Uruguay Update

Hola from Uruguay! We're now into our 3rd week here, and God has been blessing us so much, and we're looking forward to much more to come. We arrived in Montevideo, Uruguay, late Sunday night, and were immediately welcomed into the community where we were staying, called Beraca. Beraca is a rehabilitation community for women that is run by the church we were working with. They graciously gave us beds, fed us in gigantic proportions, and were amazingly welcoming to us for the whole time we were there.
We spent the first day getting to know the city and the people there, getting over our jet-lag, etc. We then began working with the church, running clinics on creative arts ministry. Pablo talked to them about how the bottom line must always be evangelism, and that arts are just a tool, and he also taught all of us a new drama. During the week, some of the girls from the DTS also began teaching one of their dances to the people from the church. It was a challenge for all involved, for us to communicate, and for them to learn, but they picked it up very quickly, and really enjoyed the time.
During the week, we also went to many schools to perform. It is amazing that we were even able to get into schools at all, because the public education system strictly prohibits speaking about religion or politics. The pastor of the church we worked with has been trying for years to get into the schools in some way, and was amazed at God's provision for this team. We were honored that God chose us to bring His light into these places. At the schools we performed our dances, songs and dramas, shared some testimonies and we also brought along some members of the church. Four guys, in particular, were a huge part of our ministry all week. They have put together a rap/hip-hop group they call Impacto 07 and it was a great blessing to have them perform with us. The fact that God brought us to work with them was a huge encouragement to them and we could see God stirring a fresh fire in their hearts through what they did with us. We could see that in the future, many more doors will be opened to them for them to continue their ministry.
The contrast in the different schools we visited was incredible. At one school, which is in one of the poorer neighborhoods of Montevideo, and the kids were all really excited that we were there. There were three Christian kids there, all about 14, who were so glad that we were there, and obviously had such a heart to see their classmates find Jesus. Praise God we were able to bless and encourage them! We really felt that God brought his light into the many schools we visited, where the Gospel has previously never been able to come. The next day, the school was the polar opposite. This one was a high school in an incredibly rich neighbourhood, but was such a good reminder that we're all equal before God, and we all need God's love. It was so great to have such differing experiences and see broad spectrum of what God has for us.
One intense day, we had performances at three different schools. Right before the 2nd performance, Fernanda began bleeding and had to go to the hospital, which was very scary, but God provided for us in incredible ways. One of the students' parents was a doctor, and spoke Portugese, and so she helped Fernanda get an ambulence and helped all the way to the hospital. Also, one of the people who had come with us from the church knew English and could translate for us, since Pablo wasn't there. God is truly faithful, especially in the hardest situations. Fernanda and the baby are both fine, and she spent the rest of the time in Montevideo at Pablo's sister's house, resting and taking care of the baby. For the team, it was a big time of growth and building unity, as we had to continue on without Pablo and Fer's presence. The staff stepped up into leadersip and we all had a greater sense of dependence on God and each other.
Our stay in Montevideo was extended to work with the church longer, because they were so blessed and encouraged by the work God was doing through us in the schools. During this time, God provided us with a few more schools to visit, one of them being a military high school. It was an amazing opportunity to bring the Gospel there, and they were incredibly receptive to what we had to say.
We met some amazing people from the church in our time there, and God truly blessed us with their hospitality. One couple in paricular, Jesus and Susy, took care of us all week, and they were awesome. It was really hard to leave them, the Impacto guys, and everyone else, because God did so much in those 2 weeks. We feel that even if we were to go back to Australia now, our time would have been well-spent, but we know that God has even more amazing things for us in Rivera, our next adventure.
Thanks to all for your continued prayers and support, God is truly blessing us! We are all looking forward to everything God has for us here, and for all that he's going to do in Uruguay through us. God bless you all!