Keeping a Positive Gratitude

This past week, CFCI started a new after-school program in Los Galpones on Thursday afternoons. I absolutely love going there. The spiritual clash between light and darkness is so physically evident. I am so encouraged by the love I receive through the hugs of some of the children. Their hugs are so sudden, but the children hold on for so long. They are seriously the warmest hugs. Need I say again? They are so desperate for love. I have also seen love reciprocated very directly. One of the older girls gave me a note yesterday that said "Sara, I love you so much. Me, your friend, Paola." I have been told stories about the incredible heart-change in that girl. When CFCI first working in Los Galpones, she would say things like "Your food sucks, and I'm never coming back." Yet here she is, years later, attending every week and falling in love with the volunteers who love her so deeply.

We have also been helping with a group called "English Talk" every Tuesday, where people simply gather to speak in English about a predetermined topic for two hours. We have a diverse group of English-speakers from Wales, the UK, Australia, California, Michigan, South Carolina, and yours truly, New Jersey. With all of those accents, where else should someone go if they are aspiring to learn English? I love English Talk. I have already made some great friends there, and I am so excited to spend more time with them in the coming weeks.

This past Thursday, English Talk hosted an event called English Night. Pretty original, I know. English Night is an event designed to have everyone gather to spend time together, rather than to formally discuss in English. Lots of music and even some poetry were performed by people who regularly attend English Talk. I met a few people there who have actually never been to English Talk, and I saw a few older friends as well. (My "older friends" are friends that I met my first week in Argentina haha.) The night was incredible. I was especially encouraged by how easily I was able to connect with so many people. I really hope I get to see them at future English Talks! Please pray for opportunities to get to know them better and to share more about my faith with them, whether as a part of English Talk or apart from English Talk.

Lastly, we have started working in "La Municipalidad" this week. La Municipalidad is a department that focuses on politics and public relations in the city of Córdoba. Today, I was asked to translate a document from Spanish to English...(cue the gasp). I was really nervous at first because I am obviously not fluent in Spanish, but after the first paragraph, I got into the groove (with the assistance of Google Translate, of course). I learned so much Spanish through that task, and it was so much fun!

More encouraging than that, however, I heard someone singing on the other side of the office in another cubicle. I realized that they were singing "Nothing is Impossible" by Planetshakers in Spanish! I am not sure who was singing and if she would even proclaim to be a Christian, but the words of that song are so true and so powerful when you take them to heart. Please pray that that singer does come to mean those lyrics and can be a light in that office. I am personally so excited to continue volunteering there.

I am so overwhelmingly grateful to be here. I am in awe of how God is moving, the gifts He has given me, and all the avenues where He is using us. I know God has a lot to reveal to me during this time about Him as well as myself. Please pray that I continue my time here genuinely longing to know the Lord more deeply. Thank you again for taking the time to read through this long one!

Father's Day Fun

Sunday was another great day here in Córdoba, Argentina! Because our church service is at night here, Anna and I were able to sleep in a bit and then finally go running for the first time! When we got back, our host mom (Karina) asked us to buy a few things from a nearby bakery. We were proud to walk out with an embarrassment-free experience!!

For our special Father's day breakfast, I tried Colombian coffee for the first time (Karina's favorite). I usually do not drink coffee, but I have been having it more often here. For lunch, we went to our host dad's parents' house. There, we partook in one of Argentina's greatest traditions: asado! Asado is a barbecue with lots of friends and the world-renowned Argentinian beef and meat. It was buenísimo (so good). It was also Anna's first asado! Next, we did the dishes together and then tried some great desserts with the also famous "dulce de leche", which is like caramel but creamier and oh-so-popular in Argentina.

Next, we went to church. The service was much longer than usual. There was a lot of worship which is always good. There were a lot of speakers who shared about prayer requests with a missionary we are partnering with, an upcoming event, and an encouraging piece of Scripture. The senior pastor (who happens to be our host dad's dad) gave a message, and then we ended with a little more worship and communion.

Communion is a tradition based off of Luke 22:19-20 which says, "And [Jesus] took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to [the disciples], saying, 'This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.' And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, 'This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.' " The purpose of communion is to remember the sacrifice Christ made for us and to unify the body of the church. Every church does things a little differently; some have communion annually, semi-annually, monthly, weekly, etc. They all use different bread and drinks as well. For the communion drink at this particular church, they had ushers pass around a glass of wine. I had never seen literal wine distributed during church communion, but it was a cool experience.

