September Newsletter

Here is the newsletter I sent out for September! Hope all is well!

Love,

Cristina

HOLA from Argentina!

Greetings from Argentina! I hope this newsletter finds you getting into the swing of things as the new school year begins. I cannot start this newsletter without sending a big THANK YOU for all of your prayers, emails, support, letters, and thoughts this past month! I am continually overwhelmed with how blessed I am to experience the love of so many friends, family members, and strangers throughout this journey. As I sit down to write this first newsletter, I am overwhelmed with a month’s worth of thoughts and experiences and am excited to share a small glimpse of my journey thus far. In general, I hope to use this monthly newsletter to share short stories, reflections, or perspectives; however, in this first newsletter, I would like to share the nuts and bolts of what I think will be important in understanding my journey and perspective throughout the year. I also hope you will take time to read about the Murga, a dance performed by many of the poorer barrios in Argentina and Uruguay. BAILEMOS!

Keeping in touch… I would love to hear from you this year! You can contact me via email at kinzcr01@luther.edu.

Peace,

Cristina Kinz


Young Adults in Global Missions (YAGM)

YAGM is an ELCA missionary program designed for young adults. I am one of 50 YAGM volunteers who will serve this year in eight different countries. I am one of five volunteers in Argentina and Uruguay.

Our journey started on July 19th when we met in Chicago for in-country training. The week was spent learning, discussing, reflecting, and playing. On the 26th we departed to our various countries for yet another week of training. After a 14 hour plane ride, the four other volunteers, Chris, Kate, Beth, Rachel, and I were greeted by our country coordinators, Kate and David. The next week was spent getting to know more each other as well as more about Argentina. On September 1st we left our training site and headed for what we will call home for the next year!





Vivienda….

I live and work in a province of Buenos Aires called Jose. C. Paz. The city of . J. C. Paz is a mixture of wealth and poverty. I have always known that extreme situations of wealth and poverty within the same city exist all over the world, but I was still struck by the fact that a nice house with gates, running water, electricity, etc… and a shack without a floor can be located on the same block in J.C. Paz. The province is much quieter and relaxed in comparison to the center part of Buenos Aires and I am thankful of the fact that I do not have to push my way through crowds of people when walking to work in the morning!

I live in a small in-law house behind the house of an amazing couple (Rosy and Ernesto) who also work in the community center where I am working. Rosy is a lawyer and works in a shelter for women who have experienced domestic violence. Her partner (Ernesto) is from Venezuela and is currently studying psychology. Omar (Rosy’s brother) lives around the corner with his wife (Alicia) and family, and works as an accountant; however, his true passion is with the community center where he spends most of his mornings and evenings. I feel like every minute I spend with this family, I am changed. There are no words that can sufficiently describe Rosy, Ernesto, Omar, and Alicia and I am so grateful that they will be a part of my journey this year.


Trabajo….

I work with Rosy, Ernesto, Omar, and Alicia in a community center in Barrio Providencia, one of the barrios in Jose C. Paz. Providencia started in 1995 and runs on donations and volunteers. When I saw the building for the first time I was struck by how small and precarious it looked. However, as soon as the gates opened, kids of all ages came running and this small concrete building surrounded by the realities of poverty came to life. The majority of the volunteers in Providencia have been a part of the community since they were in middle/high school and continue to spend their weekends in the community amidst their busy lives of school, work, and other activities.

I spend Wednesday afternoons, Thursday, and Saturday at Providencia. On Thursday mornings I help out in the kitchen and in the evenings I work with 4-5 other volunteers to help tutor 15-20 kids from the barrio. The first Thursday, I was struck by how as soon as the kids saw us coming, they ran outside with their backpacks, ready to learn. Most of these kids are not encouraged to come each Thursday, yet they come excited and determined to learn what we take for granted such as writing and reading. At the end of each session, more faces often show up for milk and a snack while the older kids (without being asked!) begin to sweep the floor, clean the tables, and wash the dishes. On Saturdays, we spend the afternoon playing, dancing, and talking. I love Saturdays because EVERYONE plays…adults, kids, teens, everyone laughs, plays, and cares are put aside for 3-4 hours. I am pulled back into reality at the end of each Saturday when the kids sit down for a snack and with hungry eyes, grab handfuls of cookies.

The “spirit” of Providencia focuses on building relationships within and between communities. There have been so many moments this past month that demonstrate this spirit, but to keep this already-long-newsletter , short, I’ll just choose one. I see this idea of interdependent relationships every Saturday morning when the high school youth meet around 8am to make empanadas ; which are later sold on the street to raise money for a camping trip in January. Youth from the barrio as well as from outside the barrio work together to raise enough money to fund their trip to the beach. Many of the youth who live elsewhere could afford this trip without spending their Saturday on the street selling empanadas, however, they choose to work alongside their friends who come from a very different reality to achieve the same goal of a fun weekend at the beach.

I also spend 3 days each week working at an elderly home which is funded by the Lutheran church. Hogar Ambruster is a private home and houses around 70 elderly with varying degrees of health. The first two weeks at the Hogar were difficult but as I have developed relationships with the residents, I have come to really enjoy my time there. The Hogar is about 7 blocks from Providencia and the change of realities from day to day continually reminds me of the large gap in wealth throughout the world.