us to see is that the branches of this church bear fruit. So where do the branches reach to?

Into the community. A tree is not designed to grow into itself. Nor is it necessary to water the roots over and over again - you´ll only drown it. Structures have been set up here that enable the church to partner the school and university with which it was originally associated. I see something of a pattern emerging of what they are doing and what we are doing. We are not reinventing the wheel, nor are we laying new foundations. That´s all been done before. (1 Cor 3: 11) We´re simply reconnecting. Trying to unite the people. Recognising that together we are really better.Another reason I describe here as “homely” is because I recognise a lot of the same needs. Unlike the other places we've been the needs are not immediately obvious (I'm talking about this particular area not Argentina as a whole). Educated, articulate and immaculately dressed, the distractions for the the people here appear similar to those we see at home. For most God is unnecessary as money, family and the world satisfy their needs. This scene is familiar and for us a whole new challenge. Reaching out to people who apparently have no need for God.

Here at San Andres they neither estrange themselves from the world or become "of" it. Reaching out to some of the most intelligent and privileged children in the country the ministry of San Andres concentrates on meeting these people where they are. They go into the schools and into the universities offering support for initiatives set up, or run if you like, by the educational establishments.



They draw alongside, offering support and in doing so have experienced powerful opportunities to share the gospel through friendships. We've seen that ministering to these communities requires a level of excellency and professionalism although focus on personal relationship is never compromised. Despite polished floor boards, many meetings and incredibly high standards not one person has failed to welcome us with a kiss. Literally! everyone here kisses you on arrival and adios! So apart from the kisses it's a lot like home.

Having said all of this for Lorna and I this week has been a real struggle. I think mainly because we fail to see what we can give them. Physically and financially they don´t appear to need our support - spiritually they are wealthy too. And so amidst a lot of prayers, tears, phone calls home and confusion we continue to trust God that we were meant to be here.



We have learned so much. We've exchanged ideas with the church and testimonies with some of the young people. We've attended worship rehearsals for both the youth band and Sunday worship team and even a leaders meeting, conducted entirely in Spanish. Hence the reason I called this church foreign! We love Spanish and will endeavour to learn. Mainly because we know that the contact (friendship) we have made here goes deeper than the roots of our ancestors or any tradition depicted in a picture. The unity of nations is written in the word: All the nations gather together and the peoples assemble! Isaiah 43: 9


Even more exciting than arriving in Argentina is the news that the Church in Scotland is having a party. OK so they are not calling it that. I think it's a "conference" and that some of our friends from San Andres will be joining you all there. It´s gonna be huge! We know that the conference will be a place for people to share ideas, vision and enjoy being with other believers. We hope that our friends from Argentina will feel at home there not because of tradition or history but because of our shared vision for the future.

The best is yet to come! Love and blessings in abundance... Erica x