Afterwards, we went back to the same house (the senior pastor's house), and had pizza and "sobre mesa" which is essentially when everyone stays at the table after eating and spends time together talking and laughing. How could the day be any better?

Weekend Update with Sara Hayduchok

I hope everyone recognizes the SNL reference...

Anyways, this weekend has been great! On Friday, Anna and I were able to wake up late and spent a while sorting clothes that we brought to the homeless ministry that night. Since our schedule and all of our ministries are weekly, I have been able to see all of our ministries since arriving. Experiencing each ministry has given me so much more confidence while serving. I know where to go, how to help, and how to approach people.

Saturday is our children's ministry in Los Galpones. Like the homeless ministry, this time around was even better for me than my first visit. I still see the same yearning for love. Two boys particularly stuck out to me. One young boy kept kicking the soccer ball as hard as he could, sometimes into others' backyards, sometimes into others' faces. Later, however, he asked me to play soccer, and when I said I had to help somewhere else, he insisted that I played (so I eventually did). The other boy was a teenager who tried to be rude while we were playing soccer, but by the end when we were cleaning up, he put the last chair up on the table for me. You see, they try to push our love away, but we remain persistent. Sooner or later, they realize we offer genuine love, and they want it!

At night, we went to a new youth group meeting where we will be going for the rest of our time here. Because I have been here for over a week, I thought I had experienced everything in our weekly schedule, but this meeting was a wonderful first-time experience! The worship was so great. They were all songs I had never heard before (there are a lot of songs here that I know in English but have been translated). The people are so kind. Instead of just saying hi, they stayed and got to know us. Because our usual interpreters were not with us, I got to practice my Spanish a lot! That resulted in a few extremely embarrassing moments, but they are memories that Anna and I will not forget! Let's just say I mixed up "de nada" which means "you're welcome" with "de nata" which means "cream."

The main worship leader was particularly welcoming. He knew a lot of worship songs in English, so we all went on stage to the piano after the meeting and sang with him! It was sooo much fun. We were all singing and harmonizing, and I even got the chance to play my harmonica finally! Later, he asked us about our churches back home and how we realized our callings to come here. We were one of the last ones to leave, but our time still felt cut short! We cannot wait to return next week :)

Praise God, my understanding of the Spanish here has been improving significantly. Prayers for time efficiency would be greatly appreciated so that I can be in the Word daily and continue updating this blog while maintaining a healthy sleep schedule. Thanks again for everyone's support!! Please send me any prayer requests if you have any!!

Starving Children

On my first full day here, we spent our morning in "los galpones" which is one of the dirtiest and most poverty-stricken parts of the city. There, I encountered dozens of starving children. Thanks be to God, we brought them exactly what they need. We brought torta (cake), mate (tea), and pasta (...lunch), but what they really needed and expected from us was amor (love). I know some of you are reading this and thinking: "Really? It doesn't get much cheesier than that." Let me explain.

These children live in environments where they are abused on every level by their families, neighbors, and even strangers. Most of them live in small houses and sleep in one bedroom where everything their parents do takes place. This includes dealing drugs, taking drugs, and having sex. In this neighborhood, there are no rules. The kids are violent. They throw rocks and hit each other. The kids are loud. They start arguments which turn into pure screaming. The kids are uncontrollable. No matter how much you try to physically keep them from fighting, they keep going until they want to stop. The kids are ungrateful. After spending our whole morning there just to bring them food, drinks, crafts, and soccer, while we were doing the dishes in preparation to leave, I heard what sounded like gunshots when some children began throwing heavy rocks onto the metal roof.

The kids are suffering from so much more than physical hunger. They are starving for love. I can tell by the way they come running to the volunteers and give them a kiss (the common Argentinian greeting). I can tell by the way they got my soccer pinny and even exchanged it for me because the first one was too small. I can tell by the way they just walk up to a volunteer, hug them, and walk away without exchanging even one word. Picture that. It is so powerful. They are so deprived from love, but they know that we offer it. They know because CFCI (Christ for the City International) has been there for three years. They know because CFCI has spent money on buying a house, new tables, plates, and cups, only to have it all stolen multiple times. They know because-- as violent, loud, uncontrollable and ungrateful as they are-- CFCI comes back. Our mission is to help the spiritually suffering where no one else wants to. Why? Because that is what Jesus did.

