Do you remember to Marion?
http://lhmargentina.wordpress.com/2011/06/09/she-is-marion/
A few days ago we received this letter from she:
“I have been back in Germany for three months now, but often think back of my unforgettable time in Argentina, that truly changed my life.
One year ago I was just recovering from burnout and depression that had literally kicked me out of my “old” life. I had worked in the financial services industry and due to constant restructuring in my company and more and more associated pressure, my physical and spirital well-being had gone down constantly. Finally, one day, I broke down and needed more than one year including a treatment in a hospital before I was slowly feeling better. My church family in Frankfurt from Trinity Lutheran church was wonderful and supported me with prayers, good wishes and practical help, as well. I felt that God was with me, too, even though, I could not feel any happiness for months. After having been sick for such a long time, I could not just go on like that. I had already decided not to go back into the financial services industry, but what am I going to do now? I needed time for orientation, away from my old life and environment.
Traveling, that was what I wanted to do, and work as a volunteer to give something back of all the help and love that I had received from my church family and friends during my recovery. Well, God sent me to Argentina. I was full of joy because I wanted to see the beauty of that huge country and I was hoping to improve my speaking skills of Spanish, as well.
After a couple of weeks of language classes in Buenos Aires and Bariloche, Patagonia, where I had already experienced so much love and friendship of the families with whom I stayed, I went up to the North-West of Argentina to start my first volunteer period in Tucumán, the capital of the Province of Tucumán. Again, I felt very much blessed with my new hostparents in Tucumán, Elsa and Raul, who were members of the Lutheran church congregation of ”Josue“. They made me feel like a part of the family and now, I consider them as part of my family as well. In Tucumán, I offered classes in German and English, on basic and conversational level. I had students of different backgrounds and age groups and the classes were incredible. It was not only about learning a foreign language, but to exchange cultural experiences. I was amazed how much people trusted me with most intimate thoughts and I, who were grown up in a rather suspicious culture, did the same thing. During those conversations, my students and myself felt, how valuable the dialogue is between cultures and people in general. The same happened when I was acompanying Pastor David to his bi-monthly bible study group in San Pablo, a small town outside of Tucumán city. The people there were so wonderful and shared their home, delicious food and Mate. During those bible studies, as well, it came to most profound discussions about difficult issues in life that we could all relate to and we could feel our connection to each other and to God.
The people in Tucumán do not have an easy life. Due to sugar cane production, there is a constant air pollution and most of the times, breathing literally hurt. Also, there was a large crime rate, unemployment rate and a lot of drug addicts under young people. Nevertheless, I was amazed, how satisfied people where in Tucumán with their lifes and how much they trust in God. They had less material things, but were much more satisfied and happier than many people in Europe, who have much more material things.
The six weeks in Tucumán passed way too fast and on one weekend, I had to say „Good Bye“ to Elsa and Raul to drive with Pastor David and his family 2,5 hours further up North to Salta, which is the capital of the Province of Salta. Salta is a nice and clean city. It is not affected by the sugar cane production and is much more „touristy“ than Tucumán. Again, I had a wonderful homestay with Angel and Ana, two members of the Lutheran church congregation „Amigos de Jesú“ of Pastor David. I felt truly blessed with those wonderful families I could live with. In Argentina, I experienced so much love and affection like never in my life before. Love that healed my soul.
In Salta, I had many students for my basic and conversational classes in German and English. Again, during those classes we shared a lot more than just grammar rules and vocabulary. I could pray with one student, who was worried about family members. In my class of basic English it was wonderful to see, how well young and older students worked together, motivating and cheering each other up after a successfully pronounced phrase. We shared dreams, hopes, fears and beliefs. We were from different countries, had a different nationality, but during these moments we were just human beings, all equal. These were truly unforgettable and blessed moments.
In Salta, I had the opportunity to accompany Pastor David to several bible studies at private homes. Even though I could not always understand everything I read and heard in Spanish, I learned so much. I did ask and people told me and each other openly about their experiences with God and the topics of the bible.
For me, a new world opened up. I was raised in a Christian home and knew how to pray, but did not know much about the bible apart from what I had learned during confirmation classes. In those previous years in my stressful professional life I went to church regularly, but skipped bible study. In Argentina, I developed a new relationship to the bible and God’s word. In those weeks in Salta, I had the opportunity to talk a lot with Pastor David and his family, too, about life in general, about what it means to serve God and how this could be done.
These conversations lead me thinking about a new career path for when I was going back to Germany. I wanted to work with people, helping them out in difficult situations and tell them about how wonderful it is to walk with God in their lifes.
In July, finally, after 5,5 months, it was time for me to go back to my home country. I left with a happy and a sad eye. I had to leave behind so many dear friends and this made me sad, but I was looking forward to this new path in my life that God has shown me. And I am sure, it will not be the last time to visit Argentina. I will always love this wonderful country and their people. May God provide hope and good leaders who guide Argentina into a good future.
Well, what has happened since my arrival back in Germany. The first couple of weeks were hard. Germany is very burocratic and a couple of times I was so frustrated and very close to getting a ticket back to Argentina, but God was and is with me. I found a wonderful place to live with nice people and I am opening my own business next week doing exactly what God lead me to do. I will be working as an intercultural trainer helping foreign people to accomodate, who come to the Frankfurt area to live and work here. I will provide information and orientation and extend a helping hand.
Thanks to you,Gloria, all the wonderful people I met in Argentina, my hostfamilies, students and friends. God bless you! I will never forget you and look forward to meeting you not before long again!”.
Filed under: Changed Lives