Do not forget: we are all starving children without knowing and understanding what Christ did for us. The team here has has sacrificed an unbelievable amount to stay in “los galpones,” but after every single painful visit, they know that it is only a weak analogue for the sacrifice Christ made for us, how much pain he went through for us, how uncontrollable we are, how dirty we are, and how ungrateful we are. YET, He loves us unconditionally.

Romans 5:8

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

1 John 4:19

We love because He first loved us.

First Prayer Requests

I have arrived safely to my host family's home! As you can expect, my last few days before leaving were fairly busy and my first 24 hours here have been packed! In this post, I will explain what I will need prayer for throughout my time in Argentina. I will most likely need constant prayer in these areas and, therefore, will not list them in my prayer requests repeatedly.

1. Spanish. I originally wanted to ask for confidence in speaking Spanish because my lack of experience in speaking with authentic Spanish-speakers makes me awfully shy, afraid to ask questions, and too focuses on my mistakes. However, since arriving, my real prayer request is for understanding. I used to feel that my understanding was better than my speaking, but it is unbelievably difficult for me to understand most of what is being said here. In addition to my limited vocabulary, I think my understanding is most heavily influenced by the Argentine accent, native slang, and the different verb tense that they use. Please pray for understanding so I can communicate with nationals with ease and without assistance which takes away from other ministry my teammates can be doing. (But praise God for four great English-speakers who have already been so helpful!)

2. Team cohesiveness. Because I am entering a new culture with only one girl from a different culture than mine, I am a little worried about the potential for conflict. It is so easy for any action to be mistaken or considered offensive. Please pray for patience, understanding, and humility for all parties involved.

3. Health and Safety. Last summer, I sacrificed my health in many areas for various reasons. I have already seen how difficult maintaining my health will be for me considering the cultural differences like small breakfasts, shorter night's sleeps with naps, and late dinners. Please pray that, this summer, I take care of my body by getting sufficient sleep, eating well and not too much, and exercising regularly. Also, because I am in a new country, there are dangers that I may be unaware of, so please pray for protection. I feel so strongly about this because of 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. "Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies."

4. Guidance. I need guidance every day. I will be meeting and passing many, many people these upcoming months. Please pray for the Lord’s clear guidance in terms of whom to speak to and what to say. Only the Lord knows what each and every person needs.

5. Understanding. While Skyping with some of the Argentinian CFCI coordinators about a week ago, they mentioned that their church is a little more on the charismatic side. For those of you who do not know, charismatic churches focus more on the spiritual gifts of the Holy Spirit like healing, prophecy, and speaking and interpreting “tongues.” “Tongues” are described as foreign languages-- sometimes Earthly and sometimes Heavenly-- that the Holy Spirit speaks through you. I know it sounds very strange; it is very strange to me, too! That is why I am asking for prayer in understanding. Please pray for firmness in the order that the Bible declares in this area, yet openness in how the Bible is lived out in a way I have not yet witnessed.

Thank you to all for taking the time to read my blog and pray for me! I am so grateful and I know the Lord is using your prayers! If you have any suggestions on how I can improve my writing, please comment or send me an e-mail at Sara.Hayduchok@gmail.com

Miracles already?!

As some of my friends know, as recently as one week ago, my fundraising was doing extremely poorly. I had not bought my plane ticket, I had no one to sublet from me at my apartment at school, I had less than half of my funds raised, and my family could not afford to support or cover me. In the back of my mind (and in the forefront of some of my prayers) was the question: "should I really be going on this trip?" Was God telling me that He did not want me to go? Would it be better for my family if I stayed at home? Should I stay in Delaware and work for the Summer?

In response to these questions, I felt convicted to ask myself: "Is that putting my life and my family members' lives above the lives and souls of so many others?" Am I comparing my temporary physical needs to others' eternal spiritual needs? Am I being selfish? Am I lacking trust in His power? I decided time would tell what God's will really was.

Last Sunday, I went to my last True Life Church service before leaving for the Summer. We had been studying the Book of James, and that week, we were studying James 2:14-26. The focus was really on verse 17: "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead." James 2:17 and the surrounding passage is often used to support the belief that salvation is earned through works, contrary to other parts of the Bible like Ephesians 2:8-9, which says, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- not by works, so that no one can boast." But instead, my pastor focused on the faith that carries us to day to day, not the eternal faith we have that Jesus died and rose again for us to know Him. My pastor focused on the actions we take to obey God and love others. He spoke about how we can have an active faith, one that takes real risks and trusts God. If we truly have faith and trust in Him, we are willing to perform those seemingly impossible works.

This sermon, for the first time, hit my heart right in the bullseye. Some of my friends always say that the messages they hear on Sunday are so perfectly timed to help them through their immediate struggles. I had just been thinking the prior night how that never seems to happen to me. But God is always faithful (a lesson I constantly need to be reminded of). I decided that I would take a risk and do whatever it would take to go. If God decided to close the door, so be it. But if I did not go, it would not be caused by my lack of effort or faith.

Just a few days later, I decided to finally buy my plane tickets (less than two weeks before the planned departure). I knew that ticket prices always skyrocket as you get closer to the date of your departure, but I was shocked when I looked at the schedule on my computer screen. Since scoping out the prices three months ago, the price had actually dropped by $500. How unexpected is that?! What an incredible blessing! Two days after I bought my ticket, I found out that I was fully funded. Allow me to say that again. Only four days after my re-commitment to go to Argentina, God provided full funding in unpredictable ways. (Shout-out to Ogletown Baptist Church's young adults group whose members were so quick to support me financially for this trip!) I feel that God has provided for me more than just tangibly, but also spiritually. I feel reaffirmed in my calling to go to Argentina this Summer. I know that God has big plans in store for this Summer, and I'm excited to be shocked again by His unpredictable nature.

1 Corinthians 2:9 "However, as it is written: 'What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived' -- the things God has prepared for those who love him--"

The Lowdown on This Trip and This Blog

Hello! I wanted to say a few words about what my trip entails, why I chose it, and what I plan to write in this blog.

This Trip: I am spending two months in the city of Córdoba, Argentina with Christ for the City International, or CFCI. I am not going with my church or school or even a specific program. I am going to fulfill this organizations request for volunteers to help with administration and marketing, which is what I am currently studying at the University of Delaware: Management and Marketing with a minor in Spanish. I will be there at the same time as one other girl, Anna, who is from Michigan. We have only met over Facebook, and I'm pretty stoked to spend the Summer with her. We are staying with the family of two of the coordinators that we will be working with on a daily basis. They have one daughter and one son. I seem to have a lot of similar interests in music and sports that my future host family has, so I am extremely excited to live with them.

We will be working with marketing and social media, creating informational packets and pamphlets, and assisting with a number of different ministries. These include sports' ministry on Mondays, homeless ministry on Wednesdays and Fridays, and children's ministry on Saturdays. CFCI is also hoping to start an English-speaking church/ministry on Sundays that we will have the opportunity to help start as well.

After last Summer in the Philippines with the International Missions Board and Nehemiah Teams, I realized the crucial importance of missions and the calling Jesus gave us. As a business major, I knew that Summer internships were expected between your junior and senior years, so I had this Summer to do missions and be a part of God making an eternal difference in history once again. I chose This Trip after applying to three others. (Thank you to all of you who filled out those recommendations!) I realized that I wanted to go to a Spanish-speaking country because I wanted to use that gift that God gave me to serve Him, and I also wanted to refine that gift to use in the future. I also ideally wanted to go on a trip that incorporated business for the same reason: to use and refine what God had given me. On the shallower side of my decision, I knew I specifically wanted to go to South America, rather than Central America, to come closer to checking off my bucket-list item of visiting all seven continents (two more to go after this Summer).

This Blog: I am planning on using This Blog to share what God is doing in Argentina. I am planning on using This Blog to recall unique experiences I have there. I am planning on using This Blog to update prayer requests. I am planning on using This Blog to be transparent about the questions I face and struggles I encounter. Please feel free to comment or send me any questions you have. Thank you for taking the time to read this, and I hope you will continue to support me throughout this experience.